WebNovels

Chapter 3 - CHAPTER 3

**THE DAWN OF VISION**

*(Ibukun Okocha's Symphony of Grit and Grace)*

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### **Pre-Match Rituals**

**6:30 AM – The Jersey**

Ibukun stood in the dim locker room, fingertips brushing the polytechnic crest stitched into his weathered #14 jersey. The fabric smelled of bitterleaf soap and Grandma's mending thread. He inhaled deeply, the system's morning alert pulsing:

***"MATCH DAY: VS. LAGOS CITY ACADEMY. PREPARE."***

**7:00 AM – Breakfast & Balance**

At a roadside buka, he shoveled down amala and egusi, scribbling last-minute macroeconomics notes between bites. The vendor, Mama Nkechi, smirked. "Book *and* ball? You'll split your skull, ọmọ."

Ibukun ignored her, replaying Lagos City's scouting report in his head: *Dare—6'2", right-footed, aggressive*.

**8:30 AM – Tactical Baptism**

Coach Adebayo chalked formations on a cracked blackboard. "Okocha—right wing. Stay wide. *No heroics.*"

Ibukun's fingers twitched, the system's shop interface flickering:

**PURCHASED SKILLS**

- *Double Touch (Lesser)*: 25 Juju Points (Lv. 1/10 | EXP: 0/100)

- *Quick two-touch dribble to evade tackles.*

- *All Field Vision (Lesser)*: 30 Juju Points (Lv. 1/10 | EXP: 0/100)

- *Expand spatial awareness by 15%. Duration: 45 mins.*

He'd sold his phone to afford them.

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### **The Walk to War**

**10:45 AM – Tunnel Visions**

Ibukun emerged into Surulere Stadium's roar, sunlight stinging his sleep-deprived eyes. Lagos City's squad loomed—polished boots, custom-fit kits, sneers sharper than their tackles.

Dare, their captain, cracked his neck. "Ready to break, Spreadsheet?"

Ibukun's system flared:

***"ALL FIELD VISION ACTIVATED. DURATION: 45:00."***

The pitch snapped into hyperfocus—grass blades, opponent breathing patterns, *everything*.

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### **First Half: The Dance of Progress**

**Kickoff (11:00 AM)**

Lagos City dominated. Dare bulldozed past Chidi, scoring in the 8th minute. 1–0.

**15th Minute – First Skill Test**

Ibukun received a bouncing pass, two defenders closing in.

***"DOUBLE TOCH AVAILABLE. SUCCESS RATE: 60%."***

He flicked the ball left, tapped it right with his instep—*Double Touch (Lv. 1)*. The defenders collided.

***"SKILL EXP +10. DOUBLE TOUCH: 10/100."***

His cross found Sadiq, who headed wide.

**35th Minute – Vision's Price**

***"ALL FIELD VISION DURATION REMAINING: 10:00."***

Ibukun's temples throbbed. He spotted Emeka's overlapping run—a pass sliced through three defenders.

***"KEY PASS: VISION EXP +15. ALL FIELD VISION: 15/100."***

Emeka crossed. Sadiq missed. *Again*.

**Halftime (1–0)**

Ibukun vomited behind the stands, vision blurring.

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### **Second Half: The Crescendo**

**50th Minute – System's Gambit**

Ibukun reactivated *All Field Vision*, his nose bleeding freely.

***"DURATION: 45:00. FATIGUE PENALTY: -20% STAMINA."***

**62nd Minute – Double Touch Evolution**

Dare lunged. Ibukun executed *Double Touch*, the move smoother now.

***"SKILL EXP +20. DOUBLE TOUCH: 30/100 (LV. 1 → 2)."***

He accelerated, **Speed 8** burning, and rifled a shot. The keeper parried—Sadiq tapped in. 1–1.

**75th Minute – Vision's Zenith**

Ibukun's awareness spiked. He spotted Dare's weak foot, intercepting a lazy pass.

***"ALL FIELD VISION EXP +25. 40/100 (LV. 1 → 2). DURATION EXTENDED: +5 MIN."***

A chipped through-ball sent Kola through. The striker *finally* scored. 2–1.

**89th Minute – Collapse**

Dare's elbow found Ibukun's ribs. He crumpled, *All Field Vision* flickering out.

***"FATIGUE CRITICAL. SKILLS LOCKED."***

**Final Whistle (2–1)**

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### **Post-Match: The Cost of Glory**

**Location:** *Campus Clinic, 3:00 PM*

Amara pressed an ice pack to Ibukun's ribs. "You're lucky it's just a bruise. Rest, or next time—"

He interrupted, hoarse. "Quiz. At 4."

**4:30 PM – Academic Irony**

Ibukun scribbled answers through dizziness, the system's final alert humming:

***"MATCH REWARDS: +3 DRIBBLING, +2 VISION. QUIZ GRADE: 81%."***

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### **Hook: The Edge of Sanity**

**Location:** *Moonlit Training Field, 11:00 PM*

Ibukun dribbled past holograms, blood still crusting his nostrils.

**SKILL PROGRESS**

- *Double Touch (Lv. 2 | 30/100)*

- *All Field Vision (Lv. 2 | 40/100)*

Grandma's voice echoed from the road. "*Ọmọ mi!* Come home!"

He didn't stop.

***"NEXT MISSION: 'ASCEND OR BREAK.'***

- **Task**: Master both skills to Lv. 3 before Regional Cup finals.

- **Reward**: *Unlock 'Clutch Composure' (Mental)*

- **Penalty**: *Chronic migraines (-5 Vision permanently)*

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