The national knockout stage was approaching fast, and Franck had committed himself to rigorous training, spending every day with the team and staying late to practice an additional hundred shots. For two weeks, he had focused on sharpening his skills, driven by the task assigned by the system, even sacrificing his usual weekend dates with Lena Weissbach to pour all his energy into training.
The old adage, "hard work pays off," rang true for Franck. After just four days of dedicated practice, his shooting accuracy had noticeably improved. He was now able to consistently place his shots within the arc of the penalty area with remarkable precision, especially when unopposed. This progress was clearly reflected in the system's metrics. His initial shooting ability, which had been a modest 39, had risen to 45. Though still not exceptional, this increase marked significant progress, especially considering he had focused his efforts on shooting from a specific area. But Franck knew that mastering these shots was merely the first step in his broader training regimen.
To further challenge him, Coach Elgert decided to raise the difficulty level a week before the upcoming game. Franck was still shooting from his familiar spot at the top of the penalty area, but now three wooden boards of varying heights were placed in front of him to simulate a defensive wall. Alain Didier Nkoum, the team's reliable goalkeeper, was stationed between the posts, ready to thwart any attempt. For Franck to score, he would need to overcome these two formidable obstacles.
This was no longer just basic shooting practice; it was a highly realistic set-piece training, designed to replicate the pressure and precision required in a match.
As Franck positioned himself to take the shot, eager to test his skills, Coach Elgert stepped in. "Franck, don't rush. Listen to me first."
Franck looked up, puzzled, as Coach Elgert approached. "Set-pieces aren't just about kicking the ball into the net," the coach began. "If you want to break through the wall and beat the goalkeeper, you need more than just raw power. The best set-piece takers in history all had their own unique styles. You need to develop a technique that suits you, not just shoot blindly."
Franck nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure he understood. He had watched countless players take set-pieces, each with their own flair, but he hadn't realized how much nuance was involved. Now, he was beginning to grasp the complexity.
Coach Elgert could see Franck's uncertainty and continued, "There are three main techniques that world-class set-piece takers use. The first is the 'falling leaf' or 'elevator ball.' This technique is difficult because you have to judge the height of the wall and the distance to the goal precisely. The ball rises over the wall and then dips suddenly, making it incredibly hard for the goalkeeper to predict its trajectory. The second is the 'banana shot,' made famous by Roberto Carlos. This one's even tougher. It requires immense leg strength and perfect control of your ankle and foot to bend the ball around the wall with enough power to still beat the keeper. I'll be honest with you, Franck—you're not at that level yet. But you can work towards it."
He paused, letting the information sink in before continuing. "The third is Beckham's signature move—the classic curving free-kick. To execute this, you strike the lower half of the ball, applying spin so that it curls around the wall and into the goal. The key is control. Even if the goalkeeper anticipates the shot, the ball's placement can make it unstoppable. It's all about precision."
Franck considered his options and decided, "I'll start with Beckham's technique. It seems more technical and within my reach."
Coach Elgert smiled, slightly surprised by Franck's ambition. It was rare for a player of Franck's build—a towering 1.95 meters—to take an active interest in mastering such a delicate skill. Even Alain, who stood ready in goal, was skeptical. He knew that Beckham's trademark free-kicks required exceptional control, something that even seasoned midfielders struggled to achieve.
Why was Beckham's set-piece technique regarded as the gold standard? Simple: his extraordinary ball control was enough to make even the most skilled technicians in football look average.
For Franck, an amateur in this area, it would be an accomplishment just to execute a set-piece with the right shape and trajectory.
As Franck prepared to take the shot, he carefully studied Alain's positioning and eyed the three boards—higher in the middle, lower on the sides—before deciding on his target.
"Beep!" Coach Elgert blew the whistle.
Franck closed his eyes for a brief moment, recalling the key points Coach Elgert had emphasized: strike the lower half of the ball, concentrate the force on the side, focus on the arc, and trust the spin.
With these thoughts in mind, Franck opened his eyes, feeling a surge of confidence. He had reviewed Beckham's data in the system, allowing the Star Player Evolution Engine to analyze it and distill the technique into actionable steps. It felt as though he had unlocked the answer to a complex puzzle.
"Boom!"
Franck struck the ball with his right foot, using just half his strength. He focused on technique rather than power. The ball took off, skimming past the rightmost board with a smooth, controlled arc. Coach Elgert, who had watched countless players attempt this maneuver, felt a jolt of surprise. The ball wasn't rising as it had in Franck's earlier attempts; instead, it was maintaining a low, dangerous trajectory, heading straight for the goal.
Alain quickly realized that this was no ordinary shot. He would have to move early and react with lightning speed to have any chance of stopping it. But even as he leaped into action, he knew he was too late. The ball curved beautifully, evading his outstretched hands and nestling into the back of the net.
"It's going in!" Samuel shouted from the sidelines, echoing Alain's disbelief.
Coach Elgert was stunned but couldn't help but smile. He preferred to believe that this was the result of Franck's relentless practice, rather than luck.
Franck watched the ball hit the back of the net and allowed himself a small smile. The system's assistance had been invaluable, but it was his hard work that made this moment possible. And wasn't that worth every bit of effort?
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The Round of 16 in the German University League National Championship had arrived, and the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences found themselves with a favorable draw. They were set to play at home against the Free University of Berlin. With the home crowd behind them and a clear advantage in both form and strength, the balance of victory seemed increasingly tilted in their favor.
In the week leading up to the match, Franck's progress with set-pieces had been nothing short of extraordinary. His accuracy from set-pieces within 30 meters of the penalty area had skyrocketed to an impressive 90%, a rate that even surprised the experienced Coach Elgert. The coach, who rarely gave out compliments lightly, joked that the "Cameroonian training speed" was something out of this world.
Thanks to the Star Player Evolution Engine, Franck had been able to refine and finalize his own set-piece technique. Of the three methods Coach Elgert had introduced, Franck found himself most comfortable with the Beckham-style free kick. While he couldn't yet replicate Beckham's exquisite arc to perfection, his strength as a defender compensated for it, allowing him to blend technique with power effectively. This unique combination had become Franck's trademark on the pitch.
Franck's relentless dedication over the past two weeks had a ripple effect on his teammates, particularly Samuel Ndi Ebogo and Alain Didier Nkoum, who trained alongside him every day. Inspired by Franck's work ethic, they too gave their all in training. Samuel, in particular, was driven by an ambitious goal: he had already netted ten goals this season, putting him at the top of the divisional scoring chart and second in the national scorer standings of the German University League. With his eyes set on the golden boot, Samuel knew that every training session brought him closer to his goal.
Alain, the steadfast goalkeeper, also showed marked improvement. His consistency in goal meant that, barring any unforeseen lapses, he would continue to be a pillar of strength for the team.
Coach Elgert, observing these developments, found his mood improving day by day. His usual stern demeanor softened, and he even allowed a rare smile to cross his face. The performance of these three players—Franck, Samuel, and Alain—was crucial to the team's success, both in attack and defense. With Franck solidifying the defense and adding an offensive edge with his newfound set-piece ability, Samuel regaining his lethal touch in front of goal, and Alain providing a reliable last line of defense, the coach began to entertain thoughts of a deep run in the tournament, possibly even beyond the next match.
As the day of the match drew near, the system made its presence felt once more. During the pre-game warm-up, Tactica, the system's voice, issued a new mission to Franck.
Task 2: Complete a set-piece and score directly in this game.
Mission Description: The purpose of improving a skill is to apply it in real-game situations; otherwise, the improvement is meaningless. The host should strive to use these honed skills on the field.
Task Reward: Speed ability value +10, and training speed will be doubled.
Upon receiving the task, Franck immediately checked his set-piece ability through the system. To his satisfaction, the results showed that his set-piece ability had now reached a value of 60. Over the span of just two or three weeks, he had made remarkable strides, a testament to both his hard work and the system's guidance.
This time, unlike before, Franck felt a sense of clarity and purpose. The system had been more transparent, directly announcing the reward upfront, which made him feel even more motivated to excel.
Tactica explained, "After the completion of the first mission, the system analyzed the host's response. To better motivate the host for future performances, the rewards for this mission were announced in advance."
Franck couldn't help but smile and snap his fingers in appreciation. The system's reward was exactly what he needed. He was acutely aware of his defensive shortcomings, particularly the common issue among taller defenders—being slow to turn and sluggish in tracking back. While this wasn't a major issue at the college level, where opponents might not exploit it fully, Franck knew that in professional football, such weaknesses would be glaringly obvious. And Franck wasn't just aiming to play at the college level—his sights were set on the professional stage.
Years of watching the top five European leagues had given Franck a clear picture of the demands at that level. He knew that every flaw would be magnified, every mistake punished. He couldn't afford to let his weaknesses hold him back.
If playing professional football had once been just a distant dream, the acquisition of the system had transformed it into something within reach. Franck now felt as though he held a bundle of keys—keys that could unlock the door to the professional arena. All he needed was the right opportunity, and he was determined to seize it when it came.
…
In this game, the Free University of Berlin arrived with the intent to fight hard, especially knowing the challenges of playing on the road. The battle on the pitch was fierce, with an emphasis on physical confrontations. However, the double midfield pivots of Westphalian University of Applied Sciences were equally tough, refusing to be outmatched in the physical duel. Dominating possession for most of the match, Westphalian eventually secured the win, boosting the confidence of every player on the team.
From the outset, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences took the initiative, controlling the ball and dictating the tempo of the game. Their opponents, deploying a defensive 4-5-1 formation, set up two layers of defense in an attempt to absorb the pressure. Yet, under relentless pressure from Westphalian, mistakes were inevitable. The defensive line and midfield of the visiting team struggled to maintain their shape, particularly under the aggressive pressing from the home side.
The breakthrough came less than twenty minutes into the match. Westphalian capitalized on a momentary lapse in the opponent's defensive organization. A brief gap between the midfield and defensive lines was all it took. A Westphalian midfielder, keenly aware of the opportunity, intercepted the ball high up the pitch. Seizing the numerical advantage, he quickly played it out wide to the advancing full-back. The full-back delivered a precise cross into the box, where Samuel Ndi Ebogo, timing his run perfectly, met the ball with a powerful finish. The ball flew into the back of the net, giving Westphalian a deserved 1-0 lead.
Coach Elgert watched from the sidelines, his face breaking into a relaxed smile. The game was unfolding exactly as he had anticipated. The early goal forced the Free University of Berlin out of their defensive shell, compelling them to push forward in search of an equalizer. This shift in their approach played right into Westphalian's hands, allowing them to exploit the space left behind and set up dangerous counterattacks.
As the game progressed, the opponents grew increasingly anxious, their desperation to level the score evident in their play. Westphalian's players, quick to read the game, began to intercept passes in advanced positions. The visiting team, realizing the threat, resorted to tactical fouls, preferring to concede set-pieces rather than risk being torn apart in open play.
It was during one of these set-piece opportunities, around the edge of the penalty area, that Franck's moment arrived. His eyes lit up with anticipation—this was exactly the chance he had been waiting for.
As the players gathered around the ball, Samuel, who had initially stepped up to take the free-kick, saw Franck approaching and stepped aside with a knowing smile. "This one's yours, Franck," he said, acknowledging his friend's hard work and preparation.
Franck nodded, appreciating the gesture. The opposing goalkeeper, visibly nervous, shifted uneasily on his line. Franck's imposing height made him an intimidating presence, and the goalkeeper had no idea what to expect from the towering defender.
The referee's whistle pierced the tension-filled air, and Franck began his approach.
"Boom!"
Franck struck the ball cleanly with his right foot. The three players in the wall leaped as one, the central player rising the highest. But Franck had anticipated this. With a precise, curling motion, the ball bent around the wall, skimming dangerously close to the rightmost player. The technique was flawless—a textbook "Bend it like Beckham" free-kick, executed with the composure of a seasoned professional.
Coach Elgert, watching the flight of the ball from the sidelines, couldn't contain his excitement. He punched the air in celebration, fully aware that Franck had just pulled off something special.
The opposing goalkeeper reacted instinctively, leaping to his left, arms outstretched in a desperate attempt to parry the shot. But Franck's training had paid off; the shot was perfectly placed, beyond the goalkeeper's reach. The ball clipped the inside of the left post and ricocheted into the top corner of the net. The score now stood at 2-0.
The stadium erupted in cheers, and Franck's teammates rushed to congratulate him. With that goal, Franck had all but secured the victory for Westphalian University of Applied Sciences. More impressively, he had become the first defender in the league to score in two consecutive matches this season—a feat that underscored his growing influence on the team, both defensively and offensively.
Star Player Evolution Engine
Name: Franck Emmanuel Ndongo
Age: 18
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 81 kg
Nationality: Cameroonian
Position: Central defender
Dominant Foot: Right
Short Passing: 74
Long Passing: 61
Shooting: 45
Jumping: 70
Physical Fitness: 60
Reactions: 67
Speed: 49
Acceleration: 55
Positioning: 70
Set-piece Accuracy: 60
Corner Accuracy: 35
Heading: 64