Ethan Cole stood in the tunnel of Leicester City's King Power Stadium, the roar of 23,000 fans shaking the walls on September 24, 2011. The Championship match against Burnley was Ethan's chance to obliterate Jake Turner's injury-prone rumor, now a persistent cloud with a Burnley fan tweeting: *Cole's soft, Turner's got the edge. Let's see him survive our lads. 💪 #BFC*. The Football System hummed in Ethan's mind, its sarcastic voice cutting through the pre-match buzz:
**Football System Update**
- **Template**: SSS-Class Striker Template (Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting Lisbon 2002–03 Stage)
- Speed: 97/100 (*You're a jet, but you're not breaking the sound barrier.*)
- Dribbling: 100/100 (*Your flair's making defenders trip.*)
- Finishing: 92/100 (*Clinical, but you're not nailing every shot like a laser.*)
- Assimilation Progress: 60% (*You're catching Ronaldo's fire, but you're not his twin yet.*)
- **Task**: Score in the Burnley match to crush Turner's rumor and boost fan appeal.
- **Reward**: Unlock Lisbon Vision milestone (Vision +3).
- **Advisory**: Use Lisbon's speed and shop items to dominate Burnley's tanks. Slack off, and you'll be their tackling dummy.
- **Penalty Protocol**: Attribute deductions only for match losses or slacking in training (*Lose or skip drills, and you'll be slower than a dozing squirrel.*).
- **Points**: 86 (*Your piggy bank's solid, champ.*)
Ethan grinned at the system's squirrel jab, tightening his number 17 Leicester jersey. He'd used 25 points to buy a **Vision Booster** (shop item from Chapter 19), feeling its surge: **Vision Booster active: Vision +10 for Burnley (*See plays like a hawk, mate. Don't waste it.*).** The Ronaldo template's Lisbon stage, with its elite speed and maxed-out dribbling, was perfect for Burnley's physical defenders, and the vision booster sharpened his playmaking. The system's humor and metrics kept him locked in, like a mate daring him to shine.
Leicester's 2011–12 Championship season was a grind, with Sven-Göran Eriksson pushing for promotion alongside Kasper Schmeichel, David Nugent, and Paul Gallagher. Ethan's brace against Brighton had fans chanting his name, but Jake's rumor was a growing thorn, with a Derby fan posting on Instagram: *Cole's luck's running out. Turner's tougher. #DCFC*. Ethan was determined to bury the lies today, fueled by a text from Mia Hart: *Smash Burnley, superstar! Watching you shine 😎💪*.
The tunnel was electric, Leicester's blue kits gleaming beside Burnley's claret and blue. Danny Drinkwater nudged Ethan. "Burnley's defenders are brutes, Cole. Dance through 'em, and make Turner eat his words." Ethan nodded, his mind on the match and a family visit planned later, grounding him amidst the pressure.
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The match kicked off under the King Power's floodlights, Burnley's physicality testing Leicester's resolve. Ethan's boosted vision made him a maestro, spotting gaps in Burnley's defense. In the 9th minute, he picked out a run, passed to Drinkwater, then sprinted forward, receiving a return ball. He faked out a defender with a stepover and fired a shot that clipped the bar. The crowd gasped, and the system cheered: **Finishing Progress +3%. Match Impact +10 (*Vision's on point, mate. You're seeing the future!*).**
Burnley scored in the 20th minute, a header from a striker beating a defender. The system warned: **Down 1–0. Don't let this end in a loss, or you'll be kissing 5% of your stats goodbye.** Ethan gritted his teeth, doubling down. In the 28th minute, Nugent crossed from the right. Ethan outjumped a defender, but Burnley's center-back—a tattooed giant—shoved him mid-air, a foul the ref missed. Ethan's header went wide, and the system noted: **Heading Progress +10% (*That brute's a wall, but you're climbing.*).**
Jake's rumor fueled the aggression. In the 35th minute, the center-back clipped Ethan's ankle, forcing a wince. The crowd booed, but no card came. The system snapped: **Your stalker's lies are making you a punching bag. Time to bury him.**
In the 42nd minute, Ethan struck. He intercepted a pass, weaved through three defenders with Ronaldo's flair—his vision booster spotting every gap—and rifled a curling shot past the keeper. The net rippled, and the King Power erupted.
**Goal! Lisbon Vision Progress: 50%. Match Impact +30%. Fan Appeal +20 (*That's the Ronaldo fire! Turner's rumor's toast.*).**
Two minutes later, Ethan's vision sparked again. He played a through ball to Gallagher, who scored, making it 2–1. The crowd roared, and Ethan pumped his fist, glaring at the center-back, who scowled back.
**Assist! Lisbon Vision Progress: 75%.** Halftime came with Leicester leading, and Pearson clapped Ethan's shoulder. "You're killing it, Cole. Keep that spark."
The second half was a war, Burnley's defenders doubling down. Ethan's speed kept him untouchable, outrunning tiring defenders. In the 88th minute, he latched onto a loose ball, his vision booster, spotting a defender, faked a shot, and fired a low drive into the keeper's hands, who spilled it over the line. The stadium erupted, fans chanting "Cole! Cole!"
**Goal! Task Complete: Score in Burnley match. Reward: Lisbon Vision Unlocked. Vision: 88/100. Rival Impact +25 (*You're a vision god, and Turner's lies are dead. Bet he's crying.*).**
The match ended 3–1, Leicester victorious. Ethan's brace and assist earned him man of the match, fans chanting his name as he waved to the stands. Post-match, a scout lingered, whispering to a colleague, their conversation cryptic but pointed: "He's caught *their* eye—Old Trafford's watching." Ethan overheard, his pulse spiking. Manchester United? The system chimed: **Ooh, big fish are circling. Someone's got Premier League dreams now, eh?**
The rumor was dead—social media buzzed with fans mocking Turner: *Cole's a beast, Turner's a clown. 🦁⚽ #LCFC*. Ethan's performance had silenced the doubters, but the new topic—Premier League interest—added a thrilling edge. The system updated: **Points Earned: 75 (25 for win, 50 for two goals/assist). New Task: Score in next match to fuel Premier League buzz. Reward: Lisbon Dynamo II milestone (Stamina +3).**
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Post-match, Ethan drove to Willow Creek for a family visit, a personal life moment every two chapters, digging deeper into his roots. His mum, Sarah, served roast chicken, her eyes misty as she hugged him. "You're making us proud, love," she said. His dad, Tom, a former factory worker, clapped his back, sharing stories of watching Ethan kick a ball as a toddler. "Always knew you'd shine," he said, voice gruff. Ethan's sister, Lily, home from uni, teased, "You're too famous for us now, big shot."
Over dinner, Ethan opened up about his dreams—not just football, but inspiring kids in Willow Creek, maybe starting a local academy someday. The vulnerability hit hard; he wasn't just chasing goals but a legacy. Sarah squeezed his hand. "You're still our Ethan, no matter how big you get." The moment grounded him, a tether to his roots amidst the Championship's chaos. The system quipped: **Aw, family love? Don't go soft, champ, but that's some deep stuff.**
Back at his flat, Ethan fired up *FIFA 11*, his gaming hobby a way to unwind. Beating a mate online as Chelsea, he texted: *Owned you, mate! 😎🎮*. The system jabbed: **FIFA's fun, but don't let it dull your real boots.**
He scrolled Instagram, his follower count hitting 28,000. He posted a match clip, captioned: *Burnley bagged, let's keep climbing 🦁⚽ #LeicesterLad*. Fans flooded the comments: *You're our king, Cole! 🌟* Ethan replied: *Cheers, fam! More to come 😏🔥*. Mia commented: *My man's unstoppable! Coffee tomorrow? ☕😉*. He replied: *You're on, my #1 😎💪*. The system quipped: **Flirting on Insta? Keep it cool, Romeo, or I'll make you sprint to love songs.**
Jake's rumor was crushed, but a new shadow loomed. A teammate forwarded a cryptic email from a Leicester staffer: *Scout from Manchester United wants a meeting after the next match. They're serious.* The system warned: **Big leagues are knocking, but the next match is Cardiff—they're scrappy. Score, or you'll cool that Premier League heat.**
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The next morning, Ethan hit the park, the system's new drill pushing his Ronaldo template:
**Lisbon Dynamo II Drill: Complete 250 high-intensity sprints with 90% stamina retention. Reward: Stamina +3 (*Because Ronaldo never tired, and you're close.*).**
He blazed through, his Lisbon speed a storm. By the 240th sprint, he was relentless, the system updating: **Drill Progress: 95% (*You're a stamina beast, but don't run through walls.*).**
At training, Nugent dropped news: "Heard Cardiff's midfield is tight, Cole. They'll try to box you in. And that United scout? It's real—word's spreading." The system warned: **Premier League eyes are on you, but Cardiff's a trap. Dominate, or you'll dim that Old Trafford spark.**
Ethan scrolled Instagram post-training, liking a fan's post: *Cole to crush Cardiff! 🦁⚽* He replied: *Bet on it 😎💥*. The system jabbed: **Fans love you, but don't let Insta make you lazy, champ.**
Ethan's jaw tightened. The Ronaldo template, boosted by the vision booster, was his weapon, Leicester his stage, and Mia's support. Jake's rumor was dead, but Manchester United's interest was a new fire, and Cardiff's scrappy play loomed. Would Ethan seize the Premier League spotlight, or would Cardiff trip him up? The Championship was his crucible, and Ethan Cole was ready to blaze.