บท 13: Chapter 13: The Battle Against Control
The day of the match against Royal Oak Academy arrived, and the tension in the air was palpable. The stadium was packed with spectators, all eager to witness the clash between Lio's team and the undefeated juggernaut that was Royal Oak. As Lio stepped onto the field, he could feel the eyes of the crowd on him. His heart pounded, but his mind remained clear, focused on the task ahead.
Isaac, Royal Oak's captain, stood across the field, surveying his opponents with cold, calculating eyes. His presence exuded control, and it was easy to see why he was called the Field General. His aura of calm was unnerving, and the precision with which his team took their positions mirrored his command of the game.
"Stay sharp," Mia said as she took her place beside Lio. "He's going to try to control everything."
Lio nodded, his gaze never leaving Isaac. "Not today."
The referee's whistle blew, and the game began. From the very first minute, it was clear that Isaac's Spatial Grid was in full effect. His magic tech allowed him to manipulate the positioning of not only his teammates but also subtly influence the flow of the game, forcing Lio's team into defensive stances they hadn't intended.
Within the first ten minutes, Royal Oak controlled the majority of possession. Every time Lio's team attempted to break forward, Isaac was there, orchestrating his defense with an almost supernatural precision. It was like watching a puppet master pull invisible strings, and Lio knew that continuing this way would lead to defeat.
Isaac's team launched a swift counterattack, with their forwards slicing through Lio's defense like a knife through butter. Isaac's eyes darted across the field, predicting every movement. But as the ball approached their goal, Kaito lunged in with a desperate tackle, just managing to clear it.
"Come on!" Kaito shouted, wiping the sweat from his brow. "We can't keep letting them control the game like this!"
Lio grit his teeth, realizing that Rina's words were echoing in his mind. Isaac thrived on control, and as long as Lio allowed him to dictate the pace, they were playing right into his hands. He needed to disrupt that control.
"Time to shake things up," Lio muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing.
With a swift gesture, he signaled to Mia and Kaito, indicating a shift in strategy. They needed chaos, unpredictability—something Isaac couldn't anticipate.
The next play started, and Lio deliberately slowed down the pace of his movements, baiting Isaac's team into pressing harder. Then, in a flash, he sped up, using his Thunder Strike to unleash a powerful pass that bypassed Isaac's carefully positioned midfield. The ball rocketed toward Kaito, who barely managed to control it before sending it across to Mia.
"Now!" Lio shouted, racing forward as Mia spotted the gap opening in Isaac's defense.
For a brief moment, Isaac's control wavered. Lio had found a crack, and he wasn't going to waste it. He surged toward the goal, receiving the ball from Mia. Isaac reacted quickly, but the disruption had already begun. Royal Oak's defenders were scrambling to cover the sudden shift in pace.
Lio took a deep breath, feeling the electricity course through him as he activated his Thunder Strike. With a swift, powerful motion, he unleashed a shot with such force that the Royal Oak goalkeeper barely had time to react. The ball soared past him, slamming into the back of the net with a resounding thud.
The stadium erupted into cheers, and Lio's teammates rushed to congratulate him. It was a crucial breakthrough, but Lio knew the battle was far from over. Isaac wouldn't let them get away with it so easily.
Isaac's expression remained unreadable as he called out new instructions to his team, recalibrating his tactics with surgical precision. The next few minutes were a test of endurance, with Royal Oak pressing harder than ever. Their movements were mechanical, almost flawless, as they regained control of the game.
But Lio was ready for them this time. He had seen the flaw in Isaac's strategy. It was all about control—total, unwavering control. And that was where Isaac's weakness lay.
"Don't give him time to adjust," Lio shouted to his teammates. "Keep shifting the pace, make him react to us!"
Mia and Kaito nodded, following Lio's lead. They began playing unpredictably, alternating between slow buildups and rapid attacks. Isaac's Spatial Grid tech struggled to keep up with the constant changes in tempo, and for the first time in the game, Royal Oak's defense started to crack under the pressure.
Lio seized the opportunity, racing past two defenders as he approached the goal once more. Isaac moved to intercept him, but Lio had already calculated his move. With a quick feint, he dodged Isaac's tackle, leaving him off balance. Lio lined up his shot, the familiar surge of magic tech pulsing through his veins as he activated Thunder Strike again.
The ball shot toward the goal with incredible velocity, too fast for the goalkeeper to react. It hit the net for the second time that day, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Lio's team now led 2-0, but the match wasn't over. Isaac was visibly frustrated, his usual calm demeanor cracking under the strain. He shouted commands to his teammates, trying to regain control, but Lio could see the doubt creeping into his eyes.
Royal Oak launched a final desperate attack, but Lio's team was ready. They had adapted to Isaac's Spatial Grid, disrupting his control at every turn. The final whistle blew, and Lio's team stood victorious.
The crowd roared in approval, chanting Lio's name as he collapsed onto the field, exhausted but triumphant. Kaito and Mia rushed to his side, grinning from ear to ear.
"You did it, Lio!" Kaito exclaimed. "We beat them!"
Lio nodded, catching his breath. "It wasn't just me. We all did it."
As they celebrated, Lio's gaze drifted across the field to where Isaac stood, his face a mixture of disbelief and frustration. Their eyes met briefly, and Lio could sense the unspoken challenge between them. Isaac was defeated today, but the tournament wasn't over yet.
And then there was Chris.
As Lio left the field, the thought of his next opponent lingered in his mind. Isaac had been a formidable challenge, but Chris was on a whole different level. The storm was coming, and Lio knew he had to be ready.
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