The news of Yuto's successful evaluation had barely settled in when Coach Nakamura announced an important event for the academy players. A professional club scout would be attending their upcoming match—an opportunity that could change the course of Yuto's career.
The morning air was heavy with tension as Yuto and his teammates gathered for training. The weight of the upcoming match was palpable. For most of them, this was the first time a professional scout had shown interest, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
Yuto stood at the edge of the field, his mind racing. The thought of performing in front of a scout made his pulse quicken. He wasn't the only one feeling the pressure—every player had something to prove, and Yuto knew that even one mistake could mean losing his chance.
[ System Alert: Quest Update – Impress the Scout
Objective: Deliver an outstanding performance in the match to capture the scout's attention.
Reward: Increased reputation and potential club offers. ]
The pressure from the system's quest only added to Yuto's stress. He had never been in a situation like this before, where every pass, every run, and every decision could shape his future. Yuto swallowed hard and tried to focus, but the anxiety gnawed at him.
"Yuto!" Kazuki called from across the field, waving him over. "Let's run through some drills."
Yuto jogged over, grateful for the distraction. Kazuki was a calming presence, and training with him often helped Yuto find his focus. They began running passing drills, keeping the ball moving between them with sharp, precise touches.
"You ready for the match tomorrow?" Kazuki asked casually, though his tone was laced with the same tension everyone felt.
Yuto hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "I don't know. It's a lot of pressure."
Kazuki nodded, his expression softening. "It is. But that's part of the game, right? If we want to play at the top level, we have to handle this kind of pressure. Just remember, the scout is here for everyone—not just you. Don't try to do everything yourself."
Yuto appreciated Kazuki's advice, but it was easier said than done. The system's quest had drilled into him that he needed to stand out, and that drive to perform was growing stronger by the minute.
The day of the match arrived faster than Yuto had expected. He stood in the locker room, lacing up his boots, his heart pounding in his chest. The scout had already arrived, sitting in the stands with Coach Nakamura, his eyes fixed on the field.
As Yuto walked out with his teammates, the atmosphere felt electric. The other academy teams and even some local supporters had gathered to watch, knowing that this match could determine the future of several players.
The whistle blew, and the game was underway.
Yuto started in midfield, immediately getting involved in the play. His movements were deliberate, calculated, but his mind buzzed with nervous energy. Every time he touched the ball, he was hyper-aware of the scout watching from the stands.
[ System Alert: Player focus levels low. Would you like to activate "Mental Focus Enhancement"? ]
Yuto hesitated for a brief second. He had used the skill during the evaluation match, and it had given him an edge, but the energy cost had been severe. Still, the temptation was strong—if there was ever a time to use it, this was it.
"Activate," Yuto whispered under his breath.
[ Skill Activated: Mental Focus Enhancement ]
A wave of clarity washed over Yuto as the noise of the crowd and the weight of the pressure faded into the background. His mind sharpened, and suddenly, the game slowed down. He could see the runs of his teammates, the gaps in the opposition's defense, and the patterns forming across the field.
Yuto received the ball at midfield and immediately spotted an opening. With a deft touch, he threaded a pass through two defenders, perfectly timed for the forward, who was making a run toward goal. The striker controlled the ball and fired it into the net, putting Yuto's team ahead.
The crowd erupted in cheers, but Yuto barely registered it. His focus was locked onto the game.
Minutes later, Yuto found himself in another key moment. The opposing team was pressing hard, and their midfielder had broken through the defense. Yuto sprinted back, intercepting the ball with a perfectly timed tackle before quickly launching a counterattack.
His teammates fed off his energy, pushing harder and faster. Yuto's movements were fluid, his decisions precise. Every pass, every run, every tackle—it all felt natural. For the first time in a long time, Yuto felt like he was in complete control.
But as the game wore on, the toll of the skill began to show. His legs grew heavy, and his breathing became labored. The mental strain from maintaining such intense focus was catching up to him.
With ten minutes left in the match, Yuto could feel his energy waning. He glanced toward the sidelines, where the scout sat, still watching intently. This was his moment—he had to push through.
With five minutes left on the clock, the opposing team was awarded a corner. Yuto positioned himself near the edge of the box, ready to defend. The ball was swung in high, and the attackers surged forward. Yuto saw the danger too late—one of their forwards broke free from his marker, heading the ball toward the top corner.
Instinct kicked in. Yuto sprinted toward the goal line, leaping at the last second to clear the ball off the line with his head. The crowd gasped, and the scout leaned forward, clearly impressed.
Yuto hit the ground hard, the impact jarring his already exhausted body. He pushed himself up, ignoring the pain, but his vision swam. His legs felt like lead, and his head throbbed from the strain of the mental focus skill.
[ System Alert: Critical energy levels detected. Deactivate skill to prevent physical collapse. ]
Yuto's heart pounded in his chest. He knew he needed to deactivate the skill, but the game wasn't over yet. If he turned it off now, he might not have the energy to finish the match.
But if he didn't, the system's warning was clear—his body wouldn't hold out much longer.
Yuto made the call. "Deactivate."
The mental clarity disappeared in an instant, and the weight of exhaustion crashed down on him. His vision blurred, and he struggled to stay on his feet. But the match was almost over. Just a few more minutes.
The final whistle blew, and Yuto collapsed to the ground, barely able to breathe. His teammates surrounded him, congratulating him on his performance, but Yuto could hardly hear them. His body felt completely drained, every muscle aching from the effort.
As he lay there, staring up at the sky, a shadow loomed over him. Yuto blinked, squinting against the sunlight to see who it was.
It was the scout.
"You've got potential, kid," the scout said, his voice steady. "Keep playing like that, and you'll go far. I'll be keeping an eye on you."
Yuto tried to respond, but his exhaustion kept him silent. The scout gave him a nod before walking away, leaving Yuto lying on the field, his mind spinning.
[ Quest Complete: Impress the Scout
Reward: Increased reputation and potential club offers. ]
As his teammates helped him to his feet, Yuto felt a mix of emotions—relief, pride, and the faint flicker of something else. For the first time, he could see a glimpse of his future beyond the academy. But the road ahead was still long, and he knew the system's boosts wouldn't always be enough.
Now, it was up to him to prove that he could make it on his own.