Ascension│Bluelock x male reader

3.8. Chameleon And Goat

On the day of the Manshine City game, Isagi was an odd mix of frustrated and content.

He'd made it onto the team. The Bluelock Auction rankings had been released again after PXG and Ubers had played, with ten Bluelock players getting bids.

Itoshi Rin - 36,000,000
Bachira Meguru - 32,000,000
Y/N L/N - 29,000,000
Kunigami Rensuke - 24,000,000
Shidou Ryusei - 20,000,000
Isagi Yoichi - 17,000,000
Oliver Aiku - 15,000,000
Karasu Tabito - 12,000,000
Eita Otoya - 9,000,000
Aryu Jyubei - 5,000,000

Yet, he wasn't anywhere near the top. Isagi could only wonder what had happened in that game. What was so impressive that Rin had received such a high value? He desperately wanted to get closer, to eventually surpass him as the top valued striker.

And that had to start with getting as much game time as possible.

Isagi's hands unclenched and clenched, anxiously fidgeting. All of the Bastard Munchen team stood inside their changing room, fully kitted out, warmed up, and ready to go. Noa held a tablet, one finger tapping at it idly. He looked up, yellow eyes glancing around the room.

"The optimal formation against Manshine is this. We're playing a 4-4-2. Michael Kaiser and Kunigami Rensuke will be centre-forwards, former on the left, latter on the right." Isagi grimaced a little at Noa's words. I'm still not good enough to be in the front positions.

"For the rest of the offence, we'll have Isagi Yoichi on the right, Grim on the left, and Ness in the middle. Our defensive midfielder will be Ali." There were multiple sighs and groans at that, one of the loudest from the man Isagi had replaced. Noa paused. "Our defensive line, from left to right, will be as follows."

"Yukimiya Kenyu. Menser. Birkenstock. Kurona Ranze." He let it sink in for a few seconds. Turning as discreetly as he could, Isagi met Kurona's eyes, grinning at him as he gave him a silent thumbs-up.

The pink-haired boy nodded back, mouthing quietly as Noa kept talking. "I'm in the match to support you, Isagi. I'm taking your side over Kaiser's."

Heart swelling, Isagi's smile widened a little. Even more, as Noa announced their goalkeeper. "Gagamaru Gin."

"Huh?" The caveman blinked twice. "Why me?"

"I'm aware you weren't going for such a position, but your physical stats and abilities all are suited for a goalkeeper. For this team, you have the best numbers to be one."

"Cool." Gagamaru shrugged. "At least I get to play. No complaints here."

"Good. As usual, this team composition has largely been based off numbers. Each of you is highly suited to your role. But this is also an experimental team of eleven."

On the wall behind Noa, a screen flickered on. It showed the formation that Noa had just described, with the addition of a jagged crack running right down the middle of the field. "Currently, this team has two ideals. One is the traditional Bastard Munchen philosophy, using efficient methods and Kaiser as the finisher. The second is Bluelock's style, allowing players to work against each other and surpass each other in order to score goals."

"These two ideologies will go against each other, and in the end, we will shift towards whichever seems more... effective." Noa's dull eyes were unblinking. "Any questions?"

"Wait... Noa." Kaiser hummed. "Is this a test for me?"

"I'm glad you get it." The reply was swift and sharp. "I expected much more from you, Kaiser. But you already lost to the Mercenary, and in horrible fashion too. Show me you still deserve to be the ace."