Late May 2007.
La Liga was heating up.
Real Madrid, who had held the top spot since the beginning of the season, were now only 3 points ahead of Barcelona as the title race neared its end.
This season, more intense than ever, had drawn unprecedented attention and led to massive success for the Spanish league.
Analysts pointed out that, due to the Calciopoli scandal in Italy, many fans had shifted from Serie A to La Liga.
As Serie A declined, other leagues benefited from the fallout.
During this same period, tension in the Juvenil league had also reached its peak.
While Real Madrid had already secured the Juvenil B league title, fierce competition continued for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th positions.
This allowed Real Madrid to fully focus on preparing for the Copa del Rey final.
The final took place on Sunday, May 27.
It was the day Ho-young would wrap up his season.
The venue was Estadio Cerro del Espino, Atlético Madrid's B team stadium.
Players from Real Madrid gathered in the locker room. They ranged in age from 13 to 18.
The Juvenil Copa del Rey, the second most prestigious youth tournament in Spain, is contested by a squad made up of six players each from the A, B, and C teams.
This meant the team was a mix of players up to 18 years old.
The youngest among them was Ho-young, selected from the B team. Despite his age, he had become a key pillar of the team, starting 7 matches with 4 goals and 5 assists, showcasing top-class performances.
He was the reason Real Madrid had reached the final.
"The starting formation is 4-2-3-1. In the first half, the attackers will close the gaps and dominate the center. The full-backs will take care of the flanks."
"Yes, sir."
Before the match began, the players had their final tactical check in the locker room.
The coach went over the specific instructions with each player, giving particular attention to Ho-young.
"If I were Coach Morientes, I'd go all-in on the press. They'll come at you like their lives depend on it. That's going to disrupt your ball-keeping and you won't have the usual time to make plays."
Coach Morientes of Villarreal.
As a former tactical coach, he was known for his sharp strategic instincts.
But Ho-young had already completely outclassed Morientes in their last league meeting.
That's why Real Madrid's coach didn't hesitate to give him a crucial role.
"They'll use high work rate and forward pressing as their cards. If they come out swinging with knives, we'll meet them with a hammer."
A head-on response.
"I'll take care of the defense, so just focus on the attack."
"Yes, sir."
Ho-young's response was filled with determination.
In both the quarterfinal and semifinal, Real Madrid had built their winning streak on the back of Ho-young's solid build-up play.
That stability was the reason they made it to the final.
And now, they had switched up the tactics.
It was like smashing Villarreal on the back of the head with a hammer.
Psychologically, the first victory went to Real Madrid.
Having gained the mental edge, Real Madrid started gaining momentum in the pressing battles and the end-to-end action.
And just 12 minutes into the match, that advantage became clear.
It started with a sharp key pass from right-back Carvajal.
Thud!
The ball was perfectly delivered to the center of the second line.
Ho-young received it, and with a fantastic turn, he instantly shook off his marker.
The defender marking him lost his balance, opening the path forward.
Ho-young got into shooting position.
It was a long-range effort from about 30 meters, but he went for it.
In that split-second, the angle opened up perfectly.
Boom!
He struck the ball boldly.
And immediately, he felt it.
'Got it.'
Like the thrill of hooking a massive fish, the impact on his foot sent a satisfying jolt through him.
The moment he sensed it, the stadium roared.
Clang!
The shot slammed against the crossbar with the force of a sledgehammer.
But then, the net rippled.
The ball had rebounded off the bar and deflected into the goal.
Cheers erupted as his teammates rushed over.
1-0.
Ho-young's thunderous long-range strike sent Villarreal into despair.
Having taken the lead, Real Madrid continued to control the game with dominant play.
Although they conceded an equalizer near the 45th minute of the first half, they quickly retook the lead during stoppage time.
The second half followed a similar pattern.
A chaotic match full of pressing battles and constant fights for second balls.
Real Madrid capitalized on the small advantages and built them into something bigger, like rolling a snowball.
Then in the 51st minute, Marcos Alonso broke through on the right wing and created a decisive opportunity.
His low cross zipped into the box, where Ho-young, surging in from the second line, calmly slotted it into the open net.
The score widened to 3-1.
Then Ho-young's calm voice reached his teammates.
"Focus. It's not over yet."
That line alone crushed Villarreal's spirit.
But Morientes was not one to give up easily.
He used all his substitutions and pulled out an unorthodox tactic.
He reduced the number of defenders and loaded the midfield to try and win the battle in the middle.
His final gambit.
Villarreal began to slightly increase their possession with quick counters.
There wasn't any standout play, but they hoped that by repeatedly knocking on the door, something would eventually open.
But.
Real Madrid wouldn't just sit back and take it.
If the opponent changed weapons, they'd respond accordingly.
From that moment on, Ho-young became the central figure, leading the team's play.
It looked like they were starting to lose the midfield battle, but Ho-young's tireless efforts gradually tilted momentum back in Madrid's favor.
They absorbed Villarreal's continuous pressure and brought the game back into balance.
Villarreal struggled to understand what was happening and couldn't stay focused.
Caught in Real Madrid's precise and organized movement, they were unable to play their own style.
On the contrary, Real Madrid launched a counterattack.
The attacking trio of Marcos, Ho-young, and Callejón began to push Villarreal's goal relentlessly.
And then in the 80th minute.
As players on both sides began to tire, Ho-young's composed and effective build-up began to shine.
Zidane's artistic touch spread across the pitch through Ho-young's feet.
Midfielders rotated positions constantly, creating multiple attack routes.
Receiving passes from all angles, Ho-young unleashed a flurry of shots late in the match.
When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 5-1.
The star of the victory was, without a doubt, Ho-young, who had scored a hat-trick.
Villarreal's Yellow Submarine had been shattered, unable to either rise or sink.
"Wooooooaaaaaaah!"
As Real Madrid's players exploded with joy, Ho-young joined them to celebrate.
It was his sixth career youth trophy, and his first double at Real Madrid.
More importantly, today's win allowed him to finally acquire Zidane's second talent.
It was also his first SS-grade talent, making the moment even more special.
[Select the talent you wish to obtain.]
-Artistic Ball Control (SS+)
-Unrivaled Ball Trapping (SS-)
-Fantastical Individual Technique (S+3)
-Phenomenal Press-Resistance (S+)
(More...)
'Finally.'
After nearly a year of hard work, he had gotten what he wanted.
A moment of pure emotion.
There was no need to hesitate.
All that remained was to receive the reward and enjoy the moment.
[You have selected Artistic Ball Control (SS+).]
[It will take 150 days → 75 days to fully acquire the talent. During this period, you cannot acquire any other talent.]
Artistic Ball Control (SS+).
A talent that would directly enhance not just his ball touch, but also his ball-keeping, dribbling, and technical skills.
While Unrivaled Ball Trapping was also tempting, Ball Control was a broader, more comprehensive ability. It was clearly the better choice right now.
And that wasn't all.
[Your talent capacity is currently full. Artistic Ball Control (75 days) is now on standby.]
[Please select a talent you wish to acquire after 75 days.]
-Playmaking of the Rebel (U)
-Fantastical Crossing (A+3)
-Precise and Quick Kicks (A+2)
(More...)
Riquelme's talent.
With Playmaking of the Rebel (U) also added to his list, Ho-young finally lifted the winner's trophy.
There was still one league match left, but for all intents and purposes, the season ended today.
As always, lifting the trophy with teammates in the same kit was magical.
Euphoric and liberating.
But only for a moment.
'This is only the beginning.'
More than satisfaction, ambition welled up inside him.
A desire to climb higher.
A hunger.
And this was just the start.
The first true step as a footballer.
To be called a real footballer.
A professional.
Nothing was certain yet, but if things went well, he might be able to make his professional debut before the year ended.
That's what people around him were saying, and it was something Ho-young himself could feel.
He had already performed well several times against the Juvenil A team.
Ho-young was ready to move up.
He still had areas to improve, but preseason was just around the corner.
From June to early August.
There was still time to grow.
'I'm almost there.'
It felt like just yesterday he stepped on Brazilian soil, thinking "well begun is half done," and now he had come this far.
Whether before regression or now, time flew fast.
That's why Ho-young never wasted a single day, and never would.
But today.
'I'll rest a bit.'
He wanted to sleep without a care.
That night, Ho-young shared the good news with his family in Korea.
His parents, Director Cha Bum-kun, and even São Paulo in Brazil.
Hearing Monica's beautiful voice again gave Ho-young new energy.
But something felt different today.
Maybe it was because it had been a while since they had time to talk properly.
Monica talked nonstop for over 20 minutes, as if all the words she'd been holding back came flooding out.
Ho-young also had more he wanted to say, but he ended the call early to rest for the next day.
Still, tonight's goodbye wasn't the usual "Good night."
I miss you.
A night that stirred emotions.
Monica meant it.
Three days later, on Wednesday.
Round 38 of the Juvenil B league was held at Valdebebas Training Center.
The match between Real Madrid and Sporting Gijón ended in a dominant home victory.
Led by Ho-young's brace, Real Madrid crushed their opponents.
Watching the match alongside the youth staff, Míchel was deep in thought.
Ho-young's originally planned 2008 debut.
President Pérez had mentioned promoting him to the C team by then.
But now, that timeline might be moved up by a year.
His thoughts changed that day.
"Castilla could work too."
Real Madrid Castilla.
The B team, one step above the C team.
A world of real professionals, not just youth players.
It might be too soon, but Míchel wondered if Ho-young could handle it.
A few days later, discussions around the contract began.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)