Chapter 5 — "The 100 Throws"
The sun had barely risen over Oakridge University when Jaden Alexander Brooks jogged onto the practice field. A thin mist floated above the grass, catching hints of gold from the early light. It looked peaceful—calm even. But today was not calm. Today was war.
Coach Daniels stood at midfield with his clipboard and whistle, eyes squinting at Jaden like he was trying to see into his soul.
"Brooks," the coach barked, "today isn't about plays. It's about precision. We're doing The 100 Throws."
Even the seniors flinched when they heard that.The 100 Throws wasn't a drill—it was a trial by fire. Deep balls. Tight-window lasers. Sideline timing routes. Off-platform improvisations. All under pressure. And every single pass had to be graded.
Jaden felt the serum hum within him—only 12% now, still small, still growing. Enough to boost him, but not enough to save him if he slacked. His coordination upgrade from last week whispered in his muscles, urging them to sync.
He took a breath. "I'm ready, Coach."
Throw 1–20: The Warm-Up That Wasn't
The receivers lined up, including Malik Stevens, the star sophomore."Yo, Flashlight," Malik teased, using the nickname Jaden earned last game. "Don't miss. I got a date tonight."Jaden smirked. "Run fast. I'll handle the accuracy."
The first twenty passes were simple outs, curls, and slants.Except nothing was simple when Coach Daniels shouted, "Faster! Tighter windows! Again!" every thirty seconds.
Jaden's arm burned by throw fifteen.His serum-enhanced stamina kicked in at throw nineteen.By throw twenty, he finally found a rhythm.
Throw 21–60: The Gauntlet
Daniels clapped twice. "Now we test the brain."
They ran compressed formations, disguised routes, hot reads against blitz setups.Half the time, defenders didn't rush properly—they sprinted like it was a real game.
Jaden adjusted.
A linebacker dove in his face—Jaden floated a perfect touch pass over the top.A safety disguised a trap coverage—Jaden read it mid-drop and fired to the backside dig.A defensive end swatted mid-air—Jaden contorted, altered his angle, and side-armed a completion like a prime Mahomes.
Each successful completion nudged the serum's progress bar in his mind.12.1%… 12.2%… 12.3%…
Slow, but noticeable.
Throw 61–90: The Deep Ball Trial
Now the receivers lined up on the opposite 40-yard line.Coach Daniels blew the whistle."Let's see that arm talent, Brooks. Hit every landmark!"
Jaden inhaled deeply.His upgraded coordination aligned footwork, hips, shoulders.He launched rockets downfield—arcs spinning perfect spirals.
40-yard post.50-yard go-route.45-yard corner.Sideline bucket throw.Another. Another. Another.
Malik shook his head after the eighth perfect bomb."Yeah… Flashlight is sticking. Dude glows when he throws."
Jaden laughed between breaths, but his arms trembled.The serum couldn't hide fatigue forever.
Throw 91–100: The Judgment Throws
Coach Daniels walked up, his voice low."These last ten decide everything."
No defenders.Just ten targets—small, circular nets standing at awkward angles.Only elite quarterbacks ever hit more than five.
Jaden stepped back, wiped sweat off his brow, and let instinct take over.
Throw 91: Swish.Throw 92: Swish.Throw 93: Rim bounce—miss.Throw 94: Swish.Throw 95: Swish.Throw 96: Swish.Throw 97: Miss.Throw 98: Swish.Throw 99: Swish.
Coach Daniels stared directly into his soul before pointing at the smallest net."Throw 100. If you hit this one… you start next week. Period."
The entire team froze.No one moved.No one breathed.
Jaden exhaled, stepped into his drop, and let the serum—his growing gift—guide the motion through his body. Everything aligned. Everything slowed. Everything synced.
He released.
The ball cut the air cleanly.Perfect spiral.Perfect arc.
Swish. Dead center.
The field erupted.
Malik shoved him playfully. "Flashlight! This dude ain't normal!"A rising chant started among the players:"FLASH-LIGHT! FLASH-LIGHT! FLASH-LIGHT!"
The nickname wasn't just sticking now—It was becoming legend.
Coach Daniels placed a hand on Jaden's shoulder."You're our QB1 now, Brooks. Earn it every week."
Jaden smiled, chest rising with pride.
The serum ticked quietly in his mind.12.9% unlocked.
A long journey ahead—but today, he took another giant step.