Later that evening, back in his dorm room, Chris sprawled across his bed, exhausted. His body ached, the usual post-practice soreness sinking deep into his muscles. His phone buzzed on the nightstand, and he lazily reached for it, expecting a message from one of his teammates or maybe his parents.
Instead, it was a notification from the System.
"New quest available: Earn a starting spot. Reward: 20 skill points."
Chris sat up, eyes wide. A starting spot? He hadn't even thought that far ahead. Making the team was the goal for now, but if the System was pushing him toward a starting position, then it meant there was a chance. Somewhere in the back of his mind, the idea had been there, but it felt too far off to even consider. Now, it was real. The System was setting the bar higher.
He leaned back against the wall, staring at the screen, the weight of the new quest pressing down on him. Earning a starting spot at Alabama was like trying to climb Everest without oxygen. The talent pool was deep, and even the backups were NFL-caliber athletes.
But then again, Chris had never been one to shy away from a challenge.
The next few days passed in a blur of drills, meetings, and film sessions. The coaches were relentless, pushing the players harder with each practice. Chris could feel the strain in his body, but the System's subtle boosts kept him on the edge, just enough to keep up without drawing too much attention.
By the time Friday rolled around, Chris was mentally and physically drained. The coaches had been quiet about roster decisions, but everyone knew that today was the day. The players gathered in the locker room, tension hanging thick in the air. Chris sat quietly at his locker, trying to calm his nerves.
Coach Henry entered, clipboard in hand, his face as unreadable as ever. He stood at the front of the room, letting the silence stretch out for what felt like an eternity.
"Alright, listen up," he finally said, his voice booming. "We've made our decisions. Some of you are staying, some of you are leaving. You'll find out where you stand after this meeting."
Chris's heart raced, the anticipation almost unbearable. He had been through the gauntlet, survived the scrimmage, and done everything in his power to prove himself. But would it be enough?
Coach Henry started reading off names, players who had earned spots on the team. Chris listened intently, his body tense. The list felt endless, and with each name called, his anxiety grew.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he heard it.
"Carter, Chris."
Chris's breath hitched in his throat. He had made it. He was on the team.
The rest of the meeting passed in a blur. Chris barely heard the rest of the names as Coach Henry continued, his mind still reeling from the realization. He had done it. He had made it onto the Alabama Crimson Tide.
As the meeting ended and players filed out, Chris stayed behind for a moment, letting the reality sink in. He wasn't just some walk-on anymore. He was part of the team, part of something bigger.
But there was still more to do.
"Quest updated: Earn a starting spot. Days remaining: 14."
Chris stood in the empty locker room, the weight of the next challenge already settling on his shoulders. Earning a roster spot had been hard enough, but starting? That was a different level entirely.
The following Monday, practice resumed with a renewed intensity. Now that the roster was set, the focus shifted toward refining plays, sharpening techniques, and most importantly, solidifying the depth chart. Chris knew that he was still at the bottom, fighting for every rep, every opportunity. The veterans, especially Jalen, were firmly entrenched in the starting lineup, but that didn't deter him.
Chris had two weeks to prove he deserved a chance to start. He had to find a way to stand out, even more than before. The practices were grueling, but Chris pushed through them with an intensity that caught the attention of his coaches. Each route he ran was crisper, each catch cleaner, and his speed was undeniable. The System's subtle enhancements were paying off, giving him an edge he sorely needed.
Midway through the week, Coach Henry pulled Chris aside after practice.
"You've been doing good work out there, Carter," Henry said, his tone gruff but not unfriendly. "You keep this up, and you might see some real playing time."
Chris nodded, trying to keep his excitement in check. "Yes, sir."
Henry stared at him for a moment, then clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't get complacent. The real work's just beginning."
Chris watched as the coach walked away, his words lingering in his mind. Don't get complacent. The real work was just beginning. He had earned a place on the team, but now came the hardest part—earning a place on the field.