Advanced Training

"System, let's begin the fourth cycle."

"Host, there will be some revisions to the training routine due to the increase in the technical abilities, in other to accommodate some technical training routines to ensure the cards are assimilated at a faster rate, the training routine will now include";

* A 2-hours running routine with a 1-hour strength training at the gym

* 9 hours of game time of real match experience against legendary teams

* 3 hours of ball training exercises

* 10 hours usage of the muscle relaxation pod.

"Host, these are going to be your training routine from now on."

I was looking forward to the ball training and more importantly the game time against legendary teams, just thinking about it had my body shivering in ecstasy, but I couldn't help asking, "system what about my daily missions?."

Replying to host "Daily missions will be reassigned."

[ DING ]

*Daily mission reassigned

‡ Complete a 2-hours running routine with a 1-hour strength training at the gym

Reward : 50 EXP and 5 SFS points

‡ Complete 3 hours of ball training exercises

Reward : 50 EXP and 5 SFS points

"Host should be aware that from now on the duration of usage for the muscle relaxation pod will be interspaced between your various activities."

"For example the host will have 1 hour of usage time for the muscle relaxation pod between the six matches you will play daily and then the remaining 4 hours of time will be used between the 2-hours running routine with a 1-hour strength training at the gym and the 3 hours of ball training exercises."

After listening to the system's explanation I couldn't wait to get started.

"System begin the fourth cycle" I requested.

I first started with the 2-hours running routine and after ending it I walked into the gym with a bottle of the Tier 1 energy drink to start my one hour strength training regimen, after I was done with that I went to use the muscle relaxation pod for 2 hours and then came to start the ball training exercises, I started with normal ball control training and then moved unto ball passing training, during which I could feel myself assimilating the [Alexander Arnold's Long Pass Skill Card] faster and faster and it was still the same when I started the ball shooting training and ball dribbling exercises and soon three hours was up and I went to use the muscle relaxation pod for another two hours, when I was done it was finally time for the highlight of this whole training routine.

"System please begin the real game time experience" I said to the system, I had been waiting for this all day.

[ DING ]

CHECKING TEAMS

SELECTING TEAMS

*Host's team has been selected.

*Host's opponents has been selected.

"Host's team is [ MANCHESTER UNITED 2008/2009 ] while Host's opponent is [ INTER MILAN 2009/2010 ], the two teams will remain your teams of choice till the fourth cycle is finished."

Looking at the selected teams, I was about to go crazy from joy, I mean this is a Man United team that went to the finals of the champions league with a break out Cristiano Ronaldo and an Inter Milan that actually won the champions league.

After all in my current life it was the 2009/2010 season, which means I will be playing against the supposed Champions of Europe for this season.

"Host should note that the teams play style and player's strength is simulated from data from the host's previous life."

"System, begin matchup."

I felt the the facility spin and then I was on the pitch in a Man United jersey, Rooney was at the center line ready for kick off with the young Cristiano Ronaldo, I could also see Giggs, Scholes, Carrick, they formed the midfield configuration while at the backline I could see Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, O'Shea and Van der sar in front of the goal post, it was me, Rooney and Ronaldo on the front line, we were using the 4-3-3 formation and on the other half of the pitch it was Pandev, Milito and Eto'o on the front line, Sneijder, Cambiasso, Zanetti in midfield and finally Chivu, Samuel, Lucio, Maicon at the back and Julio Cesar at the goal post.

"Fwee" I heard the whistle as Rooney kicked the ball to Ronaldo who kicked it to me and I turned kicked it back to Carrick and sprinted to the opponents half, the ball was passed back for a while before it was returned to Giggs, he turned and took the ball into the opponents half before handing it to Ronaldo who dropped back from the left wing, I slowly started to move towards the central area of the field as Carrick received the ball and passed it to me, with the [ god's vision ability ] I could see someone coming from behind so I quickly divided the ball to O'Shea and then started running towards the right flank as O'Shea placed the ball through for me.

When I got to the ball I could see Rooney and Ronaldo making their way into the opponents 18-yard box from the [ god's vision ability ], I just had to break through Chivu and then swing a cross into the penalty box to create a threatening opportunity, so when I came face to face with Chivu I tried the step-over but before I could complete the step-over he had already stabbed the ball of my feet and Pandev who was retreating took the ball and passed to Cambiasso and that was how the first attack ended.

I started running back to help O'Shea in defence when Ferdinand stepped foward to intercept the ball and when the ball arrived at my feet Cambiasso was already behind me and when I turned around to protect the ball he out muscled me and I lost the ball.

Since the team was using me as the core, the first half was just rewinding clips of me Losing the ball to different people, there was a time I successfully got past Cambiasso with a body fake but the ball was tackled by Chivu and in the 38th minute Inter Milan countered and scored us, Eto'o rushed into the penalty box with the ball and sent a triangle back pass when all attention was on him and Milito slotted in from behind to score the goal.

By the 45th minute I was already breathing heavily and my clothes were stained with grass from how many times I had hit the floor.