Chapter 6: The Call of the Elite

Two days after his incredible debut, Lucien found himself back at Fulham's training ground. The echoes of the crowd, the chants of his name, and the jubilation from his goals had faded into memory, but Lucien didn't bask in the glory. He was already focused on the next step. His eyes were set on higher goals, and his mind was calculating—plotting the journey that would take him to the top of world football.

The training ground was alive with energy. Senior players, youth prospects, and coaches bustled around, preparing for the new season. Lucien, though, had other matters to attend to. Coach Davis had called him in for a private meeting, something Lucien knew was about more than just his debut performance.

As Lucien stepped into Davis's office, he found the coach sitting at his desk, a contemplative look on his face.

"Lucien," Davis began, gesturing for him to sit, "you've got everyone talking. Your performance against Derby was… well, let's just say it's not something we see every day, especially from someone your age."

Lucien remained composed, his blue eyes locked on the coach, waiting for him to continue.

"We've had some calls," Davis said after a pause. "Clubs, agents, media—all wanting to know more about you. It's no surprise, really. With the talent you've shown, people are already saying you're destined for bigger things."

Lucien leaned back in his chair. He had anticipated this. It was only a matter of time before the major clubs came knocking, eager to lure him away from Fulham.

"You know I'm not interested in leaving yet," Lucien replied calmly. "I want to break into Fulham's first team, bring them back to the Premier League, then I'll think about the future."

Davis smiled, impressed by the boy's maturity. "I know, I know. But there's something else. Something you might want to consider."

The coach opened a folder on his desk and slid it over to Lucien. Inside was an official letter bearing the crest of the Football Association. Lucien's eyes scanned the words, his face remaining impassive as he read.

England U21 National Team Call-Up

The letter officially invited Lucien to join the England U21 squad for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers. Despite being only 15, his debut had fast-tracked him to the attention of national team selectors.

"You've been called up," Davis said with a hint of pride. "This is huge, Lucien. They want you to start training with the U21s right away."

Lucien set the letter down. This was a critical moment. Joining the England U21 squad was the first step toward his ultimate goal of playing in the senior team, and eventually, leading England to World Cup victory. He knew the 2018 World Cup was only four years away, and he would be 18 by then—the perfect age to make his mark on the biggest stage in world football.

"I'll do it," Lucien said decisively. "But Fulham comes first. I'll need to balance my commitments."

Coach Davis nodded. "Of course. But Lucien, understand what this means. This will put you in the spotlight even more. The media will be relentless. Clubs will double their efforts to sign you. You'll need to keep a cool head."

Lucien smirked slightly. "I've already thought ahead. Let them talk. I'm only focused on winning."

The National Stage

The following week, Lucien traveled to St. George's Park, England's national football center. The sprawling complex was the home of English football, a state-of-the-art facility where every age group trained, from the U15s to the senior team. For most players, stepping foot here for the first time would be overwhelming, but Lucien took it in stride. This was just another part of the journey.

As he walked through the halls, wearing the England crest on his training kit for the first time, Lucien felt a surge of pride. But with it came a steely determination. He wasn't here to be a part of the team. He was here to lead it.

The U21 squad was filled with some of the most promising young talents in the country. Players from top clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool, all looking to prove themselves. Many of them had heard of Lucien but were skeptical. After all, how good could a 15-year-old really be?

Lucien made his way to the locker room, his usual stoic demeanor in place. As he entered, a few of the older players glanced up, some offering brief nods, others ignoring him altogether. The room buzzed with quiet chatter, but Lucien wasn't interested in making friends. His only focus was the pitch.

The first training session was intense. The U21s played with pace, skill, and aggression, and Lucien knew he had to assert himself quickly. During a small-sided match, he took the ball in midfield, and instantly, two players pressed him. Lucien, channeling the spirit of Maradona and Ronaldinho, flicked the ball between them with a quick elastico before driving forward, leaving the defenders in his wake.

His passes were crisp, his vision unmatched. No-look through balls, audacious flicks, and perfectly timed assists had the older players scrambling to keep up with him. By the end of the session, Lucien had made his point clear—age was just a number.

Rising Tensions

Later that day, as Lucien was heading back to his room, he overheard a conversation between two players—Jordan and Reece, both of whom played for Premier League academies. Their words were dismissive, almost mocking.

"He's good, but he's still just a kid," Jordan said, not realizing Lucien was within earshot. "There's no way he's going to take my spot."

"Yeah," Reece added. "No chance a 15-year-old is starting over us. Let him try all his fancy tricks. This isn't some youth academy game."

Lucien stopped, his eyes narrowing slightly. He wasn't one to let petty insults bother him, but he knew what he had to do. He had heard this kind of talk before, from those who couldn't see past his age or his background. But as always, he would let his football do the talking.

The next day, during a full-pitch scrimmage, Lucien made sure to silence any doubts. He dominated the midfield, running the game like a seasoned veteran. He set up two goals with inch-perfect passes and scored one himself with a curling free kick from 25 yards out that left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

After the session, the coaches pulled Lucien aside.

"You're starting in the next qualifier," one of them said, his tone filled with awe. "We've never seen anything like it."

Lucien simply nodded, hiding a small smile. He had expected this. He was ready to make his mark on the international stage, and this was just the beginning.

A New Chapter Begins

As Lucien packed up for the day, he felt a surge of excitement that he hadn't felt in a while. The call-up to the U21s was the first major recognition of his talent on a national level, but it was also a reminder of the weight he now carried. The expectations of an entire nation would soon rest on his shoulders.

He glanced out of his window at the sprawling training grounds of St. George's Park. The journey ahead was long, but Lucien wasn't worried. He knew where he was going.

And when he got there, the world would know his name.

Lucien Nightshade, the future of English football, was ready to conquer the world.