Chapter 244

In a Germany Stratum dorm, Isagi, Hiori, Kurona, and Yukimiya trade guesses about how their valuations are calculated. Kurona pegs a single goal near fifty million yen, a figure Yukimiya backs using Isagi's latest outing, while Hiori prices an assist around twenty million. Each vows to shine in the coming fixture, and Isagi stews over sitting second, thirty million behind Rin, reckoning that outscoring his rival by one in their next meeting would seize the top slot.

Prompted to clear out so the room can watch FC Barcha take on Paris X Gen, the group joins Gagamaru and Raichi in the observation room to study their upcoming French opponents. On screen, Charles feeds Rin while Shido sits out among the reserves; Bachira and Otoya swarm Rin, forcing him to lean on Nanase and Tokimitsu. Rin waves off Tokimitsu's pass so Charles can take it instead, and when the return arrives in range, he startles Isagi by choosing a side-spin middle shot over his trademark curler, impressing everyone with his widened arsenal.

Loki then reshuffles his lineup, benching Rin for Shido and swapping Tokimitsu and Nanase for Karasu and Zantetsu, turning PXG into what Isagi reads as an entirely different team. Karasu robs Otoya with a sliding challenge and springs Zantetsu, and moments later Charles slips what looks like an overhit ball to Shido, who somehow finishes from an impossible posture to make it two to nothing. As the Bastard Munchen viewers marvel at Shido's audacity and grumble about the double threat, Isagi and Hiori conclude that Charles engineered both chances on purpose, spotting the backspin he used to drop the earlier delivery into Rin's sweet spot. They tag Charles as the linchpin of the French side, a passer able to switch between two contrasting styles.

Bastard Munchen use their off week to scout PXG by reviewing the French club's game against FC Barcha. Charles supplies the assists for both Rin's and Shido's strikes, cementing his billing as the creative engine of the French lineup.

PXG is the fifth chapter of the 28th volume and the 244th release overall within the Neo Egoist League Arc. It ran in the combined 2024-2-3 issue and was published in Japan on December 13, 2023.