Kelvin and Ian were leaving the court, their bodies still warm and their faces marked by sweat and the intensity of the match, when they heard hurried footsteps behind them.
"Hey! Wait up!" called a breathless voice.
They turned around. It was the goalkeeper from their team: a tall, slim boy with curly hair held back by a black headband. He still had his gloves on, breathing heavily, cheeks flushed, and eyes bright.
"You two..." he said, nodding, "played incredibly."
Kelvin and Ian exchanged surprised glances.
"Thanks, man," said Ian, with a smile. "And you did great too. That shot from Samuel, early in the second half... I thought it was going in."
The goalkeeper gave a muffled laugh, still catching his breath.
"I don’t even know how I saved that. Pure reflex. But seriously... I needed to talk to you guys."
Kelvin crossed his arms, gaze firm and attentive.
"My name’s Alisson. I graduated from Sanu last year. Now I’m here because of that partnership with Goleirarte. Remember?"
"Oh, right," Ian replied. "The integrated training with goalkeepers and all, right?"
"That’s it. But I’m also giving technical support to Professor Jonas. We’re observing the games, tracking performances for the individual awards. And you two... really stood out."
Kelvin frowned slightly, curious.
"Like, most people wouldn’t stop talking about you! While you guys were on the attack, I could hear people commenting about you both!"
Ian let out a soft whistle, surprised by the praise.
"Damn... thanks, man. That means a lot."
"Anyway, I’m gonna grab something to eat, and I’ll be back soon."
They waved as Alisson walked off down the hallway.
"I think I’ll get something to eat too, Kelvin. You coming?"
Kelvin shook his head.
"Alright then. I’ll catch up later," said Ian, heading toward the cafeteria behind the school.
Once alone, Kelvin took a deep breath. Sweat still trickled down his neck, but now there was something else inside him. A pulse. Something new.
He glanced around discreetly and headed toward the gym’s restroom. Entering one of the stalls, he inhaled deeply... and then the interface appeared before his eyes like a transparent hologram.
[Mission: Path of the Striker]
[Rewards have been delivered.]
A bluish light blinked briefly. Kelvin felt a chill crawl up his spine, but it wasn’t discomfort, it was energy awakening inside him.
He closed his eyes for a moment, and then saw the numbers.
[Strength: 10.2 / 10]
[Body Control: 11 / 10]
[Flexibility: 10.8 / 10]
[Muscle Recovery: 10.8 / 10]
His heart rate quickened. The numbers had not only reached the limit... they had gone beyond it. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚫𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚫𝕟𝕖𝕥
[Player has completed the first stage.]
Kelvin stepped out of the stall and approached the mirror. Staring at his reflection, sweat on his face, shirt clinging to his body, eyes intense in the glass, he smiled.
"What will I receive now?"
A new notification appeared, more subtle, like an electronic whisper.
[Bonus Reward Unlocked: Core Evolution]
[You now have access to System Level 2.]
[Attribute cap expanded to 100 points.]
[New Skill Unlocked: Offensive Instinct]
[Description: Passive activation. Your body reacts before your mind in attacking situations, increasing the chances of precise finishes, instinctive dribbling, and unpredictable movements.]
The interface blinked. Suddenly, a wave of heat surged through Kelvin’s chest. It felt like something was opening inside him, a space that hadn’t existed before. His physical limits were being redrawn.
The numbers on screen began to blink, and then updated.
[Player received bonus for reaching System Level 2 quickly!]
[Stamina: 12.5 / 100]
[Body Control: 14 / 100]
[Flexibility: 12 / 100]
[Balance: 13.5 / 100]
[Muscle Recovery: 13 / 100]
Kelvin stepped back, breathless. His muscles still looked the same, but at the same time... not. There was something new. A greater fluidity in his movements. A faint tremor beneath the skin, as if his body was adapting to the new capacity.
He clenched his fists. There was more firmness, more precision. His body responded more naturally.
Kelvin looked in the mirror again, and for the first time, he didn’t just see himself.
He took a deep breath, let the cold water from the sink run over his hands, and splashed his face. The chill of the water contrasted with the burning heat inside.
He left the bathroom with steady steps. In the hallway, the echoes of the gym’s activity could still be heard. But for Kelvin, everything felt clearer now. Slower. Sharper.
Still buzzing from the changes, Kelvin wandered the corridors without a set destination. When he noticed, his feet had brought him to the side bleachers, a bit away from the court’s center. It was half-empty, with a few people sitting around chatting or watching the ongoing match.
He climbed two rows and sat down, eyes fixed on the court.
It was impossible not to recognize them. The navy blue jerseys with golden trim, the aggressive and precise playstyle, the fast passes, the sharp switches. It was the Yamu duo, the same ones he had seen warming up earlier.
The difference now was that they were playing for real.
Kelvin adjusted his seat, eyes locked. It was like watching a game in fast-forward. Yamu’s number 11, a blond boy with straight hair tied in a low bun, dominated the game like it was his personal domain. He moved calmly, but every pass dismantled part of the opposing defense.
But it was more than just technique. It was the atmosphere. They were just a duo, but the way they played made it feel like they had eleven on the field.
Kelvin swallowed hard.
Even with his attributes now unlocked and entering a new level, he realized how good they were. The opposing duo was being crushed, not because of isolated amazing plays, but because of the absurd cohesion in their movements. They kept it basic, yet they were dominating.
The scoreboard read 3–0. Eight minutes left on the clock.
"That number 11..." Kelvin muttered, narrowing his eyes.
Without him noticing, the system activated automatically.
[Active Scan: Number 11 – Yamu Player]
[Skill Level: High Performance – Advanced Student Category]
[Highlighted Skill: Game Reading / Tempo Control]
[Name: Takumi Hoshino]
[Status: Eligible for national school leagues]
[Warning: Player exceeds regional average]
The interface blinked and retracted.
Kelvin was stunned. Now, he could see other people’s data.
"That’s amazing," he said, excited.
The game ended with a precise cross-shot from Takumi. The ball kissed the post before hitting the net. 4–0. Whistles blew. The Yamu duo quietly congratulated each other, disciplined, as if it were just another routine match.
Looking to the side near the gate, Kelvin recognized some familiar faces. Kazana, Dante, and Ian were coming together, and they noticed him watching.