Chapter 4: Grinding Every Day
Lucas Rocha Silva ran through the busy favela, his worn sneakers hitting the uneven pavement. The air was full of samba music from old radios, mixed with the smell of grilled meat and motorbikes.
It was day three of the Spark of a Legend quest: 30 miles to jog, 60 squats, 70 ball juggles, and one shooting drill. If he failed, his dreams would be crushed.
In 2005 São Paulo, in this 10-year-old body, he had a second chance.
School and chores tried to pull him away, but the soccer field called louder. Anju's childhood laughter gave him strength.
He woke up before sunrise. The Brazil 2002 World Cup poster on his wall glowed softly, Ronaldo's confident smile pushing him.
His mother called from the kitchen, "Lucas, school first, then the market for rice!"
He nodded, using Nelen's discipline to plan his day with school as cover, chores to earn quest miles, and football chasing his dreams.
Carla looked at him with worry. "You're pushing too hard, bro. Don't lose yourself."
Her words hurt, but he didn't let them stop him.
He grabbed his schoolbag and old football, his mind already on the day ahead.
School was loud with kids shouting and playing. The courtyard was dusty, where boys kicked stones like balls.
Lucas sat in class, but his mind wandered to his quests. The teacher said, "Lucas, pay attention! Daydreaming won't help you pass."
He said sorry and stayed calm, but she still looked worried.
At break, he went outside and started juggling the ball foot to knee, knee to foot, he was focused.
He did twenty juggles. The other kids watched, amazed, like the ball was magic.
Neymar's Flair was showing.
A loud DING! sounded in his mind. The system's green screen appeared:
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LEGACY QUESTS
#Spark of a Legend
* Task 1: Jog 30 miles within a week (Current: 4 miles, Day 3/7)
* Task 2: Complete 60 squats daily for a week (0/60, Day 3)
* Task 3: Perform 70 ball juggles daily for a week (20/70, Day 3)
* Task 4: Practice one shooting drill daily for a week (0/1, Day 3)
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Rewards:
* C-grade Vigor Tonic Potion (Boosts stamina, aids minor injury recovery, small chance to raise talent grade)
* Random Prodigy Talent
* 60 Legacy Points
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Penalty for Failure:
* Deactivation of Football Prodigy System
* Permanent Talent Grade reduction (D+ to F, no exceptions)
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Notes: Legends rise from humble beginnings. Act now or fade into obscurity.
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He kept going until he reached 70 juggles, sweat dripping down. The system chimed:
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[Task Update: Spark of a Legend]
Task 3: 70 ball juggles complete, Day 3
+10 Legacy Points. Total: 56
Neymar's Flair practiced. Skill Mastered: 7%
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João, the gap-toothed kid, ran over. "Lucas, big match tonight! Rico's crew thinks they're the best. We need you, bro!"
Rico, a tall 12-year-old with a bad attitude, ruled the alley pitch.
Lucas's Resolve: D flared beating Rico could earn respect and help his legacy.
"Alright, I'm in," Lucas said, his heart pounding.
João cheered and ran off.
After school, Lucas jogged to the market, a busy place full of spices, mangoes, and loud sellers.
Buying rice for his mother was also part of his quest.
He ran through the crowd, covering three miles, his Stamina: D feeling tired.
An older vendor gave him change with a tired smile, her fingers brushing his.
The system flashed:
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[Task Update: Spark of a Legend]
Task 1: Jog 30 miles (Current: 7 miles, Day 3/7)
+3 Legacy Points. Total: 59
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Back home, Lucas did squats in the yard. His thighs burned by the time he reached 60.
The system chimed:
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[Task Update: Spark of a Legend]
Task 2: 60 squats complete, Day 3
+5 Legacy Points. Total: 64
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For the shooting drill, Lucas used a graffiti-covered wall by the tap as a goal.
His first shot bounced off and scared a stray cat.
He focused, and his Vision: C+ helped him hit the target with the second shot, making paint chip off.
The system updated:
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[Task Update: Spark of a Legend]
Task 4: Shooting drill complete, Day 3
+5 Legacy Points. Total: 69
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At dusk, the favela lit up with music and lights.
Lucas ran to the alley pitch, a cracked field with old goalposts and kids cheering.
Kids were betting with chocolate and coins.
Rico walked by with his crew, sneering.
"This kid?" Rico said. "He's nothing."
João smiled and said, "Show them, bro."
The match was fast and rough, with dust flying everywhere.
Lucas dribbled hard, even though his Drive: F made it tough. Neymar's Flair helped him.
He tried a rainbow flick, the ball flew over Rico's reach and made the crowd gasp.
The ball didn't land well, but the crowd cheered, "Vai, garoto!" ("Go, boy!").
The system flashed:
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[Neymar's Flair attempted]
Skill Mastered: 9%. Practice to improve success rate
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Rico pushed Lucas and tripped him while he was dribbling.
Lucas stumbled but caught himself, his Resolve: D growing stronger.
He stole the ball and used his Technique: C to pass to João.
João's shot missed, and the crowd groaned.
Late in the match, Rico scored, curling the ball past the keeper.
The crowd booed while Rico grinned, "That's how it's done!"
The score was 1-0, hurting Lucas's team.
Lucas dodged through the players, using Neymar's Flair with a step-over and heel flick.
The ball slipped past two defenders, but Rico pushed him, and the referee didn't see.
The system flashed:
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[Neymar's Flair attempted]
Skill Mastered: 12%. Practice to improve success rate
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With seconds left, Lucas got the ball near the goal.
He saw a chance, faked right to trick Rico, and took a low shot.
The ball flew past the keeper, hit the post, then rolled out.
The whistle blew, the game was over, 1-0 loss.
Rico laughed, "Nice try, little one!"
João patted Lucas's back. "Almost, bro. We'll win next time."
The system updated:
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[Match complete: Loss]
+5 Legacy Points for effort and skill practice. Total: 74
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Walking home, Lucas's legs hurt, but he held his head high.
His mother frowned at his dirty clothes. "Lucas, these games are too rough!"
Carla teased, "You're not Ronaldinho yet, dummy."
Lucas smiled, hearing kids cheering from the alley.
The loss hurt, but the crowd's cheers and Neymar's Flair at 12% showed he had talent.
A locked system feature promised quick moves in the future.
Lying on his mattress, under the 2002 poster, the favela was quiet with kids chanting and samba music in the air.
School was tomorrow, and he remembered Senhora Ana's warning.
Carla was growing suspicious, and his mother worried.
But Lucas earned 74 Legacy Points today, and his Talent Grade stayed at D+.
The Spark of a Legend was just the beginning not just for him, but for Anju, the kids watching, and a legacy to inspire.
Nelen was gone, but Lucas Rocha Silva would shine bright, a flame that would last forever.