Feeling refreshed, Winston quickly went to the bathroom and changed into his training clothes. Just as he stepped out, he saw Bongani.
"Good morning, Wis," Bongani said, yawning and stretching.
"Did you get any sleep last night? You look like you didn't get any at all," Winston said, stretching outside the bathroom.
Bongani yawned again. "Wait, didn't you feel it last night? The ventilation on this floor was acting weird. One minute it was cold like Antarctica, and the next it was hot like the Sahara Desert."
He walked toward the bathroom. "We basically spent the whole night trying to fix the room temperature."
"Wow, for real? I didn't feel anything. I was completely out cold." Winston glanced at the youth players who were still sleeping. "I wonder what made it act like that."
"This isn't the first time it happened when you slept for the first three days." Bongani splashed water onto his face. "It happened when the doctor let you sleep here for the first day. It was mild, though. It was actually nice since the weather was hot outside."
"That's weird. Did you guys tell the instructor about this?"
"No, but I suspect someone will tell the instructor today."
Bongani turned toward Winston. "By the way, are you planning on going to training today?"
"Yeah, I just want to warm up a bit. I feel refreshed, so I want to prepare myself for the attacking dome training. I missed one while I was asleep."
Winston waited outside as Bongani walked over to his bag and took out his training clothes.
"Oh, yeah. What did the instructor say? I'm sure he gave you a lecture."
"Not really, He was pretty chill about it. The only lecture he gave me was that I needed to get some rest."
Winston slung his gym bag over his shoulder and waited for Bongani to finish changing.
"That's good. You must have a good instructor. Our defending instructor doesn't seem to be very kind."
"What did he do? Did something happen?"
"No, it's his personality. He always seems like he's angry about something. And don't even get me started on his training. It's brutal, and it's even worse after these one-on-one challenges."
Bongani came out of the bathroom with his training bag over his shoulder.
"Okay, I'm done. We can go."
Winston and Bongani walked toward their usual training field, chatting about different topics along the way. Bongani also caught Winston up on everything that had happened while he was asleep.
When they arrived at the field, they began their usual warm-ups. As Winston went through each exercise, he suddenly felt his Nethen Essence filling to the brim.
Wow. I guess sleeping is a way to replenish it. Damn, I should write this down for future reference. It's funny how it works almost like human rejuvenation.
Winston chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Bongani asked, furrowing his brow at him.
"No, it's nothing. By the way, I forgot to ask Hickman yesterday. When is his one-on-one challenge?"
Winston bounced the ball between his feet as he waited for Bongani's response.
"I forgot to ask him too," Bongani said, trapping the ball after Winston passed it to him. "I was planning on challenging someone this week. When I checked Group C yesterday, I saw that I'm in the middle of the group. You're now third on the list, so I need to stay close to your name. That way, when you get promoted to Group B, I won't be left too far behind."
Winston was impressed by Bongani's planning.
After they quickly finished their warm-ups, they moved on to a training drill that had recently been added to their routine. Winston paused to watch Bongani perform the drill.
I should really focus on climbing to Group B too. After Hickman's challenge, I should research which player I should challenge. And based on how the Core gives me daily challenges, it'll probably be another week before I get another one.
"I knew I'd find both of you here," Elijah said as he walked onto the football field. "I tried to get Oswin to train with me, but he didn't want to come out."
"That's Oswin for you. I'd be surprised if he actually decided to come with you. He loves his sleep." Winston stretched out his hand for a fist bump.
"I wish I knew that before wasting my time trying to wake him up," Elijah said, bumping Winston's fist. "He kept saying he was coming, so I waited for hours."
"Yeah, that happened to me too," Bongani said. "I waited for him until it was time for dome training."
He scratched his temple, looking embarrassed. "When he finally came out, he looked at me like he was wondering why I was still there."
Winston chuckled at both Bongani and Elijah, the two looked at him with embarrassed expressions.
"Wis, you're laughing, but I wonder if Hickman had the same problem since they're in the same dorm," Bongani said.
"I doubt it. Oswin sleeps like a rock, and Hickman doesn't seem like the type to bother other people." Winston folded his arms, "By the way, when are you planning to execute your one-on-one challenge?"
"I was hoping Oswin would give me some pointers on who the weakest player in his group is, but it seems like I'll have to do the research myself," Elijah said. "I also need to find the best way to handle this because I need all of you—Winston, Bongani, Hickman, and Oswin. With yesterday's match and the upcoming challenge with Hickman, you'll be busy with your own challenges."
He sighed, "For this week, I really wish we had three one-on-one challenges. Two just aren't enough."
"Tell me about it," Bongani said, placing his hands on his hips. "Some of us will have to wait for one of you to finish your one-on-one challenge before we can take our turn."
He passed the ball to Elijah, who was standing at the entrance of the footwork drill. With a wry smile, Winston rubbed the back of his head. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't think about it that way. I acted rashly."
Standing beside Winston, Bongani shook his head. "You shouldn't feel bad about it. It's just a matter of taking turns with each other's one-on-one challenges."
"True. Today, I'll be doing Hickman's challenge. Next week, I'll do mine, and then yours. That means we'll have to put everyone else's challenges on hold."
Winston paused, "But Hickman and Oswin are already in Group A, so it won't affect them. We just need to find a way to alternate between the three of us."
"I was thinking the same thing," Bongani said, rubbing his chin. "Next week, it'll be me, and then you or Elijah—or vice versa. Elijah, what do you think?"
"I like that plan. However, let's start with both of you first. I'll enter the rotation once you both reach Group B. I'm already fourth in my group."
"Hmm, that's a good plan," Winston said. "Bongani, you'll have to wait until next week before we put it into action. For now, you should look for invitations from other players since I'm already far ahead of you in our group."
"Okay. After Hickman's challenge, I'm planning to challenge a player I've been researching." Bongani tapped his wristwatch.
"Really? Who?" Elijah asked, peeking at Bongani as he clicked through the watch.
"Oh, yeah. It's some player named…" Bongani tapped the screen again. "Kyle Diaz. He plays as a central midfielder-defender, and I've been watching his games. He seems to lurk at the back, trying not to stand out."
A faint smile appeared on Bongani's face. "I feel like he doesn't want to draw attention to himself. That'll be my opportunity to attack."
"You sound like a villain from a movie," Winston said, playing with the ball between his feet.
Before Bongani could respond, the chime signaling the start of their dome training rang across the field.