---
Morning hit like a slap.
Most days, I'd stay curled up, hoping for a call that never came. A coach's text. A scout's message. Sneha's voice. Anything.
But not today.
Today, I had a system.
I showered, geared up, and headed to training thirty minutes early. The ground was still empty. The sky painted itself in slow gold, but inside me, something burned brighter.
> [New Passive: Mentality Boost (+10 during adversity situations)]
"Let's go, then," I muttered.
I started drills on my own — cones, short sprints, ball control. I didn't need an audience anymore.
But soon… I had one.
---
"Still playing dress-up, benchwarmer?"
Aryan Rai.
Same smirk. Same arrogance.
He showed up flanked by three academy players like a wannabe Bollywood villain with backup dancers.
He flicked his designer boots off the ground and kicked a stray ball right toward me.
I trapped it dead mid-air.
His smirk twitched.
"Lucky touch," he said.
I smiled.
"No, Aryan. That's what control looks like."
He walked closer. Too close. "Still dreaming, bro? Coach already submitted the starting lineup. Guess whose name's on top again."
I didn't answer.
Because something pinged in my vision.
---
> [System Deal Offer: Rival Challenge – Aryan Rai]
Win a one-on-one challenge vs Aryan in front of coaches.
Reward: +5 to Shooting, Unlock "Focused Shot" Skill
Penalty: -10 Reputation]
Accept?
---
My breath hitched.
This wasn't just a drill anymore. The system was throwing me into fire.
But I didn't hesitate.
"Let's make a deal," I said.
Aryan blinked. "What deal?"
"You and me. One-on-one. Full-pitch showdown. Loser shuts up. Winner gets to ask Coach for a guaranteed debut."
His jaw clenched.
Then he laughed.
"Deal."
---
Coach Shastri arrived right on time. The staff saw us lined up, tension thick in the air.
"What's going on?" he asked.
Aryan stepped up like a star. "Me and Chavan want a one-on-one drill. Winner gets debut priority."
The coach raised an eyebrow. "You sure about this, Piyush?"
I nodded.
He sighed. "Fine. Full-pitch. One attack each. Aryan starts."
---
Round 1: Aryan's Turn
He jogged with confidence. Fake stepovers, flashy rolls — all for show. But when he cut inside and curled the shot…
The net bulged.
1–0.
The players clapped. Coach noted something in his pad. Aryan turned to me with the smugness of a king.
---
> [System Tip: Target Aryan's weak foot – left side. Confidence stat: Overloaded. Vulnerable to pressure.]
[Focused Shot Skill: Available for Trial]
---
Round 2: My Turn
I didn't dribble fancy.
I didn't show off.
I sprinted full speed — right into his zone.
He bit the bait.
I cut left — his weaker side — and he stumbled.
One-on-one with the keeper.
My heart thundered.
Then the system whispered:
> [Focused Shot: Tap to Activate]
I tapped the air.
Time slowed.
A glowing arc showed me the path — top right corner, out of reach.
I struck.
The net kissed the ball like destiny welcoming me home.
Goal.
Dead silence.
Then—
"WHAT a finish!" one of the staff shouted.
Coach raised an eyebrow. "Well, well…"
Aryan's smirk was gone.
---
> [Challenge Complete! +5 Shooting]
[Skill Unlocked: Focused Shot – Lv.1]
[Reputation: +5]
---
I turned to Aryan.
"You said I was a dreamer, right? Looks like my dream just stepped on your spotlight."
He looked like he wanted to kill me.
I walked off without waiting for the coach's call.
Because I knew the next match…
I'd be in the lineup.
And the world?
It would finally get its first taste of Piyush Chavan.
...