One month later.
It has been one month since Álex has released from the hospital, and during the period he has been working on recovery, training on improvement and attending school since that is all that matters now.
During one dinner night, Carlos said he had an announcement to make to Álex but he wants the entire family to decide on it.
"Álex, my son," said Carlos as he finished eating.
"Yes, papa," said Álex as he looked at his father.
"I have something to tell you about your football career and I also need your option, Abisoye," said Carlos in a serious tone and look at Abisoye who was still eating.
"What is it my love?" asked Abisoye as she drops her utensils to listen carefully.
Carlos looked at Álex with a stern face before speaking "I spoke with an old friend who is a scout at Valencia CF academy in Paterna," he paused and looked at Abisoye before continuing "he said that the academy will holding trials in a week and it is just a limited spots that are available."
Álex looked at his father with a determined look and he listens attentively.
"So what I want to ask you is that do you want to go and attend the trial, if you were lucky enough to be pick, you will have to stay away in Valencia since the distance from here is far and you can't be going to and from everytime," said Carlos as he placed his hands on the table.
Álex took a deep breath and had a serious thoughts in his head.
"So what do you want to do now? Are you going to go or I should just call my friend that he shouldn't bother keeping the spot for me," said Carlos raising the temperature with his silence.
"I will go papa," said Álex after a deep thought.
"Good, now you have to prepare your kits and be ready in 5 days because we will be leaving a day after," said Carlos.
"Yes papa," said Álex nodding his head.
"You don't have to do more than you can do, no matter the outcome, I will be always proud of you," said Carlos as he stood up from the dining table to make a call.
"Oko mi (my son)," called Abisoye in her mother tongue as she hugged him. "I know that you are scared but everything will be alright."
"Yes mama," said Álex as he hugged her back.
Estrella looked at them before joining in between them " So Álex is not going to stay with us. I also want some hugs," as she squeezed herself in between the two of them which make them chuckle a little.
The room was quiet except for the distant hum of night and Estrella's soft breathing through the wall. Moonlight painted silver lines across Álex's ceiling as if the stars themselves were sketching a map toward his future.
"System," called Álex softly in a voice that is steady no longer trembling with doubt
[Yes host] replied the system.
"Bring up my status window," said Álex.
[Sure host] replied the system.
[STATUS]
Name: Alejandro Adeyemi Castillo
Age: 13
Height: 160 cm
Position Inclination: Wide Attacker (Left)
Technical Potential: High
Tactical Awareness: Awakening
Physical Development: Stabilizing
Mental Resilience: Tempering
Current Standing: Undervalued
[OVERALL RATING]
OVR: 53
[PHYSICAL]
Acceleration: 54
Sprint Speed: 53
Agility: 57
Balance: 52
Jumping: 47
Reaction: 51
Stamina: 52
Strength: 44
[MENTAL & TACTICAL]
Positioning: 49
Vision: 51
Decision Making: 48
Composure: 50
[TECHNICAL]
Ball Control: 58
Crossing: 55
Dribbling: 59
Finishing: 49
Short Pass: 52
Long Pass: 47
[SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES]
Weak Foot Strength: ★★☆☆☆ (2 stars)
Skill Moves: ★★★☆☆ (3 stars)
[SKILLS POSSESSED]
Stepover: Level 2
[POTENTIAL]
Projected OVR: 74 (High-Level Academy Prospect)
Álex's eyes slowly widened as he read the numbers. They were not spectacular, not yet, but they were alive. They were moving. Every stat was a quiet witness to his month of sweat, bruises, frustration, and stubborn hope.
He clenched his fist.
"I'm getting there… papa."
The Valencia trial was no longer just a dream. It was a door. And for the first time in his life, Álex felt strong enough to knock on it.
Outside, the night wind brushed the windows like a gentle drumroll.
...
The following days went regularly as nothing special happened as the world was relishing the world that ended in the previous month with Argentina took the trophy home with victory over France in a penalty shootout.
Álex went to school as usual and practice his skills in their backyard and pushes himself to the limit. Looking at him through the window was his mother who was worried for his health.
.....
Finally the day arrived.
Álex sat on the edge of his bed, lacing his boots with slow, deliberate fingers, as if each knot was a vow he did not want to rush. The familiar black and white of his kit lay folded beside him, crisp and ready, smelling faintly of detergent and something sharper, like destiny waiting to be stepped into.
Outside his window, the morning was pale and quiet. No birds dared interrupt it. Even the sun seemed to rise carefully, afraid to disturb the weight of the day.
He stood up, rolled his shoulders, and took one last look around his room. The posters on the wall. The worn carpet. The tiny crack in the ceiling shaped like a lightning bolt. This place had held his dreams since he could kick a ball straight. Now it was releasing him, gently, like a hand opening.
"Alright," he whispered to himself. "Let's go."
In the living room, Carlos was already dressed, jacket on, keys in hand. Abisoye was packing a small food bag, her movements quick but her eyes soft. Estrella sat on the couch hugging Álex's spare ball like a plush toy.
"You better not forget me," she said, trying to sound angry and failing.
Álex crouched in front of her. "Never," he said, tapping her forehead lightly. "You're my lucky star."
She giggled and pushed the ball into his chest. "Take it. So you remember."
He took it, heart tightening just a little. "Deal."
The drive to Valencia felt longer than it should have. Buildings slid by like pages in a book he had already finished reading. Carlos said very little, his jaw set, hands steady on the wheel. Abisoye prayed softly under her breath. Álex stared out the window, replaying every drill, every touch, every mistake he had sworn never to repeat.
When they finally arrived at Paterna, the Valencia CF academy rose before them, clean and proud, its training pitches glowing emerald under the sun. Kids were already there. Dozens of them. Some stretching. Some juggling. Some wearing faces that tried too hard to look confident.
Carlos went to meet his old friend in the stands but reminded Álex to be careful out there. Álex nodded and looked at the other kids on the pitch.
Álex swallowed.
[Heart rate elevated.]
"Relax," he murmured. "I've got this."