"Forfeit?!"

The Korean team's representatives stared in disbelief at the towering young man on the court, wondering if they had misheard.

But the other party simply turned and walked away after dropping that single sentence.

As for the rest of the Japanese team? They remained completely unfazed—as if they had expected this outcome all along.

"W-Wait!!"

Just as Moonlight Ochi was about to leave, Kim Taewoo—his entire body trembling—forced himself to look up and call out to his opponent. "No! You have to finish this match!"

As Korea's strongest homegrown talent, he had his own pride. He wanted to win this match, but not like this—not through his opponent's pity.

"Oh?"

Ochi glanced back coldly. "Save that talk for when you can take a single step forward." (In English)

And with that, he left.

"Damn it!"

Kim Taewoo gritted his teeth, veins bulging as he desperately tried to force himself forward.

Yet Ochi's words haunted him like a nightmare. No matter how hard he struggled, his body refused to obey.

Thud!

Finally, as if all his strength had been drained, he collapsed onto the court. Closing his eyes, he lay there in bitter resignation.

"Uh…"

The referee hesitated before glancing toward the Japanese team's coach—a black-haired boy sitting calmly on the bench.

"It's fine."

Ishikawa nodded. "I respect my player's decision."

"Phew."

The referee exhaled in relief before announcing loudly: "Due to Moonlight Ochi's forfeiture, the winner of this match is Korea's representative, Kim Taewoo!"

"Hah…"

Park Dong-geon, the Korean coach, let out a sigh of relief.

He hadn't wanted to accept this charity either, but without it, they would have lost outright. Compared to three straight defeats, at least one win—even like this—was statistically easier to swallow.

"You bastards…!"

But then, his gaze turned icy as he glared at the Japanese team. "You'll pay for underestimating us!"

Immediately, he pulled aside Korea's next doubles pair—about to play in the Doubles 1 match—and reminded them of this humiliation. "Make them regret this!"

Meanwhile, on the Japanese side…

Mōri and Genichirō stared at Ochi in surprise.

"Ochi-senpai doesn't seem like the type to do this…" Genichirō muttered under his breath.

"Yeah."

Mōri nodded.

Ochi gave off an icy, untouchable aura—the kind of person who took pride in his skills. It was hard to imagine him forfeiting in such an important match.

"It's simple."

Mitsutaka, the team's strategist, smiled. "This was Coach Nyūdō's order."

"Coach Nyūdō?!"

Genichirō blinked, while Mōri's eyes widened. "You mean… the head coach?"

"Exactly."

Before the match, Sanzō had instructed the players to ensure the competition reached the Singles 1 round—no matter what.

And the Singles 1 player?

Ishikawa.

The team's leader.

Mitsutaka suspected this was all a calculated move to showcase Japan's strength. With Ishikawa's addition, their top-tier players were now on par with the Big 4 teams.

And if rumors about Byōdōin's condition were exaggerated…

Plus Oni, still training in the mountains…

Japan's U-17 now had three elite players capable of dominating the world stage.

This exhibition match was just the beginning.

Doubles 1 – Japan vs. Korea

"Next up: Doubles 1!"

"Korea's representatives: Yoo Joon-hyun (3rd year) & Choi Jae-wook (3rd year) vs. Japan's Kazuya Kaji (3rd year) & Ryūji Ōmachi (3rd year)!"

"Players, please prepare!"

On Japan's side, the blue-haired Kaji Kazuya (average build, slightly round face) and the ever-stoic Ōmachi Ryūji (white beanie, thin mustache) stepped forward.

Korea's pair?

A tall, lanky black-haired player (Yoo Joon-hyun, No. 4) and a short, stocky brown-haired one (Choi Jae-wook, No. 5).

Their expressions were sharp with anger—Ochi's forfeit had already humiliated Korea.

Losing here would be unforgivable.

The Match Begins

"Game set, best of three!"

"First set, Korea's Choi Jae-wook to serve!"

The Koreans immediately lined up in an Australian Formation—a strategic setup meant to pressure opponents.

But Ōmachi just sighed.

"Seriously? This basic formation's weakness is obvious."

With a swift swing, he sent the ball straight down the middle.

Yet the Koreans shifted seamlessly, their movements so synchronized they seemed to overlap—an advanced variation called "Phantom Stagger Formation."

"They've mastered over ten different formations," Mitsutaka noted. "They once overwhelmed the Philippines' doubles team just by cycling through strategies."

But Kaji wasn't impressed.

"Pathetic."

In a blur of motion, he intercepted the ball mid-flight and smashed it past them.

"0-15!"

The Koreans paled.

Kaji's speed was inhuman.

They switched tactics, targeting Ōmachi instead—only to realize he had endless stamina.

No matter how hard they pushed, he never tired.

Meanwhile, Kaji danced around them like a phantom.

"0-30!"

"0-40!"

"Game, Japan! 3-6!"

By the second set, Korea's morale shattered.

At match point, Yoo Joon-hyun collapsed, unable to continue.

But then—

"Ahem."

Kaji cleared his throat, grinning. "Ref, we forfeit."

And just like that, he and Ōmachi walked off.

Silence.

The entire stadium froze.

Another forfeit?!

Was this a joke? A mockery?

Coach Park Dong-geon slammed his fists on the bench, whirling toward Ishikawa.

"What the hell are you playing at?!"

But the black-haired boy just smiled.

"Coach Park… isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

His gaze was piercing—as if he could see right through Park's facade.

For a brief moment, Park felt exposed.

Like all his schemes had been laid bare.

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Support my new story:

Fairy Tail: My Contract System Starts with Erza

Roger never expected to wake up in the world of Fairy Tail. But with him came a mysterious system—one that lets him forge magical contracts with others and share in their powers.

His first contract is with Erza Scarlet, unlocking both Requip and Enchantment Magic. From there, every battle, every ally, and every contract brings him closer to becoming a legend. Magical tools drop from fallen enemies, ranging from bizarre to game-changing—like a pipe that forces the truth from liars, or a crystal ball that blurts out everyone's secrets.

With each contract, his partners grow stronger—and so does he. Lucy unlocks her Star Dress early, turning into a one-woman army. Mirajane consumes endless demonic power to fight gods themselves. Natsu wields both Dragon Slayer flames and God Slayer magic. And Erza… becomes the true Sword Saint of Fairy Tail.

While the guild sees Roger as a comrade, the Magic Council knows him as something far greater—the rising All-Magic King, the hidden hand guiding Fairy Tail's destiny.

A tale of contracts, bonds, and power begins here—starting with Erza.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com