The car pulled up to Leon's new house, the one with the big garden.
He stepped out, the cool evening air a welcome contrast to the stifling heat of the press conference. The cheers of the fans still echoed in his ears, and the words "Real Madrid... if they want me, then I will go" still vibrated in his mind.
He was halfway to the front door when his phone buzzed. It was a video call from Byon. Leon grinned, answering immediately.
"LEO! You absolute legend!" Byon's face filled the screen, beaming. He was wearing his City shirt, still damp with sweat from their own final game. "That win! Champions League! You actually did it, mate! You're unreal!"
"Thanks, Byon!" Leon laughed, feeling a surge of warmth. "You guys had a great season too, even if you didn't get the title."
"Yeah, yeah, don't rub it in," Byon chuckled, but his eyes were shining with genuine pride for his friend. "But seriously, Leo, top assists, Champions League... you're a proper superstar now. And those Real Madrid rumors? You actually said it! You're going to break the internet!"
"We'll see," Leon said, trying to sound nonchalant, but his heart was doing a little flip. "Listen, I just called my mom. We're going to Japan for the Champions League final. Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich."
Byon's eyes widened. "JAPAN?! No way! You serious?"
"Dead serious," Leon confirmed. "Want to come? It'll be a blast. A proper trip. You, me, my mom... maybe Alex too."
Byon's grin stretched even wider. "Are you kidding?! Japan?! To watch the Champions League final?! Absolutely! My £48 million is ready for an adventure!" He pumped his fist. "This is going to be epic, Leo! A proper celebration!"
"Great!" Leon said, feeling a wave of excitement. The thought of experiencing that final, that atmosphere, with Byon and his mom, made the prospect of the trip even more thrilling. "I'll sort out the details. We'll make it a trip to remember."
He ended the call, a deep sense of contentment settling over him. He opened the front door, stepping into the familiar comfort of his new home.
His mom was waiting for him in the living room, a proud smile on her face. She pulled him into a hug. "My wonderful boy! You were amazing today! And Japan! I can't believe it! You're making all my dreams come true!"
They spent the next hour talking, reliving the match, discussing the Champions League qualification, and excitedly planning the trip to Japan. His mom asked about the Real Madrid rumors, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and a hint of worry.
"It's just talk for now, Mom," Leon reassured her. "My focus is on Japan. And then, we'll see what happens." He couldn't tell her about the 'Help System', about the quests, about the market. Not yet.
Finally, exhausted but happy, Leon went to his room. He closed the door, the quiet hum of the house a soothing backdrop. He stretched, then reached for his phone, intending to just check a few messages before bed.
Suddenly, his 'sight' flared, intensely. A translucent, shimmering overlay appeared in his vision, replacing the familiar wallpaper of his room.
[HELP SYSTEM - QUEST COMPLETED!]
Quest: Ensure Aston Villa finishes in 6th place or higher in the Premier League.
Leon stared, his heart pounding. Eight points! That was a huge reward! He had completed the quest, and then some, taking Villa all the way to 4th! The System was truly rewarding his efforts.
The screen shimmered again, and a new list appeared.
[SYSTEM MARKET - AVAILABLE REWARDS]
Choose one of the following rewards:
Secure a transfer to Real Madrid now! (Cost: 14 Points)
Gain a System New Feature (Low Rank)! (Cost: 7 Points)
Receive £1,000,000 to your bank account! (Cost: 8 Points)
Leon's breath hitched. He had to choose.
Transfer to Real Madrid. Cost: 14 points. He only had 8. So, that was out for now. A part of him felt a pang of disappointment, but also relief. It meant he wasn't forced into a decision yet.
£1,000,000 to his bank account! Cost: 8 points. Exactly what he had. One million pounds. That was an astronomical amount of money. He could do so much more for his mom, for his family. He could invest, secure their future completely. It was incredibly tempting.
Gain a System New Feature (Low Rank)! Cost: 7 points. This was the wild card. A new feature. What could it be? His 'sight' was already so powerful. What else could the System offer? It was a gamble, but the idea of unlocking a new ability, a new layer to his unique power, was incredibly exciting. It aligned with his ambition to be the best in the world, to constantly evolve.
Leon thought about it, his mind racing. The money was a huge draw. A million pounds. But he already had a new house, his mom was comfortable. And his ultimate goal wasn't just wealth; it was mastery. It was about pushing the boundaries of what was possible. A new System feature, even a "low rank" one, could be invaluable for his long-term growth. It was an investment in himself, in his unique ability.
He pictured himself on the pitch, his 'Current: 92' shining, but with a new, secret advantage. What if it was something that enhanced his physical attributes? Or gave him a new way to interact with the game? The possibilities were endless.
He made his decision.
He mentally selected Option 2: Gain a System New Feature (Low Rank)!
The System shimmered, the market options dissolving. Leon felt a faint, almost imperceptible surge of energy, a subtle shift within his very being. The screen faded, leaving him alone in his room. A new feature. He had no idea what it was, but the anticipation was thrilling.