More Rounds, Mission, and Evolution
As he prepared in the locker room, Cleiton felt the familiar mix of anxiety and determination coursing through his veins. It was the first game after the painful derby against Bahia, and he knew that the team was carrying an extra load of motivation. The sting of defeat still lingered, and every player seemed ready to channel that into fuel to dominate the field.
Then, a notification from the system sounded quietly in his mind. Cleiton, not wanting to attract attention, excused himself and headed toward the restroom. Checking quickly, he read the words appearing on the screen, and his heart raced:
---
'Special Mission: REVENGE!'
Goal 1: Do not lose any more matches until the end of the group stage.
Rewards: 1 random iron-rank skill.*
Goal 2: Defeat Bahia every time you face them in the U-17 Baiano Championship.
Rewards: 1 gold ticket.
'Information: The humiliated will be exalted. Humiliate all who humiliated you!'
---
Cleiton took a deep breath, letting the mission's words sink in. The system, which had seemed neutral and objective until now, was suddenly giving him a mission with purpose, one laced with revenge. The message was clear: it was time to respond, to reclaim respect and confidence. The system echoed the feeling that he and his teammates shared—a simmering anger and the determination to respond on the field.
With a slight smile, Cleiton returned to the locker room, feeling renewed. The mission added a new weight to the game that was about to begin, and he was more than ready to show that Vitória wasn't playing around.
Vitória stepped onto the field carrying the weight of the recent loss to Bahia. But at that moment, there was no room for regrets. Every player wore an expression of determination, an unstoppable will to win, and the accumulated frustration transformed into an energy that would soon be unleashed on their next opponent.
When the referee blew the whistle to start the game, it was clear that Juazeirense was facing a different Vitória. From the first moments, the red-and-black team dominated the field, imposing an intense and aggressive rhythm with quick attacks and a solid defense that gave Juazeirense no breathing room. Cleiton, inspired, led the defensive line like a true guardian, keeping Juazeirense away from the box with precision.
By the 12th minute, the first goal came. Cássio charged up the right flank and crossed perfectly to Nathan, who rose above the defense to head the ball powerfully into the net. The goal brought immediate relief to the Vitória team, and the players celebrated with an intensity that went beyond the usual—this was a release of pent-up emotion.
The hunger for goals didn't stop there. At the 27th minute, Nathan, in inspired form, took advantage of a rebound at the edge of the box and struck a powerful shot, sending the ball into the net. The forward's second goal showed that Vitória wasn't about to let up. The players surged forward with even more intensity, giving no reprieve to their opponents.
Juazeirense, completely overwhelmed, tried to resist however they could, but Vitória held complete control. Quick, precise passes between Gabriel Costa, Claudio Sousa, and Robson suffocated the opposing defense, which seemed powerless against the relentless pressure.
At the start of the second half, the third goal arrived, once again courtesy of Nathan. He received a pass in depth, dribbled past the goalkeeper with remarkable composure, and calmly finished, completing his hat-trick. The Vitória players celebrated, but the look in their eyes showed that this game was more than just another win; it was a response to the frustration from the previous derby.
With the score at 3-0, Vitória wasn't done. In the 68th minute, Pedrinho received a cross from Dieguinho and, without hesitation, finished with a shot across the box to score the fourth goal. The Vitória fans, who had been cheering every play with emotion, exploded with joy.
Juazeirense, on the other hand, showed signs of resignation. They knew this game wasn't just about them. They had been caught in the crossfire of emotions that had nothing to do with their own performance. They were simply victims of the rage and determination of Vitória's players, who, still wounded by the loss, now sought redemption and relief.
When the final whistle blew, the 4-0 score symbolized a reclaimed confidence for Vitória and, at the same time, the harsh reality for a Juazeirense team that, on that day, simply had no chance.
Cleiton left the field with his head held high, feeling that the team had regained some of the dignity that seemed lost.
---
In the following rounds, Vitória continued to demonstrate its strength and determination in the championship, securing a series of victories and maintaining a solid pursuit of the top spot. The fourth round was a spectacle for Vitória's fans, who watched their team thrash Probahia 5-0, showcasing complete dominance of the match. Meanwhile, Bahia de Feira defeated Galícia 2-1, and Bahia earned three more points with a 2-0 win over Atlético de Alagoinhas, strengthening its position as one of the favorites.
The fifth round brought another victory for Vitória, this time over Fluminense de Feira with a score of 3-1. Bahia also shined in an exciting match against Juazeirense, winning 4-2 in a game filled with relentless attacks and incredible saves. Other highlights of the round included Zebrão's victory over Probahia and Barcelona de Ilhéus's win against Vitória da Conquista, showing that the competition was growing increasingly intense.
In the sixth round, Vitória faced Serra Preta in a match that promised much but ended in a goalless draw. This result was largely credited to the phenomenal performance of Jorge Luciano, Serra Preta's goalkeeper, who delivered an outstanding display, blocking all of Vitória's advances. He was a true wall, stopping shots from Nathan and Pedrinho and controlling dangerous crosses. With quick reflexes and commanding presence in the area, Jorge thwarted Vitória's attack at every turn, drawing applause from every side of the pitch. Despite the draw, Vitória left the field feeling like they had been part of an epic battle.
Determined to get back on the winning track, Vitória rallied in the seventh round, defeating Jacobina 3-1 and securing another valuable three points. Bahia also continued its good form, defeating Galícia 2-0, while Serra Preta once again displayed their defensive prowess, beating Atlético de Alagoinhas 1-0.
In the eighth round, Vitória faced Atlético de Alagoinhas and claimed a solid 2-0 victory, showing balanced performance in both defense and attack. That same weekend, Bahia narrowly defeated Itabuna 2-1 in a tough match, showing that their consistency was a strong point in the competition. Barcelona de Ilhéus, meanwhile, beat Jacuipense 3-2 in an intense game, reinforcing their status as one of the competitive teams in the championship.
In the ninth round, one of the most anticipated moments was the clash between Bahia and Serra Preta, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Jorge Luciano shone once more, making spectacular saves throughout the match and, to cap it off, saving a penalty from Bahia's top scorer, Victor Hugo. Reading the attacker's move perfectly, he dove to the correct corner, blocking the goal and keeping the score level. It was a save that earned applause from the stands, further solidifying Jorge's reputation as one of the championship's rising stars.
Meanwhile, Vitória remained strong, defeating Barcelona de Ilhéus 3-2 in a hard-fought and thrilling match. Each round underscored that the championship was far from decided, with multiple teams showing their potential and creating an atmosphere of intense competition.
After the intense victory over Barcelona de Ilhéus, Cleiton arrived home still carrying the vibrant energy of the match. The cheers of the crowd and the sounds of his teammates celebrating echoed in his mind. As he crossed into his room, a familiar notification from the system sounded, catching his attention. He frowned slightly, curious, then remembered that he had reached another goal.
The notification confirmed that Cleiton had completed 'Goal 3' of the championship mission by achieving 100 successful passes during the matches—earning him the 'Rank D Passing Accuracy Elixir'. In addition, he had also already completed 'Goal 2', which required 30 precise tackles, thus earning the 'Rank D Standing Tackle Elixir'. Although he had been holding onto these rewards, something inside him felt that the right moment had finally arrived. Determined to maximize his performance, Cleiton decided to claim both rewards and use them at once.
With the vials in hand, Cleiton felt a blend of light anxiety and excitement. He held the first one, the 'Standing Tackle Elixir', and studied the liquid inside, which seemed to glow faintly with a reddish hue. As he drank it, he tasted a vibrant, tangy flavor that sparked a sensation like electricity coursing through his body, as though it were awakening every nerve. The effect was immediate: he felt his concentration sharpen, his senses seeming more alert, as if he could see each movement around him with newfound clarity.
Next, Cleiton opened the second vial and drank the 'Passing Accuracy Elixir'. Unlike the first, this one had a sweet, refreshing taste, almost like a cool breeze on a hot day. The smooth flavor brought him a sensation of lightness and control, as if his feet and mind were perfectly in sync. He felt the precision of each pass flow naturally, as though each movement were rehearsed in his mind before it even happened.
Eager to understand and explore the effects of the elixirs, Cleiton activated the system's virtual training space. The difference was evident from the start. In every tackle, he felt an intensified focus; the moves flowed with surprising precision and agility. The passes, now firmer and controlled, left his feet with an almost intuitive ease. It was as if the field had become an extension of himself—each pass, each cut, each tackle, under his absolute control—a mastery that would normally take years to develop.
After testing his skills in training, Cleiton decided to check his own stats, something he hadn't done in a while. With each training session, each match, and now with these powerful elixirs, he could see his accumulated progress over the rounds. Each number recorded represented a step toward his goals, and he knew that the championship still held many challenges. But now, with his skills sharpened and his confidence renewed, Cleiton felt more prepared than ever to face any opponent.
---
'Attributes:'
Physical:
Strength: E- > E
Speed: F+ > E-
Agility: E
Endurance: D-
Mental:
Focus: E > E+
Resilience: E+
Discipline: E+
Technical:
Positioning: E- > E
Defensive Awareness: E- > E
Game IQ: F+ > E
Standing Tackle: E+ > D
Interception: E- > E
Jumping: F+ > E
Heading: F > E-
Passing Accuracy: E+ > D
-
-
Author's Note:
Updated table from the ninth round posted in the comments, along with the results of all matches from rounds 3 to 9.