Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

"Tomorrow, please pass your assignments to Hao early in the morning. I'll be checking your papers before our class and announcing the top scores afterward," Sir Dao reminded just as the bell rang.

Kai turned to Bao with wide eyes. "We have an assignment?" he whisper-shouted.

Bao softly chuckled before nodding. "The one on page 11," he whispered, not wanting to let Sir Dao hear that his friend wasn't paying attention.

Kai flipped through the worn-out pages of the book that Grandma Bingbing had bought for him. He looked at the page intently while Bao observed his reaction.

"If it's too hard, I can show you my answers early in the morning," Bao offered. "Just come earlier than usual."

Kai nodded without saying anything. The seatwork was simple enough, so he could definitely answer it in less than an hour.

The only reason why he wasn't able to pay attention in class was because he was waiting for his weekly task completion. It had already been a week since it was first revealed, and he was looking forward to getting an upgrade.

Just then, the system appeared before him, engulfing the entirety of the classroom in mist and giving him a virtual reality experience.

[Weekly Mission: Accomplished]

[XP earned: 36]

[Current level: Noob (99/100)]

[Open a new weekly mission?]

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Kai couldn't help but exclaim in disappointment. He was only one point short of the next level!

He clenched his fist and softly hit the table—at least, that was what he thought.

However, Kai clearly underestimated his strength since the action made a loud sound, the legs of the table even cracking in the process.

Sir Dao and his classmates turned to him with wide eyes, and only then did Kai realize what he had done.

Sir Dao's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the tall first-year student.

"You must really hate me giving out assignments, don't you, Kai?" Sir Dao asked, causing Kai to freeze.

Kai didn't respond in fear of escalating the situation even further.

However, Sir Dao continued to gaze at him, scrutinizing every fiber of his being.

"Since Mr. Kai Guo over there is so overjoyed about the assignment I gave, why doesn't the class accomplish page twelve, too?" Sir Dao asked, a mischievous smile arising from his lips.

The class collectively groaned in disappointment, all while subtly glaring at Kai.

"Class dismissed," Sir Dao said, leaving the room to finally let the students have their lunch.

However, despite their initial excitement for the lunch break, the atmosphere dampened, and they whispered to each other while glancing toward Kai's way.

Kai, being used to being the recipient of negative energy, nonchalantly brought out his duck-shaped lunchbox and utensils. He opened the lunchbox and smiled when he saw the onion omelet his Grandma had made.

"I noticed for the past week that your lunch always has onions," Bao said, taking a sip from his water.

"Yeah," Kai proudly said. "My Grandma prepares it for me every morning."

"Lucky," Bao sighed. "Our maid makes my food, but she took a leave today. Now, I have no choice but to go to the cafeteria and buy my lunch."

Kai chuckled, already starting to eat. "It won't be too bad if it's just one day."

Bao nodded, still disappointed. "You're right. I better go before it gets too crowded."

"Sure," Kai said. "I'll just be here."

"Do you want anything?" Bao asked.

Kai felt the coins in his pocket before shaking his head. It was the spare change his Grandma gave him this morning. He didn't have the heart to spend it when she already prepared a hefty lunch.

"I'm good," Kai said, stuffing his mouth with the delicious omelet.

Bao nodded and got up from his seat before skipping out of the classroom.

With his departure, Kai looked around the classroom. It seemed like he was the only one left, so he went to his user interface and clicked on his pending mission.

[New Weekly Mission!]

[Receive your jersey within the week.]

[The number on your jersey will be equalized to XP and added to your level.]

[XP from other progression systems will only be activated once jersey is retrieved.]

Kai clicked his tongue as soon as he saw the new mission. He wasn't even part of the team yet, so how could he expect to get his jersey within the week?

He shook his head to get rid of such negative thoughts.

He needed to make it into the team.

There was no other way.

Kai stuffed his mouth with his lunch when the door slammed open, revealing Bao with a plastic bag filled with snacks in his hand.

"Kai!" he exclaimed, looking at the taller guy with wide eyes.

Kai frowned as he sensed the urgency in Bao's voice. He quickly stood while covering the remainder of his lunch with the yellow lid.

"What?" Kai asked.

"The basketball team posted something on the bulletin board."

"What?" Kai repeated, surprised.

He had been waiting for the results in the past two days!

Kai hurriedly walked over to where Bao was and held onto both of his shoulders.

"Did you see my name?" Kai asked.

Bao panted, bringing out the water he bought and downing it in one go before focusing his attention back on Kai.

"I didn't get to see it clearly since a lot of students flocked over to the area."

"But, I think you've been chosen."