The early January breeze whipped through Leicester's Victoria Park as Ethan Cole sprinted alongside a group of teens on January 1, 2012, their laughter ringing out under a pale winter sun. The park's frozen grass crunched beneath their boots, and Ethan's Leicester City tracksuit flashed as he raced a lanky kid to a makeshift goalpost, letting him win with a dramatic dive. "You're too quick, mate!" Ethan grinned, tossing the ball back. The teens, part of his upcoming Willow Creek academy trials, buzzed with energy, chanting "Cole! Cole!" as they practiced drills he'd taught. The festive buzz of New Year's lingered, with distant fireworks popping, fueling Ethan's drive for tomorrow's Championship match against Doncaster Rovers. The Football System hummed, its sarcasm light: **Playing coach with kids? Don't let 'em outrun you tomorrow, champ.**
Ethan's heart raced, not just from the sprint but from a call he'd gotten—Jorge Mendes, the super-agent, wanted to meet post-match to discuss his Leicester contract and Premier League offers. The anonymous threat from last week (*Enjoy the spotlight, Cole. It won't last.*) gnawed at him, but tonight, Mia Hart's invite to her flat promised a fiery distraction. The park's lively chaos was the perfect spark, blending warmth and adrenaline for the battles ahead.
---
At Mia's flat, the air was thick with desire. Dim lights and a sultry jazz track set the mood as Mia greeted Ethan in a black lace dress, her pink hair loose, eyes smoldering. "My superstar's early 🔥," she teased, pulling him into a kiss that burned like wildfire. Ethan's hands found her waist, the Ronaldo template's charm amplifying his confidence as he deepened the kiss, tasting her cherry lip gloss.
They stumbled to the bedroom, urgency stripping away restraint. Mia's dress hit the floor, revealing curves that made Ethan's breath catch. She pushed him onto the bed, straddling him, her nails trailing down his chest as she peeled off his shirt. "You're mine tonight," she whispered, her voice a velvet blade. Ethan's grip tightened on her hips, his body responding to every touch—her lips on his neck, her thighs pressing against him. The heat built, their movements a dance of raw passion, skin against skin, gasps blending with the music. Mia's moans drove him wild, their rhythm escalating to a fevered peak, a shared release that left them tangled, breathless, hearts pounding.
As they lay there, Mia traced his jaw, smirking. "You're trouble, Cole 😏." Ethan chuckled, kissing her softly. "Only for you, #1 💪." She curled against him, murmuring, "Smash Doncaster. I'll be watching 📺😉." The system quipped: **Steamy encore, eh? Don't sleep through the match, mate.**
---
The next day, Ethan stood in the tunnel of the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster Rovers' ground, the roar of 10,000 fans pulsing through the walls. The system updated, its tone sharp:
**Football System: Status Panel**
- **Template**: SSS-Class Striker Template (Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting Lisbon 2002–03 Stage)
- **Stage 1: Sporting Lisbon (2002–03)** – Focus: Raw Athleticism (*Teenage Ronaldo's pace and tricks, pure fire.*)
- Speed: 100/100 (Lisbon Lightning: 100%)
- Dribbling: 101/100 (Trickster Flair: 100%)
- Finishing: 98/100 (Galactic Strike: 80%)
- Free Kicks: 80/100 (*Improving, but no Beckham curves.*)
- Passing Accuracy: 94/100 (*Crisp, but not Xavi.*)
- Heading: 86/100 (*Strong, but not a tower.*)
- Stamina: 100/100 (Lisbon Dynamo III: 100% – *You're a beast.*)
- Mental Focus: 92/100 (*Sharp, but that threat's a distraction.*)
- Team Synergy: 92/100 (*Lads vibe with you.*)
- Match Impact: 90/100 (*Game-changer status.*)
- Fan Appeal: 85/100 (*Fans love you, Leicester's king.*)
- Rival Impact: 82/100 (*Turner's gone, but skeptics linger.*)
- Vision: 94/100 (*Playmaker elite.*)
- Defensive Contribution: 74/100 (*You track back, but no Maldini.*)
- **Stage 2: Manchester United (2006–09)** – Locked (*Grind harder.*)
- **Stage 3: Real Madrid (2011 Peak)** – Locked (*Dream on.*)
- **Assimilation Progress**: 95% (*Ronaldo's fire is nearly yours.*)
- **Task**: Score in the Doncaster match to lock Premier League interest.
- **Reward**: Unlock Lisbon Flair III milestone (Dribbling +1).
- **Advisory**: Use a skill card and shop item to demolish Doncaster's defense. Slack off, and you're their meme.
- **Penalty**: Attribute deductions only for match losses or training slacking.
- **Points**: 86 (*Spend wisely, champ.*)
Ethan adjusted his number 17 jersey, activating the **Neymar's Rainbow Flick Card** (one-use, from Chapter 31): **Neymar's Rainbow Flick active: Dazzle one defender with Neymar's flair (*One play, make it viral.*).** He also used a **Stamina Booster** bought for 20 points: **Stamina Booster active: Stamina +10 for Doncaster (*Marathon man mode.*).** The Ronaldo template's Lisbon stage was perfect for Doncaster, a relegation-zoned side. The system stayed quiet, its sarcasm minimal.
Leicester's 2011–12 Championship season was a high-stakes ride, with Ethan's Ipswich brace making him a fan deity. The Premier League spotlight—Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea scouts here today—demanded a rout. The anonymous threat lingered, and Mendes' contract talk loomed.
The tunnel roared, Leicester's blue kits gleaming beside Doncaster's red and white. Danny Drinkwater nudged Ethan. "Doncaster's scrappy, Cole. Smash 'em, and those scouts'll be begging." Ethan nodded, locked in.
---
The match kicked off under the Keepmoat's floodlights, Doncaster's defense crumbling fast. Ethan's vision and stamina carved through gaps. In the 8th minute, he used **Neymar's Rainbow Flick**, lofting the ball over a defender's head with a cheeky spin, then fired a shot that hit the bar. The crowd gasped, and the system noted: **Match Impact +10 (*Viral vibes. Card's done.*).**
Doncaster scored in the 12th minute, a fluke shot slipping past Schmeichel. The system warned: **Down 1–0. Don't lose, or you're kissing stats goodbye.** Ethan pushed harder. In the 18th minute, Gallagher crossed. Ethan outjumped a defender, his header flying into the net.
**Goal! Lisbon Flair III Progress: 25%. Match Impact +20% (*One down.*).**
In the 30th minute, Ethan struck again, weaving through three defenders with Ronaldo's flair and rifling a shot past the keeper. Leicester fans roared.
**Goal! Lisbon Flair III Progress: 50%. Match Impact +30% (*Keep piling on.*).**
In the 42nd minute, he scored his third, a curling shot after a solo run, completing a first-half hat-trick. Halftime came at 3–1, Nigel Pearson grinning. "You're a machine, Cole."
The second half was a massacre. In the 60th minute, Ethan laid off an assist to Nugent, who buried it. In the 75th minute, he scored his fourth, a low drive after a through ball. In the 88th minute, he added a fifth, a tap-in from a rebound, sealing a 6–1 rout.
**Hat-Trick! Two Goals! Assist! Task Complete: Score in Doncaster match. Reward: Lisbon Flair III Unlocked. Dribbling: 102/100. Side Quest (Three Consecutive Matches Scored) Complete: Reward – One-Use Skill Card: Ronaldinho's No-Look Pass (*Pass like a wizard, one-time only.*).**
Ethan's five goals and assist earned him man of the match, fans chanting his name. A staffer whispered: "Mendes is here. Wants to talk contract and United's bid tonight." The system quipped: **You're a bloody jackpot, mate.**
The system glowed: **Points Earned: 100 (25 for win, 75 for five goals/assist). New Task: Score in the next match to lock Premier League interest. Reward: Lisbon Precision IV milestone (Finishing +3).**
---
Post-match, Mendes met Ethan in a quiet Leicester office. The agent's sharp suit and calm demeanor screamed power. "Your contract's up soon, Ethan," Mendes said. "Leicester wants to extend, but United, Liverpool, and Chelsea are offering millions. We'll negotiate after your next match." Ethan nodded, the weight of his future sinking in. The system stayed quiet, letting the moment breathe.
Ethan crashed at his flat, scrolling Instagram. His follower count hit 90,000, fans hyping his Doncaster demolition. He posted a match clip, captioned: *Doncaster done, let's keep climbing 🦁⚽ #LeicesterLad*. Fans commented: *You're our god, Cole! 🌟* Ethan replied: *Cheers, fam! More to come 😏🔥*. Mia commented: *My champ's a beast! Last night was 🔥😘*. He replied: *You're my fire, #1 😎💕*. He swiped to Hollywood gossip: "Beyoncé's Baby News Breaks 🌟👶" and "Johnny Depp's Pirate Return Hype 🏴☠️👀." The system stayed silent.
The Premier League buzz had skeptics. A teammate forwarded a tweet: *Cole's a freak, but can he handle Premier League pace? #LCFC*. The anonymous threat echoed, unanswered. The system noted: **Doubters and shadows are circling. Next match is Nottingham Forest—they're fierce. Smash 'em.**
---
The next morning, Ethan hit the park, the system's new drill pushing his Ronaldo template:
**Lisbon Precision IV Drill: Score 300 shots from tight angles with 95% accuracy. Reward: Finishing +3 (*Ronaldo was lethal.*).**
He fired shots past local kids, his flair electric. By the 290th shot, he was a sniper, the system updating: **Drill Progress: 95% (*Sniper vibes.*).**
At training, Drinkwater said: "Forest's defense is brutal, Cole. They'll target you. Scouts are coming—United, Liverpool, Chelsea. Mendes was asking about you." The system warned: **Spotlight's blazing. Forest's a trap. Win big, or you'll dim it.**
Ethan scrolled Instagram post-training, liking a fan's post: *Cole to crush Forest! 🦁⚽* He replied: *Bet on it 😎💥*.
As Ethan walked home through Leicester's icy streets, a figure watched from a corner, hood up, eyes glinting. The anonymous threat's words replayed in his mind, a chill deeper than the winter air. Nottingham Forest loomed, a fierce rival, with Mendes' contract talks and Premier League giants waiting. Ethan's fire burned, but the shadow of doubt crept closer, a whisper against his Unstoppable rise.