The Old Baseball Player System

[DING]

[Select the arena function the user wants to access]

[Arena Missions]

[Training Center]

[Arena Championships]

"Arena Missions!" - Shun said without hesitation. Ever since he finished his last arena mission, he hadn't had time to select a new one. So, when the old man said it was time to pick a new mission, he couldn't have agreed more.

Shun then felt his consciousness being transported to a grand hall, dimly lit by the glow of a few torches. Already accustomed to this scenario, he began walking towards the four pillars, each topped with colored flames.

Without wasting any time, Shun went straight to the pillar on the left with the bronze flame on top and quickly placed his hand on it.

[DING]

The system's chime echoed in his head as he watched the bronze flame change shape. The flame transformed into four distinct images, the first depicted someone pitching, the second someone diving to catch a ball, the third someone batting, and the fourth someone running.

[Please select the type of mission the user wishes to accept:

- Pitcher Mission

- Fielder Mission

- Batter Mission

- Runner Mission

The user may choose only one type of mission at a time and will only be able to select another mission after completing the current mission up to the legendary level.

Mission rewards will be related to the selected mission type.]

"Hmm, I think my fielding and base running are already quite good. I'd say my batting still has room for improvement, especially if I want to add more power to my hits. But... as much as it's been working so far, it's going to be tough to stay in the Kanto tournament with just one pitch. If I can unlock a skill to improve my pitching..." - Shun muttered to himself, weighing his options. However, he didn't need much time to make his decision.

"Pitcher Mission!" - Shun said decisively, selecting the bronze image of the person pitching.

[DING]

[Evaluating user's skills... Assessing user's physical condition... Analyzing user's play style... Searching for the best mission option for the user...]

[Pitcher Mission assigned!]

Shun heard the system notifications echoing in his head as the four images merged into a single, larger bronze image, still depicting the figure of a man pitching.

[The user can now view the details of the bronze mission *Timing Controller* at the bronze pillar in the arena.]

"Huh?" - Shun raised an eyebrow, confused by the system's notification. After completing his last mission, Contact Hitter, Shun had expected something similar but tailored to pitching. However, just reading the name of this new mission made it clear that things wouldn't be so straightforward.

Curious, Shun placed his hand on the bronze pillar again, studying it intently.

[Timing Controller (Bronze)

Successfully alter the timing of your pitching form 10 times in arena matches (0/10).

Rewards: 100 coins, 1 silver arena pass, and a random grade-B elixir.]

"Change in timing?" - Shun murmured as he read the mission description. The rewards didn't seem particularly appealing to him, but he knew the true value lay in unlocking the next levels of the mission.

[Hahaha! I knew you'd be puzzled, kid! Don't worry. I assure you this mission can significantly improve your game. Whether you can learn anything within a week to use in the Kanto tournament, however, is entirely up to you.] - The old man's voice echoed in Shun's mind.

"Oh, right. So the next step is to head to the training center, I suppose?" - Shun sighed, asking the old man despite being almost certain of the answer. Stay connected with empire

[Hahaha! Exactly! Off to the training center you go!] - The old man replied enthusiastically. Shun sighed again and exited the mission hall. Though he found the training center immensely useful, he wasn't particularly fond of the old man having a physical form there. The old man could be even more annoying when Shun had to endure his facial expressions.

Still, Shun wasted no time entering the training center. After all, he didn't want to squander precious time. If there was any way to improve further before the Kanto tournament, he was determined to give it his all.

[Hahaha! How wonderful it is to have a body!] - The old man laughed, brimming with excitement as he reveled in the rare sensation of having arms and legs.

Shun glanced at the ghostly silhouette of the old man with a perplexed expression, waiting for him to return to normal. He was used to this by now, every time he entered the training center, the old man would begin thanking the heavens or some such nonsense for having a body.

After a few minutes, the old man began speaking to Shun as if nothing unusual had happened, and Shun didn't seem eager to debate the old man's over-the-top reaction. With that, Shun stepped onto the mound, ready to receive instructions from the old man on how to alter the timing of his pitching form.

For the rest of Saturday, Shun remained in the arena, listening to the old man's advice and tirelessly practicing a new technique. Naturally, it wasn't easy. Even after spending hours pitching in the training center, Shun didn't see any significant progress. He realized that modifying a form he had honed to near perfection was a daunting challenge.

Although he occasionally managed to change his timing, it often came at the cost of his pitch control and spin. As such, he was far from ready to use the technique in actual games.

On Sunday, Shun completed his daily training and spent some time with his family before returning to his room to resume his practice with the old man. He had until Friday to master something that could give him an edge in the Kanto tournament, and even if it was just a minor advantage, he was determined to give his all to achieve it.

---

Shun woke up Monday morning with his mind aching from spending so much time in the arena. The boy then took his daily Basic Recovery Potion, which made him feel much better, and got out of bed, heading straight outside to start his daily run.