[Mission World: The Asterisk War]

  [Main Mission: Achieve final victory in the Phoenix Festa]

  [Countdown to Mission Start: 3 Days]

  The familiar system interface materialized as floating text before Haruki Aizawa’s eyes.

  He paused for only a second before absorbing the information. By now, this was his third time heading into a mission world; the process had become second nature. He didn't feel the slightest bit of confusion, only a calm, practiced acceptance of the situation.

  The name of the main mission—the "Phoenix Festa"—immediately brought to mind the "Seven Stars Sword Art Festival" from his first mission world. There would likely be simirities between the two, which helped him feel even more at ease.

  Even with the new objective looming, Haruki didn’t change his routine. He simply closed his eyes and returned to his meditation, focusing on his swordsmanship.

  When he opened his eyes again, his diligent "maid," Sakiko Toyokawa, had finished setting the table with a vish dinner.

  Looking at the increasingly sophisticated spread, Haruki couldn't help but comment, "Your cooking is getting better by the day. Do you have a background in this?"

  Sakiko offered a gentle smile. "No, but I’ve been spending my free time researching recipes and techniques. I’m gd you’re noticing the improvement."

  "I see."

  Haruki knew exactly how busy Sakiko was. Between her school days and her mountain of part-time jobs, she barely had time to breathe, yet she still put this much effort into taking care of his daily life. Her sheer grit and dedication were traits Haruki genuinely admired.

  Maybe I should give her a raise? Or take her somewhere to rex? He thought about how he might reward her for being so over-qualified for the job.

  As he pondered this, his eyes caught the school uniform Sakiko was wearing under her apron. He wasn't particurly interested in the "JK aesthetic," but he noticed something familiar. Her uniform was the exact same style as the ones worn by Anon Chihaya and Tomori Takamatsu.

  Looking closer, he realized it was the same crest: Haneoka Girls' Academy.

  Are they schoolmates? The thought crossed his mind, but he didn't dwell on it. He certainly didn't mention that he was currently in a band with two of her peers. He figured it was just a coincidence and moved on to his meal.

  The mission countdown continued in the background of Haruki’s mind, but his daily life remained undisturbed. He headed to school early the next morning and, after a quiet day of csses, made his way to the Service Club.

  He intended to spend the afternoon as usual—immersed in meditation and his Sense of Fluctuation. However, an unexpected guest arrived, shattering the club’s silence.

  The visitor was Saika Totsuka, a student from Haruki’s css. Despite his petite, feminine, and undeniably cute appearance, he was a boy through and through. As the captain of the tennis club, Saika was currently drowning in trouble.

  The Sobu High tennis club was in a state of terminal decline. The core third-year pyers had graduated, and the remaining undercssmen cked the skill to compete at a high level. Saika himself was a decent pyer, but he wasn't a "powerhouse" capable of carrying the team.

  The ck of talent had created a toxic culture. Because the roster was so small, no one had to fight for a spot. Members could skip practice or sck off and still be guaranteed a pce in the national qualifiers. For many, just "being in a club" was enough; they were satisfied even when they lost.

  This ck of ambition drove away potential recruits, creating a negative spiral that threatened the club's very existence.

  "I want to change the club, but I don't know where to start," Saika said, looking at Yukino Yukinoshita with pleading eyes. "I heard the Service Club could help with any problem."

  "Helping a club become 'stronger'?" Yukino repeated. She was silent for a long moment before sighing. "I’m afraid the Service Club cannot accept this request."

  "Wait, what?" Yui and Hachiman blurted out in unison. They had fully expected Yukino to take the case.

  "This isn't an individual's problem," Yukino expined calmly. "It's a systemic failure of a group's culture. Words alone cannot fix a ck of ambition. Unless one of us quits this club and joins the tennis team to personally lead them, the core issue of a ck of 'strength' won't be resolved. And I doubt Shizuka Hiratsuka-sensei would allow that."

  "Well..." Hachiman chimed in, his eyes fixed on Saika with an intensity that bordered on creepy. "I could quit. I'd be happy to join the tennis club. Please, make me do it!"

  Yukino let out a sharp, mocking ugh. "And what would a 'bck sheep' like you change? I know your game, Hikigaya. You’d try to make yourself the common enemy so they unite against you. That might create teamwork, but it won't create skill. You’re just looking for an excuse to spend time with Totsuka-kun."

  "You speak as if you’ve tried this before," Hachiman noted.

  "I have some experience with group dynamics," Yukino replied curtly, ending that line of conversation.

  Saika looked dejected. "Is there really no other way? Nothing at all?"

  "There is one method," Yukino said, her smile turning a bit predatory. "A total authoritarian takeover. We control every member's schedule. We force them to run until they drop, swing until their hands bleed, and practice until they break. We prune the weak until only the strong remain."

  Yui and Hachiman paled at the "Spartan Queen" routine.

  Just as Yukino was about to decre herself the new dictator of the tennis courts, Haruki Aizawa finally spoke up.

  "Honestly, the solution is simpler than that," Haruki said, looking at Saika. "If the club cks a foundation of strength, you don't need to fix everyone. You just need to create one person who is undeniably, terrifyingly strong."

  "Huh?" Saika squeaked.

  It was rare for Saika to even be within ten feet of Haruki. Most students at Sobu High felt their legs go weak just looking at the "Sword Ghost." Saika only had the courage to stay in the room because he knew Haruki was technically a club member.

  "Create a powerhouse?" Yukino asked, her interest piqued.

  "The club is stagnant because there’s no bar to reach," Haruki expined. "If the leader—Totsuka—possesses a level of skill that no one can ignore or question, the momentum of the team will shift naturally. The zy will be forced to keep up or be left behind by his shadow."

  Haruki knew this from experience. In the Bck Bullet world, he had effectively "leveled up" the entire Civil Security corps just by existing as an outlier they had to account for.

  "You mean... you can make me better at tennis?" Saika asked, looking up at Haruki.

  "I can," Haruki said, his gaze ft and uncompromising. "But it will cost you. You'll have to endure a level of physical and mental strain you've never imagined. Do you accept?"

  Saika hesitated for a heartbeat, then nodded with sudden resolve. "I do! Please, train me!"

  "Wait, Haruki is going to train him?" Yui asked, sounding worried. "Is he going to survive?"

  "I’m joining too," Yukino interrupted, her competitive fire lit. "I won't let Aizawa-kun take all the credit. Whether your 'powerhouse' theory works or not, I will be there to oversee the discipline."

  And so, the Service Club took the case. Their mission: turn Saika Totsuka into a tennis god.

  Despite his resolve, Saika began to have second thoughts as they walked toward the courts. Haruki’s reputation was... intense.

  "Am I going to die?" Saika whispered.

  "Don't worry," Hachiman said, putting a hand on Saika’s shoulder. "I'll protect you."

  "Hikigaya-kun... really?"

  "No," Hachiman admitted immediately. "I just wanted to say it. If I had to fight Aizawa, I'd rather try to stop a speeding bullet train with my forehead. It'd be less painful."

  Saika’s face crumpled into a look of pure misery.

  They reached the tennis courts and headed to the changing rooms. When they emerged in their athletic gear, the atmosphere shifted.

  Saika, in his tennis shorts and polo, looked less like a male athlete and more like a cute schoolgirl—a fact that made Hachiman and several passing students do a double-take.

  Haruki, however, was as stoic as ever. He didn't care about aesthetics.

  Yukino and Yui emerged next. In their gym clothes, their athletic figures were on full dispy. However, this also highlighted a specific "weakness" of Yukino's. Compared to Yui’s healthy curves, Yukino was... remarkably ft.

  "Dammit," Yukino hissed under her breath, noticing Yui’s bounce as they walked. She quickly looked away, pretending to be focused on the court.

  Haruki and Hachiman followed. While Hachiman looked like a typical nky teen, Haruki’s transformation was striking. His school uniform usually hid his physique, but the athletic shirt revealed a frame of dense, functional muscle—the body of a man who had spent years swinging a heavy bde. Both Hachiman and Saika felt a pang of genuine envy.

  "Alright," Haruki said, stepping onto the court. "Let’s start."

  "P-Please go easy on me," Saika bowed. He looked at both Haruki and Yukino. "So... who is starting the training?"

  Haruki stepped back and gestured toward Yukino. "Ladies first."

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