Leon groaned, burying his face in his pillow.
His mom's question about a girlfriend was still echoing in his head, far more perplexing than any defensive strategy Chelsea could throw at him.
He just wanted to focus on football. And on Mark.
Three days later, Leon woke up with a start. It wasn't his alarm; it was a sudden, vibrant flash in his 'sight'.
[HELP SYSTEM - QUEST COMPLETE!]
Quest: Ensure Mark signs for a Premier League team.
[MARKET REFRESH IN 1 HOUR!]
Leon sat bolt upright in bed, his 'Current: 84' pulsing with a mix of surprise and exhilaration. It had happened! Mark had signed! And he'd gotten points!
This 'Help System' was real, and it was rewarding his efforts. He quickly grabbed his phone, his fingers trembling slightly as he opened the news app.
The headlines screamed at him:
BREAKING NEWS: ARSENAL SIGNS MYSTERY MIDFIELDER!
Gunners Seal £19 Million Deal for Unknown Talent, Mark Johnson!
Leon's eyes widened. Mark Johnson! So that was his full name.
And £19 million! Not the £40 million Leon had suggested, but still a phenomenal fee for a player who had never played professionally.
The media, Leon knew, would be in a frenzy. A player no one knew, signed for a top-tier Premier League club.
He quickly scanned the article.
It mentioned Mark's 'raw talent' and 'hidden potential,' with some speculation that Arsenal's scouting department had been working in complete secrecy. Leon smiled.
He knew the real secret. He'd done it. His first 'Help System' quest was complete.
His phone buzzed. A text from Byon: "LEO! DID YOU SEE THE NEWS?! MARK JOHNSON?! ARSENAL?! £19M?! WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
Leon grinned, typing back: "Just helped a mate out. You knew he had the talent."
He couldn't wait to tell Byon about the 'Help System' and the points, but he knew this wasn't the right time.
He scrolled through his social media. Byon had been right. Everyone was talking about Mark. And then he saw it: Byon's "Facelook" account.
A bright, flashy profile with a huge picture of Byon in his City kit, grinning. And below it:
"Eight hundred thousand?!" Leon exclaimed aloud. He'd been so focused on football, he hadn't even thought about social media. Byon, ever the showman, was already a sensation.
Leon felt a sudden urge. If Byon could do it, so could he. Besides, it was a way to connect with fans. He quickly created his own Facelook account. Leon Fischer.
Aston Villa. Midfielder. He uploaded a picture of himself in his Villa kit, celebrating his goal against Newcastle. He felt a strange sense of accomplishment as he clicked 'create profile'.
Then, his phone buzzed again. An email notification. It was from Aston Villa. He opened it, his heart pounding. It wasn't about a match. It was a payment notification.
His first salary. And his new bonus for his Premier League appearances.
£40,000 transferred to his bank account.
Forty thousand pounds. Leon stared at the number, speechless. It was more money than he'd ever seen in his life. His mind immediately went to his mom.
All her sacrifices, all her hard work. This was for her.
He rushed downstairs, his mom was cleaning the kitchen. "Mom! Mom, look!" he said, showing her his phone.
Her eyes widened, then filled with tears.
"Leon! Forty thousand pounds?! Oh, my dear boy! That's... that's incredible! You've worked so hard for this!" She pulled him into a fierce hug.
"We can finally fix the roof! And get you some new things! Oh, thank you, my love!"
Leon felt a warmth spread through him, far more satisfying than any goal. This was real progress. This was providing for his family.
He then video-called Byon. "You won't believe it. Just got my first payment. Forty thousand quid!"
Byon's grin stretched wide. "Nice, Leo! Told you it's good money in the big leagues! Guess what? I just got mine too! Sixty-three thousand!"
Leon whistled. "Sixty-three?! Of course, you did, Mr. 48 Millionaire!" They both laughed, a shared joy for their blossoming careers.
"Hey, listen," Byon said, his voice dropping slightly. "Since we're both rolling in it now, let's go shopping. Properly. Like, new clothes. Proper gear. My treat this time. You've been helping everyone else."
"You serious?" Leon grinned. "You're on! Let's hit the city."
Later that day, Leon, Byon, and his mom (who insisted on coming "to supervise their spending") were walking through a bustling high street in Birmingham. The rain had stopped, and the city was alive with shoppers.
"Look at all these brands, Mom," Byon exclaimed, his 'Current: 85' practically vibrating with excitement. "No more hand-me-downs for us, Leo!"
Leon chuckled. "Speak for yourself, I'm perfectly happy with my old jumpers." But inside, he was excited too. It was a taste of the life they'd worked so hard for.
As they walked, Leon felt a sudden wave of confidence. He glanced at Byon, then at his mom. An idea, completely out of the blue, popped into his head. His mom's question about a girlfriend.
"Hey, Byon," Leon began, trying to sound casual, but feeling a blush creep up his neck. "Since we're talking about... you know... new things. What's it like... having a girlfriend?"
Byon stopped dead, a look of pure shock on his face. "Whoa! Leo! What was that?! You're asking me about girlfriends?! Finally! I thought you were going to be a football monk forever!" His 'Current: 85' flickered with amusement.
Leon's mom, who had been walking slightly ahead, turned back, a wide, knowing smile on her face. "Oh? Are we talking about this now, dear?"
Leon felt his cheeks burn even brighter. "Mom! Byon! It was just a question!"
Byon burst out laughing. "It's about time, Leo! Look, it's fun! You just... talk to them. Go on dates. It's like playing a match, but with more talking and less tackling. Sort of." He winked.
Leon's mom joined in Byon's laughter. "He's right, Leon! You're a handsome young man, and you're a wonderful person. Just be yourself. Girls like that."
Leon just groaned, burying his face in his hands as Byon and his mom continued to tease him.
They spent the next few hours in the shops, Byon leading the charge, pulling Leon into trendy boutiques. Leon, usually content with practical sportswear, found himself trying on stylish jackets and fashionable trainers.
His mom offered approving nods, occasionally pointing out a shirt she thought would suit him. Byon picked out a ridiculous, flashy bomber jacket.
"You have to get it, Byon," Leon laughed. "It suits your 48-million-pound persona!"
Byon grinned, putting on the jacket. "Exactly! Now, what about you, Mr. 45 Million? Time to upgrade your wardrobe!"
They left the shops, arms laden with bags, Leon feeling a lightness he hadn't experienced in a while. The money, the new clothes, the laughter with his best friend and his mom.
The football, the 'sight', the 'Help System' – it was his core. But moments , the simple joys of life, made it all worthwhile.
His 'Current' rating felt complete, holistic. He was still Leon Fischer, the boy who just loved football, but now, he was also a rising star, a multi-millionaire, and surprisingly, a target for his mom's dating advice.