The next few days passed in a haze for Yuto. His mind was still consumed with the system's looming choice, but he tried to focus on his training, on improving his skills without relying on the system's boosts. Every day felt like a battle—his teammates pushing forward, and Yuto trying to prove to himself that he could keep up without activating the skills that once made him stand out.
His performance fluctuated. Some days, he managed to hold his own, his passes crisp and his movement sharp. But on other days, it felt like he was lagging behind, making mistakes that frustrated him to no end. The inconsistency gnawed at him, just like the scout had mentioned.
One afternoon, after another tough training session, Coach Nakamura called Yuto into his office.
"Come in, Yuto," Nakamura said, motioning for him to take a seat. His expression was unreadable, which made Yuto's anxiety spike. Had the scout lost interest? Was this about his recent performance?
"I just got off the phone with a scout," Nakamura began, his voice calm but serious. "He's interested in you, but there are still some concerns about your consistency. He mentioned that your highs are incredible, but your lows… well, they could be better."
Yuto shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He had already heard this before, but hearing it again only made him more anxious. "What does that mean? Did he change his mind?"
Nakamura shook his head. "No, he didn't. In fact, he's still interested. He represents a club, and they want to bring you in for trials."
Yuto's heart leaped in his chest. This was it. His chance to break into the professional world.
"What club?" he asked, barely able to contain his excitement.
"FC Yokohama," Nakamura said, watching Yuto carefully. "They're known for developing young talent. It's a great opportunity."
FC Yokohama was a prestigious club, especially for academy players looking to break into professional football. The thought of wearing their jersey, playing on their pitch, and learning from seasoned coaches sent a surge of excitement through Yuto.
[ System Alert: New Quest Available – Attend FC Yokohama Trial
Objective: Perform well during the trial to secure a spot on the team.
Reward: Official offer from FC Yokohama. ]
Yuto glanced at the system's notification, his excitement tempered by the now-familiar pressure of the quests. The system always had a way of turning opportunities into challenges, and this time was no different.
"When's the trial?" Yuto asked, his mind already racing with preparation plans.
"Next week," Nakamura replied. "But before you get ahead of yourself, I want you to focus on one thing—consistency. You're talented, Yuto, but talent isn't enough. The professional world is unforgiving. You need to prove that you can perform at your best all the time, not just when you're in the zone."
Yuto nodded, taking in the weight of Nakamura's words. He knew the coach was right, and the system's constant interference wasn't helping. This trial would be his chance to show that he could stand on his own.
That evening, Yuto lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind was buzzing with excitement and nerves, thinking about the trial at FC Yokohama. The opportunity was huge—something he had dreamed about for as long as he could remember. But mixed in with the excitement was that familiar sense of uncertainty.
He opened the system's interface, looking at the quest details again. There it was: Perform well during the trial. It was simple enough, but the pressure that came with it was immense. Yuto had to decide—would he rely on the system's boosts to secure his place, or would he face this trial on his own terms?
[ System Alert: Energy recovery at 85%. Skill usage will be limited for the next 72 hours unless additional resources are consumed. ]
Yuto sighed. He could activate the system's skills during the trial, but that meant risking his energy levels again, just like in the previous match. The strain from relying on the system's boosts was becoming more apparent, and Yuto wasn't sure if he could handle another collapse in front of professional coaches and scouts.
The system had been his crutch for so long, but now, with everything on the line, Yuto felt like he needed to start trusting himself more.
The days leading up to the trial passed quickly. Yuto trained harder than ever, pushing himself during every drill, every scrimmage. He worked on his passing, his positioning, his stamina—trying to eliminate the mistakes that had plagued him during recent matches. Kazuki was a constant presence by his side, encouraging him and offering advice where he could.
"You're looking sharper," Kazuki commented during one of their post-practice runs. "But remember, the trial's going to be tough. Yokohama's academy players are no joke."
"I know," Yuto replied, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I've been doing everything I can to prepare."
Kazuki gave him a thoughtful look. "Just don't lose sight of what got you here. You've always had something special, Yuto. Don't let the pressure get to you."
Yuto nodded, appreciating the support but knowing that Kazuki didn't fully understand the inner turmoil he was facing. The system had been both a blessing and a curse, and the choice looming over him was becoming harder to ignore.
The day of the trial arrived, and Yuto found himself standing in front of the towering gates of FC Yokohama's training grounds. His stomach was a knot of nerves as he walked through, surrounded by other trialists who looked just as anxious as he felt. Some of them were older, bigger, and more experienced. Others had the same wide-eyed expression as Yuto, all of them hoping for a shot at making the team.
As Yuto changed into his training gear, he tried to push the doubts out of his mind. The system's quest lingered in the back of his thoughts, a constant reminder of the pressure he was under. But this was his moment—he had worked hard to get here, and he wasn't about to let it slip away.
The trial started with warm-ups, then drills—passing, shooting, tactical movements. The coaches watched intently, scribbling notes as the players went through the paces. Yuto focused on each touch, each pass, trying to stay calm and controlled. So far, everything was going smoothly.
Then came the scrimmage—an 11 vs. 11 match that would give the coaches a chance to see how the trialists performed in a game situation. Yuto was assigned to central midfield, his preferred position, and as the whistle blew, he quickly found himself in the thick of the action.
The level of play was intense. The other trialists weren't just good—they were relentless. The speed of the game was faster than what Yuto was used to, and the pressure was suffocating. His first few touches were fine, but as the game wore on, he felt the strain of trying to keep up.
[ System Alert: Player performance below optimal levels. Would you like to activate "Stamina Boost"? ]
Yuto's heart raced as the system's offer appeared in his vision. He was exhausted, and the game was only halfway through. The temptation to use the system's boost was overwhelming, but deep down, Yuto knew that this was the moment he had been dreading—the moment he had to decide if he could face this challenge without relying on the system.
Sweat dripped down his face as he hesitated. The ball was coming his way, and he had only a split second to react. His instincts kicked in, and Yuto made the decision that would define his trial.
"Deactivate," he whispered under his breath, turning the system off completely.
The next few minutes were a blur of action. Without the system's boosts, every step felt heavier, every movement slower. Yuto had to rely on his own judgment, his own instincts. He made mistakes—passes that didn't connect, tackles that were a second too late. But he also found moments where everything clicked. He sent a perfect through ball to the forward, who scored with ease. He made a crucial interception that stopped a counterattack.
He was playing as himself, flaws and all.
As the final whistle blew, Yuto collapsed to the ground, exhausted but strangely satisfied. He had made it through the trial without the system's help. Now, all that was left was to wait and see if it had been enough.