The sound of cleats against the turf filled the air as Yuto and his teammates ran through their warm-up drills at FC Tokyo's youth academy. It had been a few weeks since Yuto officially joined, and the intensity of the training had only increased. The level of competition was fierce, and while Yuto felt he had improved since his arrival, there were still moments when doubt crept in.
Today was one of those days.
As they prepared for a scrimmage, Yuto's nerves began to stir. The past few matches in training hadn't gone well for him—his passes were off, and he struggled to keep up with the faster, more experienced players. Even though the system had guided him through several quests, some obstacles felt insurmountable. And with the upcoming trial match to determine the starting lineup for the next academy tournament, Yuto couldn't afford any more slip-ups.
Coach Ishikawa blew his whistle, signaling the start of the scrimmage. Yuto took his position in the midfield, his heart pounding. He glanced over at Kenji, who gave him a reassuring nod from the left wing.
"Let's do this," Kenji said with his usual confidence.
Yuto nodded, though his mind was still racing. As the whistle blew again, the scrimmage kicked off, and Yuto immediately found himself immersed in the game. The ball moved swiftly across the field, and his teammates pushed forward with sharp, precise passes. Yuto received the ball, turning quickly to spot Kenji making a run up the flank.
He sent the ball toward him, but the pass was too long—Kenji had to stretch to keep it in play. Yuto winced as the play slowed down, his mistake causing a loss of momentum. He heard a groan from one of his teammates, and his confidence took a hit.
The scrimmage continued, and Yuto found himself chasing the ball, trying to regain control of the game. But it felt like everything was moving too fast, the pressure mounting with each passing minute.
Midway through the match, Coach Ishikawa paused the game, calling the players over to the sideline for a quick debrief. Yuto stood in line with the others, trying to shake off the frustration.
"Alright, listen up," Coach Ishikawa said, his voice stern but calm. "We're playing well, but there are too many sloppy mistakes. Yuto, your passing needs to be more accurate. You've got good vision, but you're rushing things. Take your time, assess the situation before you make the pass."
Yuto nodded, feeling a knot form in his stomach. He knew the coach was right, but hearing it in front of everyone stung. As the team broke from the huddle and returned to the field, Yuto took a deep breath, trying to refocus.
Back in position, Yuto made a conscious effort to slow down and take in the flow of the game. The ball came to him again, and this time, instead of immediately passing it, he dribbled forward, scanning the field. He saw Kenji cutting inside, but the defenders were closing in. Yuto quickly shifted direction and spotted Kaito, their towering striker, hovering near the box.
He sent a precise through ball to Kaito, who controlled it with ease and fired it into the top corner of the net. The team erupted in cheers, and Yuto felt a wave of relief wash over him.
[ Quest Update: Improve Your Passing Accuracy.
Reward: Tactical Vision (Level 1). ]
The system's notification appeared in his mind, and he smiled to himself. Slowly but surely, he was improving.
As the scrimmage drew to a close, Yuto's team ended up winning 3-2. Yuto felt better about his performance in the second half, but there was still a nagging doubt about whether he had done enough to secure a spot in the starting lineup. The real test was yet to come—the trial match.
After the scrimmage, Yuto and Kenji walked back to the locker room, discussing the game.
"You played much better toward the end," Kenji said, giving him a pat on the back. "That pass to Kaito was perfect."
"Thanks," Yuto replied, though his mind was still on the mistakes he had made earlier. "But I messed up a lot before that. I don't know if I'm ready for the trial match."
Kenji raised an eyebrow. "Dude, everyone makes mistakes. You've been here, what, a few months? You're improving every day. Besides, we're a team—we'll make up for each other's weaknesses."
Yuto smiled at that. Kenji always knew how to lift his spirits.
The day of the trial match arrived, and the atmosphere at the academy was tense. Coaches and staff watched from the sidelines, clipboards in hand, as the players warmed up. Yuto felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him. This match would determine who made the starting lineup for the academy tournament, and the competition was fierce.
As the game kicked off, Yuto's mind was laser-focused. He had accepted a quest earlier that morning, and the stakes felt higher than ever.
[ Quest: Secure Your Place in the Starting Lineup.
Objective: Impress the coaches with your performance in the trial match.
Reward: Leadership Skill (Level 1). ]
Yuto knew that to stand out, he had to play smart and trust his instincts. As the ball came to him, he immediately felt the pressure from the opposing team. They were aggressive, not giving Yuto any space to breathe. But instead of panicking, he shielded the ball, keeping his body between the defender and the ball.
He passed it back to Kenji, who quickly moved it up the field. The game flowed, and Yuto began to settle into his rhythm. Every pass, every touch was measured. He worked hard off the ball, making himself available for his teammates, and whenever he got the chance, he sent precise passes into dangerous areas.
Midway through the first half, Yuto found himself in the perfect position. Kaito had drawn two defenders away, leaving Yuto with a clear shot from the edge of the box. Without hesitation, he took the shot. The ball sailed through the air, curving slightly as it headed toward the far post.
It hit the back of the net.
Cheers erupted from the sidelines, and Yuto could hardly believe it. He had scored in the trial match. But there was no time to celebrate. They were only halfway through the game.
As the match continued, Yuto found himself playing more freely. His confidence grew with each successful pass and every well-timed tackle. He wasn't just playing for himself anymore—he was playing for the team. The more he focused on helping his teammates, the better he performed.
Toward the end of the second half, with the score tied 1-1, Yuto saw an opportunity to make a difference. Kenji had the ball on the left wing, with two defenders closing in. Yuto sprinted upfield, calling for the ball. Kenji spotted him and chipped a perfect pass over the defenders.
Yuto controlled the ball with his chest, took a quick glance at the goalkeeper's position, and then delivered a low cross into the box. Kaito, charging in from the right, slid in to meet the ball, sending it into the goal.
They had won.
The final whistle blew, and Yuto's team gathered in a huddle, celebrating the hard-fought victory. As the players cooled down, Yuto spotted Coach Ishikawa talking with the other coaches, nodding in approval.
[ Quest Complete: Secure Your Place in the Starting Lineup.
Reward: Leadership Skill (Level 1) Unlocked. ]
The system's notification was accompanied by a deep sense of accomplishment. Yuto had done it—he had earned his spot.
Later that day, as the players were leaving the field, Coach Ishikawa pulled Yuto aside.
"You've been improving, Nakamura," Coach said with a nod. "You've earned yourself a spot in the starting lineup for the tournament."
Yuto's heart soared. "Thank you, Coach. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't," Coach Ishikawa replied, clapping him on the shoulder. "Keep working hard. This is just the beginning."
As Yuto walked off the field, his mind was already racing toward the future. The tournament was just around the corner, and now, he was ready to lead his team into battle.