Chapter 9

9

“……”

An outdoor sports field where nearly a thousand people have gathered.

Most of the people were staring at the scoreboard in shock.

1. Rohan Kim 4.79 seconds

2. Wade Jones 4.81 seconds

“4.79 seconds??”

Nick Donovan, the starting player who participated in the 40-yard dash, jumped up from his seat.

“This is ridiculous!! This must be a mistake? Something must have gone wrong!!”

He immediately approached the coaching staff to argue.

The coaching staff was already reviewing the video.

Since the entire tryout process is recorded for player analysis, it was easy to check if there were any mistakes in the 40-yard dash.

“The results are accurate. Record them as they are.”

Nick felt as if the sky had fallen at the head coach's declaration.

“Wade Jones's unofficial best time last year was in the 4.6-second range. It's not unusual for him to run 4.81 seconds.”

“But...”

True, Wade, who had stood out since middle school, could do that. But Rohan?? How could a kid whose existence was uncertain until now suddenly achieve such a result??

“The tryout will resume. Group 4, line up.”

Time, which had been frozen, started flowing again. Group 4 stood on the field, swallowing hard.

“4.79...”

Nick's unofficial best time was 4.80 seconds. The difference in records was so small that it was almost indistinguishable to the naked eye, but it was the 4.7-second range he had always dreamed of. Despite rigorous training and a strict diet, his best time was still 4.80 seconds, as if it were a lie.

What Nick found most difficult to accept was that a problem child like Rohan had so confidently broken into a realm that was impossible for him.

“Nick, if you still can't believe it, you can check the video yourself.”

Nick immediately took the iPad and watched the video of Group 3.

As the starting gun went off, ten candidates ran hard.

“……”

Indeed, Wade was unstoppable, like a runaway locomotive. The momentum felt so powerful through the video that it seemed he could break through walls.

“……?”

On the contrary, the problematic Rohan had a completely different demeanor. He ran with a consistently relaxed expression.

At first, Nick was full of questions. But as the video progressed, he quickly turned to shock.

“Is this... human acceleration??”

Nick watched the video several times. It was a short clip, less than five seconds. By then, the 10-yard dash for Groups 4 and 5 had already ended.

“Still watching?”

The head coach chuckled at Nick, who was still holding the iPad.

“Nick, if you have eyes, you can see it. This kid's running form is perfect. It's so consistent, it almost looks mechanical, and his stride is the same. His movements are fluid, creating a kind of rhythm, which is why he accelerates.”

That was true.

Rohan was definitely faster at the 40-yard mark than at the start. If the race were longer than 40 yards, he might have achieved an even more impressive time.

“His physical abilities are remarkable, but you don't need to worry. After a year of football training, you are at a level that can't be compared. His limits will be revealed in the following tryout events.”

The head coach stated firmly. High school football teams undergo quite systematic training, including team tactics, individual physical training, and position-specific skill training. The longer the training period, the greater the gap that can't be bridged by mere physical prowess.

‘Rohan needs to feel this gap deeply. Only then can he be smoothly integrated into our football team.’

The head coach smiled and quietly observed Rohan, who was watching the tryout without a care.

‘But his raw talent is still dazzling. That's why I've been investing in him since the first day of school...’

Still, it was fortunate. He hadn't been broken yet. And for some reason, he had attended the tryout on his own.

*

The tryout consists of two parts.

Part 1 includes the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, push-ups, blocking, and other physical tests to measure individual skills.

Although this year's tryout had a record number of participants, it was divided into ten groups, so the physical tests were completed quickly.

“……”

However, the head coach couldn't move on to Part 2 even after Part 1 ended. He stood frozen, staring blankly at one player.

“Head Coach?”

“Ah...”

“Are you okay? We need to proceed with Part 2.”

“...Isn't it too beautiful?”

“Rohan? To say that about a 16-year-old boy...”

“Have you been singing about wanting to take a break lately?”

“Oh, no. I believe being an offensive coach is my calling, and I work like a slave every day. I even suffer when I go home. I have two kids, you know.”

“……”

‘If he weren't capable, I would have fired him already.’

The head coach felt that half of his stress came from the offensive coach. If he could...

He had no choice but to delay the offensive coach's dismissal again and check the data from Part 1 of the tryout.

1. Rohan Kim 100%

2. Wade Jones 91%

3. Danny Shu 84%

...

100. Thierry Fayette 11%

The overall ranking was a result of converting the rankings in all tryout events to evaluate the participants relatively.

For example, Rohan Kim, who ranked first, achieved a perfect 100% because he was first in all events. He set the standard, and the lower the performance, the lower the score.

The fact that Wade Jones, who ranked second, only scored 91% indicates the significant gap between him and the absolute value of Rohan.

The tryout completely overturned all the coaches' expectations.

‘Perfect physical abilities are like beautiful works of art.’

The head coach was amazed by Rohan. It was more impressive that he achieved first place in all events so effortlessly.

‘It means he has the potential to develop further.’

This is the most thrilling moment for a head coach.

Watching Darren Rogers grow.

Facing Wade Jones's momentum.

And seeing Rohan Kim's potential.

“Kids! It's time for the highlight of the tryout, Part 2. Check the overall rankings, and those below 22nd place, pack your bags and go home. You can go to the stands or leave, I don't care to see you.”

The head coach's words caused a mix of joy and sorrow.

“Oh... I'm 23rd...”

“Wow!! Mom!!! I made it!!! Did you see???”

78 people were eliminated on the spot, meaning 22 remained. The head coach found it embarrassing that the kids were already celebrating as if the game was over.

“The tryout isn't over yet. If any of the 22 remaining show poor performance in the remaining events, they will be eliminated, regardless of how many.”

“Match?”

A few who hadn't fully understood the tryout process at Auckland High School were confused by the mention of a match. However, the others, who seemed to know, slowly began to put on their equipment.

“Do you think the audience is staying to watch your physical tests? With a thousand people? How pathetic.”

That wasn't the case. Part 1 was just an appetizer, a warm-up. The only reason the audience remained was for the highlight of the tryout...

“Now, the offensive coach will assign your positions. Everyone... prepare for the freshmen vs. starters mock game.”

“……!”

The traditional freshmen vs. starters match at Auckland High School was still to come.

*

Before the mock game in Part 2, the freshmen were burning with enthusiasm.

...Of course, I was no exception.

‘Is exercise this fun?’

Having never used my body much in my life, I studied several YouTube videos before the tryout.

Studying exercise on my own... it might seem funny, but I had no choice.

Still, the fact that last year's tryout videos were available helped a lot.

‘I did practice, but I didn't expect it to be this fun.’

I thought the tryout was no big deal. I believed I just needed to repeat what I had practiced.

But competing in physical tests in front of a thousand people was an experience beyond imagination.

‘Was I a show-off?’

At first, no one had any expectations of me. Those who knew the 'Rohan' from before even jeered.

But the moment the 40-yard dash ended...

Everyone fell silent.

As the vertical jump, push-ups, and blocking tests progressed, the number of people cheering my name gradually increased.

When the overall rankings were announced, my ears were ringing.

– Rohan, Rohan, Rohan, Rohan!

Their cheers made my whole body tingle. The power of the audience and their support was indescribable.

Even now... my hands were trembling slightly.

At that moment, as we were given preparation time before the mock game, the offensive coach approached.

“Alright, freshmen, gather around.”

The offensive coach, unlike the head coach, had a very friendly demeanor.

He was actually quite kind.

“Rohan, what position are you interested in? From today's data, it seems you are optimized for any position. Hahaha.”

I had studied the video of the mock game in advance and had a position in mind.

‘I think being a wide receiver would be fun.’

I had quickly learned all the football rules, but there's a difference between knowing them in theory and applying them in practice.

The wide receiver is a relatively simple position, involving creating space and catching the ball thrown by the quarterback.

Still, the appeal of outsmarting the defense and using agile footwork to create space was very attractive.

“I naturally... should be the quarterback. I haven't even considered any other position.”

‘...!’

My mouth moved on its own again. The tone was so arrogant that I wanted to find a hole to hide in.

“Hmm, okay. I was thinking of having a separate quarterback test, but the mock game will be a good stage. Is there anyone here who can play quarterback?”

A few freshmen hesitated but didn't speak up. The atmosphere suggested that the position would be decided based on performance.

“Well, if Rohan performs poorly during the game, we'll rotate. Even in a mock game, it's hard to beat the starters, but showing your best will catch the head coach's eye.”

“Then please put me on the roster.”

“I want to throw the ball too!”

“Good. Don't be too intimidated. I'm a fair man, unlike the head coach. Hahaha.”

“...”

To ease the awkward atmosphere, the offensive coach skillfully changed the topic.

‘He seems used to this treatment.’

“Alright, Wade, you were second. What position are you interested in?”

“Hmm...”

Wade seemed to be deep in thought, even for a simple question. He smiled when our eyes met.

“I'll be a wide receiver.”

“Very good. You're strong enough to play on the line, but your speed would be wasted. Try wide receiver first, and maybe tight end later?”

“Understood. If you trust me, I'll tear the starters apart.”

“Hahaha. You're a motivated kid. Sure, sure. I'll be watching.”

The offensive coach formally acknowledged and moved on to the next player.

In any case, since my position was decided, I started putting on my equipment.

“Hmm? Why?”

But Wade approached me with a very uneasy look.

“The start of every sports star is marked by a rival who helps them grow. I thought my rival was Darren Rogers, but now I see that you, who made me eat dust from the tryout, have taken that role. I look forward to working with you. You will be the fertilizer that helps me grow into the best football player in America.”

“...”

I ignored him cleanly and focused on the mock game.

*

Simon & Harper, the world's number one publishing company with the highest book sales in the UK and US, has a Chief Editor in charge of the fiction department.

She accidentally obtained a manuscript.

‘A novel unanimously recommended by interns is a first.’

She checked the title of the manuscript that had been submitted.

American Physical Genius 10