Tobi stood at the airport gate again.
Same terminal. Same cloudy Lisbon sky behind him. But this time, it wasn't for a youth tournament. It was for his future.
He looked back one last time. Marta gave him a small wave, eyes red but proud. Leonor clung to her waist, holding a homemade sign with glitter and messy handwriting:
> "Good Luck, Big Bro! Score 100 Goals!"
He smiled.
But inside, something twisted.
He was walking into the unknown — again.
---
System Prompt
> [VALENCIA TRIAL MODE – Activated]
Stats Recalibrated for Pro-Level Environment
Dribbling: 68 ↓
Passing: 72 ↓
Vision: 76 ↓
First Touch: 70 ↓
Stamina: 68
Strength: 62
Mental: 72
⚠ You are now in a professional tier environment.
Youth-tier advantages no longer apply.
Current Status: Prospect – Trial Tier
Pressure: High. Competition: Fierce.
Objective: Make the 18-man roster for next week's friendly.
Tobi stared at the numbers. He felt the difference immediately — his body was reacting slower, his rhythm slightly off even during the warm-up jog.
---
Arrival: The Trialists
There were twenty players on trial — all 16 to 18 years old.
From Colombia. Morocco. France. Two were even from Brazil. Each of them looked stronger, faster, sharper.
Tobi stood out for being quiet and, more damningly, uncertain.
The coaches called instructions in a mix of Spanish and quick-fire English. It was hard to follow.
"Midfielders, five-touch rondo. Rotate left. Keep tempo, chicos!"
Tobi was too slow to rotate. His second touch was heavy. A Spanish boy named Mateo nutmegged him and said, laughing:
> "Portugal, estás dormindo? Wake up, Ronaldo!"
Tobi forced a smile. He wanted to say something clever back—but he didn't feel clever. He felt behind.
---
Training: Day One
The first training session exposed everything.
His passes weren't zipping across the pitch like usual.
His awareness faltered because of the unfamiliar drills.
And worst of all, his stamina dropped quickly — a side effect of the stat recalibration.
> System Warning:
Fatigue developing faster than projected. Hydration and rest required.
Mental Endurance: -2 if overexerted tomorrow.
By the end of the scrimmage, he was drenched in sweat, chest heaving.
The coaches took notes.
He had a sick feeling in his stomach.
---
Video Call: A Safe Voice
That night, he video-called home.
Leonor's face popped up first, followed by Marta cooking something behind her.
"Tobi! Tobi! Did you score yet?"
He laughed weakly. "Not yet. I'm just surviving."
Marta stepped in. "Bad day?"
He hesitated, then nodded. "I feel... average. Everyone's so fast. Stronger. I thought I was ready."
She nodded slowly. "When your father died, I didn't think I was ready either. But you were three. And Leonor was just born. And I had to become strong. Not all at once. Just... every day."
He swallowed. "You think I can make it?"
She met his eyes. "I know you can. But only if you stop comparing, and start building again."
Her voice was firm.
"You're not a star, Tobi. You're a builder."
He wiped his eyes. "Thanks, mom."
Leonor shouted from behind, "Kick the ball into the sun!"
He grinned.
> [System Buff: "Emotional Anchor" Activated]
+3 Mental Recovery | +2 Confidence for next session
---
Training: Day Two
He changed his approach.
No flash.
No proving.
Just solid football.
He dropped deep to support teammates.
Made safe passes with intention.
Organized space silently, showing coaches he could think faster than he could run.
And then, at the edge of the box, a rebound came flying toward him.
He didn't think. He just reacted.
Boom.
Volley. Left foot. Top corner.
Silence.
Then claps.
Even Mateo muttered, "Mierda... that was cold."
> System Notice:
New Trait Earned: "Second Ball Instinct"
— Shooting +2 (Only when reacting)
— Composure +1
---
After Training: The Coach's Eye
One of the assistants, Coach Miguel, pulled him aside.
"You've got a good head," he said. "Not the fastest. Not the strongest. But you read space better than anyone else here."
Tobi blinked.
"Keep this up. You might play the friendly on Sunday."
---
System Update
> Objective Progress: 65%
Make 18-man roster: Pending
Scout Evaluation: C+ (Improving)
Stats Update (Post Trial Recalibration):
Dribbling: 69
Passing: 74
Vision: 78
First Touch: 72
Stamina: 69
New Passive Trait:
— "Builder's Calm": +1 Mental when playing under pressure
---
One Last Night
Tobi sat on the balcony of the training center, legs sore, heart quiet.
He had lost almost every duel the first day. He'd felt small.
But now?
Now, he felt capable.
Not gifted.
Not special.
But growing.
He texted his mom:
> "If I play, you'll see me Sunday. They're streaming it."
She responded instantly:
> "We'll be watching with popcorn. Even Leonor's hamster will cheer."
He laughed.
And closed his eyes.
---
---