The Yokohama F. Marinos academy complex was massive, far bigger than anything Yuto had ever experienced. Walking through the gates on his first official day as a youth academy player felt surreal. The sprawling green fields, the state-of-the-art gym, and the advanced training facilities all made it clear—he had entered a different level of football.
"Welcome, Yuto!" a familiar voice called out from behind him. Yuto turned to see Mr. Saito, the scout who had given him the chance to prove himself. He was dressed in a smart suit, smiling as he approached.
"I hope you're ready to start this new chapter. It'll be tough, but I know you've got what it takes," Mr. Saito said as he clapped Yuto on the back.
Yuto nodded, trying to push down the nerves rising in his stomach. "I've been waiting for this. I'll give it my all."
As Yuto walked through the academy grounds, he couldn't help but notice the other players around him. They all looked sharp, focused, and physically strong. These weren't just schoolboys playing for fun—these were future professionals, and they carried themselves with that knowledge. The pressure mounted as he realized that he would have to earn his place among them.
[ Quest Initiated: Prove Yourself in the Academy
Objective: Perform consistently in training, build relationships with teammates, and stand out in matches.
Reward: Starting position in the youth squad. ]
Yuto exhaled deeply as the system's notification appeared in his mind. This was it—his next challenge.
Training began that afternoon, and the level of intensity shocked Yuto. The drills were sharper, faster, and more complex than anything he had experienced in school. The coaching staff didn't slow down for anyone; every player was expected to keep up, or they risked being left behind.
As they moved into a series of possession drills, Yuto quickly realized just how much faster the game was at this level. He found himself scrambling to anticipate moves, struggling to stay in position as the ball pinged between the other players with a speed and precision that made his head spin.
"Come on, Yuto! Keep your eyes up!" one of the assistant coaches barked as Yuto lost the ball to a quick interception. The words stung, but he gritted his teeth and focused.
It wasn't just the speed—his new teammates were stronger, more agile, and their movements on the field felt instinctive, as if they had been born playing this game. Yuto tried to keep up, but frustration gnawed at him every time he failed to complete a pass or got muscled off the ball.
Then came the scrimmage, and Yuto felt the weight of the system pushing him to perform.
[ Quest Update: Improve passing and ball retention.
Objective: Maintain possession for at least 10 consecutive passes during the scrimmage.
Reward: Minor boost in stamina and agility. ]
Yuto's mind raced. Ten passes? He struggled with just two or three at this pace. But he had no choice—he had to find a way to adapt.
The scrimmage started, and Yuto found himself playing as a midfielder, tasked with both creating chances and supporting the defense. It was overwhelming. The ball moved quickly, players calling out instructions, defenders pressing hard. Yuto had never felt this kind of pressure before, but he knew he couldn't afford to hesitate.
The ball came to Yuto's feet, and instinct kicked in. He dribbled forward, looking for an open teammate. Just as a defender closed in, he spotted a gap and passed the ball to the winger on his right. The ball zipped across the pitch and was met with another quick pass. Yuto kept moving, staying open, calling for the ball.
The sequence continued, and with each pass, Yuto's confidence grew. He completed one pass, then another. His teammates moved like clockwork, trusting him to make the right decisions. The system's pressure pushed him to stay focused, and before he knew it, they had completed eight passes, then nine.
The tenth pass came back to Yuto's feet, and he immediately turned, sending the ball to the striker in front of him. The striker controlled it, took a shot, and the ball slammed into the back of the net. A goal.
Yuto felt his heart leap, and the familiar system notification appeared.
[ Quest Completed: 10 passes in the scrimmage.
Reward: Stamina and agility boost applied. ]
His body felt lighter, and the fatigue that had been building in his legs seemed to vanish, replaced by a new sense of energy. The boost wasn't huge, but it was enough to keep him moving with more confidence.
"Well done, Yuto!" a teammate called out, clapping him on the back as they jogged back to their positions. Yuto couldn't help but smile. He was starting to feel like he belonged.
As the session ended, the head coach, Mr. Nakamura, gathered the team around. He was a seasoned man, with a sharp gaze that seemed to see right through every player.
"That was a solid session," he began, his voice commanding their attention. "But don't get too comfortable. We've got a friendly match against the U-18 squad in three days. I expect everyone to be at their best. This is your chance to show what you're made of."
The players nodded, tension rippling through the group. Yuto felt his heart quicken. A match against the U-18s? That was a huge step up from anything he had done before. But he also knew it was an opportunity to stand out and prove he belonged at the academy.
As they left the field, Yuto noticed a group of U-18 players watching them from the sidelines. One of them, a tall player with slicked-back hair and a confident grin, made eye contact with Yuto and smirked.
"You're the new kid, right?" the U-18 player called out, his tone dripping with arrogance. "Hope you're ready for the real deal. This isn't school football anymore."
Yuto clenched his jaw, determined not to be intimidated. "I'm ready," he replied, holding the player's gaze. Inside, though, he could feel the pressure building. He knew the U-18s would be stronger, faster, and more experienced than anything he had faced before. But he couldn't afford to back down now.
[ Quest Initiated: Prove Yourself Against the U-18 Team
Objective: Contribute to the team's performance in the upcoming match.
Reward: Increased reputation within the academy, and potential first-team consideration. ]
As Yuto walked back to the locker room, he steeled himself for the challenge ahead. The next few days would be critical, and he would need to push himself harder than ever before. But this was the path he had chosen, and no matter what came his way, he was determined to rise to the occasion.