The conversation with Coach Thompson took place in a cramped office that smelled of instant coffee and decades of football dreams. Faded photographs of Forest's glory days covered the walls—European Cup victories, legendary players, moments of pure football magic that seemed impossibly distant from the modest youth setup Cruyff had just dominated.
"In thirty years of coaching," Thompson began, settling his considerable bulk into a creaking chair, "I've never seen a performance like that from a sixteen-year-old. That goal..." He shook his head in wonderment. "Sixty yards out, son. Sixty bloody yards."
Cruyff maintained his composure, though inside he was grinning. In his original timeline, this conversation had never happened. Thompson had barely noticed him, dismissing him with a polite "we'll be in touch" that never materialized into contact.
"I was just trying to make the most of the opportunity, coach," Cruyff replied, striking the perfect balance between confidence and humility.
"Opportunity?" Thompson laughed, a sound like gravel in a cement mixer. "Son, you didn't just make the most of it—you bloody well reinvented it. Those passes, that vision, the technique on that goal... Where did you learn to play like that?"
The system interface shimmered in Cruyff's peripheral vision:
[Quest Completed Successfully!]
[Rewards Unlocked:]
[- Vision: 52→57]
[- Passing Accuracy: 48→51]
[- Through Ball: 41→44]
[- NEW SKILL: Basic Long Shot Technique]
[- BONUS: Reputation gain with Nottingham Forest coaching staff]
[Level Up! You are now Level 2]
[New ability unlocked: Tactical Awareness]
[Daily quest system upgraded]
But more interesting than the immediate rewards was the new notification that appeared:
[Special Achievement: Perfect Trial Performance]
[Unlock: Advanced System Features]
[New feature available: Teammate Enhancement]
[Description: Improve nearby teammates' performance through superior positioning and communication]
Cruyff blinked in surprise. The system was evolving, becoming more sophisticated than the simple stat-tracking he'd initially experienced. The teammate enhancement feature was fascinating—it suggested his influence could extend beyond individual brilliance to genuinely elevating the players around him.
"I've been playing since I could walk," he answered Thompson's question. "My dad's Dutch—he taught me to see the game differently."
It wasn't entirely a lie. His father had been instrumental in his development, though the real source of his ability sat quietly in his mind, invisible to everyone but him.
Thompson leaned forward, his expression serious. "Listen, son, I'm going to be straight with you. We're not Arsenal or Manchester United. We can't offer you the glamour or the facilities of the big clubs. But what we can offer is a pathway—a chance to develop properly, to play real football at a competitive level."
The coach pulled out a standard youth contract, sliding it across the desk. "Two-year academy deal, with performance bonuses. You'll train with our under-18s, but I suspect you'll be playing with the reserves inside six months if you keep progressing like this."
Cruyff stared at the contract, remembering how desperately he'd wanted this moment in his original timeline. Back then, this would have felt like winning the lottery. Now, armed with knowledge of what was to come, it felt like the first domino in a carefully orchestrated sequence.
"There's one condition," Thompson continued. "That attitude you showed today—the way you involved your teammates, created chances for others even when you could have been selfish—that's what separates good players from great ones. Don't lose that as you develop."
If only he knew, Cruyff thought. Creating chances for others wasn't just his strength—it was his destiny.
"I won't, coach. That's who I am."
Thompson smiled, the first genuine warmth Cruyff had seen from the gruff Yorkshireman. "I believe you, son. Welcome to Nottingham Forest."
As Cruyff signed the contract, the system provided another notification:
[Major Milestone Achieved: First Professional Contract]
[Reward: System Evolution]
[New Feature Unlocked: Career Pathway Visualization]
[Access granted to: Advanced Training Modules]
The pathway visualization was extraordinary. In his mind's eye, Cruyff could see a branching tree of possibilities—different routes through his career based on performance, choices, and external factors. Some paths led to modest success in the Championship, others to international stardom and Champions League glory. The brightest path, glowing with golden light, showed him exactly where he wanted to be: lifting trophies in an Arsenal shirt, surrounded by teammates he'd elevated through his vision and creativity.
But the most intriguing aspect was how the paths shifted and adapted based on his actions. The system wasn't just showing him a predetermined future—it was responding to his choices, calculating probabilities and outcomes in real-time.
Walking out of the Forest training ground that evening, youth contract signed and secured in his kit bag, Cruyff felt the weight of possibility pressing down on his shoulders. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of amber and gold, and for a moment, he allowed himself to fully appreciate the magnitude of what he'd achieved.
In one afternoon, he'd gone from anonymous trialist to the most promising youth player in Nottingham Forest's recent history. But more than that, he'd proven to himself that the system was real, that his memories were accurate, and that he truly could rewrite his destiny.
His phone buzzed—a text from his father: "How did it go, son?"
Cruyff smiled as he typed his reply: "Better than we ever dreamed, Dad. This is just the beginning."
As he waited for the bus back to Manchester, the system provided one final notification for the day:
[Daily Summary:]
[- 2 assists achieved]
[- 1 spectacular goal scored]
[- Professional contract secured]
[- Perfect performance rating]
[- Level increased to 2]
[- Multiple new abilities unlocked]
[Tomorrow's Quest: First day of professional training]
[Objective: Establish yourself as a key player in the under-18 squad]
[Bonus objective: Begin identifying future teammates for enhancement]
[Remember: Great players make those around them better. Legendary players make it look effortless.]
Cruyff closed his eyes and leaned back against the bus stop, feeling the gentle hum of the system in his mind like a constant reminder of his potential. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new opportunities to prove himself, and new steps along the golden path toward greatness.
But tonight, for the first time in two lifetimes, he was exactly where he was supposed to be—a professional footballer with unlimited potential and the knowledge to unlock every ounce of it.
The God of Assists was finally ready to begin his ascension.