The late afternoon sun hung low over the Virtus Lombardia Youth training pitch, painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson.
Seven days had crawled by since Jaeven's system awakened.
Seven days of relentless training, aching muscles, and a quiet determination that no one else could understand.
He stood at the edge of the field, stretching his legs as his teammates warmed up.
It was the biggest youth fixture of the season — Virtus Lombardia Youth versus Cremona Elite Youth, a top-tier academy whose players were rumored to be scouted by professional clubs from the 3rd and even 2nd division.
The stands were unusually full — over 3,000 people. Parents, scouts, and even local reporters packed into the small stadium, cameras ready.
For most players, it was a chance to prove themselves.
For Jaeven, it was more — it was proof that his new life wasn't a dream.
---
[System Notice]
Objective Detected: "First Competitive Match – Performance Evaluation Active."
Rewards will vary based on match rating and contribution.
[System Tip]
Your physical stats are at the lower range of youth athletes. Compensate using awareness and positioning.
---
Jaeven exhaled, his breath calm and focused. The familiar voice of the system had become less intrusive over the week. It was like a silent coach in his mind, always watching, always measuring.
> "This time," he muttered softly, tightening his boots, "I won't waste my body."
---
The whistle blew.
The match began with Cremona Elite pressing high — their midfield fluid, their coordination sharp. Within ten minutes, Virtus Lombardia Youth were pinned back.
Passes went astray, and their defenders scrambled to clear long balls.
Jaeven played as an attacking midfielder, wearing the number 11 on his back. He moved into pockets of space, trying to offer options, but his teammates were too nervous to notice his runs.
The first goal came early.
A Cremona winger cut in from the left, slipped between two defenders, and drilled the ball low into the corner.
1–0.
The Virtus fans groaned. The opposing supporters cheered wildly, chanting the scorer's name.
By halftime, it was 2–0.
Cremona's pressing was suffocating. Their control and tempo screamed professionalism.
---
Jaeven sat on the bench during the short break, wiping sweat from his forehead. His coach gave a fiery speech, shouting about pride and teamwork, but the boys' eyes were dull. Defeat already weighed on them.
He closed his eyes, ignoring the noise around him.
> "System," he whispered internally, "what am I doing wrong?"
---
[System Tip]
Your awareness trait (Spectral Awareness – S) detects passing lanes and opponent movements automatically.
However, reaction and execution lag due to low "Technique" and "Composure."
[System Notice]
Would you like to review your player status?
Jaeven mentally confirmed. A translucent blue panel flickered before him.
---
[Status Screen]
Name: Jaeven Moretti Han
Age: 16
Team: Virtus Lombardia Youth
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Forward
Traits:
Double Foot (A) – Equal control and shooting precision with both feet.
Spectral Awareness (S) – Predicts ball trajectory and opponent movement subconsciously.
Ball Control (S) – Exceptional first touch and retention potential.
Hidden EX Traits: ???
Core Stats:
Speed: 40(D)
Stamina: 45(D+)
Strength: 35(E+)
Technique: 38(E+)
Composure: 70(A)
Vision: 53(C)
Intelligence: 74(A)
Willpower: 82(S)
Perseverance: 90(S+)
Charm:38(E+)
---
> "So I'm still far behind physically…" he murmured.
"But my vision… and willpower… that's where I'll win."
He clenched his fists.
There was one item in his inventory he hadn't touched — the Starter Skill Card.
But now wasn't the time. He wanted to fight for every inch first.
To see how far he could go with his current self.
The whistle for the second half blew.
---
Virtus restarted with more energy, pressing forward cautiously.
Jaeven began to move differently — not just reacting, but anticipating.
His eyes scanned the pitch like a camera lens, his Spectral Awareness humming faintly in his head.
Every step, every touch, every turn — he began to sense the game's rhythm.
---
[System Notice]
Spectral Awareness activated (Partial Sync – 25%).
Incoming pressure detected: right side, two meters, 1.3 seconds.
---
He twisted his body just before a tackle came, spinning away with a drag-back that left his marker stumbling. The small crowd gasped.
"Hey! Who's that kid?!" someone shouted from the stands.
He kept moving, feeding a perfect through ball to the striker — who hesitated, then fired.
Saved.
Still 2–0.
Jaeven clicked his tongue. Close, but not enough.
---
Time ticked away.
70 minutes.
75 minutes.
His team's morale dipped again, passes slowed, hope faded.
And then it happened.
---
[System Notice]
Performance Evaluation: Critical Phase.
Your team is down by two goals. Victory chance: 3%.
[System Tip]
Use the Starter Skill Card now to unlock your first instinctive skill.
---
Jaeven's eyes flickered. Sweat dripped from his chin as he stared at the small blue light glowing faintly on his arm.
He grinned.
> "Fine then… let's see what this can do."
He mentally selected the card.
---
[System Notice]
"Starter Skill Card" activated.
Skill Unlocked – Instinctive Flow (Lv.1)
Description: Temporarily increases synchronization between mind and body by 100%. All sensory and motor functions operate in harmony.
Duration: 10 minutes.
---
The world… slowed down.
The roar of the crowd deepened, the ball's spin became visible, and every movement on the field flowed like water.
His body felt light — no, perfectly in sync.
The next few minutes were chaos.
He intercepted a midfield pass with perfect timing, bursting forward. His movements were sharper, smoother. The double-footed trait kicked in — he faked right, cut left, and blasted a curling shot from outside the box.
GOAL!
2–1.
The stands exploded in noise. The crowd of 3,000 jumped to their feet, screaming his number — "Eleven! Eleven!"
---
[System Notice]
Goal scored! Performance rating increased to C+.
Instinctive Flow active: 07:42 remaining.
---
The momentum shifted violently.
Virtus Lombardia pressed high now, feeding on adrenaline.
In the 83rd minute, Jaeven intercepted again, weaving through two defenders.
A quick one-two with his winger opened space — he crossed low, and the striker tapped in.
2–2!
The stadium shook with the sound of fans roaring.
Even the Cremona Elite bench stood up, disbelief on their faces.
But Jaeven wasn't done.
---
[System Tip]
Final Phase: Emotional State – Transcendent Focus.
Opportunity detected. Execute decisive action.
---
87th minute.
A long clearance came flying from the Virtus defense. The ball bounced high, near the halfway line.
Jaeven sprinted — every nerve alive.
He brought it down with his left, spun past the charging midfielder, and surged forward.
A defender lunged — he nutmegged him.
Another tried to cut him off — he sidestepped, flicked the ball up, and volleyed from 25 yards.
The shot curved beautifully, sailing over the goalkeeper's fingertips and slamming into the top corner.
Silence.
Then —
An explosion of noise so loud the ground seemed to shake.
3–2.
---
[System Notice]
Goal scored! Match rating: A+.
Skill Mastery Progress +25%.
Public Exposure Achieved – Viral Clip Probability: 97%.
---
Jaeven dropped to his knees, panting, arms wide open as his teammates swarmed him.
Tears pricked his eyes — not from emotion, but from the overwhelming reality of what he had just done.
He had lived his entire previous life wishing for this moment.
Now, it was his.
The referee blew the final whistle.
Virtus Lombardia Youth 3 – 2 Cremona Elite Youth.
A comeback victory that would be talked about for months.
---
[System Notice]
Mission Completed: First Competitive Match.
Performance Rating: A+
Reward: 500 EXP, 1 Skill Point, 1 Hidden Trait Fragment.
[System Tip]
Player development trajectory updated. Future opportunities incoming.
---
Hours later, while the youth team celebrated in the locker room, a man stood alone in a dimly lit office overlooking the field.
He had sharp eyes, calm posture — and a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
On his screen, a replay looped — Jaeven's final goal, the perfect volley.
The man leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.
> "That kid…" he murmured. "Virtus Lombardia might have found something rare."
He paused the video, eyes glinting with interest.
> "Let's see how far you can go… Jaeven Moretti Han."