Emmy ended up getting a few more hits from Alice after they got back to the class. Their class contained no more than 30 students, and Alice was currently the class president. As one of the most brilliant and strongest in the class, and also admired by all the boys, she got more votes than anyone else when choosing the class president.
She had been Emmy's seatmate since their first year in senior school and always clung to him all around the school. He had always found her annoying from the start because he couldn't understand why she liked hanging out with him. Although, talking of beauty among the boys in the school, only a few outmatched Emmy in that aspect. With his well-chiseled face, golden wavy hair that shone brightly, and his striking appearance, he stood out. Emmy had always thought she approached him because of his good looks, but he quickly realized that compared to Alice, who looked like a fairy, his appearance paled in comparison. So, it made no sense for her to cling to him because of his looks.
Emmy had always been shy around her before, but now that they were more acquainted, he spoke casually and acted ordinary around her. However, he still never failed to anger her with his words, and she always disciplined him when that happened. The same thing had happened today.
After their little argument, Alice was preoccupied with the class resumption work, sorting out information and arranging other things. As the class president, all these minor tasks were left to her and her assistant. Emmy, on the other hand, did nothing but wait in anticipation for lunch so he could meet up with the school coach and ask for permission to train on the school field after closing time.
They had done absolutely nothing today, being the first day of resumption; all they did was play and catch up with friends about their summer holidays. Official school activities were set to begin on the second day.
After the bell for lunch sounded, Emmy wasted no time running to the school field, where the coach was always found at this time. However, upon arriving, Emmy was surprised to find not only the coach on the field but also students training intensely.
'Huh? Were they supposed to train on the first day of resumption? What's going on?'
Emmy thought, standing at the entrance of the field.
The coach, Mr. Enzo, sensing his approach, turned around and said,
"Oh, Emmy, you're late. Seeing you here means you've awakened your ability."
Coach Enzo smiled as he spoke. Emmy nodded and walked over to him, his feet buckling under him as a sudden wave of nervousness hit. He felt cold as the coach mentioned his awakening. His conscience gnawed at him.
Swallowing hard, he asked,
"Erm... coach, what's going on? Were we supposed to train on the first day of resumption?"
The coach smiled, turned back to face the students training on the field, and said,
"I sent a message to everyone during the holiday. You probably didn't receive it because you hadn't awakened at the time."
The coach continued,
"As a new season begins next year, there will be all kinds of new competitions in soccer—both in the pro league, youth league, and school league. But for the youth and school leagues, things will be slightly different. Instead of starting next season, everything will begin this year.
At the end of this year, we'll have a competition called the Summer Championship among all the schools in Nara City. A couple of months after that, there will be another one known as the End of the Year School Cup, also among the schools in Nara City.
The same thing will be happening simultaneously in other cities. These competitions have been introduced by the sports officials to keep people's minds away from future calamities, constantly giving them a sense of entertainment with intense competition.
So, I want you to know that the future will be very intense and competitive. If you're not confident enough to shine on the field and gain the crowd's recognition, then it's not too late for you to be among the audience."
The coach's words lit a fire in Emmy, who couldn't help but smile brightly, his white teeth gleaming under the sun. This was exactly the opportunity he needed to rise to the pro league. If he could shine in these two upcoming competitions, several pro teams would have their eyes on him already.
Noticing his smile, the coach chuckled.
"You're smiling,"
He remarked.
"Coach, can I join the training?"
Emmy asked, his eyes brimming with excitement.
"Of course, but you have to run five laps around the field before you can join,"
The coach replied with a smile, gesturing for him to get changed.
Emmy looked around the field, staring at the distant goalpost. The school field was about 100 yards long, roughly double the distance he was used for his running daily quest. For someone like him, who didn't yet have an ability and had low speed and stamina points, it might have seemed impossible. But he was confident he could do it.
Running back and forth between 10-20 yards during his earlier attempts had made him realize that apart from a straight sprint, other races didn't require high speed points; all he needed was enough stamina and energy. That had been confirmed yesterday.
Although he didn't have enough stamina, he still believed in himself.
He looked at the coach, smiled, and ran to the side to change into the school training kit.
A couple of minutes later, Emmy could be seen in a blue bib, black shorts, black boots, and white socks. He stared at the people training on the field before getting into position. The students were doing some dribbling ball work around a set of cones. They were training without using their abilities, and beads of sweat could be seen rolling down their foreheads.
Emmy spared them a glance, took his position at the side of the pitch, and sped off. Instead of sprinting, Emmy opted for jogging. The first three laps went by with little effort, but on the fourth lap, he began running out of breath, his throat dry and sticky. Before starting the fifth lap, he collapsed beside the goalpost.
Watching him from the center of the pitch, the coach couldn't help but smile.
'I never thought he would finish three laps, let alone attempt five. It seems I was right about him,'
He thought.
"Get yourself some water and rest a bit, then join us,"
The coach called out.
Emmy slowly dragged himself to the side, grabbed a bottle of water, and gulped it down in one go. He let out a satisfied belch.
"Ah, I thought I could finish the five laps, but damn it,"
He said in frustration, angrily throwing the empty bottle to the side.
"Who's that bastard?"
A somewhat aggressive voice called from the side right after he threw the empty bottle away.
Turning around, Emmy saw a dozen students walking onto the field, grinning widely.
Recognizing a few of them as teammates who had just undergone the awakening ceremony like him, Emmy also noticed several unfamiliar faces among the group.
"Oh, Emmy, it's you. I never thought you'd awaken an ability in this lifetime, haha. I'm sure your ability will be great—for the bench,"
A boy at the front jeered with a mocking laugh as he walked past Emmy.
The boy wasn't a new ability user—he had awakened a year ago and had become one of the best ability users on the team.
Although he wasn't the type to bully the weak, he disliked Emmy for refusing to work under him. Most students on the team who hadn't awakened abilities worked as his subordinates, relying on his protection against bullies. Those who refused his offer, however, became his targets.
Emmy had avoided becoming his target because of his older brother, but the boy never failed to show his hatred through harsh words.
The boy, Eric, was a Level 5 flame ability user, evident in the fiery red aura and aggressive flame burning in the depths of his eyes. He was formidable.
"Eric, it seems you brought new friends. Aren't you going to introduce them to me? It would be rude if you didn't,"
Emmy quipped with a smile.
"You bastard," o
One of the boys behind Eric snarled, turning toward Emmy. But before anyone could act, the coach's voice rang out.
"Eric, how rude of you to start a ruckus the moment you arrive. And why are you late? Don't tell me you didn't get my message,"
Yhe coach said sternly.
"Er... Coach, I was busy recruiting new ability users into the team, sir. I thought it would increase our chances,"
Eric said, bowing his head slightly.
The coach looked at the new faces in the group and smiled.
"Your punishment will be lessened. All the new ability users, both old and new, are to run five laps around the field. And Eric—you'll be running ten laps. After that, we'll begin full-field training."