The morning after the U-18 match, Yuto awoke with mixed emotions. The glow of his assist and Coach Nakamura's praise was dimmed by the memory of the equalizer. His body ached from the intensity of the match, and his mind was still racing with thoughts about what could have gone differently.
[ System Alert: Stamina is below optimal level. Rest or boost required for recovery. ]
Yuto sighed. The system was right; he was exhausted, and the mental strain was starting to take its toll. He had been pushing himself non-stop, from extra training sessions to fighting through the pressure on the field. Now, with the academy's expectations weighing on him, the cracks were beginning to show.
But he didn't have time to rest.
As he headed to the training ground, his teammates were already in a heated conversation. News had spread fast—the academy coaches were planning to cut players from the squad soon. It was a standard evaluation that happened every few months, and only the best would remain.
Yuto's heart sank. He had just made it to the academy, and now he was already at risk of being cut? The pressure that had been a low hum in the back of his mind now blared loudly.
He arrived at the field, and Coach Nakamura was already gathering the players for an announcement.
"As you all know, evaluations are coming up," the coach began, his voice steady but firm. "We're looking to keep only the best, the players who show the most potential. Those who can't meet the standards will be let go. I want every one of you to push yourselves over the next few weeks. This is your chance to prove you belong here."
The team stood in tense silence. For some, it was a challenge they had faced before. For Yuto, it was another mountain he wasn't sure he was ready to climb. He had only just started feeling like he could keep up, and now the threat of being cut loomed over him.
[ Quest Initiated: Survive the Evaluation
Objective: Secure a place in the academy through consistent training and performance in matches.
Reward: Continued progression and trust from the coaches. ]
Yuto clenched his fists. The system's quest gave him some direction, but it couldn't erase the anxiety gnawing at him. If he failed, everything he had worked for would crumble. And with each new quest, the stakes felt higher and higher.
That afternoon's training session was grueling. The coaches had ramped up the intensity, demanding more focus, more precision, and more stamina from every player. Every mistake was met with sharp criticism, and every player knew they were being watched closely.
Yuto found himself struggling more than usual. His legs felt heavy, and his decision-making seemed slower. During a passing drill, he misread a teammate's run and sent the ball out of bounds.
"Come on, Yuto! Concentrate!" Coach Nakamura barked from the sidelines.
Yuto gritted his teeth, the frustration building. He was trying, but the mental and physical strain was catching up to him. His body was screaming for rest, but there was no time to stop.
During a short break, he sat down on the grass, wiping sweat from his face. His teammates were all talking quietly amongst themselves, but Yuto remained silent, lost in his thoughts.
[ System Alert: Mental strain detected. Performance will decrease if not managed.
Recommendation: Rest or use a temporary boost to maintain performance. ]
Yuto stared at the notification, tempted by the system's offer of a boost. He had been relying on the system more and more, and while it had helped him reach new heights, it also came with risks. The boosts drained his energy faster, and the more he used them, the harder it became to recover. But what choice did he have?
He dismissed the notification, choosing not to activate the boost just yet. He needed to save it for the evaluation matches. If he used it now, he might not have enough left when it truly mattered.
The next few days passed in a blur of intense training sessions and growing tension. Every player was on edge, trying to show the coaches their worth. The competitive atmosphere was palpable—this wasn't just about being teammates anymore; it was about survival.
Yuto struggled to find his rhythm. The exhaustion was becoming harder to push through, and small mistakes began to pile up. During one scrimmage, he lost the ball in midfield, leading to a counter-attack and a goal for the opposition.
"Yuto, get it together!" one of his teammates snapped, frustration evident in his voice.
Yuto bit his tongue, feeling the pressure rise even further. He knew he was letting his team down, but the harder he tried to focus, the more his body seemed to betray him. His mind was clouded with doubts, and it was becoming harder to push through.
A few days before the evaluation, Yuto received a message from the system that caught him off guard.
[ System Alert: New Skill Available – Mental Focus Enhancement
Description: Temporary ability to sharpen focus during critical moments, reducing mental strain for a short period.
Cost: High energy consumption.
Would you like to activate this skill? ]
Yuto hesitated. The skill seemed like exactly what he needed—a way to overcome the mental fog and regain his edge. But the high energy cost worried him. If he used it, he might burn out before the evaluation was even over.
He dismissed the message for now, unsure if the risk was worth it.
The day of the evaluation matches arrived, and Yuto's nerves were at an all-time high. The academy had divided the players into teams for a series of small-sided games, with the coaches observing every move. This was it—the moment that would decide his future at the academy.
Yuto's team was up first. As he walked onto the field, his heart pounded in his chest. The other players seemed just as tense, their eyes darting toward the coaches on the sidelines. The whistle blew, and the game began.
From the start, the intensity was higher than anything Yuto had experienced in the academy. Every player was fighting for their spot, and the game quickly became a battle of endurance and skill. Yuto struggled to keep up, his legs heavy and his mind clouded with fatigue.
[ System Alert: Mental Focus Enhancement recommended for this match.
Would you like to activate the skill? ]
Yuto paused, glancing around the field as the pressure mounted. He knew he was on the verge of making mistakes, and the thought of failing the evaluation terrified him. With a deep breath, he made his decision.
"Activate," he whispered.
[ Skill Activated: Mental Focus Enhancement ]
Almost immediately, Yuto felt a shift. His mind cleared, and the noise of the game seemed to fade into the background. His focus sharpened, and suddenly, the game slowed down. He could see passing lanes more clearly, anticipate the movements of his opponents, and make decisions faster.
He intercepted a pass in midfield, quickly dribbling past a defender and sending a perfect through ball to his teammate. The striker latched onto the pass and slotted the ball into the net. 1-0.
The game continued, and Yuto felt like he was finally back in control. His movements were precise, and his passing was on point. The skill was working, but he could also feel the strain building. His energy was draining rapidly, and with each passing minute, it became harder to maintain the focus.
By the end of the game, Yuto was running on fumes. His legs felt like lead, and his breathing was labored. But he had done it. His team had won, and he had played a key role.
As the final whistle blew, Yuto collapsed onto the grass, completely spent. The mental focus enhancement had pushed him to the edge, but it had also helped him survive the evaluation match.
[ Quest Update: Evaluation match completed. Awaiting results. ]
Now all he could do was wait and hope that it had been enough.