31 Chapter 30

And just like that, the seasons changed and months flew by as the school year came to an end. As the school year ended, all of the students were filled with excitement for the upcoming break. Some felt a tinge of sadness as they had to leave behind their friends and the familiar school environment, especially the seniors who were embarking on their final year.

Amongst the seniors, there were those who were sad to bid farewell to their friends and schoolmates, while others were eagerly anticipating the next chapter of their lives in high school. However, there was one person who stood out from the rest. This individual was bubbling with excitement, but for a different reason altogether. Ichigo Takai, our main protagonist and a legend in his own right, was thrilled for the opportunity to finally draw an elite or even a unique card in his system.

(MC'S POV)

After school ended, I immediately ran to my comfort space: my room. I didn't even care about my classmates who were crying because they were going to part ways with their friends. I just rolled my eyes upon seeing that. I mean, seriously?! It's not like they're going to die or something. They'll still see each other eventually, and even if they don't, we have phones now. They can just text or call each other.

Then someone will say, "Oh, but they're high school students. They can't afford it." Pfft, who cares? I certainly don't. They're just wasting my precious time, time that I could use to draw an elite or maybe a unique card for my template. Not for some superficial goodbyes to people I don't even like.

The only person I talked to before school ended was Ogiwara, and that's because he's the only one I consider my friend. Even then, I didn't talk to him much. I simply said, "See you in high school." That's it.

Okay, maybe I was in a bad mood these last few months. Well, who wouldn't be? Just imagine this: a new month begins, and you have a cheat system where your first draw gives you something life-changing. With that draw, you literally change the world you live in. Doesn't it excite you just thinking about your next draw?

So, here comes the new month (by the way, your draw is always on the first day of the month, just a reminder). You're all pumped up and you think to yourself, "This is it! If my first draw changed the world, then my second draw will be even more powerful, I might even destroy the whole universe (might be exaggerated, but you get what I mean)."

And then you draw your monthly draw. You see the system rolling your draw - just so you're curious, the draw is like a slot machine, but with only one column. As the machine rolls, you even catch a glimpse of some familiar names, which excites you even more.

Then the machine stops, and a bright light attacks your eyes. You shield your eyes, but deep down, you're eagerly thinking, "It's so bright. Surely it's at least an elite card!" And then the light subsides, and you see the name on the card, [Normal Assimilation Card: Luke Walton].

"The fuck? What do you want me to do, coach my teammates?" That's exactly what I said after that draw. But I put that in the back of my head as I thought that maybe it's not my day today. For sure, in my next draw, I will be luckier than this.

So I waited another month for my next draw. This time, before I drew the card, I meditated because I thought maybe I was unlucky because I was excited and didn't compose myself before drawing. Maybe that was it.

So this time, I meditated and calmed myself before drawing. This time, the wait was much shorter than last time, as the blinding light came again. This time, I didn't shield my eyes as I thought that could also be one of the reasons I was unlucky. So I watched the blinding light with my eyes wide open.

However, that was clearly a mistake as after the light subsided, I couldn't see shit for a few minutes. My vision returned to normal after maybe an hour. Waiting to see what I had drawn during that hour felt like torture.

As time passed and my sight came back, I immediately opened my inventory to see what I had drawn. And lo and behold, it was another white quality card: [White Assimilation Card: Kendrick Perkins].

"Damn, what do you want me to do? Embarrass myself and call the media out for voting for a white guy for MVP and label it as racist?" I thought. And what an irony, he was a 'White' card, hehe. Getting back in the draw, again, I put it behind me as I realized that maybe it wasn't my lucky day again.

However, as the months passed, my luck with draws only worsened. The next draws presented players I didn't even know existed. It suddenly hit me that it wasn't merely an unlucky day, but rather, I was consistently unlucky. I sighed in frustration.

So now you know how I feel, right? Who wouldn't be in a bad mood after everything that happened? That's why, after my fifth draw, I don't even care about the character I get anymore. All I care about is that it's a white quality card. Right now, all I can think about is exchanging my five useless draws for an elite or even a unique assimilation card.

I'm currently alone in my room, and I open my system. "System, I want an upgraded draw," I confidently declare, hoping that even if I'm unlucky, at least I'll get an elite quality card. If I'm really lucky, maybe I'll get a unique quality card. The thought of it makes me feel excited.

[Are you sure you want to sacrifice five of your cards for an upgraded draw? Once you sacrifice a card, you won't be able to get it back. Are you still sure you want to continue?] the system asks.

"Even better, system, if you can, burn those cards after," I say menacingly, affirming my choice.

[Sacrificing five normal assimilation cards for an upgraded draw...] the system confirms.

[Sacrifice complete. You now have one upgraded draw available.]

[Do you wish to proceed with the draw?] [Y/N]

I press the "yes" button as the slot machine appears. With the system rolling the slot machine, I pray to every god I know for luck in this daunting endeavor.

As the slot machine slowly came to a stop, I closed my eyes and prayed. When the machine finally stopped, a bright blue light shone. At first, I was disappointed because even though I had won an elite card, I was hoping for a unique quality card. But I didn't let that dampen my mood. It was still better than the last five useless normal quality cards I had gotten.

I opened my inventory to see which card I had won. When I saw it, I wasn't sure whether to be excited or disappointed. The card was, [Elite Assimilation Card: Hanamichi Sakuragi].

Sakuragi was one of those basketball players who you couldn't decide if you loved or hated. On one hand, having him on your team meant he would do all the little things right. He would rebound efficiently, guard the best players from the opposing team, and hustle for every loose ball. On the other hand, he had limited scoring options, so it often felt like you were playing 4 vs 5 on offense. He was like Kuroko, who you wouldn't expect to score but still had a big impact on the game.

But that's if he was on your team. For me, I had to assimilate his template. I wondered what it would give me. In terms of skills, Sakuragi was far worse than Sendoh. However, he had athleticism, explosiveness, and resilience, which meant it would be hard for me to get injured. That was a pro. But I doubted it would improve me much, especially since his card was only an elite.

But I didn't have a choice, did I? School would be starting again in a few weeks, and I didn't want to enter high school without much improvement. Especially because I knew for sure that the Generation of Miracles would have improved significantly during these last few months.

With their talents and abilities, I was certain that Akira Sendoh's template wouldn't be enough to beat them in high school. In high school, their talents wouldn't be held back like they were in Teiko, where they played alongside other talented players. Once they were given free rein with their in high school, they would be able to unleash their full potential.

I don't want to go to high school and get outplayed by them. I have a reputation to uphold, and I can't let myself be embarrassed so just like that. Therefore, my only option is to assimilate Sakuragi's card and hope for the best.

[Are you sure you want to assimilate the Elite Assimilation Card: Hanamichi Sakuragi?] [Y/N]

Without hesitation, I clicked the 'yes' button and assimilated the card.