The morning air at Virtus Lombardia Youth Training Ground was sharp with dew and the faint scent of grass. Whistles blew in the distance, echoing between the fences as players stretched and passed the ball around.
Jaeven stood at the edge of the pitch, feeling the weight of the new uniform against his skin — light, breathable, real. His heart raced.
Just a week ago, he'd died on a hospital bed. Now he was surrounded by the rhythmic thuds of footballs against turf.
"Han, stop spacing out and join the warm-up!"
The youth coach's voice snapped him back.
"Right!" Jaeven jogged toward the group, still awkward in movement. His body was strong now — far stronger than his old one — but it wasn't his. Not yet.
As they began passing drills, the ball reached him. He tapped it lightly with his right foot.
Too light.
It rolled weakly.
"Come on, Han! Pass with intent!" someone barked.
He forced a smile. Intent, huh? I've been weak my whole life. Let's see what intent feels like.
He adjusted, tried again — this time firmer, but clumsy. The ball curved away, spinning off-course.
A low laugh came from a teammate. "You sure you're in the right squad, rookie?"
Jaeven didn't answer. He just stared at the ball.
And then—
> [System: 'Divine Echelon Framework' Active.]
[System Notice: Would you like to open your main interface? Y/N]
His mind jolted. He didn't even blink before whispering, "Yes."
A holographic blue panel flickered before his eyes — invisible to others.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Jaeven Moretti Han
Age: 16
Nationality: Italian-Korean
Club: Virtus Lombardia Youth
Position: LW / SS
Stats:
Physical: 21 (F)
Speed: 26 (F)
Agility: 24 (F)
Technique: 30 (E)
Stamina: 23 (F)
Ball Control: 35 (E+)
Awareness: 40 (D)
Charm: 38 (E+)
Will: 78 (A+)
Perseverance: 80 (S)
Innate Traits:
Double Foot (A) – Can use both feet with near-equal proficiency.
Spectral Awareness (S) – Temporarily perceive player positioning and movement rhythm.
Ball Control (S) – Exceptional precision and first touch under pressure.
Hidden Traits: ??? (Locked)
---
"Damn," he muttered under his breath. "My stats are garbage... except for these three."
The Divine Echelon Framework responded immediately.
> [System Notice: Player awakening phase incomplete. The Host's body synchronization is at 63%. Continue training to adapt.]
"Adapt, huh…?" he whispered.
"Han! Focus!"
The coach's voice snapped him back again. He nodded and joined the sprint line.
They began cone dribbles — weaving, turning, accelerating.
His Spectral Awareness flickered for the first time.
The world slowed.
Lines of faint light traced from every cone and player — motion paths, trajectories, rhythm. He could see how the perfect dribble should flow.
His feet tried to follow instinctively—
Then pain shot through his legs.
The vision shattered.
He stumbled, falling onto his knees.
"What the hell, Han? You okay?"
He looked up, sweat dripping, heart hammering like a drum.
That vision... that's what world-class players see, isn't it?
> [System Notice: 'Spectral Awareness' activation unsuccessful. Host's physical capacity insufficient. Temporary fatigue penalty applied.]
"Yeah... I'm fine," he panted, forcing himself up.
For the rest of the session, he stayed quiet, repeating drills until the world blurred.
Every bad pass burned him. Every mistake reminded him he was still a nobody with god-tier potential and zero control.
By the end of training, the coach called the players together.
"Listen up! One week from now, we have a friendly against Brescia Youth. I want to see hunger. That match will determine our promotion prospects and who gets moved up to the reserve team."
The boys cheered lightly. Jaeven clenched his fists.
A week. That's all I have to prove I belong here.
As the others left, he sat alone at the edge of the field, grass brushing against his palms. The sky was painted in soft orange — sunset.
He opened the system again, scrolling through the menu.
[Skills] – Empty.
[Missions] –
> • Complete 10 hours of self-training (Progress: 0/10)
• Maintain ball possession under pressure for 60 seconds (Locked)
[Inventory] –
> • 1x Starter Pack (Opened)
• 1x Neymar (Phase Card) – Unused.
His gaze lingered on the card icon — Neymar's silhouette frozen mid-dribble.
He exhaled. "Not yet."
He wasn't ready to use it. He didn't want a miracle he couldn't control.
> [System Notice: A wise decision.]
[New Tip Unlocked – Growth Efficiency increases with realistic self-awareness.]
He blinked, smirking faintly. "Even you approve, huh?"
The wind rustled the grass. For the first time since he woke up in this world, he felt something close to peace.
"I've never had a healthy body before," he murmured, gripping the ball beside him. "So I'll train it until it can carry my dreams."
As the last players left the field, Jaeven stood up again, exhausted yet unwilling to stop.
The floodlights flickered on — one by one — illuminating his shadow as he began another set of sprints, alone.
> [System Notice: Player Status – Willpower Resonance Detected.]
[Stat Growth Rate Temporarily Increased by 12%.]
Every stride echoed louder than the last.
He wasn't talented yet.
But he was alive — and he had time.