Bolting across the streets with his bag hitting on the left shoulder, panting, the morning sun was blazing at him like a huge magnifying glass. He checked his watch and raised his speed; he noticed his chest was consuming air better than last time. Winston grinned to himself; it had been a long time since he felt this way. He clutched his fist, which was holding his gym bag. Maneuvering across the people who were going to work, they were looking at Winston who was plastering a grin. The club training ground was across the city, and the ground he was at was also across the city.
He started lowering his pace, not wanting to arrive at the club training ground exhausted. And he didn't sleep properly or at all, and this time he wanted to prove himself. He can be part of the first eleven. His hope was to not miss any announcements, or at the very least, miss the warm-ups, since he was engaged in his own warm-up. Glancing over the traffic ahead, he spotted the light turn green for pedestrians. He started bolting this time; lucky for him, he didn't have his wireless earphones on. Once on the opposite side of the road, he walked towards the underground train station's tunnel. Fortunately for him, when he was putting his stuff earlier on the training ground, he ordered a train ticket. While running with Oswin yesterday, he luckily came across an underground train station, even though he had never explored the city. With a heavy sigh of relief, he stopped with his hands on his knees. He looked back.
Damn I though I'd missed it
The immense relief he felt was because when he was running with Oswin, he was zigzagging along the city alleys. And the underground train station was one thing they came across when they had to cross the street. And he also checked the map on his phone as he was preparing to run. He squeezed himself into the train doors that were closing, hyperventilating as he sat on the train looking at his phone. Trying to call Oswin who wasn't picking. Winston sat with his hands on his head. He regretted over-training the previous night as he rushed off the train and sprinted up the long stairs upon arrival. He crossed the street, turning the corner of the building; he felt a bit of relief; he can now see the club training ground at the end of the long, straight, narrow road covered with tall, palm tree green fences from the sides. Hearing whistles, his heart sank.
Shit, I am late
Thankfully, he changed his clothes. After waking up, he proceeded to the training ground, dropped his bag on the ground, and went to the head coach.
"You're late, Winston," the head coach said, holding a clipboard. "You missed warm-ups; head over to the striker coach. He's training the attackers there," he pointed to the other side of the pitch. Winston jogged toward where the strikers were doing drills.
"Look what we have here, he scored a goal now he thinks–he's now running the show. Is there anything we should give you, Your Highness?" said the coach in a sarcastic, annoyance tone, who is in charge of training the strikers. Winston knew this was him mocking him; this coach seemed not to like him and he could feel it. Before he could apologize, the coach told him to run thirty laps around the field. The strike coach noticed Winston was soaked in sweat before telling him to do these laps and guessed that Winston ran from wherever he lived. Jogging again this time he took in a more strategic run where he did a sixty seconds burst like the one he did when he was running around his neighborhood.
Ding!
[Nether Essence: 31%]
Ding!
[Nether Essence: 32%]
Ding!
[Nether Essence: 33%]
Ding!
[Nether Essence: 34%]
The reason for this drill was that in their previous match, they had opportunities for shooting from afar. But they didn't use those opportunities so the striker coach started doing these shooting drills and that match was actually pinning both Maximilian and Winston on which one should they choose and seeing that they both were playing with hunger and they had a bit of a chemistry the head coach and the striker decided to just put them both on the first eleven. Of course, the two forwards didn't know. Frankly, none of the players knew or had seen the first eleven roster. So the field was full of players putting their all, fighting for that first spot. The field was like a battleground of soldiers getting ready for war. This league—the under twenty-one was the only league where senior teams picked their prospects.
In addition, Winston was noted as a player to keep an eye on, as his previous game saw him come off the bench and significantly alter the match's outcome. And of course he hasn't noticed, nor bothered to check his social media. What he didn't know was that he was trending and people were comparing his first game in the senior league with his under twenty-one league. People were amazed to see him displaying more confidence with the ball than he had previously.
During their water break, Winston surveyed the system and performed his signature arcade move. using his index to open and operate the system.
[User has now upgraded]
[User physical stats]
[Pace]
[Voltage Core: Loading]
Acceleration: 70
Sprint Speed: 70
[Physical]
[Nether Essence: 34%]
Physical: 70
Jumping: 70
Stamina: 70
Strength: 70
Aggression: 70
What is a Voltage Core, and Nethen essence is now 34%
He choked on his drink as his eyes widened; everyone stared at him, bewildered. To be honest, his reaction was valid; he noticed that his skills were not boosting, rather his Nethen Essence, which he still doesn't know what it does. He suspected the nethen essence, which was reviving him from fatigue, could be responsible.
Observing his arms, even though he hadn't started lifting, he noticed his body was now starting to be more defined. Him running around like a maniac had benefited him. Before shutting down the core system, he recalled a newly acquired skill he wished to test. He navigated to his skill moves shop and activated it with a double-press.
[User skill move: Acquired]
[Dead Ball]
[Dead ball: Equipped]
When Winston discovered the striker coach was giving him private coaching, he questioned why he received special attention while they did not. Instead, they would get earful lessons that are not constructive. Instead, they're harshly criticized. He shook his head and stood in line. When Maximilian took his shot, he finessed it even though it was not a clean hit; it hit the post and went in. And after two players finished taking their shots, it was Winston's turn when the striker coach passed the ball too hard, forcing Winston to give chase, and he hit the ball and it went high instead of hitting the post. The ball lands in the right corner, similar to water from a hose. His eyes widened.
this is dead ball skill is amazing. imagine if I master it. it'd be unstoppable.