Monday came with a different kind of buzz.
Not whispers of drama or test scores—but murmurs about us. Campus Phoenix FC. We weren't just a rumor now—we were a line on the school bulletin, a hashtag on the school's social page, a line of students in the gym requesting to join training.
System Update: Club Tier 1 Activated
Feature Unlocked: Assign Team Roles
Required:
– 1 Captain (Leads Morale, Gains Decision Buffs)
– 1 Strategist (Tactical Bonus During Matches)
– 1 Morale Leader (Mitigates Tilt, Boosts Team Chemistry)
– 1 Media Liaison (Influence Boost, Manages Narrative Risk)
Coach Erwin handed me a clipboard.
"You've got one week before league qualifiers. Time to formalize your command. You lead the ship—but now, you pick your officers."
That afternoon, I sat with Ana and Maria in our usual spot near the bleachers.
"Let's start with captain," Maria said.
Ana raised an eyebrow. "You really need to ask?"
I stayed quiet. I wasn't sure if I wanted it out of pride—or because I couldn't imagine not being captain.
But I spoke anyway.
"I'll take that one. I've been making the calls already. Might as well be accountable."
Role Assigned: Captain – James
Passive: Rally the Team (Morale Boost After Setbacks)
Active: In-Match Tactical Override (Cooldown: 1 Match)
Maria slid into the next question. "Strategist?"
Both their eyes met.
The tension was sudden. Sharp.
Ana looked at me. "You trust me with the field map, right?"
Maria crossed her arms. "I've literally been analyzing match data for weeks."
It hit me hard—both had been vital. Ana with her in-game reads. Maria with the footage breakdowns and off-field prep.
But I had to choose.
System Prompt: Assign Strategist
Option A: Ana (Live Tactical Adjustments)
Option B: Maria (Off-Field Prep, Post-Match Insights)
I hesitated, then said: "Ana. I need you during the game, calling what I miss."
Maria didn't say anything right away. Just nodded and stared off at the field.
Role Assigned: Strategist – Ana
Passive: +5% Tactical Response Time
Active: Opponent Exploit Unlock (Every 2 Matches)
Zay ended up our Morale Leader—no contest. The kid could light up a wake.
Role Assigned: Morale Leader – Zay
Buff: Tilt Resistance +15%, Locker Room Mood Control
Then came Media Liaison.
I turned to Maria.
"You in?"
She raised her camera slightly. "I never left."
Role Assigned: Media Liaison – Maria
Buff: Controlled Narrative (+5% Reputation Gain Per Match)
Risk Reduction: Viral Misfire Resistance
But the air between Ana and Maria stayed cold for days.
Our triangle—once dynamic—was starting to tilt.
Thursday. After training.
Coach called me aside.
"You've got leaders. Now build a squad," he said. "League entry requires ten registered players. You've got seven."
"Scouts coming?"
"Sort of. The local 7s League sent reps. They'll watch the tryouts this Saturday."
"Wait—we're hosting tryouts?"
He smirked. "Surprise."
New Quest: "Flesh Out the Flame"
Objective: Recruit 3 More Players
Criteria:
– At Least 1 Defender
– At Least 1 Utility
– All Must Pass Skill and Fit Evaluation
Bonus Objective: Discover Hidden Talent
Posters went up the next day.
"Campus Phoenix FC Tryouts – All Years Welcome. All Backgrounds. No Bias. No Benchwarmers."
Over 40 students signed up.
Basketball players. Martial arts kids. A band kid with wicked footwork. Even Bryce—the same guy who mocked us two weeks ago—showed up, arms crossed, eyes scanning the competition.
Maria whispered, "If you pick him, half the squad's going to riot."
Ana said nothing. Just watched him carefully.
I watched them both.
Tryouts loomed.
We had a rising club.
We had roles.
We had momentum.
But beneath all that?
Rifts.
And a test coming not just for the squad—but for me.
Because if leading on the court was hard…
Leading people?
That was war in cleats.