Orson had draped an arm over her lazily, as if he might fall asleep on her at any moment, half of his weight leaning against her. Meanwhile, the silver-haired boy trailed silently by her side, his expression as stoic as ever, as though nothing in the world mattered as long as he was near her.
The scene was strangely offbeat but captivating enough to draw squeals from the girls gathered on the bleachers.
The basketball court seemed almost ready to burst with floating pink bubbles of excitement.
As if sensing something, Avira Nassy paused mid-step.
She turned her head—and her gaze met Samuel’s.
“Ren, no slacking during training…”
Her voice was lazy, almost indifferent, as she yawned and continued walking alongside her teammates.
Samuel froze for a moment.
That languid, seemingly harmless figure—so weak and unassuming…
Yet, it was her who, despite her impossible height, could touch the basketball hoop over three meters tall.
It was her who jumped from the free-throw line, those slender hands—looking as though they might snap under pressure—delivering a terrifying force that slammed the ball into the hoop.
It was her, always so relaxed and unconcerned, who could explode in an instant with an aura so overwhelming it was hard to believe.
It was her who had repeatedly shattered all the principles he had stubbornly held onto.
Her presence had upended everything he had once thought impossible.
To work alongside Avira Nassy…
What a casually spoken yet utterly terrifying truth.
He didn’t know if Avira Nassy was a genius, but one thing he was certain of—she was unquestionably a monster.
Her jumping ability, reflexes, hang time, and sheer strength were so flawless they defied belief.
Perhaps only those who had seen it with their own eyes could comprehend that sudden burst of power, that dark and suffocating aura, which seemed capable of freezing the blood in their veins.
An aura so terrifying it made one’s heart race uncontrollably.
“Mm.”
Samuel responded quietly and fell into step with the others.
But his steps carried a newfound determination.
In the unforgiving national league, where a single loss meant the end, they would pursue that glory together—Avira Nassy and the team.
—
As the tournament drew closer, their training regimen intensified significantly.
On the court, they were in the midst of a practice scrimmage.
Cole divided the players into two groups. Samuel, Ashton, Orson, and Avira Nassy were each assigned two teammates, forming two three-on-three teams to scrimmage on opposite ends of the court.
Facing Avira Nassy, the other two players on Ashton’s team appeared visibly nervous.
Ashton, however, remained calm.
He knew she wouldn’t play at full capacity like in a real game, but her level had already earned the acknowledgment of Sandfield’s starting lineup. Facing her now was akin to glimpsing the level they might encounter against Sandfield in the future. Recognizing that gap was the first step to improving and working toward closing it.
If she wanted to win, then he would help her win.
He wanted to become someone she could rely on.
From the sidelines, Cole’s inscrutable gaze lingered on Avira Nassy.
The basketball court in Eastwest’s sports arena adhered strictly to international standards.
A dunk from someone standing only 165 centimeters tall was already an incredible feat. If he remembered correctly, her breathtaking dunk during the match against Young Boss Xi had been from a jump starting at the free-throw line…
Frightening.
However, if she continued playing entirely by instinct, her weaknesses would soon become apparent.
This year’s league promised to be fascinating.
—
Avira Nassy dribbled the ball leisurely. In front of her, Ashton defended tightly.
The other two players on his team marked her closely, cutting off her angles and seemingly leaving her no choice but to pass the ball.
But if she passed, Ashton’s defensive skill would almost certainly allow him to intercept and launch a swift counterattack.
Her eyes flickered toward one of her teammates under the hoop. She raised her hand as if to pass, drawing Ashton’s anticipation for a steal. At that exact moment, she gracefully leaped backward and released a flawless three-point shot.
The ball sailed through the air and swished cleanly through the net.
Cheers erupted instantly as the girls watching on the sidelines screamed excitedly, shouting encouragement for their favorite players.
Ashton stood rooted to the spot, silently watching Avira Nassy as she pulled up her collar and nonchalantly wiped her face.
His silver-blue eyes were as clear as a sky after rain, yet they reflected a quiet, unfathomable persistence.
*It’s still not enough…*
He had returned here for her.
Even if it meant being a shadow that followed her forever, that would be enough.
Ashton stood still, his gaze fixed on Avira Nassy as she casually wiped her face with her collar.
His silver-blue eyes, clear as a pristine sky, held an inexplicable persistence.
*It’s still not enough…*
