*( Pure Football Progression)*
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**RFC Seraing Training Ground – Midnight**
Two weeks had passed since the Endurance Core Syrum fully integrated. Ibukun's body now operated at peak human efficiency—nothing supernatural, just the absolute limit of biological potential. His HUD blinked with a new notification:
***`SYSTEM UPDATE: "TEMPORAL TRAINING SIMULATOR" UNLOCKED
→ Time Dilation: 3:1 (3 hours inside = 1 real hour)
→ Skill Development: +20% efficiency
→ Access Cost: 50 SP/hour
→ Restrictions: Max 4 real hours/day`***
Jay-Jay's hologram appeared, leaning against the goalpost. *"Took you long enough to unlock this. I had this at seventeen."*
Ibukun ignored the jab. *"Activate."*
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**The Simulation – First Session**
The world shimmered like a heat mirage before resolving into a perfect replica of Seraing's home pitch—except pristine, untouched by mud or wear. The air smelled faintly of ozone.
***`TRAINING MODULE: "DRIBBLING UNDER PRESSURE"
→ Opponent: Prime Dani Alves (2011)
→ Duration: 90 minutes (Real time: 30 minutes)
→ Objective: Complete 10 successful dribbles`***
Alves materialized in full Barcelona kit, grinning. *"Vamos, menino. Try not to cry."*
**Segment 1: Basic Repetitions**
- 100 inside-foot touches against a virtual wall
- Each repetition adjusted Ibukun's muscle memory in real-time
- Mistakes triggered instant feedback—not pain, just a sharp *"Reset"* tone
**Segment 2: Live Drills**
Alves was relentless, his positioning flawless.
*First Attempt:* Ibukun's stepover was read instantly. Alves stole the ball with a chuckle.
*Attempt 14:* A perfectly weighted fake left sent Alves stumbling. Ibukun's cross met the holographic striker's head.
***`PROGRESS: DRIBBLING 72 → 74 (+2)`***
When the session ended, Ibukun's real body was drenched in sweat—his muscles fatigued but not overloaded.
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**Real-World Application – Training Session**
The next morning, Coach Lebrun's eyebrows climbed as Ibukun executed moves he'd struggled with yesterday.
*"Did you... grow overnight?"*
Ibukun didn't answer. His HUD tracked every improvement:
***`SKILL PROGRESS:
→ First Touch Success: 68% → 73%
→ Dribble Completion: 55% → 61%
→ SP EARNED: 120 (Training Performance)`***
Jay-Jay watched from the sideline, arms crossed. *"Now you're starting to look like a footballer."*
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**Matchday 16 – Seraing vs. Liège**
The simulation's impact was subtle but undeniable.
**Key Moments:**
- *Minute 18:* Ibukun anticipated a double-team and slipped a no-look pass—just like against Alves.
- *Minute 55:* A signature Alves feint left Liège's right-back grasping at air.
- *Minute 82:* Completed 89% of passes despite heavy pressure.
Then came Loïc's entrance.
The Belgian had returned from injury with a vengeance, his titanium-reinforced ankle gleaming under the floodlights.
Ibukun's HUD pulsed:
***`ACTIVE MISSION: "BREAK LOÏC'S RHYTHM"
→ Force 3 turnovers from him
→ Reward: 500 SP`***
**The Duel:**
1. *First Encounter:* Loïc lunged late. Ibukun rolled the ball under his sole, letting the Belgian's momentum carry him into the advertising boards.
2. *Second:* A whispered *"Your surgeon botched the ligament repair"* made Loïc hesitate just enough for Ibukun to steal possession.
3. *Finale:* In the 88th minute, Ibukun executed a perfect simulation-learned feint, leaving Loïc sprawled as he assisted the winning goal.
***`MISSION COMPLETE: 500 SP AWARDED`***
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**The New Routine**
Ibukun's life became a cycle:
1. **Real Training (Morning)**
- Focused on physical conditioning and team tactics
2. **Simulation (Night)**
- Specialized scenarios:
*→ 2014 Mascherano's defensive positioning
→ 2006 Pirlo's passing under pressure
→ 2018 Kante's interception angles*
3. **Matches (Weekends)**
- Implementing learned skills in controlled doses
No neurological overload. No blurred realities. Just cold, calculated improvement.
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**Chapter 10 Closing**
By season's end, Ibukun's stats told the story:
***`SEASON PROGRESS:
→ Goals: 4 → 11
→ Assists: 2 → 8
→ Dribble Success: 51% → 68%
→ SP BALANCE: 1,850`***
The shop's new options tantalized:
***`ADVANCED SKILLS:
→ "Iniesta's Spatial Awareness" (900 SP)
→ "Van Dijk's Defensive Positioning" (800 SP)
→ "Salah's Cutting Edge" (850 SP)`***
As Ibukun left the pitch after the final match, a scout from Lille approached. *"Who trained you?"*
Jay-Jay's hologram smirked. Ibukun kept walking.
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