The match resumed with the ball back in Community High School's possession. It was with their goalkeeper before the referee paused the match for a substitution.
In the stands, the students of Community High School, who were watching the match, couldn't help but criticize Coach Enzo, the New Dawn College coach.
"Did their coach hit his head or something? That number 8 boy is clearly the problem in the team. Why did he remove the fine midfielder instead of him?"
"Something must be wrong with his head, for real."
"Look at the person he brought in. He looks no different from that timid number 8."
"Haha, maybe they're brothers."
"But they really need to check on their coach. Something must be wrong with him."
"What does that have to do with us? As long as we defeat them, it doesn't matter who the coach brought in."
The stands were full of all kinds of criticism. If students from New Dawn College had been there, two things might have happened: either they would have left angrily, or a fight would have broken out between the two fan groups. Most likely, it would have been the former because even the New Dawn players on the bench were doubting their coach's decision as they discussed among themselves.
"What is the coach thinking?"
One of the newcomers said among Blake's group.
"He's probably out of it. Wasn't Fred supposed to come out for Blake?"
Another asked.
"But Fred is still on the field, and Blake is still here, isn't he? So he'll probably come out for him later,"
The number 10, who had been subbed out for Emmy, said as he walked toward them with a bottle of water in his hand.
"But Blake was supposed to go in before Emmy, and change the flow of the match. What is—"
"You guys talk too much! Can you keep quiet and watch the match?"
Blake snapped.
Back on the field.
The game resumed as the Community High School goalkeeper passed the ball to the defenders, and Eric charged forward with his attack.
While the defenders of Community High School passed the ball among themselves and trapped Eric within their circle, Karim, the captain, made his way toward Emmy.
"Did the coach tell you why Fred is still on the pitch?"
Karim asked, his eyes focused on the ball while his left hand slightly covered his mouth.
"No,"
Emmy replied, not making it obvious they were talking.
"But why is he doing this? We'll definitely lose at this point,"
Karim complained, sounding frustrated.
Emmy briefly glanced at him and asked,
"Are you doubting your coach?"
"No, it's just that—"
"I'm sure he has his own reason. Now let's just do as he said. Let's get the ball and restart the play,"
Emmy said with a smile.
Although Emmy was not on the same level as the captain—Karim was a Level 5 ability user and a third-year student—in the team, apart from the coach, he was the only one who interacted with Emmy the most. Recently, their interactions had even grown more casual during training.
The captain briefly looked at him, then charged forward while Emmy fell back. At the same time, the two wingers joined Eric in pressing the defenders, forcing them to desperately kick the ball out to avoid losing it to the strikers.
Despite their desperation, they managed to kick the ball to the midfield, directly to Fred—the supposed weak point. Fred controlled the ball with a diligent move. Controlling the ball wasn't his problem, nor did he struggle with making brilliant moves, but once an opponent approached, he wouldn't know what to do. At that moment, Community High School's number 8 was already charging toward him.
Immediately, all his teammates yelled his name, urging him to pass the ball. The three strikers were shouting in a frustrated and commanding tone, the defenders were doing the same, and even the captain was running toward him to receive the ball. Meanwhile, Community High School's number 8 continued running toward him.
'Now I see,'
Emmy thought.
Fred was caught in a dilemma. He was being pressured not only by the opponent but also by his own teammates.
'And they expect him to play well? These idiots.'
With a calculated move, Emmy charged toward Fred and called his name from behind. But unlike the others, he wasn't calling for the ball. He glanced at Community High School's number 8, who was only a few meters away from Fred. The timid boy was already preparing to kick the ball away.
"Fred!"
Fred briefly turned, thinking Emmy was also calling for the ball.
'I should give it to Emmy; he'll make good use of it,'
He thought, preparing to make a short pass. But what Emmy said next made him freeze in surprise.
"Calm down! Don't pass the ball to anyone. Dribble the idiot and use the ball!"
Emmy shouted, still running toward him.
A surprised look appeared not only on Fred's face but on everyone who heard Emmy. Yet somehow, Fred seemed to gain confidence from his words.
He turned and slowly moved the ball forward. Number 8 charged at him, and although determination filled Fred's face, his legs visibly shook. Still, he handled the ball diligently.
When number 8 got within attacking range, Fred briefly stopped, moved the ball between his legs a few times, and when the opponent stretched his right leg to tackle, Fred made a slight touch, sending the ball between number 8's legs.
The ball slipped past him. Everyone was stunned, and number 8 stood motionless.
Seeing this, Fred picked up his pace to chase the ball but suddenly fell for no apparent reason.
"Don't worry, you've done your job. Nice one,"
Emmy said from behind as Fred tried to get up.
The captain had already caught up to the loose ball. Instead of moving forward, he turned and made a long pass to the goalkeeper, who then commanded everyone to fall back and restart play from the back.
As Fred got up, he stared at Emmy with a strange expression—a mix of emotions.
"Tsk! You didn't even succeed in dribbling him. Let's try again,"
Emmy said as he rushed back to his position.
Now, with the ball back in their possession, they decided to make better use of it. The goalkeeper passed to the defenders, who exchanged passes before giving it to Emmy.
Community High School's two strikers immediately rushed at him.
Emmy wasn't very skilled at dribbling—his greatest weapon was his passing. Getting past two strikers would be difficult. He performed a leg-over on the first, dragging the ball to his right and go past him. When the second striker attacked, he passed the ball to Fred, who controlled it smoothly.
"Give it back!"
Emmy shouted.
Community High School's number 8 was already running toward Fred, as was Emmy. Hearing Emmy, Fred passed the ball back. Two midfielders surged forward, trying to intercept it.
"Now run!"
Emmy shouted.
Fred obeyed, sprinting past number 8, who chased after him.
As the ball approached Emmy, he controlled it with his chest and, before it hit the ground, volleyed a through pass to Fred, who was nearing New Dawn College's left winger.
"Take it to their penalty box!"
Emmy commanded.
Number 8 was still chasing Fred, and Community High School's number 4 also moved to intercept him.
Fred controlled the pass on his chest, spun past number 4, and charged forward.
Everyone was stunned.
Once again, teammates shouted for him to pass, but Fred ignored them. It was as if Emmy's voice was the only one he could hear.
He dribbled past the left winger of his team who was calling him for the ball and slipped past the left back with a quick stop.
Finally, at the edge of the opponent's box, two defenders blocked his way.
"Now look at the center!"
Emmy called.
Fred immediately passed to Eric at the edge of the box.
"Eric, it's yours!"
Fred shouted, calm and focused.
Without hesitation, Eric rushed toward the ball and struck it with his left foot, sending a low shot into the bottom left corner of the post.
And then...
The keeper saved it at the last seconds.