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Chapter 13 – After the Semi
The coach ride back from the semi-final was rowdy. Music blasted from a tinny speaker someone smuggled on, crisps flew through the air, and Bendtner was halfway down the aisle singing at the top of his lungs. The lads were buzzing — Arsenal U18s were through to the Youth Cup Final.
Jeremy Lynch sat back with his hood half-up, legs stretched across the seat in front, smirking at the chaos. He'd bagged a brace tonight, another step toward proving he was different. Not just talented. Special.
"Oi Lynch, you're buying the first round tonight, yeah?" Bendtner yelled over the music.
Jeremy flicked his hand lazily. "Mate, I already carried you lot on the pitch. Don't get greedy."
The bus erupted in laughter. Bendtner threw a crisp at him, but Jeremy just leaned back, smug.
[Ding!]
> Egoist System Notice
"Command the room, Lynch. A true egoist shines brightest even off the pitch. Don't just play along — own it."
Jeremy's smirk widened. He sat up, pulled his hood back, and raised his voice. "Lads, when we win the final, drinks are on me. But tonight? Bendtner's paying — since he barely did anything on the pitch."
Even louder laughter now. Bendtner tried to scowl but ended up grinning. "Cheeky bastard."
The mood carried all the way back to Islington. Instead of heading home, the boys piled into a mate's house, where the music was already blasting. In Da Club rattled the walls, and the air smelled of cheap beer and hair gel.
Inside, Jeremy found himself swarmed. A couple of academy girls hung around, clearly impressed by the win. One pointed at him, whispering to her mate, "That's the one who scored twice tonight."
Jeremy grinned, tossing his jacket aside. "Yeah, that's me. Don't worry, I'll score a couple more in the final."
"Cocky," one of them teased, but she lingered close.
Hoyte clocked it from across the room. "Careful, Lynch. Don't let your head get too big."
Jeremy raised his bottle in salute. "My head's fine, mate. It's my boots doing the talking."
[Ding!]
> System Update – Off-Pitch Ego
"Attraction. Attention. Dominance. These are as much weapons as your shooting boots. Don't just play the game — live above it."
Jeremy took that to heart. He mingled through the house like he owned it. When lads argued over the Champions League, he slid in with a grin.
"Who's taking it this year, then?" someone asked.
"United," one lad said immediately.
"No chance," Jeremy cut in, voice sharp. "AC Milan's walking it. Maldini at the back, Shevchenko up front. Untouchable."
"Bollocks," someone muttered, but Jeremy just smirked.
"You'll see," he said simply, leaning back. "Remember I told you first."
The system purred in his ear.
> "Good. Future knowledge is leverage. Use it to make them believe in you, even fear you."
As the night went on, Jeremy found himself with a drink in one hand and a girl laughing at his jokes in the other. Bendtner tried to interrupt, throwing an arm around him. "Oi Lynch, don't think you're the star just 'cause you nicked two goals."
Jeremy shrugged him off, smirking. "Funny, I didn't see you on the scoresheet, mate."
The room cracked up again. Bendtner rolled his eyes but let it go. Hoyte, though, shook his head quietly. "Man's gonna rub everyone the wrong way soon."
Jeremy caught it but didn't care.
> "Yes," the system hissed. "Let them doubt. Doubt is the fuel for your ego."
Later, in the kitchen, Jeremy leaned against the counter, catching his reflection in the window. Young, lean, the messy dreads falling around his face. He chuckled. "Man, what was I thinking with this look? Still… I look cold."
He tilted the bottle, smirk widening. "Nah, I'm him, mate. I'm really him."
[Ding!]
> System Expansion – Shop Refresh
"Weekly items updated. Temporary boosts, recovery kits, rare upgrades. Use your credits wisely, Egoist."
Jeremy blinked, the interface flashing in his vision. New items lined the shop:
Prime R9 Shooting – 10 minutes (1m credits)
Injury Recovery Kit – instant (500k credits)
Endurance Boost +10% (1 week) (200k credits)
He didn't buy anything yet, but just seeing it made his chest tighten with excitement. The possibilities were endless.
He looked back into the party, Bendtner dancing like a fool, Hoyte chatting with a girl, the rest of the squad shouting along to the music. Jeremy smirked.
They were good lads, but he wasn't just another academy player. He was already writing his future.
The system whispered one last time that night:
> "Remember, Lynch. An egoist doesn't just live among the crowd — he stands above it. Always."
Jeremy raised his bottle, smiling to himself. "To me, then."
The music thumped on.
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