Ethan felt like a storm trapped in a glass bottle. His body hummed with a vitality so intense that it was almost a burden.
This wasn't a simple rush of strength; it was something deeper, like a natural evolution of himself—a force finally awakened and insisting on being used.
He paced back and forth across his room, each step feeling too quick, too light. For a space so generously sized, it suddenly felt like a cage.
The walls, despite their luxury, seemed to inch closer with every breath, and the air itself buzzed around him.
'Is this what happens when you're given more strength than you know what to do with?' he wondered, rubbing a hand through his hair, though the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed a spark of excitement.
His muscles twitched as though urging him into action. His thoughts raced ahead of him—new ideas, new ambitions—until the only certainty left was that he couldn't stay still a moment longer.
Going out. That was the only way for him.
Ethan descended the stairs two at a time, a bundle of momentum barely held together. In the living room, the scene was the picture of cozy domesticity.
His parents were deep in conversation, voices lilting softly over a cup of coffee, while Jacob sat glued to the television, hammering at his video game controller like it owed him a favor. Lily sprawled on the couch nearby, only half-watching something animated on TV.
Ethan barely slowed down as he passed through. "Mom, Dad. I'm going for a run," he announced, his voice carrying a touch of haste.
Aaron looked up, his expression hovering somewhere between curiosity and mild amusement. "A run? Now?"
"Yes. Just—need to move," Ethan called back over his shoulder, already lacing up his shoes near the front door.
Before anyone could ask a question, he was gone—out the door, down the drive, and into the open air of Crescent Ridge Estate. The door's quiet thud marked his departure, and for a moment, the house seemed to hold its breath.
It was Lily who broke the silence. She sat up abruptly, staring toward the door where Ethan had just vanished.
"Wait a minute," she said slowly, eyes narrowing as though puzzling over something. "Did… did anyone else notice something different about Ethan just now?"
Aaron and Elise glanced at each other. "What kind of difference?" Elise asked, curious but smiling as though she already knew where this conversation was headed.
Lily's brows furrowed as she searched for the right words. "Taller? Leaner? And…" she hesitated, waving her hands vaguely, "handsome—but not, like, regular handsome. It's like his face decided to get an upgrade."
Jacob, without taking his eyes off the television, chimed in with all the wisdom of a boy holding a game controller. "Two possibilities. One, you've watched too much TV, and it's melted in your brain. Two, Ethan's too successful now, and his whole body is just radiating that vibe."
Lily didn't bother with a retort; she simply grabbed a pillow and smacked him soundly on the side of the head. "You're impossible," she huffed.
Jacob, unbothered, leaned away, muttering something about "unappreciated genius."
Their parents, meanwhile, laughed quietly, the sound rich and warm in the room. Elise shook her head with fond exasperation. "Well," she said thoughtfully, "it's not just Lily. I've noticed it, too. He's been changing over the past week."
Aaron nodded in agreement, his tone calm but thoughtful. "It's like he's had a second growth spurt," he said. "The way he carries himself, the way he moves—it's different."
They both knew Ethan had always been athletic—good enough at football to stand out—but somewhere along the line, those gifts had been left to gather dust.
Now, though, it wasn't so hard to believe that with the weight of money troubles lifted, their son might have started looking after himself again.
"Muscle memory," Aaron added as though concluding a logical thought aloud. "Give a body like his the right push, and it doesn't take long to catch up."
Lily slumped back into the couch, arms crossed but eyes still on the door. "If he turns into some superhero while we're stuck here being regular people, I'm going to be mad," she declared, though there was no real bite in her words—just a hint of pride she wouldn't admit.
Jacob snorted, his attention still firmly on his game. "Speak for yourself. I'm already a superhero."
Lily lobbed another pillow at him, this time missing spectacularly.
Elise and Aaron exchanged another glance, their smiles tinged with quiet understanding.
Whatever was happening to Ethan—whatever it was, that had changed their son—it was something to marvel at, not to question.
"Let him run," Aaron said softly, the words carrying a weight of trust.
And outside, beneath the open sky and the weightless air, Ethan ran—because, at that moment, he could.
The morning greeted Ethan with a sharpness that felt almost alive. The air was crisp, brimming with the freshness of a world yet untouched by the day's noise.
Colors seemed richer and sharper, as if someone had turned up the saturation in reality. Even the distant hum of the estate's sprinklers carried a clarity that made him pause.
For a moment, he stood still, letting it all sink in. Then, with a slow breath, he began to jog, his steps light and deliberate. The rhythm came naturally, effortlessly, as though his body had been waiting for this all along.
The vast expanse of Crescent Ridge unfolded around him—a paradise of manicured perfection. The lawns were too green to be real, the houses too large to be practical, yet here they all were, monuments to ambition and wealth.
Ethan looked around at the impressive sights, a small smile on his face.
"I can't believe it has come to this," he quietly said to himself.
He didn't feel bitter or in disbelief. Instead, he quietly recognized how much he had achieved. Living among the elite had its charm, but to Ethan, this was only a stepping stone, a marker on a much longer road.
Ahead, the estate's clubhouse came into view, standing proud like the beating heart of Crescent Ridge. Its polished facade hinted at everything within: Olympic pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, and sprawling football fields that seemed to stretch endlessly.
A haven for the determined and the privileged.
"Maybe I'll hit the gym after this," Ethan thought, the corners of his mouth lifting into a grin.
He already knew what awaited him there. The weights that once mocked him with their immovability would now feel like playthings. But first, there was a run to finish.
As he rounded a corner, his pace quickened instinctively. The thrill of motion, the steady pulse of energy coursing through him—it was addictive.
The scenery blurred past, his body thrumming with power. His breathing stayed calm and steady, even as his strides grew longer and faster.
'I should be tired by now,' he thought, marveling at the ease with which his body obeyed. Yet there was no sign of fatigue—just an endless well of energy urging him onward.
The wind whipped past him, carrying snippets of conversation from joggers he overtook with startling speed.
"Isn't that the new guy?"
"He's not even out of breath!"
"Faster than the guards," someone muttered in astonishment.
Ethan couldn't help but chuckle, his grin widening. Their awe wasn't what pleased him—it was the confirmation of his transformation. His body had become a perfect machine, every movement efficient and precise.
Then, just as the clubhouse loomed closer, something else caught his eye. To the side, sprawled across emerald fields, a football team was training.
Ethan slowed his pace, his gaze locking onto the green-and-black kits. His heart skipped a beat. Ridge City FC.
The name brought back a feeling he hadn't experienced in years. Ridge City is a second-division team in the National Football League of Arland. It may not be well-known, but to Ethan, it felt very significant.
He stopped at the edge of the pitch, his breathing still steady as his eyes followed the ball zipping across the field. Memories rushed in—school leagues, cheering crowds, the exhilaration of a perfectly timed goal.
For a time, football had been everything. He'd been good—more than good. Coaches had noticed, and opportunities had appeared. There'd even been talk of youth academies, the kind that could launch a career.
But dreams are heavy things when carried alone. His family couldn't afford the fees, and reality, as it often does, had stepped in to end the fantasy.
Ethan folded his arms, watching the team run drills with practiced precision. That old, familiar spark flickered to life within him.
"Maybe I never really let go of that dream," he admitted softly, almost to himself.
The sound of nearby voices broke his reverie. Two staff members stood just within earshot, their conversation low but audible.
"The owner's had enough," one of the staff said, his voice heavy with resignation. "He's planning to sell the club soon. No profit, no progress—what's the point? We can't compete for decent players, and the facilities are falling apart."
The other nodded grimly, his expression mirroring the sentiment. "It's a pity, though. The club has so much potential, but without the resources to invest properly, it's just treading water."
Ethan's steps slowed, his ears catching every word with a sharpness he hadn't expected.
A football club for sale? He stood at the edge of the pitch, the faint hum of the morning fading as his mind began to turn.
This wasn't about the boyhood dreams that once consumed him—of trophies lifted high, of roaring crowds chanting his name. Those dreams had dimmed with time and softened into something quieter.
No, this was different.
It wasn't the allure of the pitch that tugged at him now but the vast possibilities it presented. Ridge City FC might not be a team of national acclaim, but it was a foundation. It had potential. And, with the right vision, it could become something extraordinary.
Ethan's thoughts sharpened. 'A football club... with NovaTech's logo on the jerseys. NovaTech banners line the stadium. NovaTech is in every highlight reel and every televised match.'
The idea felt audacious, almost absurd—and yet thrilling. The gears of his mind turned faster. This wasn't just a childhood whim rekindled. It was strategy.
A way to build NovaTech's brand, to weave its name into something cultural, something people connected with beyond the realm of tech.
For a moment, he stood still, the quiet buzz of possibility hanging in the air.
And then, as if answering the unspoken thought, that familiar chime echoed in his mind—soft, clear, and unmistakable.
=====
[Mission: Own the Game]
Objective: Acquire Ridge City FC and develop it into a top-tier football club by the end of the season.
Sub-objectives:
1. Purchase Ridge City FC.
2. Hire a professional management team and coaching staff.
3. Strengthen the squad by recruiting talented players.
4. Upgrade the club's facilities to meet international standards.
5. Ensure a top-three finish in the league by the end of the season.
Reward:
1. Level up 5 levels
2. 150 Ascension Points
Time Limit:
Complete by the end of the football season (10 months)
=====
"It seems I can't get away from football then," Ethan mused with a chuckle.
The system had allowed Ethan to take his business to the next level. Ridge City FC wasn't just a struggling football team but a potential goldmine for expanding NovaTech's reach.
"For the first time, the mission comes with a deadline," said Ethan. He was wondering if the future missions would be this way, too.
Before Ethan could fully process this, another notification appeared, tying together the potential to grow the football club and his business empire.
=====
[Mission: Boost NovaTech's Growth Through Ridge City FC]
Objective: Use Ridge City FC to drive NovaTech's brand visibility and generate significant business growth.
Sub-objectives:
1. Become the Main Sponsor: Secure NovaTech as Ridge City FC's main sponsor, featuring prominently on team jerseys, stadium banners, and all media promotions.
2. Increase Social Media Presence: Boost Ridge City FC's social media following by at least 50%, leveraging NovaTech's branding to engage new audiences and bring visibility to the company.
3. Organize Two Major Events: Plan and execute two high-profile events that link Ridge City FC and NovaTech, using them as strategic marketing tools to elevate both brands.
4. Revenue Growth: Achieve a 20% increase in revenue for both Ridge City FC and NovaTech by the end of the football season through partnerships, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
Rewards:
1. 150 Ascension Points
2. +50 All Attributes
Time Limit:
Complete by the end of the football season (10 months)
=====
'This is no joke,' Ethan thought.
The system had everything laid out perfectly, and the opportunity ahead was massive. But for Ethan, it wasn't just about playing football anymore.
It was about transforming Ridge City FC into a leading force, using this platform to elevate both Novatech's brand and his personal standing.
Ethan's thoughts raced as he considered his next steps. "I need to talk with the owner, then," he decided.
At that moment, he noticed a middle-aged man dressed in a sharp suit approaching the field. Everyone on the coaching team shook his hand.
The man's walk and overall presence exuded fatigue. As his gaze swept over the players, his tired and heavy eyes seemed to carry the immense pressure of ownership.
'That must be the owner,' Ethan realized instantly.
Without a second hesitation, Ethan walked over. Even in his jogging gear, which was far from the typical businessman's attire, he moved with an undeniable sense of authority that didn't go unnoticed by the staff nearby.
"Hello, can I talk to you for a moment?" said Ethan.
The owner spun around, clearly caught off guard by the sudden approach. "Can I help you?" he inquired, his voice polite yet cautious.
Ethan greeted him with a confident smile. "You're the owner, right?"
The owner nodded, "Why?"
Ethan smiled and said, "Actually, I think I can help you. I've heard you might be considering selling the club. If that's true, I'd like to discuss an offer."
The owner took a moment to size up Ethan, his gaze lingering. Under normal circumstances, he might have called for security at such an unexpected proposition.
However, this was no ordinary place, and those who frequented or lived here were far from ordinary.
The owner raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the proposition. "You're serious about this? You do realize this club isn't exactly raking in the profits, but still, it would cost you a fortune," he pointed out, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
Ethan smiled and confidently responded, "Well, I have that fortune if you're worried about that."
The owner took a moment to look at Ethan, his initial skepticism slowly fading. Nodding, he said, "Alright, let's talk over there."
Edited: 20 December 2024
Author's Note:
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