Yuto laid on the cool grass, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he tried to catch his breath. The evaluation match had pushed him beyond his limits, and every muscle in his body screamed in protest. His mind was a whirl of exhaustion and satisfaction—he had managed to keep up, to shine, even when the pressure seemed insurmountable.
But the cost had been steep.
[ System Alert: Mental and physical exhaustion detected. Immediate recovery recommended. ]
Yuto groaned inwardly, knowing the system's warning was more than justified. His body felt completely drained, and the mental toll of using the "Mental Focus Enhancement" skill lingered like a dull headache. He had used the system to its fullest, but now he was paying the price.
The players gathered on the sidelines after the match, their faces a mix of relief and tension. Each one knew that their future in the academy hung in the balance, and they exchanged nervous glances as the coaches deliberated nearby.
Yuto could barely pay attention to the chatter around him. His focus was fractured, and his body craved rest. But amidst the haze of exhaustion, his thoughts returned to the coaches. Had they noticed him? Was his performance enough to secure his place?
Coach Nakamura stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he addressed the group.
"You all gave it your best out there," he began, his tone calm but firm. "But as you know, not everyone will stay. We're looking for players who can elevate their game, who show consistency under pressure. Today's match was only one piece of the puzzle, and we'll be evaluating your performances across the board."
The players stood in silence, hanging onto every word.
"We'll announce the results tomorrow. For now, rest up. You'll need your strength for the next phase."
Yuto's heart sank. Tomorrow. Another sleepless night of anticipation. He watched as the players slowly dispersed, some exchanging quiet words of encouragement, others retreating into their own thoughts. Yuto, still reeling from the intensity of the match, struggled to rise to his feet.
"Yuto," a voice called out.
He turned to see Kazuki, one of the more experienced players, approaching. Kazuki had been with the academy longer than most and was known for his composed presence both on and off the field. His sharp eyes studied Yuto, his expression neutral but curious.
"You looked different out there today," Kazuki remarked, crossing his arms. "Focused. Almost... unnatural."
Yuto's stomach tightened. Had someone noticed the system's influence? He had always kept its existence a secret, knowing that relying on something so unnatural could raise suspicion.
"I just… pushed myself," Yuto replied, trying to sound casual. "I knew this was a big match."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow, unconvinced but unwilling to press further. "Well, whatever it was, you'll need more of it. The evaluation isn't just about today. They've been watching all of us for weeks. Keep that in mind."
With that, Kazuki walked away, leaving Yuto standing alone, his mind racing. The evaluation wasn't just about one match? Had he already fallen short in the weeks leading up to this?
[ System Alert: Quest Update – Evaluation results pending. ]
The system's message did little to ease his growing anxiety.
That night, Yuto lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling of the academy dormitory. His body screamed for rest, but his mind refused to cooperate. Thoughts of failure, of being cut from the academy, swirled in his head. What would he do if he didn't make it? How would he face his family, his friends, after coming so close?
He reached for his phone, contemplating messaging his sister for some words of encouragement. But before he could, the system chimed in again.
[ System Alert: Recovery options available.
Option 1: Use a stamina boost to temporarily recover physical and mental energy. Cost: High energy consumption in the following days.
Option 2: Natural recovery. Recommended for long-term stability. ]
Yuto stared at the options, his finger hovering over the first. The temptation to use a stamina boost gnawed at him. He had pushed himself to the edge today, and part of him craved the immediate relief the boost could provide. But he knew the cost. He had already experienced the aftermath of relying too heavily on the system.
"I need to make it on my own," Yuto whispered to himself, his finger moving away from the first option. He chose the second—natural recovery.
The system dimmed, and Yuto closed his eyes, hoping sleep would come soon.
The next morning, the academy was buzzing with energy. The tension from yesterday's evaluation still hung in the air, but today was the day of reckoning. The players gathered in the common area, each trying to mask their nerves as they waited for the coaches to post the results.
Yuto's heart pounded as Coach Nakamura finally stepped forward with the list in hand.
"The names on this list are the players who have shown the most potential, the ones we believe can progress within the academy. If your name is not on the list, I encourage you to keep working hard. This is not the end of your journey."
Coach Nakamura pinned the paper to the board and stepped aside. The players swarmed around the list, eager to see their fate.
Yuto hung back, his body frozen in place. His legs felt like lead, and his stomach churned with dread. What if his name wasn't there? What if all his efforts had been in vain?
[ System Alert: Emotional strain detected. Relaxation recommended. ]
Yuto ignored the system's advice, taking a deep breath as he finally pushed through the crowd to see the list. His eyes scanned the names, heart pounding with each passing second.
And then, there it was—Yuto Arakawa.
Relief washed over him like a wave. He had made it. He wasn't going to be cut.
But before Yuto could fully process the moment, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Coach Nakamura, his expression unreadable.
"Congratulations, Yuto. You've earned your spot," the coach said. "But don't get comfortable. The road only gets harder from here. I expect more from you, especially after what I saw yesterday."
Yuto nodded, his relief tempered by the weight of the coach's words. He had passed this test, but the next challenge was already looming on the horizon.
That afternoon, Yuto returned to the training ground, his body still tired but his spirit renewed. As he stepped onto the field, he felt the familiar buzz of the system activating.
[ New Quest Available: Impress the Scout
Objective: Stand out in upcoming matches to catch the attention of professional scouts.
Reward: Potential club offers. ]
Yuto's eyes widened. The stakes were rising, and now the possibility of being scouted by a professional club was within reach.
This was his chance to take the next step, to move beyond the academy and into the professional world. But with that opportunity came even greater challenges—and Yuto knew the system's help would only get him so far.