**THE FIRST TEST**
*(Ibukun Okocha's Calculated Foray)*
---
### **Pre-Match: The Weight of Doubt**
**Location:** *Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic Locker Room*
Coach Adebayo's voice cut through the stale air, sharp as a whetstone. "They're faster. Stronger. But we're smarter. *Okocha*—stick to the right flank. No heroics. Pass and move."
Ibukun nodded, his fingers tracing the lightning scar on his palm. The system's interface flickered privately:
**CURRENT STATS**
| **Technical** | **Mental** | **Physical** |
|-----------------------|----------------------|-----------------------|
| Dribbling: 9 | Vision: 10 | Strength: 6 |
| Ball Control: 8 | Awareness: 7 | Speed: 8 |
| Passing: 7 | Composure: 5 | Agility: 7 |
| Shooting: 4 | Positioning: 4 | Stamina: 7 |
*Weakest link: Composure*.
Femi, Ibukun's rival and Ijebu Warriors' star winger, smirked from across the tunnel. "Ready to crumble, Spreadsheet?"
---
### **First Half: System vs. Instinct**
**Kickoff:** *Ijebu Warriors dominate possession.*
Ibukun hovered near the touchline, the system dissecting play in real-time:
***"OPPOSING LEFT-BACK: WEAK FOOTED. EXPLOIT RIGHT SIDE."***
He darted forward, calling for the ball. A lofted pass from Chidi, the center-back—**Vision 10** flagged the trajectory:
***"BALL SPEED: 28 KM/H. INTERCEPTION RISK: 45%."***
Ibukun trapped it awkwardly, **Ball Control 8** barely steadying his touch. Femi closed in, a hyena scenting blood.
***"RECOMMENDED ACTION: CUT INSIDE, PLAY SAFE."***
Ibukun obeyed, recycling possession. Safe. Unremarkable.
**25th Minute:**
Femi slalomed past two defenders, nutmegging Ibukun for good measure. The crowd roared.
***"COMPOSURE -1. CURRENT: 4/20."***
Ibukun's throat tightened. *Robotic. Useless.*
---
### **Halftime: Adjustments**
**Location:** *Dusty Locker Room*
Coach Adebayo hurled a water bottle. "Okocha! You're playing like a ghost! *Engage!*"
The system pulsed:
***"MISSION UPDATE: COMPLETE 3 KEY PASSES. REWARD: +2 COMPOSURE."***
Ibukun gulped bitter electrolyte mix, the *Vitality Elixir*'s tang sharp on his tongue.
---
### **Second Half: The Unseen Gambit**
**55th Minute:**
Ibukun intercepted a lazy pass, **Awareness 7** flagging Femi's positioning.
***"COUNTERATTACK: LEFT FLANK OPEN. SUCCESS RATE: 68%."***
He surged forward, **Speed 8** burning, and whipped a cross. Emeka's header sailed wide.
***"KEY PASS: 1/3. VISION +1."***
**70th Minute:**
Femi danced into the box, but Ibukun's **Positioning 4** left him stranded. 1–0.
***"COMPOSURE -1. CURRENT: 3/20."***
**85th Minute:**
Ibukun recycled a corner, **Vision 11** spotting Chidi's late run. A floated pass—Chidi volleyed it home. 1–1.
***"KEY PASS: 2/3. COMPOSURE +1."***
---
### **Climax: The Final Whistle**
**90+3' Minute:**
Ibukun pressed high, **Stamina 7** flagging. Femi lunged, but Ibukun's **Agility 7** let him pirouette away.
***"SHOOTING RANGE: 25M. SUCCESS RATE: 9%."***
He ignored the system, slicing a through-ball to Kola. The striker blazed over.
***"KEY PASS: 3/3. MISSION COMPLETE."***
**Full Time:** 1–1.
---
### **Post-Match: Seeds of Recognition**
**Location:** *Touchline, Scout's Notebook*
Scout Notes:
- *#14 (Okocha): Mechanical but precise. 88% pass accuracy. Low flair. Monitor.*
Femi shoved Ibukun, sweat and spite mingling. "Lucky pass."
Ibukun's stats glowed:
- **Composure**: 3 → **5**
- **Vision**: 10 → **11**
- **Positioning**: 4 → **5**
Coach Adebayo grunted. "Better. Still not enough."
---
### **Hook: The Road Ahead**
***"NEXT MISSION: 'SCOUT'S GAZE'***
- **Task**: Earn a scout's endorsement at Regional Cup.
- **Rewards**: *Positioning +5, Technical/Mental Stat Choice +3*
Ibukun walked home, the moon casting his leaner silhouette against the dirt road. *Skin, bone, and incremental gains.*
---