The crowd quieted when he stepped onto the court.
Chen Liang didn't need fireworks, sponsors, or a flashy walk-in. Just his presence—the way he carried the black-and-gold racket at his side, the way his frame filled the space like reinforced steel. His warm-up was nothing more than two smashes against the glass wall, yet each impact shook the court like a warning bell.
Ren's grip tightened around the cracked handle of the Fallen Star. That sound... it's heavier than anything I've faced. Can I even stop that?
Haru's voice cut across the tense silence. "Ren! Don't freeze now, bro! He's human too, just... uh, superhuman."
"Shut it, idiot," Daigo muttered, though his eyes stayed sharp.
The umpire priest raised his staff. "National League preliminary—match to begin. Standard sets."
The first serve came like lightning. Ren didn't even move before the ball exploded off the wall behind him. 15–0. The scoreboard chimed mercilessly.
Second serve—Chen's motion was simple, efficient. The ball slammed Ren's strings so hard his arm rattled. He barely lobbed it up, only for Chen to leap and smash it clean. 30–0.
"Move, Ren!" Shizuka shouted from the bench, her voice sharper than the ball itself.
I can't... it's too fast.
Game after game slipped away. Chen's style wasn't flamboyant—it was direct, brutal, a wall of raw power. Every drive pinned Ren to defense. Every smash threatened to shatter his grip.
By 5–0, sweat poured down Ren's back, his lungs burning. This is hopeless. He's not just a player—he's a machine.
On the next rally, Chen hammered a cross-court ball. Ren lunged, the racket jarring his palm. The ball soared up—too short. Chen was already in the air, his smash arcing down like a guillotine.
Ren's vision tunneled. If I let this through, the set's over. But if I meet it head-on...
His HUD flickered—letters half-formed.
[Iron Block — LOCKED]
Condition: Absorb Power Without Fear.
Ren clenched his teeth, stepping forward instead of back. Then don't fear. Just... hold.
The ball collided with his strings—he thought his arm would snap. But instead of shattering, the force redirected, bouncing high and deep back into Chen's half.
The crowd gasped. The smash didn't crush him—it rebounded.
Chen landed, eyes narrowing. For the first time, he acknowledged Ren across the net.
Ren's palm shook violently, pain surging, but his chest burned with something else. I can do it. I can take one of his blows.
If I can stand against this wall even once... then maybe I'm not invisible anymore.
Padel Knowledge Break #7 - "Endurance Rallies: Why 20 Shots Feel Like 200"
Padel isn't just about who hits harder—it's about who lasts longer. Long rallies (20, 30, even 70 shots) test not only stamina but also patience.
· Players must control breathing, lower their center of gravity, and recover position every single shot.
· Mental fatigue is often worse than physical; after 40 shots, even the smartest players panic.
· Fun Fact: At elite level, most points are actually decided after the 10th shot, not the 1st.
That's why survivors, not sluggers, dominate in the long run.
Meet The Character :
Chen Liang (陳亮)
Role: International Rival / Chinese Powerhouse
Age: 22
Nationality: Chinese (from Shanghai)
Appearance:
· Towering at 188 cm, broad shoulders, strong athletic build.
· Cropped black hair, intense sharp eyes.
· Outfit: plain black tank, red armband, minimal gear (prefers raw power).
Personality:
· Stoic, disciplined, rarely speaks more than one sentence.
· Believes power and control solve everything.
· Cold to most, but respects strength when he sees it.
Signature Style:
· "Great Wall Defense → Counter Smash" — blocks everything with brute force, then hammers the counter.
· Known for terrifying smashes that crack rackets of weaker players.
Quirks:
· Drinks only hot water, even during matches.
· Keeps an abacus keychain — reminder from his grandfather.
· Trains with weighted rackets off court.
Motivation:
· To establish China as the supreme padel nation.
· Views Ren as insignificant — until Ren survives against him.
Racket Name: 「Changcheng」 (The Great Wall/The Wall of Power)
· Black diamond racket with silver etchings shaped like bricks.
· Trait: unmatched durability and return stability, perfect for absorbing power.