Elastico

When Alexis got back home, he removed his clothes and had a cold shower. While he was inside the toilet, he was anxiously waiting for the system's notification. When he was about to finish up, he finally heard the heavenly sound of the bell chime.

**|Ding! Host has completed his mission successfully|**

**|Ding! Skill upgrade successful|**

**|Skill: ELASTICO -> ELASTICO|**

**|Downloading host's new stats|**

**|NAME: Alexis Butcher|**

**|CLUB/AFFILIATION: None|**

**|AGE: 14|**

**|FITNESS STATUS: Fully fit|**

**|STATS:|**

**|PACE : 65 > 66|**

**|SPEED: 55=|**

**|DRIBBLING: 74 > 78|**

**|CONTROL: 62 > 63|**

**|PASSING: 63 > 64|**

**|SHOOTING: 60 > 61|**

**|DEFENDING: 19 > 21|**

**|PHYSIQUE: 17 > 27|**

**|OVERALL PLAYER RATING: 41 > 43|**

**|PLAYER POTENTIAL: 68 |**

**|SKILLS|**

**|ELASTICO (CLASS B) |**

**|BODY FEINT (CLASS D) |**

**|STEPOVER (CLASS D) |**

**|TITLES: NONE|**

Alexis smiled when he saw his new stats. He had really improved in the short amount of time that had passed since the system awakened in him. The increase in stats made him motivated. Hard work did pay off.

When he finished dressing up, he was about to fall asleep when he heard the sound of the door opening from the floor below.

'Mom's home.'

He stood up from his bed and went downstairs to be greeted by the sight of his mom plopped on the couch in the living room.

"I take it work was stressful?" Alexis smiled, noticing how tired his mom was.

Sandra exhaled sharply. "You have no idea."

"You know, if they're stressing you so much at work, why don't you get another job?" Alexis said, concerned for his mom. Recently, she had been working longer, leaving for work earlier, and coming home later than usual. He didn't like the idea of his mom working so much.

Sandra, however, didn't seem to share the same sentiments. After he finished talking, she had an amused smile on her face. "Sure, let me quit my well-paying job that millions would kill for just because I don't want to get stressed."

As soon as Sandra finished talking, Alexis realized how stupid what he said sounded. He rubbed his nose in embarrassment.

"Don't worry, I'll quit when you go pro and start making mad quids," Sandra said with a chuckle. "I'll never leave the house if you want."

Alexis chuckled. After that, they both chatted for a little while before retreating to their rooms. Sandra was still very tired from a long day at work, and Alexis wanted to sleep early so that he could wake up early and practice in the park.

***

The following morning, Alexis woke up around seven o'clock. He quickly freshened up and donned his practice wear, his soccer boots held in his right hand as he exited his house.

When he got to the park, he was one of the few people there. Since there wasn't anyone else looking to play football, Alexis decided to practice alone. He did a few dribbling drills, then a few shooting drills, practicing his shooting with both his left and right legs. He had watched so many matches that made him realize the importance of knowing how to use your weak foot.

After he finished a few drills, he noticed some other teenagers his age coming to the park. He kicked up his football and walked over.

"What's up?" one of the boys asked when he noticed Alexis staring at them.

"I was just wondering if I could play with you," Alexis said.

The boy looked to his friends, and after meeting with an approving gaze from all of them, he shrugged. "Why not? We're playing five-a-side though."

"No problem." Alexis smiled. He dropped his football in a corner and walked to the boys. After a random selection, he ended up with four other boys.

"What position do you play?" the tallest of the boys asked. Everyone turned towards Alexis, awaiting his answer.

"I play as a midfielder, but anywhere is fine," Alexis said. It wasn't really much of a football game; it was a five-a-side match, so to him, positions were useless. Anyone played anywhere in this type of match.

"No, it's cool. You can play alongside me in attack." The person who asked him the question smiled at him.

Alexis immediately deduced that he was the best player on the team. Either that or he was the owner of the ball because he didn't think the rest of the boys would allow themselves to be spoken for so easily unless something was up.

After the rest of the team settled into their positions, they started the match. The person who assigned roles on Alexis' team, Desmond, passed to Alexis, and Alexis moved it straight to the goalkeeper.

A few minutes into the match, Alexis remembered how unorganized footballers without exposure could be. He tried to be a team player, but the way all his teammates played frustrated him quite a bit.

After a bit of defending, Alexis got the ball at his feet. Immediately, he found himself facing a player from the opposing team.

'Might as well test out the elastico now.'

The defender seemed a bit tense as he faced Alexis. Even though Alexis hadn't really done much in the match, it was obvious that he was extremely skilled.

Alexis took a slight step to his right, using the inside of his boot to move the ball in that direction. The player, anticipating a rush in that direction, fully committed and lunged at the ball.

Before the player could reach the ball, however, Alexis flicked his leg outward, pushing the ball back inside and between the outstretched legs of the defender. He went on a short sprint to the goal post and passed to Desmond, who had an empty post in front of him. Desmond slotted it home, and his team took the lead.

The rest of the match passed on like that. Alexis used the players marking him to test out some of his skills. He would dribble everyone and then pass the ball to an open teammate to make the tap-in.

After five goals were scored in that manner, the opposing team had to come together and 'politely' ask Alexis to leave the field. Alexis obliged immediately, as he didn't want to cause any form of conflict, and continued training by himself for the rest of the day.