The final whistle had just blown, its shrill sound drowned out by the thunderous roar of Villa Park. Aston Villa 3-2 Manchester City. A last-minute, audacious goal from Ollie Watkins, assisted by Leon Fischer's utterly brilliant and unconventional pass, had secured Champions League football.
Leon, his 'Current: 84' pulsing with every beat of his heart, collapsed onto the pitch, utterly spent but completely euphoric.
The celebrations in the dressing room were pure pandemonium. John McGinn (Current: 84) was jumping on tables. Ollie Watkins (Current: 86) was being mobbed, his face split in a triumphant grin.
Douglas Luiz (Current: 85) was laughing, shaking his head in disbelief and joy.
"LEON! You're a wizard, mate!" McGinn roared, pulling him into a bone-crushing hug. "That pass! Nobody, and I mean nobody, would have seen that! How did you even think of it?!"
Ollie Watkins, breathless, clapped Leon on the back repeatedly. "Leo, you're a genius! I just trusted you! Knew you'd pull something out of the bag! That flick... it was perfect!"
Leon laughed, trying to catch his breath. "Just saw the space, guys! Saw the space!" He couldn't reveal the System, the ghostly projections, the deep analysis of the opponent's moves. But their trust in his 'sight' was now absolute.
After the initial explosion of joy, the players began to head back onto the pitch for the traditional post-match handshakes and shirt swaps. Leon scanned the blue shirts, looking for a familiar face.
He spotted Byon (Current: 85), walking slowly, head bowed slightly, clearly disappointed by the loss, which likely cost City the league title. Leon walked up to him, a mix of triumph for Villa, but also genuine sympathy for his best friend.
"Byon," Leon said softly, extending a hand.
Byon looked up, his eyes a mix of exhaustion and a competitive fire that even defeat couldn't extinguish. He forced a small smile. "Leo. You guys were... incredible. That last goal. Unbelievable assist, mate. Couldn't even be mad, honestly. Pure genius."
"You played brilliantly too, Byon," Leon replied honestly. "That run in the first half... you nearly had us."
"Yeah, 'nearly'," Byon sighed, shaking his head. "Tough one. But hey, Champions League for you guys, eh? Told you you could do it." He then pulled off his sky-blue City jersey. "Shirt swap, rival?"
Leon grinned, pulling off his claret and blue Villa shirt. "Always, partner." They exchanged shirts, a symbol of their friendship amidst their fierce rivalry.
Then, Leon saw him. Erling Haaland (Current: 92), walking past, head down, clearly frustrated. This was his chance. Leon stepped forward.
"Hey, Haaland!" Leon called out.
Haaland looked up, his intense blue eyes meeting Leon's. He paused, a flicker of curiosity in his gaze. "Yeah?"
"Do you remember me?" Leon asked, a playful challenge in his voice.
"From the academy trial, four years ago?"
Haaland squinted, his brow furrowed in thought. He looked at Leon's face.
He paused for a long moment, then a slow, apologetic smile spread across his face.
"Ah. No, sorry, mate. Can't say I do. A lot of kids come through." He clapped Leon lightly on the shoulder.
"But you played a hell of a game today. That assist... top class." He then continued walking, disappearing down the tunnel.
Leon watched him go, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. He doesn't remember. But that was fine. Now, Haaland would remember him from the pitch. From the goals. From the assists.
From the '84 Current' midfielder who just beat him and his team.
That was a far better memory to leave.
TV Sports News - Champions League Qualification Confirmed!
The next morning, the headlines screamed about Aston Villa's triumph. Leon's phone was buzzing, his Facelook followers now well over 1.5 million. The sports channels were in full celebratory mode.
"Aston Villa are heading to the Champions League!" the pundit announced, a montage of their season's highlights playing, culminating in Leon's last-minute assist.
"An incredible achievement for Unai Emery's side, who have defied expectations all season, securing a top-four finish in the Premier League!"
The final Premier League table flashed on screen:
Arsenal (Champions) - 89 points
Manchester City - 76 points
Liverpool - 75 points
Aston Villa - 70 points
Tottenham - 68 points
Manchester United - 54 points
Newcastle United - 50 points
"Yes! Fourth place!" Leon cheered from his dorm room. His 'Help System' quest for 6th place had been utterly surpassed. He wondered what kind of points reward that would bring.
Then, the focus shifted to individual statistics.
"And looking at the Premier League assist charts, we have a new leader! The sensation of the season, Leon Fischer!"
Premier League Assist Leaders (Final Season Stats):
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 19 Assists (Current: 89)
Leon Fischer (Aston Villa) - 15 Assists (Current: 84)
Jacob Murphy (Newcastle) - 13 Assists (Current: 82)
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - 12 Assists (Current: 88)
Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) - 12 Assists (Current: 87)
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) - 10 Assists (Current: 86)
Leon stared at the screen, a wide, disbelieving grin spreading across his face. Fifteen assists. He'd done it! He'd not only led his team to Champions League qualification but had also topped the assist charts!
Me. Leon Fischer. At sixteen. He felt a surge of immense pride, a quiet vindication. All the hard work, all the dedication, the secret 'sight' that had guided him – it had all culminated in this.
He quickly texted Byon (Current: 85): " guess who's in the Champions League?! Your £48 million is looking a bit humble now, isn't it?!"
Byon's reply was instantaneous, a stream of laughing emojis, followed by: "NO WAY! You actually did it! Champions League?! You're unreal, Leo! Unreal! Okay, fine, you win this round. But just you wait, next season, the title is coming to City, and I'm getting the Golden Boot AND the assists title!"
Leon chuckled. The rivalry was as strong as ever, but now, it was a rivalry between two Premier League stars, one in the Champions League, the other battling for titles.
Their dreams were truly coming true, on the biggest stages.
Leon leaned back, his gaze drifting to the Premier League table. Two more matches. Two more wins needed to solidify their spot. He felt a deep sense of calm. The hardest part was over. They had qualified for the Champions League. He was the league's top assist provider. His 'Current: 92' was established.
He closed his eyes, envisioning the roar of the Champions League anthem at Villa Park next season. The lights. The stars. The ultimate challenge.
He had to win the next two matches. He would win the next two matches. This was just the beginning of his journey to become the best in the world. And with his unique 'sight' and the 'Help System', he knew, anything was possible.