It had been about a week since the trials where Henrik had made his proposal to Kaiser. After a long discussion with his mother, Kaiser decided he would accept Henrik's offer.
But there were still loose ends to tie up before his departure. First on the list was obtaining his secondary school transcript to continue his education abroad.
When Kaiser's mother informed the principal about his plans to go abroad to pursue a football career, the look of surprise on the principal's face was priceless. Word quickly spread among his schoolmates, sparking mixed reactions – some filled with admiration, others tinged with envy.
"Osho, don't forget us when you're famous, oh!" the principal said, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. Kaiser couldn't help but chuckle at her sincerity.
Telling the rest of the family came next. His grandparents and a few select relatives were overjoyed, showering him with good wishes. His mother, always thorough, took him shopping for clothes fit for the Netherlands' unpredictable weather. Winter jackets, gloves, socks, boots, and scarves filled their bags, despite Kaiser's assurances that the academy would provide the essentials.
"It's better to be overprepared than underprepared," his mother said firmly, packing yet another pair of thermal socks into his suitcase.
A week flew by. With their passports stamped and their preparations complete, Kaiser and his mother were ready for the journey ahead.
On the day of departure, they arrived early at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where Henrik and Sanne were waiting for them. Henrik waved them over to the entrance of the international departure terminal.
"All set?" Henrik asked with a smile. Kaiser and his mother nodded, their excitement barely contained.
Their first flight took them to Lagos before a connecting flight to Amsterdam. It was 7:37 PM local time when they finally touched down. The moment Kaiser stepped off the plane, the icy Dutch air hit him like a slap. It was sharp, biting, and unlike anything he'd ever experienced. He exhaled, watching the cold air form a visible mist in front of him.
"Welcome to the Netherlands," Henrik said warmly as they boarded a shuttle to immigration.
After clearing immigration, they loaded their luggage into a "Maxi Taxi" – a spacious van – for the trip into the city.
"So, what do you think of Amsterdam so far?" Henrik asked, glancing at Kaiser and his mother.
Kaiser's mother responded first, her tone polite but sincere. "It's beautiful. This is our first time outside Nigeria, so it's a lot to take in, but it's wonderful."
"And cold," Kaiser added with a wry smile, rubbing his hands together. "Really cold. Abuja's heat didn't prepare me for this."
Henrik chuckled. "You'll get used to it. Soon enough, you'll be complaining it's too warm in the summer."
As the van navigated the streets of Amsterdam, Kaiser's eyes were glued to the window. The city's twinkling lights reflected off the canals, and bicycles zipped by even in the chilly evening air. It was a far cry from the bustling streets of Abuja, but there was something enchanting about it.
"It's so different," Kaiser murmured, almost to himself.
Henrik smiled knowingly. "Different, yes. But you'll find your rhythm here. It's just the beginning, Kaiser."
Sanne had barely said any words since they left the airport in Abuja. In truth, the girl was unhappy. She felt as though Kaiser had played her uncle for a fool.
He had been taken advantage of, spending his own money and coming back with only one prospect when they would need at least four for the director to be happy.
"I'm all right, Uncle, just a bit tired," she said with a warm smile to Henrik, before glancing at Kaiser with a sharp expression for only a moment.
"All right then. I'll let you rest," he said, turning his attention back to chatting with Kaiser's mother about their new environment.
***
"We've arrived," the taxi driver said as they pulled into the driveway of a small but cozy-looking hotel. The building was illuminated by soft yellow lights, its architecture a blend of modern design and Dutch charm.
Henrik stepped out first, holding the door open for Kaiser and his mother. Sanne followed, her expression neutral as she surveyed their surroundings. Inside the hotel lobby, the air was warm and inviting, a welcome contrast to the chill outside.
Henrik approached the reception desk, exchanging a few words in Dutch with the clerk. Moments later, he turned back to Kaiser and his mother.
"Your room is ready. We've arranged for you to stay here for a few days while we finalize everything at the academy," Henrik explained. "Breakfast is included, and if you need anything, just let the staff know."
Kaiser's mother nodded, her gratitude evident. "Thank you so much, Henrik. You've been incredibly kind."
"It's no trouble at all," Henrik replied. "Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, we'll visit the academy and get you settled in."
As they took the elevator up to their room, Kaiser's mind raced with thoughts of the days ahead. The reality of being in a foreign country, the prospect of joining a professional football academy, and the challenges he'd face all swirled together, leaving him both nervous and excited.
When they reached their room, his mother immediately began unpacking, while Kaiser stood by the window, gazing out at the unfamiliar cityscape. The twinkling lights of Amsterdam stretched far into the distance, promising a world of opportunities he had yet to explore.
"It's all happening so fast," he murmured.
His mother paused, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You're ready for this, Kaiser. Trust yourself, and take it one step at a time."
"About a month ago you came up with this idea yourself and worked towards it. We're here because you decided to put in the hard work and God has helped us. You're exactly where you're meant to be." She said as she hugged her son who she was so proud of.
Kaiser nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. For the first time since the journey began, he felt a surge of confidence. This was just the beginning of his story, and he was ready to write it.
It was about 11 PM now and his mother was sound asleep. Kaiser sat on his bed and quietly mumbled "System." As the display screen appeared in front of him.
Since the end of the trials, he had been so occupied that he never even thought to check his rewards from completing the quests.
[Hello user, would you like to view the rewards for the completed quest?] the familiar robotic voice of the system filled the space inside Kaisers head.
"Yes, display the rewards." Kaiser said as he moved to the bathroom of their hotel room. He didn't want to risk waking his mother up.
[Ding! New Skill Unlocked.]
[Vision Level 1]
The system said with a ping.
"Vision.. what is that?" Kaiser asked.
[Vision: A skill that allows the user to see passes and crosses others can not.]
"Oh so it basically improves my passing range?" Kaiser summarized.
[Correct.]
[User has also unlocked the System store and System points.]
[System store possesses skills that can be purchased with system points. System points can be used to improve already existing Skills.]
Kaiser paused for a moment before the biggest grin crept across his face. He could increase his skills and get even more skills, he could actually become the Greatest player of all time.
It was surely an unfair advantage. But he would make complete use of this unfair edge whether anybody knew it or not.