The October twilight settled over Willow Creek as Ethan Cole kicked a worn football against the park's rusted goalpost, the same one he'd peppered as a kid on October 14, 2011. The quiet crunch of leaves underfoot pulled him back to childhood—sneaking out to practice after curfew, dreaming of stadiums while his dad, Tom, worked late shifts. Tonight, Ethan was home, his Leicester City training bag slung nearby, but the weight of his rising fame hung heavy. Inside the family's terrace house, dinner had been tense. His mum, Sarah, worried his Premier League buzz was pulling him away; his sister, Lily, snapped about fans mobbing her at uni. "You're not just ours anymore," Sarah had said, her voice tight.
Ethan paused, the ball at his feet, his dream of a Willow Creek academy sharpening. He pictured kids here, like he'd been, with boots and hope, not pressure. "I'll make it right," he murmured, vowing to balance fame with roots. The Football System hummed, its sarcastic voice soft: **Chasing dreams and family peace? Don't go all philosopher, champ. You've got Birmingham to crush tomorrow.**
His dad joined him, tossing a pebble. "You're still our lad, Ethan. Just… don't forget this place." Ethan nodded, their quiet moment a lifeline before the storm of tomorrow's Championship match. The system quipped: **Family's your roots, but don't plant yourself. Time to fly, superstar.**
---
The next day, Ethan stood in the tunnel of St Andrew's, Birmingham City's stadium, the roar of 18,000 fans pulsing through the walls. The system crackled, its tone sharp:
**Football System Update**
- **Template**: SSS-Class Striker Template (Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting Lisbon 2002–03 Stage)
- Speed: 97/100 (*You're a rocket, but you're not outrunning light.*)
- Dribbling: 101/100 (*Defenders are tripping over your flair.*)
- Finishing: 95/100 (*Sniper-level, but you're not perfect.*)
- Vision: 88/100 (*You see plays, but you're not a seer.*)
- Assimilation Progress: 75% (*Ronaldo's fire's blazing, but you're not his clone.*)
- **Task**: Score in the Birmingham match to cement Premier League interest.
- **Reward**: Unlock Lisbon Vision II milestone (Vision +3).
- **Advisory**: Use Lisbon's flair and shop items to outwit Birmingham's defense. Slack off, and you'll be their meme.
- **Penalty Protocol**: Attribute deductions only for match losses or slacking in training (*Lose or skip drills, and you'll be slower than a dozing badger.*).
- **Points**: 86 (*Your piggy bank's ready to spend, champ.*)
Ethan adjusted his number 17 jersey, feeling the surge of a **Vision Booster** he'd bought for 25 points: **Vision Booster active: Vision +10 for Birmingham (*See plays like a hawk, mate. Don't waste it.*).** The Ronaldo template's Lisbon stage, with its elite dribbling and finishing, was perfect for Birmingham's solid defense, a mid-table side. The vision booster sharpened his playmaking, and the system's humor fueled him, like a mate daring him to dazzle.
Leicester's 2011–12 Championship season was a crucible, with Ethan's Millwall goal and assist keeping fans buzzing. The Premier League spotlight—Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea scouts attending today—added electric pressure. Ethan's main quest, to win the Championship Golden Boot and title.
The tunnel roared, Leicester's blue kits gleaming beside Birmingham's royal blue. Paul Gallagher nudged Ethan. "Birmingham's backline is tight, Cole. Break 'em, and make those scouts drool." Ethan nodded, the system quipping: **Premier League eyes on you. Don't trip over your own hype, superstar.**
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The match kicked off under St Andrew's floodlights, Birmingham's defense pressing hard. Ethan's boosted vision made him a maestro, spotting gaps. In the 10th minute, he darted past a defender, received a pass from Drinkwater, and fired a shot that grazed the bar. The crowd gasped, and the system cheered: **Finishing Progress +3%. Match Impact +10 (*Vision's on fire, mate! Keep it locked.*).**
Birmingham scored in the 18th minute, a low shot slipping past Schmeichel. 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 Birmingham's center-back 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 tougher.*).**
In the 40th minute, Ethan struck. He intercepted a pass, weaved through two defenders with Ronaldo's Trickster Flair—his vision booster spotting every gap—and rifled a curling shot past the keeper. The net rippled, and Leicester fans roared.
**Goal! Lisbon Vision II Progress: 50%. Match Impact +30%. Fan Appeal +20 (*That's the Ronaldo spark! Scouts are scribbling, champ.*).**
Halftime came at 1–1, and Nigel Pearson nodded. "You're their problem, Cole." The system updated: **Task Progress: 90%. One more goal or assist to seal it (*Don't choke, or you'll be Birmingham's meme.*).**
The second half was a grind, Birmingham's defense tightening. Ethan's stamina kept him relentless, outrunning tiring defenders. In the 85th minute, he latched onto a through ball, his vision booster sharpening his read, and fired a low shot that the keeper spilled over the line. The stadium erupted, Leicester fans chanting "Cole! Cole!"
**Goal! Task Complete: Score in Birmingham match. Reward: Lisbon Vision II Unlocked. Vision: 91/100. (*You're a vision god, and scouts are buzzing.*).**
The match ended 2–1, Leicester victorious with a one-goal difference, fitting the strong team rule. Ethan's brace earned him man of the match, fans chanting his name as he waved to the stands. The system glowed, unveiling its upgrade:
**System Upgrade: Quest Log Unlocked!**
- **Quest Log**: Tracks main and side quests with rewards.
- **Main Quest**: Win the Championship Golden Boot and Title (*Reward: Ronaldo Template Upgrade – Manchester United Stage*).
- **Side Quest (Birmingham)**: Score in the match (*Completed: Reward – Lisbon Vision II, One-Use Skill Card: Ronaldinho's Elastico*).
- **Skill Card Storage**: Ronaldinho's Elastico Card (one-use, flashy dribble) stored (*Use it wisely, showboat.*).
- **Points Earned**: 50 (25 for win, 25 for two goals). New Task: Score in the next match to lock Premier League interest. Reward: Lisbon Dynamo III milestone (Stamina +3).
Post-match, a Leicester staffer whispered: "Chelsea's pushing for a January meeting. United and Liverpool are circling tighter." Ethan's pulse raced, the Premier League intrigue a blazing fire. The system buzzed: **Three clubs fighting? You're a bloody superstar market, mate!**
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Post-match, Ethan crashed at his flat, scrolling Instagram. His follower count hit 45,000, fans hyping his Birmingham brace. He posted a match clip, captioned: *Birmingham 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 champ's unstoppable! Catch up soon? ☕😉*. He replied: *You know it, my #1 😎💕*. The system quipped: **Insta love fest? Keep it cool, Romeo, or I'll make you sprint to love tunes.**
The Premier League buzz had doubters. A teammate forwarded a tweet from a pundit: *Cole's class, but is he ready for United's stage? #LCFC*. The system warned: **Big leagues are watching, but the next match is Hull—they're scrappy. Score, or you'll give skeptics fuel.**
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The next morning, Ethan hit the park, the system's new drill pushing his Ronaldo template:
**Lisbon Dynamo III Drill: Complete 300 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 290th sprint, he was relentless, the system updating: **Drill Progress: 95% (*You're a stamina beast, but don't run through walls.*).**
At training, Drinkwater dropped news: "Hull's midfield is gritty, Cole. They'll try to box you in. And those scouts? They're coming again—United, Liverpool, Chelsea." The system warned: **Premier League spotlight's blazing, but Hull's a trap. Win, and keep that fire burning.**
Ethan scrolled Instagram post-training, liking a fan's post: *Cole to crush Hull! 🦁⚽* He replied: *Bet on it 😎💥*. The system jabbed: **Fans are your army, but don't let Insta make you lazy, champ.**
As Ethan walked home under Leicester's streetlights, he paused, staring at the city's skyline. The roar of stadiums, the pull of Premier League giants, and his Willow Creek roots tangled in his mind. His quest for the Golden Boot and Championship title burned brighter, a star guiding him forward. But Hull loomed, a scrappy test under the weight of United, Liverpool, and Chelsea's gaze. The system whispered: **The city's yours, mate. But will you claim the world?**