Nighttime.
After completing a grueling physical training session with Pintus,
Kai took a shower and laid down on his bed.
The system's reward notification chimed:
[Ding! Side mission complete: What Is a Genius?]
[Reward acquired: 5 Custom Attribute Points; 1 Leeds United Star Player Chest]
[Ding! Match performance rating: SSS! Hidden reward triggered!]
[Hidden Reward: Unlimited Dribbling Card (10 seconds)! (Automatically destroyed after one use)]
"Unlimited dribbling card?"
Kai was thrilled!
Even though it was limited to ten seconds,
Being able to pull off unlimited dribbles during that time...
It was a god-tier experience card!
At the same time,
He gained 5 free attribute points.
After some thought, Kai allocated all five to stamina.
After the match against Leeds United,
Kai realized deeply —
Stamina was absolutely essential for any professional footballer!
Even though he was undergoing devil-style training under Pintus,
His stamina was still far from ideal.
As he moved toward higher-level leagues,
Stamina would be more crucial than ever.
"Open the chest!"
Without hesitation, Kai gave the command.
He was also curious:
Did Leeds United have any historically famous players?
Sure enough!
Treasure chests began to float in the air!
Most of them were silver-tier — very low quality.
Historically, Leeds United didn't have a particularly rich heritage.
The higher-quality ones belonged to some ancient-era stars,
Like Ian Rush and Jack Charlton.
Suddenly—
A flash of golden light!
Kai's eyes lit up!
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for opening a Leeds United Star Chest!]
[Reward acquired: King Cantona's "False Nine" Module (Passive)!]
Cantona's False Nine Module:
The King of Manchester United, Eric Cantona, once played for Leeds United!
Known as the Platini of the 90s, Cantona's role on the field was as a False Nine —
A free-roaming forward drifting between the central striker and the No.10 role.
This module is a passive boost that enhances the host's game understanding, positioning, and versatility.
A strange sensation crawled through the back of Kai's head.
A massive amount of knowledge surged into his mind.
"So that's how the King played…"
Kai murmured thoughtfully, deep in contemplation.
Overnight...
Scouts scrambled to report the situation to various clubs.
The next morning
The entire London media exploded once more!
All the major sports newspapers were racing to headline the story:
"Two Goals and One Assist — The 16-Year-Old 'King of Eagles' Cuts Down Bielsa's Leeds United!"
"Brilliant Performances Back-to-Back — Crystal Palace's Prodigy Can't Be Stopped!"
"A Phenomenon — He's Dominating the Championship!"
In recent times,
Kai had become the hottest name in South London
And a media darling.
Early morning.
Holloway sat reading the paper.
Then looked at a few offer sheets on his desk.
A heavy feeling weighed on his chest.
"It's finally happening."
"Even though the bids are only from second-tier clubs for now, the storm… is still brewing."
"We raised Kai's weekly wage to £15,000 — the highest in the team. Increased his buyout clause by €2 million. But…
€7 million buyout… still feels too fragile."
Next to him, Millen sighed.
"Early this morning, the security caught two shady scouts filming near our training grounds.
Turned out they were Tottenham scouts! They specifically came to record Kai's training!"
"Tottenham's trophy cabinet is basically empty. Their coach Villas-Boas is Portuguese — and as you know,
Kai is a dual-national Chinese-Portuguese. That Portuguese link may be important."
"Also, Wenger mentioned Kai during Arsenal's last post-match press conference.
Clearly, even in the Championship, Arsenal scouts have already locked onto him.
The Professor loves young prodigies — and Arsenal doesn't have much money.
So they either raise talent themselves or mine the lower leagues… That's well known across the Premier League."
"As for Manchester United, Ronaldo left for Real Madrid last season.
Who knows what Sir Ferguson is planning next…"
Holloway's head was about to explode!
"We're getting attacked from every side!"
Millen continued:
"And we should also be wary of foreign leagues...
I heard even Mourinho is interested in Kai!"
Holloway couldn't hold it in any longer:
"Wait a sec! Mourinho?? What's he doing here?
Didn't he just take over Real Madrid this season?
Since when did Madrid lack midfielders?"
Millen nodded:
"They do lack them! Maybe you don't know — after getting knocked out in the Round of 16 in the Champions League year after year,
Madrid went on a buying spree. But this season, right after kickoff —
Kaká suffered a season-ending injury,
Khedira is just a midfield workhorse — can't carry the team.
In the first El Clásico, they got destroyed 0–5 by Barça!
Mourinho just got hired, and the Bernabéu fans are already calling for his head!"
"As for how Spanish clubs noticed Kai?
Truth is, Real Madrid and Barcelona have scouts all over the world.
Not just the Championship —
Last year, Madrid even signed a young defender from Italy's third division.
That kid is now in their youth academy, La Fábrica."
Hearing all this,
Holloway felt mentally drained.
"The storm's coming too fast!"
"And that damn Villas-Boas!
What, is he going to use Kai's Portuguese citizenship to lure him?
Oh wait, I forgot — Mourinho is also Portuguese!
These Portuguese guys, what…
Want to recruit Kai not just for their clubs,
But even for the Portugal national team?!"
Millen shrugged:
"The Euros are coming. Two more years until the World Cup.
A talent like Kai won't stay hidden for long —
The national teams will definitely make a move.
Sooner or later, he'll have to make a choice."
"In the future, other national federations might even offer irresistible deals
To persuade Kai to switch nationality — and join their national team."