The car ride to the airport was a mix of emotions.
Leon sat beside his mom, who was beaming with excitement. leaving Aston Villa, for a new adventure in Italy.
"Are you sure you have everything, dear?" his mom asked, checking her handbag for the tenth time.
"Yes, Mom, for the fifth time, everything's packed!" Leon laughed. He felt a pang of nostalgia for his old life, for the familiar streets of Birmingham, but the excitement for Milan was overwhelming.
They arrived at the airport, a bustling hub of international travel. Leon, now a seasoned traveler, navigated through the crowds with ease. His Facelook followers, he'd noticed, had now crossed the 2.5 million mark. It was surreal.
The flight to Milan was smooth. Leon spent most of it reviewing tactical videos of Inter Milan, analyzing their players' 'Current' ratings, trying to understand their style of play under Cristian Chivu. He was ready to hit the ground running.
Two days later, Leon found himself in the back of a sleek, black car, driving through the sun-drenched streets of Milan.
The city was a blur of beautiful architecture, bustling cafes, and stylish people.
"And this, Mr. Fischer," the Inter Milan club liaison, a friendly Italian man named Marco, said, gesturing towards a grand, modern building they were approaching, "is your new villa."
Leon's jaw dropped. Villa. He'd imagined an apartment, maybe a spacious one, but this was a villa. The car pulled up to a set of imposing gates that swung open silently.
They drove down a tree-lined driveway, revealing a stunning, contemporary house with huge glass windows and a sprawling, manicured garden.
"Wow," Leon breathed, genuinely awestruck.
"And around the back," Marco said, a proud smile on his face, "is the swimming pool."
Leon's eyes lit up. A swimming pool! A proper, sparkling blue swimming pool, surrounded by sun loungers and lush greenery. This was even better than he'd imagined.
His mom, who had been quietly taking it all in, gasped. "Oh, Leon! It's beautiful! It's absolutely beautiful!"
They spent the next hour exploring the villa. It was enormous, with multiple bedrooms, a modern kitchen, spacious living areas, and breathtaking views.
Leon immediately pictured Byon and Alex visiting, splashing in the pool, playing FIFA in the huge living room. This was going to be an amazing home.
Later that afternoon, after settling in, Leon decided to call Alex Turner (Current: 81). He hadn't heard from him since their conversation about Chelsea.
"Hey, Alex!" Leon greeted, his voice cheerful. "How are things? Made a decision about that offer?"
Alex's voice was a little hesitant at first, then gained confidence. "Hey, Leon! Yeah, actually... I signed. I signed for Chelsea."
Leon's heart gave a little thump. Chelsea. His former rivals. But he remembered his advice to Alex. "Really? That's great, mate! Congratulations! What made you decide?"
"Well," Alex explained, "after we talked, I thought about it a lot. And I spoke to my agent, and to the Chelsea manager.
They actually outlined a clear path for me, showing me how I'd get consistent playing time, especially in the cup games and gradually in the league. They said they see my 'Potential' and want to develop me.
And the offer was really good too. About £35 million transfer fee, and a weekly wage of £80,000, plus a signing bonus of £3 million."
Leon whistled. "£35 million! £80,000 a week! Alex, that's incredible! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! That's a fantastic move for your development."
His 'Analyze Player Stats' feature silently confirmed that Chelsea, despite being a big club, did have a pathway for young players, and their manager's 'Current' rating showed a commitment to youth development.
"Thanks, Leon," Alex said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "Your advice really helped. I almost just went for the biggest offer, but you made me think about what's best for my career, for my 'Potential'."
"Anytime, mate," Leon replied, a deep sense of satisfaction washing over him. He had helped Alex make the right choice. "Just remember to work hard, keep learning, and keep proving them wrong.And I'll be watching you in the Premier League!"
"You too, Leon!" Alex said, laughing. "Good luck at Inter! I'll be watching you in Serie A and the Champions League!"
Leon hung up, a wide smile on his face. Alex was at Chelsea, Byon at City, Mark at Arsenal. His friends were all making their mark in the Premier League. And he was in Milan, ready to conquer Italy.
He spent the rest of the afternoon chilling by the pool, soaking up the Italian sun, feeling completely at peace. He called his mom over, and they just relaxed, enjoying the moment, the calm before the storm.
As evening approached, Leon got ready for his official signing at the Inter Milan headquarters.
He chose his outfit carefully: a sharp, dark suit that his agent had sent over, a crisp white shirt, and a stylish tie. He looked at himself in the mirror. He wasn't just a kid anymore; he was a global football star, ready to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Italy.
His mom, looking elegant in a new dress, gave him an approving nod. "You look very handsome, my dear. Go make them proud."
They drove to the Inter Milan headquarters, a sleek, modern building adorned with the club's iconic black and blue colors.
The lobby was bustling with media, cameras flashing, reporters clamoring for a glimpse of the new signing. Leon took a deep breath, his 'Current: 92' steadying him. He was ready for this.
He was ushered into a large, brightly lit room. Cristian Chivu, the manager, was there, along with the club president and other officials. Cole Palmer (Current: 85) and Julián Álvarez (Current: 87), his new teammates, were also present, smiling warmly.
Chivu walked towards him, a wide grin on his face, extending a hand. "Leon! Welcome to Inter Milan! We are so incredibly happy to have you here. You are the future of this club."
Leon shook his hand firmly. "Thank you, Mr. Chivu. I'm honored to be here. I'm ready to start."
He sat down at a large table, a pen placed before a stack of documents. The contract. Five years. €200,000 a week. A signing bonus.
All the perks. He scanned the terms, his 'sight' quickly processing the details. Everything was as promised.
He picked up the pen, his hand steady. He looked at Chivu, at the club president, at Palmer and Álvarez. He looked at his mom, who was watching from the side, her eyes shining with pride.
He thought about the 'Help System', its quests, its guidance. He thought about his dream to be the best in the world, to win the Champions League.
With a flourish, Leon Fischer signed the contract. The flashbulbs erupted, a flurry of light. He was officially an Inter Milan player.