Let me check my stats. If I want a better chance of breaking into the starting eleven, I need to improve the right attributes. Speed... Attacking Positioning... Finishing... Shooting... Dribbling... Ball Control. Those should be my priorities. I wonder if I can upgrade each attribute individually, or if I have to unlock them through their respective skill categories.
Ding!
[Winston Daley Stats]
Acceleration: 68
Sprint Speed: 69
Att. Position: 67
Finishing: 57
Shot Power: 66
Long Shots: 67
Agility: 45
Balance: 55
Ball Control: 66
Wow... it worked. So the Core system lets me choose which attributes I want to focus on. Amazing... that changes everything.
According to the system, a user could select up to five attributes from different categories and place them into a personalized training category. Since it's already late, my parents won't let me go out for a night run. The only thing I can do right now is train at home.
Winston dropped to the floor and began doing push-ups. After completing fifty, he summoned the Core system and checked his stats. His Strength attribute had increased... But only by a tiny margin.
So I can improve my attributes through training... but progress is slow. Then I'll just have to train harder. I'll wake up early tomorrow and get to the training ground before everyone else.
The next morning, Winston was up before sunrise. Without wasting a second, he changed into his training clothes, packed the rest of his gear into his sports bag, and quietly slipped out of the house before anyone could stop him for breakfast. A light jog later, he arrived at the training complex. The facility consisted of four full-sized pitches, each already bustling with players running drills or playing small-sided matches.
Winston greeted the groundskeeper before collecting a set of training equipment. He had been training there for months whenever he wanted extra practice, and over time he had become friends with the old groundskeeper. Because of that, getting access to the facility was never a problem. The groundskeeper even kept a spare set of cones, agility poles, and footballs ready for him whenever he stopped by. After changing into his training gear, Winston stepped onto the empty stretch of grass and began his routine. First came the warm-up. Ten kilometers around the pitch.
Ding!
[Winston Daley Stats]
Acceleration: 68 +2
Sprint Speed: 69 +2
Att. Position: 67
Finishing: 57
Shot Power: 66
Long Shots: 67
Agility: 45 +2
Balance: 55
Ball Control: 66
Hmm... that's amazing. My Speed and Agility both increased by two points. If I can get all my key attributes to seventy, I'll have a much better chance of making the starting eleven.
So absorbed in checking his progress, Winston failed to notice how much time had passed. Only when he glanced around did he realize it was already late. He pulled out his phone. The screen was flooded with missed calls and messages from his mother.
Looking beyond the fence, he spotted his father's car parked along the sidewalk. Winston immediately jogged over.
His father rolled down the window. "You left without saying goodbye," he said. "Why didn't you at least send us a message?"
Winston rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry, Dad. I lost track of time."
His father sighed before asking, "So... any progress with your training?"
A smile spread across Winston's face. "I think so. I feel like I'm making real progress. I want to earn a place in the starting eleven for the next match."
His father smiled proudly. "I'm glad to hear that."
He reached over and handed Winston a lunch box. "Your mother packed this for you. She was worried you'd forget to eat."
Winston accepted it with both hands. "Thanks."
"And give your mother a call," his father continued. "She was ready to come looking for you. Ever since the accident, she's been worried sick." He paused before adding quietly, "So have I."
A guilty smile crossed Winston's face. "I'm sorry. I'll call her right away." Then curiosity got the better of him. "How did you know I'd be here?"
His father chuckled. "Your sister mentioned something about a GPS... or a location finder."
Winston laughed. "Oh... you mean location sharing."
"Whatever it's called," his father replied with a grin. "It helped us find you."
He started the engine. "I've got to head to work now. Your mother will come pick you up after you've spoken to her."
"Will do." Winston stepped back from the car.
"Drive safely, Dad."
"You too. Don't overdo the training."
Watching his father's car pull away from the curb, Winston returned to the training ground. He sat quietly on a bench, opened the lunch box his mother had prepared, and called her. Once the call ended, he summoned the Core system again. It was time to see how much progress he had really made.
[Winston Daley Stats]
Acceleration: 68 +2
Sprint Speed: 69 +2
Att. Position: 67 +2
Finishing: 57 +2
Shot Power: 66 +2
Long Shots: 67 +2
Agility: 45 +2
Balance: 55 +2
Ball Control: 66 +2
Ding!
[User reward point: 05]
Wow... I finally earned a stat point. And some of my attributes have reached seventy. The others have improved from fifty to sixty. This system really makes my progress easier to understand. I'm satisfied for now, but I still need to raise the attributes that are stuck at sixty.
First... I should call Mom.
After packing up his training equipment, Winston sat on a bench while waiting for his mother to pick him up. As he waited, he overheard two youths walking past the training ground.
"Are you going to the Under-21 match this Saturday?" one of them asked.
"Of course!" the other replied enthusiastically. "Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss it." The first youth laughed.
"I forgot—you've got a favorite player."
"Lukas Hickman. The center-back?"
"Yeah. He's been in incredible form lately. Best defender in the Under-21 league. I'd love to play alongside him someday."
His friend smirked. "Is that why you switched from midfield to defense?"
The two laughed as they continued down the street, leaving Winston leaning against a nearby streetlight.
Lukas Hickman... I hope he doesn't become a problem on the pitch.
The next match day...
"Alright, boys," the head coach said. "The bus will be here in about an hour. Before it arrives, we'll go over today's formation and starting lineup one last time." The players gathered around as the coach read from his clipboard.
Before Winston could fully concentrate, Oswin leaned over. "Hey, man. After the game, me and a few friends are heading to the arcade. You should come."
Winston smiled. "I'll think about it."
The coach continued. "Oswin, attacking midfielder. Maximilian, striker. Winston... you'll start on the bench."
Without showing any disappointment, Winston simply nodded.
"The team we're facing has one of the strongest defenses in the league," the coach continued. "Defenders, hold a high and aggressive line. Midfielders and forwards, I want quick transitions and decisive counterattacks."
He looked around the room. "Play like a team chasing a championship."
The players answered together. "Yes, Coach!"
As everyone began gathering their equipment, Oswin nudged Winston. "Don't worry about it. At least you're on the bench. I'm sure you'll come on in the second half."
Winston shrugged. "Maybe."
Winston grinned. "Besides, we've got your back. You've got the best dribbling in the squad."
"Heh... say that a little louder." Oswin laughed. "Fine. Then I'll score one for my biggest fan."
The two burst into laughter. When the players lined up to board the bus, Winston walked over to Maximilian and tapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"Congratulations on making the starting eleven," Winston said. "Go out there and have a great game."
Maximilian barely looked at him. "I don't need your congratulations." His voice was cold. "I outplayed you in training, and I deserved this spot."
He stepped closer. "I'm the best player in this squad." He brushed past Winston without another word.
Oswin stared after him. "...What's his problem?"
Winston shrugged. "No idea."
He figured Maximilian was probably feeling the pressure of leading the attack by himself. As the team bus arrived at the stadium, Winston looked around in surprise. The Under-21 league drew far more attention than he remembered from his Under-19 days. The stands were already filling with supporters, and the atmosphere felt much closer to that of the lower professional divisions. When he turned toward the Bush Hill Rangers players warming up on the opposite side of the pitch, one player immediately stood out.
A tall, commanding center-back. That must be Lukas Hickman... The best defender in the Under-21 league.
Ding!
[User daily challenges:]
[score one goal]
[goal assist to Maximilian through ball or lob ball]
How am I supposed to do that? I'm on the bench! The system wants me to assist Maximilian in scoring a goal... how am I supposed to complete that challenge if I'm not even starting? Damn it! If I fail this mission, my rating will drop again...