Leon fell asleep with a triumphant grin on his face. The phone call with Cristian Chivu, the unexpected System quest – it had all been a whirlwind.
He dreamed of Italian football, of leading Inter Milan, of lifting trophies.
He woke up the next morning, feeling refreshed and incredibly excited. The Champions League final had been an amazing experience, but now, his own future was calling. He had a decision to make, and a new adventure to embark on.
He found his mom (Current: 89), Byon (Current: 85), and Alex (Current: 81) already in the hotel restaurant, enjoying a delicious Japanese breakfast.
"Morning, sleepyhead!" Byon chirped, his 'Current' radiating cheerfulness. "Ready for our last day of sightseeing before we head home?"
Leon sat down, pouring himself some green tea. "Actually, guys," he began, a serious note in his voice, "Mom and I won't be going home with you."
Byon and Alex immediately stopped eating, their eyes wide. "Why not?!" Byon exclaimed, nearly dropping his chopsticks. Alex looked bewildered.
Leon's mom turned to him, a knowing smile on her face. She had obviously guessed.
"I'm waiting for an offer," Leon explained, looking at his friends. "From Inter Milan. I might be flying to Italy directly from here."
Byon's jaw dropped. "INTER MILAN?! No way! You're actually going to Italy?! That's insane, Leo! You're going to Serie A!"
Alex, ever quiet, just stared, a look of awe on his face. "Italy... that's amazing, Leon."
"But why Inter?" Byon asked, recovering quickly. "Real Madrid offered you less, but it's Real Madrid! And Atlético offered more! And AC Milan offered a lot too!"
Leon nodded. "I know. But I spoke to Cristian Chivu, their new manager. He has a vision. He wants to build a team around young players, around me. He wants me to be the cornerstone of his project. And the System... well, it gave me a quest to go to an Italian team." He almost slipped, catching himself just in time before mentioning the System directly.
Byon and Alex exchanged glances, then looked back at Leon. They knew he had an uncanny knack for making the right decisions, for spotting hidden potential. They trusted him implicitly.
"So, you're going to be leading a new team, a new project?" Byon mused, a thoughtful expression on his face. "That's... that's pretty cool, Leo. A real challenge."
"Exactly," Leon confirmed. "It's a different kind of challenge than joining an already established super-team. It's a chance to build something, to lead from the front. And it's what the System wants." He felt a deep sense of conviction.
Byon thought for a moment, then grinned. "Alright, Leo! If you say so! You haven't been wrong yet! Just promise me you'll visit! And we'll still have our FIFA battles!"
"Absolutely!" Leon laughed.
Alex, after a moment of quiet reflection, nodded. "I understand, Leon. It's your dream. We'll miss you, but we're so proud."
Leon's mom squeezed his hand again. "Whatever you choose, my dear, I'll be proud of you. And I'll come visit you in Milan!"
They spent the rest of the morning enjoying their last few hours in Tokyo, the conversation still buzzing with Leon's exciting news. Byon and Alex were already planning their first visit to Milan.
Later that day, after Byon and Alex had departed for their flight back to England, Leon and his mom were back in their hotel room. Leon was scrolling through football news on his tablet, waiting for the official offer from Inter Milan.
Suddenly, a headline caught his eye:
INTER MILAN ANNOUNCES DOUBLE SIGNING!
Nerazzurri Secure Cole Palmer for €78 Million and Julián Álvarez for €88 Million!
Leon stared, his eyes wide. Cole Palmer (Potential: 90, Current: 85) from Chelsea. And Julián Álvarez (Potential: 90, Current: 87) from Manchester City. Two incredible wonderkids! Palmer, a creative attacking midfielder, and Álvarez, a clinical striker. Both with immense 'Potential' and high 'Current' ratings.
That's two wonderkids, Leon thought, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. I think I chose the right club! Chivu wasn't just talking about building a team around young talent; he was actually doing it! This was exactly the kind of project Leon wanted to be a part of.
He'd be playing alongside other top young players, growing with them, leading them.
Just as he was absorbing the news, his phone buzzed. A new email notification. From Mr. Davies.
[EMAIL: URGENT - TRANSFER OFFER - INTER MILAN]
From: Mr. Davies (Agent)
Subject: Official Offer: Inter Milan - Leon Fischer
Inter Milan has submitted an official offer for your transfer, following your direct conversation with Manager Cristian Chivu.
Their bid to Aston Villa is €74,000,000 (seventy-four million Euros).
Proposed Personal Terms:
Contract Length: 5 years
Weekly Wage: €200,000 per week
Signing Bonus: €8,000,000
Performance Bonuses: Extremely competitive bonuses for goals, assists, Serie A titles, Champions League wins, and individual awards (Ballon d'Or, etc.).
Additional Perks: A luxury apartment in Milan, a car, and assistance with relocation for your family.
This is an outstanding offer, Leon, and reflects Inter Milan's strong commitment to you as the central figure in their new project. It is also a very competitive offer for Aston Villa. We need to discuss this as soon as possible.
Leon's jaw dropped. Seventy-four million Euros for the transfer fee. And a weekly wage of €200,000! Plus a luxury apartment and a car!
It was a massive statement from Inter, a clear indication that they saw him as the future.
He looked at his mom, who was still smiling, oblivious to the news on his phone. He had chosen wisely. The System's quest, Chivu's vision, and now these incredible signings and the phenomenal offer – it all aligned perfectly. He was going to Inter Milan.