The Forge Academy Grounds –
The next week marked Alvaro's official start as a player at The Forge. His excitement at being accepted quickly gave way to the relentless pace of the academy. From the moment he stepped onto the pitch each day, the intensity was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
Coach Delgado wasted no time setting the tone.
"Listen up," Delgado said, addressing the group of twenty boys. "You're here because you've shown promise. But The Forge is not for the faint-hearted. Every single day is a trial. Every mistake will cost you. Do you want to wear the crest of Blanco Royal? Prove it."
The boys nodded, their faces set with determination. Alvaro stood among them, his heart pounding with both anticipation and nerves.
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Training sessions at The Forge were meticulously structured. Mornings began with fitness drills, followed by technical exercises focusing on passing, dribbling, and shooting. Afternoons were reserved for tactical work, where the boys learned to read the game and execute complex strategies.
For Alvaro, the physical demands were grueling. By the end of each day, his legs felt like lead, and every muscle in his body ached. But as exhausting as it was, he loved every moment.He know he was growing every day and every moment, he was improving throughout the grueling days.
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It didn't take long for Alvaro to notice that not everyone was happy with his presence—chief among them, Leo Morales. The flashy striker had a reputation for being the best in his age group before Alvaro arrived, and he seemed determined to remind everyone of it.
During a small-sided scrimmage, Morales repeatedly ignored Alvaro's calls for the ball, choosing instead to attempt impossible solo runs. When Morales lost possession for the third time, Alvaro couldn't hold back.
"Leo!" Alvaro shouted. "We're a team. Pass the ball!"
Morales whirled around, his expression defiant. "Maybe if you were faster, I wouldn't have to do it all myself."
Before Alvaro could respond, Delgado blew his whistle.
"Enough!" the coach barked. "Morales, if you want to play hero, there's the door. At The Forge, we play as a team. Understood?"
Morales muttered something under his breath but nodded.
Delgado turned to Alvaro. "And you—focus on your own game. Let your performance speak for itself."
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Not everyone was as antagonistic as Morales. Alvaro found a friend in Raul Vega, a quick-footed winger with a knack for creating chances out of nothing.
"You handled Leo well today," Raul said one afternoon as they sat on the grass during a break.
"Barely," Alvaro replied with a small smile. "He's not going to make it easy for me."
"Don't worry about him," Raul said. "The coaches see through that stuff. You're here for a reason."
The words bolstered Alvaro's confidence, and he began to feel more at home at The Forge.
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At the end of the week, Delgado announced a full-pitch scrimmage, dividing the players into two teams. For Alvaro, this was the first chance to showcase his abilities in a match setting.
The game began at a furious pace, with players vying to impress the coaches. Alvaro, stationed in central midfield, worked tirelessly to connect defense and attack, directing his teammates and looking for openings.
In the 15th minute, Morales received the ball on the edge of the box. Instead of passing to an open Raul, he took a wild shot that sailed over the bar.
"Leo!" Raul shouted, throwing up his hands in frustration.
Alvaro clenched his fists but stayed silent.
As the game progressed, Alvaro began to impose himself more. In the 30th minute, he intercepted a pass near midfield and launched a quick counterattack. Spotting Raul sprinting down the wing, he delivered a perfectly weighted pass that split the defense.
Raul crossed the ball into the box, and another forward tapped it into the net.
"Great play, Cortez!" Delgado called out from the sidelines.
The praise fueled Alvaro, and he continued to orchestrate the game with composure and intelligence.
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At halftime, Delgado pulled Alvaro aside.
"You've got good vision, Cortez," Delgado said. "But i want you to be a leader. Leadership isn't just about what you do with the ball. It's about lifting the players around you—even the difficult ones."
Alvaro nodded, understanding what Delgado meant.
In the second half, he made a conscious effort to involve Morales, passing to him in promising positions and encouraging him to stay focused. Slowly, Morales began to respond, and by the end of the game, the two had combined for a well-worked goal.
The final score didn't matter as much as the progress they had made as a team.
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After the scrimmage, Delgado addressed the players.
"Good work today," he said. "Some of you showed that you're ready to take responsibility. Others need to learn what it means to play for this club."
His eyes briefly lingered on Morales before turning to Alvaro.
"Cortez, you're starting to understand what it takes to lead. Keep going."
The words filled Alvaro with a quiet pride.
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That night, as Alvaro lay in bed, he thought about Delgado's advice and the challenges of the past week. He had faced physical exhaustion, rivalry, and moments of doubt, but he had also begun to grow as a player and a leader.It was a very pleasant experience,he enjoyed it very much.
He wasn't just dreaming of wearing the crest of Blanco Royal anymore—he was working for it.
With a deep breath, he closed his eyes, ready for whatever came next.
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