A stout defender, matching Landon's height, slid towards Autumn Leaf, aiming to kick the ball off her legs and halt her momentum.
Her eyes sharpened, and with her entire weight placed on her left leg, she deftly tipped the ball to the right. It curved past the defender, leaving him staring wide-eyed in surprise.
Autumn deftly caught up with the ball, zooming in towards the last two defenders who remained still, though their eyes remained vigilant.
"What do you think she'll do?" Stefan heard a voice and turned to Jason, who approached him.
The coach wore a baseball cap, his arm muscles bulging against his polo shirt as he stroked his short beard.
"She'll shoot," Stefan said, and Jason's eyebrows shot up. "With two defenders and a goalkeeper, all close to the Continental rank. You do know that just the first stage of our martial arts is much stronger than a rank 2 martial artist back then."
Turning to Jason, Stefan smiled, "I read that, so I know. The thing is, only by shooting does she have a chance against those three," Stefan explained, and Jason squinted.
"Hmm, that seems like a great idea," Jason responded.
"It's not an idea, I can feel it. She's so loud," Stefan added, making Jason's eyes widen. He was about to scold Stefan for not controlling his ability, but something felt off.
"What do you mean she's loud?"
"Her thoughts. I think when people are either overexcited or yearn for something, it could be the only thing revolving in their minds, and it kinda leaks out," Stefan explained.
"A goal!!" The commentator's voice made their eyes snap to the screen.
Autumn Leaf tilted to the side and struck the ball, sending it hurtling toward the goalpost. A faint roar echoed as the ball passed the defenders like an eastern dragon, grazing the goalkeeper's hands and hitting the net.
"The soaring dragon technique," Stefan muttered, and Jason nodded. "That's an offensive technique she had learnt up to the 2nd stage," he said, a smug smile appearing on his lips.
"How old is Emberly actually?" Stefan couldn't help but ask, acknowledging her talent. Still, it didn't mean she was his match; his pride in his own talent wasn't easily disturbed.
"My little girl is twenty-two this year. A frightening talent, isn't she?"
"Perhaps," Stefan replied and received a light blow to his shoulder, feigning a grimace.
Watching her celebrate with her teammates, Stefan's eyes flickered. "Recalling the old days?"
"The way you said it makes me feel old," Stefan replied, and Jason burst into laughter. "Although you look younger than most of them, you're still the oldest. There's nothing you can do about that," Jason chortled as he walked toward the front.
Stefan's pocket vibrated, and he pulled out his phone, his eyebrows rising as he was stunned by the number of zeros in his account.
The reward for 'catching' the Terminator was a sum of five hundred thousand cosmic credits, while an anonymous sender bestowed upon him a staggering sum of two million cosmic credits.
Another message popped up, and the moment he read it, Stefan realized the sender was Cynthia, Jason's wife.
Was she that eager to vie for his attention against her husband? 'An amusing woman,' he chortled, gratefully accepting the money.
Perusing the series of notifications, Stefan discovered he had a bank account created specifically as a titan.
After a few minutes, the match concluded at 2-1. As the rising stars reveled in the roars of their names during the celebration, Stefan walked down to the front.
"What are you doing here?" Grim asked, creases forming on his temples. "Grim, he's part of the team!" Landon yelled, staring straight into Grim's eyes.
"Why haven't you ostracized the other reserves?" He questioned, pointing at the others who chatted together with the rising stars.
"Because look at him! He looks like someone barely in his twenties, lacks proper skills, and just forces himself into something he's clearly not talented at!" Grim bellowed, drawing attention.
"Coach brought him; that alone should prove he's worth it. What's wrong with you? How can you just attack him like that?" Landon retorted.
"Enough!" Jason hissed, and they both turned to him.
"Coach, we're all at the Continental rank. What rank is he? What are his abilities? Or is he just a spoiled brat with rich parents who thinks they can buy their son a spot in everything!"
"Oh, I'm not at the continental rank. In fact, I just learnt about martial ranks two days ago," Stefan said, and a heavy silence descended.
With both hands in his pockets, he approached the ball and began juggling it. Then, his eyes sharpened, and he kicked the ball into the air.
Leaping and spinning his body, his foot slammed the ball, creating a resounding boom followed by the ball blasting against the net.
The distance, velocity, and skill involved silenced everyone, stunning the intrigued members of the Blue Ranger's club.
Jason's eyes widened while a water bottle fell from Emberly's grasp.
"I'm certainly not a rich kid. I'll accept your money though. And I just came to say, you did good," Stefan responded to Grim's claims and walked away.
"What?" He asked a bystander, as everyone stared at him like he was some rare artifact. "N-nothing…" the man stuttered.
"Hey! Mentor!" Landon's voice rang from behind, causing Stefan to dash forward. He wasn't ready for Landon's loud voice or pestering attitude.
"Your mentor doesn't want to teach you. Give up," Scarlett chuckled, but her gaze lingered on Stefan's back.
Although most of the audience was shocked by the accuracy, speed, and stunning posture he displayed when striking the ball, the members of both teams had seen bolts of lightning crackling through him for a split second.
"For some reason, I lost the joy of this victory," Grim said softly.
"Because you were totally wrong about him?" Landon asked.
"No, it's because he's unnatural," Emberly replied, picking up her small backpack and walking away.
Her ponytail bounced against her slender back. In the suit of armor, her allure increased multiple folds, captivating a few who couldn't take their eyes off her.
"I feel an intense fighting spirit coming off her. Fufufu, this season is going to be fun!" Scarlett chuckled, running after her friend.
Grim followed them in silence, and when the rising stars and the reserves were leaving, Jason discovered Landon was missing.
Turning his head to the Blue Rangers, he found Landon chatting with a girl, a midfielder with pleasing beauty.
"Landon, join the others!"
"But…!" Unable to give an excuse, he lowered his head and walked away. Not before exchanging numbers with the girl whom he guessed was totally into him.
Recalling Stefan's poker face, Landon smirked. It was time to revel in his glory and potentially add to Stefan's lonely misery.