Reborn to Spike: My Second Life as a Volleyball Ace

The whistle blew.

Set over.

Jordan stood at center court, chest heaving not from exhaustion, but from adrenaline still roaring in his blood. Sweat dripped down his jawline. Around him, the team buzzed with disbelief.

Tyrell stared across the net, jaw tight. Coach Tanaka's clipboard hung at his side, forgotten.

Marcus jogged over, eyes wide. "Okay, what the hell did you eat this morning?"

Jordan chuckled breathlessly. "Just… got my jump back."

"No. That wasn't just 'got it back.' That was I've been possessed by a volleyball god."

Jordan shrugged, but inside, the fire blazed.

This is what it feels like to rise again.

[System Notification]

Match Performance Analyzed.

Skill Progression Detected.

New Skill Acquired: Momentum Breaker (Lv. 1)

Effect: Temporarily increases offensive pressure after scoring a point during high-stakes rallies.

Condition: Triggers during clutch or comeback scenarios.

Cooldown: 5 points.

Passive Unlocked: Court Awareness (Lv. 1)

Effect: Slight increase in spatial awareness. Boosts read timing and block positioning.

Jordan's eyes flicked up to the floating blue text, barely visible to anyone else. He smirked.

So that's what that spike unlocked…

Momentum Breaker.

He liked the sound of that.

"Alright, alright!" Coach Tanaka barked, snapping out of his trance. "Back to positions. One more rotation. And Kai…"

Jordan turned, ready to be benched again.

Coach nodded slightly. "Stay on the floor."

A ripple of murmurs spread across the gym.

Tyrell scoffed. "Guess we're passing out charity minutes now."

Jordan didn't bite. He didn't need to.

Let his game speak.

One hour later, practice ended with a final whistle and a chorus of groans and laughs. Water bottles hissed open. Bags zipped shut. The boys filed out toward the locker room, their energy a chaotic swirl of post-practice relief.

Jordan walked off last, hands on his hips.

"Hey," Marcus called, tossing him a towel. "Whatever lit that fire in you… keep it."

Jordan caught it one-handed. "I plan to."

The locker room smelled like sweat, soap, and steel.

Jordan sat alone on the bench, towel over his head. The laughter of teammates echoed around him, but he didn't join in.

Instead, he stared down at his hands younger, steadier, full of promise.

So this is what it feels like... to come back from the dead.

The sound of running water from the showers. The clink of lockers opening and slamming shut.

He closed his eyes.

In his old life, this was where it ended.

He remembered sitting in this same spot—after a brutal practice, feeling like a fraud, pressure choking him like a noose.

He remembered ignoring the coach's calls.

Ghosting his teammates.

Walking out the gym… and never coming back.

And now?

He was back here again. Stronger.

Smarter.

This time… he wouldn't run.

[System Notification]

New Daily Quest Unlocked!

"Establish Dominance"

Outperform all outside hitters in tomorrow's practice match.

Reward: +1 Agility, +5 EXP, +1 Hidden Stat reveal

Jordan exhaled.

"Bring it on."

As he tied his shoes, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

"You really changed."

He turned.

Naomi Sato.

She stood just inside the locker room doorway, clipboard hugged to her chest. Her glasses reflected the overhead light, but he could still see her eyes uncertain, watchful.

Jordan stood quickly. "Naomi. Sorry, didn't mean to this isn't"

She raised a hand. "Relax. It's not like I've never been in a locker room."

A beat of silence.

He scratched the back of his neck. "I didn't think you'd still be manager."

"I didn't think you'd show up to practice." She looked at him—direct. "Not after… last time."

Jordan flinched.

So she remembers.

"You walked out, Jordan. No one knew why. Not Coach. Not Marcus. Not even me."

"I know," he said softly. "I was… in a bad place."

Her voice didn't rise, but it sharpened. "You think that excuses it?"

"No," he replied, gaze steady. "But I'm not that guy anymore."

Naomi studied him, eyes narrowing slightly.

"You play like someone who's got something to prove."

"I do."

"To who?"

Jordan paused.

"…Myself."

That seemed to catch her off guard.

For a moment, the weight of their shared past settled between them unspoken, but loud.

Then she nodded once. "Tomorrow. We've got a full intersquad scrimmage. Coach said scouts might show."

Jordan raised an eyebrow. "Scouts?"

She shrugged. "I guess word travels fast when the 'washed-up star' makes a highlight spike."

Jordan snorted. "Can't wait."

Naomi turned to leave, then hesitated.

"…It was good to see you play again."

Then she was gone.

Jordan stood there, heart strangely lighter.

Maybe this time… he wouldn't lose her, either.

The sun had dipped low by the time he stepped outside, painting the schoolyard in deep oranges and purples. The wind tugged gently at his sleeves. Somewhere in the distance, a ball bounced against a backboard. Birds chirped. Life moved on.

Jordan sat on the bleachers, looking out across the empty court.

And then

A shadow passed in front of the gym doors.

He looked up.

A tall figure stood there lean frame, long limbs, white track jacket with a stitched gold crown over the heart.

Even from a distance, Jordan recognized him.

Leo Takahara.

One of the Sky Kings.

His high school had a scrimmage here last year… and Leo had dropped 27 points in a single game. His presence was like gravity. Controlled. Dangerous.

Leo's eyes swept the court… then landed on Jordan.

For a moment, they stared at each other two players from different worlds, two timelines colliding.

Then Leo gave a faint nod.

And walked away.

Jordan exhaled.

The Sky Kings were real.

Alive. Active.

Still untouchable.

But not for long.

He clenched his fists.

"I'm coming."