Chapter 5: Proving Himself
Lucas Rocha Silva ran through the crowded favela, his sneakers splashing around puddles near fruit stands.
It was day four of his Spark of a Legend challenge: run 30 miles, do 60 squats, juggle the ball 70 times, and practice one shooting drill every day.
He had three days left. If he didn't finish, the Football Prodigy System would shut down, his Talent Grade would drop from D+ to F, and his dreams would end.
At ten years old, but with the mind of a man from 2024, Lucas lived in São Paulo and was determined to succeed. School and chores kept distracting him, but the football pitch was where he fought hardest and found hope.
His Brazil 2002 World Cup trophy copy shone on his shelf, reminding him of Ronaldinho.
His mom called, "Lucas, go to school first, then get bread for Dona Elena!" He nodded and planned his day: school to learn, the errand to add miles, and football with friends to keep practicing.
Carla stood at the door, watching him. "You're too excited, bro." He smiled, "Just playing, sis," grabbed his bag and ball, and went outside.
The favela school was busy, with kids writing in notebooks and desks creaking. In history class, Lucas did great on a quiz, his grown-up mind working fast.
Senhora Ana gave him back his paper and said, "Good job, Lucas. You've improved, but don't skip group projects." Her words hurt a little, but he stayed calm, thinking about his quest.
At break time, he sneaked off to a quiet garden and started juggling his ball foot to knee, knee to foot. His moves got smoother and bolder. A small crowd gathered, whispering as he reached seventy juggles.
Suddenly, a sharp DING rang in his mind, the system's alert sounded:
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[Task Update: Spark of a Legend]
Task 3: 70 ball juggles complete, Day 4
+10 Legacy Points. Total: 84
Neymar's Flair skill mastery: 13%
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A rough voice broke the silence. "You're trouble, kid." Lucas caught the ball and looked at Tico, a thin man who used to play football and now sold fruit.
He wore a low cap and had sharp eyes. "I heard you're good. There's a game in a few days on the dirt field against local kids. Show them what you can do." Lucas's heart raced. "I'm in, Tico."
After school, Lucas ran through the winding alleys to Dona Elena's house, carrying a basket of bread.
The errand also counted for his quest, as he weaved past drone delivery bots and bright AR street murals.
Carla followed him, her voice sharp. "You're not just messing around, right, Lucas?" He smiled. "Trust me, sis, I know what I'm doing." She sighed, not convinced.
He ran five miles, his legs burning. The system flashed a message:
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[Task Update: Spark of a Legend]
Task 1: Jog 30 miles (Current: 12 miles, Day 4/7)
+5 Legacy Points. Total: 89
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At Dona Elena's, Lucas slipped into a neighbor's garage, away from Carla's view, and did 60 squats, sweat dripping on the rough floor.
The system cheered:
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[Task Update: Spark of a Legend]
Task 2: 60 squats complete, Day 4
+5 Legacy Points. Total: 94
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By the canal, Lucas found a stack of tires and aimed carefully for the gap in his shooting drill. His first shot hit the rim, making the metal shake.
The second shot went right through, making the tires wobble.
The system updated:
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[Task Update: Spark of a Legend]
Task 4: Shooting drill complete, Day 4
+5 Legacy Points. Total: 99
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A few days later, on Day 7, Lucas woke up feeling full of energy.
It was the last day.
He had kept running, doing squats, juggling, and shooting drills, while avoiding Senhora Ana's watchful eye and Carla's worried questions.
The favela was busy with festival preparations people moving around quickly and vendors shouting their orders.
He ran the last three miles to Dona Rosa's, carrying water cans that sloshed as he moved, finishing his 30-mile goal.
The system flashed:
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[Task Update: Spark of a Legend]
Task 1: Jog 30 miles complete, Day 7
+15 Legacy Points. Total: 124
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At the church, he juggled the ball seventy times while kids cheered.
Then he did sixty squats in the garage, sweat in his eyes. His last shots at the tire stack were perfect, two clean hits through the gap.
The system glowed:
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[Task Update: Spark of a Legend]
Task 3: 70 ball juggles complete, Day 7
Task 2: 60 squats complete, Day 7
Task 4: Shooting drill complete, Day 7
+30 Legacy Points. Total: 154
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A green light flooded his vision as the system blazed:
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[Quest Complete: Spark of a Legend]
Tasks Completed:
- Jog 30 miles: Done
- 60 squats daily: Done
- 70 ball juggles daily: Done
- Practice shooting drill daily: Done
Rewards:
B-grade Vigor Tonic Potion (Boosts stamina, aids minor injury recovery, small chance to raise talent grade)New Prodigy Talent unlocked: Edinson Cavani's Finishing
Skill Mastery: 1%
Effect: Sharpens shot precision in clutch moments.+60 Legacy Points. Total: 214
Assessment: Your spark's a wildfire. Keep it blazing.
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Lucas's eyes got wide, and a big smile spread across his face. "Cavani's Finishing! Yes! This will really improve my finishing!" he shouted, pumping his fists and spinning in the alley. His legs tingled, ready to shoot like Uruguay's striker in big moments.
He laughed, his heart racing, feeling unstoppable.
As dusk came, the favela lit up with festival lights and samba music.
Lucas met Tico at a dusty pitch surrounded by kids and crates for goals.
Local boys, friends like João and Diego, and rivals like Mateus watched carefully.
Tico patted Lucas's shoulder. "Lead them, Lucas. Show them what you've got."
The game came alive, dust flying and shouts all around. Lucas ran past bigger kids, doing a rainbow flick that sent the ball over a tackle.
The crowd cheered, "Vai, garoto!" He passed the ball to João, who scored past the keeper.
1-0.
The system flashed:
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[Neymar's Flair practiced]
Skill Mastery: 15%
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Mateus, a tall rival, blocked him with a smirk. "Think you're Ronaldinho, kid?" Lucas spun, took the ball, and passed to Diego.
Diego's shot hit a crate, and the crowd groaned.
The score stayed 1-0, the tension thick.
Tico shouted, "This is your moment, Lucas! Break through them!" His words hit Lucas hard, lighting a fire inside him he thought was gone.
Mateus's team scored with a fast shot past the keeper. 1-1. The crowd booed, kids yelling. Lucas moved through the chaos, doing a step-over and a heel flick, the ball gliding past defenders.
Cavani's Finishing kicked in and his focus sharpened, and the crate goal came into view. He curled a shot.
The ball flew past the keeper and hit the crates hard.
The crowd exploded, "Gol!"
2-1.
The system flashed:
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[Skill Update]
Neymar's Flair: 18%
Cavani's Finishing: 4%
Effect: Shot precision noticeably improved in clutch moments.
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Mateus pushed Lucas, but the ref didn't see. Lucas got up, took the ball, and faked right to trick Mateus. Then he passed to João, who ran ahead and scored. 3-1.
The whistle blew.
They won.
Mateus muttered, "Not bad, kid." João and Diego ran up, grinning. "You're a beast, bro!" Tico nodded, his eyes shining.
Lucas walked home, dust clinging to his sneakers, but his heart was burning with pride. João's cheers, Tico's nod, the kids shouting his name, every moment lit a fire inside him.
His mother looked up from the small TV, worry in her eyes. "Lucas, look at you you're a mess."
Carla stepped closer, her voice soft. "That was amazing, bro."
Lucas smiled, eyes shining. "I'm just getting started, sis."
Lucas sat on a rooftop under the stars.
The favela below was quiet, festival lights fading. School was starting soon, and Senhora Ana would be watching him. Carla's questions and his mother's worry were still in his head.
But he felt ready.
He had 214 Legacy Points, a D+ Talent Grade, and Cavani's Finishing in his blood. His journey was just starting.
People were talking about a new football academy in São Paulo.
It was a real chance to make something of himself, to make his people proud, and to build a legacy that would last.