Ethan materialized on the virtual training ground of Apex United, the digital sun shining, a hive of focused, positive energy all around him.
The disastrous 6-2 loss to Burton felt like a lifetime ago. It had been a necessary, painful lesson, and his team had emerged from the fire stronger, smarter, and hungrier than ever.
He watched them train, a proud, satisfied smile on his face.
The +10% Training Efficiency boost from his beach trip had expired, but its effects lingered.
The players were sharper, their movements more intuitive.
The attacking trio he had gambled on was beginning to look less like a trio of individuals and more like a single, terrifying, three-headed monster.
David Kerrigan's chaotic dribbling now had a purpose, a final pass.
Viktor Kristensen's movement was a masterclass in quiet, deadly efficiency.
And Emre Demir... Emre was on another plane of existence.
