Rising Expectations
The next day came as quickly as yesterday passed by.
Vincent's eyes flickered open as the golden morning light crept through the blinds. His body ached—a dull, satisfying soreness that came after a hard match. He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, feeling the warmth of the blanket around him.
Last night had been a dream—his home debut, his first goal, the roar of the crowd. But reality always hit the moment the sun came up. If anything, it made the next game even more important.
His phone buzzed on the bedside table.
He reached for it, already expecting the usual post-match messages—congratulations from teammates, fans hyping up his performance, maybe even a headline or two analyzing his goal.
But his eyes settled on a different name.
Zoë.
He smirked as he opened the message.
Hey, star. You looked good yesterday.
Her tone was ambiguous—teasing, maybe even a little seductive. He liked that about her,it was refreshing and normal. Like he wasn't just some rising footballer under the constant scrutiny of fans and media.
Vincent exhaled, running a hand over his face. As he sat up, his eyes drifted toward the mirror across the room.
Slowly, he stood and walked over.
The reflection that stared back at him was both familiar and foreign. His midnight-black eyes, sharp and piercing, held something deeper than just exhaustion. His curly hair, slightly disheveled from sleep, framed his strong features.
He ran a hand over his jaw, exhaling.
[I look like my father]
The thought settled heavily in his chest.
Last night, after scoring, he'd done the celebration—the same one his father used to do when he scored in Sunday league games back home.
Maybe that was why he felt his presence more than usual.
Maybe that was why the questions were starting to resurface.
He shook his head, trying to push it all aside.
The past could wait.
He quickly performed his daily task which had now become a habit for him, then he had his shower.
After a quick breakfast, Vincent finally did what he had been subtly avoiding—he dialed home.
His mother answered after the second ring.
"Vincent?" Her voice was warm, but there was a tiredness underneath.
"Hey mum, good morning."
"You called early today," she said, stifling a yawn. "I saw your match,you played well."
Vincent smiled slightly. His mother never missed a game. Even with the time difference, even with everything else going on back home, she always watched.
"I'm doing fine," he said. Then, after a pause, he took a breath. "Muma… what really happened to Dad?"
Silence.
Not static. Not a bad connection. Just silence.
Then, a measured sigh. "Babyy, why are you asking this now?"
Because the past never stayed buried.
Because every time he stepped onto the pitch, he felt his father's presence—but only in fragments.
"I don't remember much," he admitted. "I mean, one moment, he was fine and then he was gone. Everyone said it was sickness, but it never felt like the whole truth."
Another pause. This one longer.
Her voice, when it finally came, was careful. "Your father was a good man, Vincent."
That wasn't an answer.
He pressed on. "Mum—"
"Let the past rest, baby. Okay?"
His jaw tightened.
"Why won't you tell me?" His voice was quieter now.
Another sigh. "Some things… don't need to be dug up. At least not now."
A wall. A deliberate barrier between him and whatever truth she was hiding.
"Mum, please—" Vincent asked unrelenting.
"Vincent."
She rarely used that tone. It stopped him in his tracks.
A deep, careful silence stretched between them.
Finally, her voice softened. "Focus on your football, babyy. That's what your father would have wanted." She said ending the call.
Vincent set his phone down, running a hand over his face.
His mother was hiding something. He could feel it.
And one way or another, he was going to find out the truth.
Sighing, he left his room meeting up with Bogani who was waiting for him outside, as they headed for the arena.
The training session that afternoon was quite stressful, though not as long due to the fact their next match is in 3 days.
Club Brugge wasn't just another match—it was a test. A chance to prove that Genk weren't just contenders, but serious challengers for the top spot on the table.
The drills were relentless. Tight passing sequences, pressing transitions, defensive organization. The tempo was high. Mistakes were punished.
Vincent felt the shift in how he was treated.
Before his debut, he had been just another young signing. Now, after that performance? Expectation.
The veterans were watching. The coaches were watching. The media was already stirring.
"Again!" Coach barked.
Vincent adjusted his run, staying just onside as the ball was played into his path. He took one touch, then slotted it low—bottom corner.
Scattered claps followed. Even though he was averaging 6 out of 10 from the box and 4 out of 10 outside the box, which was okay for a youngling.
Respect was being earned.
Still, he had seen the headlines. Some praised him as a "natural goal-scorer." Others weren't as generous.
'An overhyped prospect benefiting from raw athleticism rather than refined technique.'
'Another Nigerian forward—let's see if he has the discipline to last.'
It was subtle. Always subtle. But he knew what they were implying.
After training, Vincent stayed behind for extra finishing drills.
The **Goal Predator** trait was settling in now. He could feel it. The instinct to find space, the ability to anticipate where the ball would land. **The game slowed down in the box.**
Coach walked over, arms crossed. "Good work today."
Vincent wiped sweat from his forehead. "Thanks, Coach."
"You'll start on the bench against Brugge," Coach continued. "But expect minutes. We'll need your movement in the second half."
A test. A challenge.
Vincent grinned slightly. "I'll be ready."
Coach nodded. "That's what I want to hear."
As he left the training ground, his phone buzzed. Zoë again.
You spying on me now? he typed back.
Her reply came almost instantly.
Maybe. Maybe not. You'll have to find out.
That tone again—playful, teasing, layered.
Vincent chuckled to himself. He liked her energy. She didn't treat him like a rising star. Just Vincent. Just a guy figuring things out.
For a moment, she was a distraction from everything else. From the weight of his father's absence. From the game looming ahead.
He started typing a response when another thought crept in.
His mother's voice. Her refusal to tell him the truth.
Let the past rest, my son.
No.
Something had happened to his father. Something she wasn't telling him.
And one way or another, he was going to find out.
That night, as Vincent sat on his bed, he called out system show me my status.
STATUS}
System lv: 2(12/200 system points to level up)
Host:Madu Romano Vincent
Age: 18 years (born December 1, 1999)
Height: 179cm
Talent Grade: C- (upgradeable)
AP: 5810
SP: 12
Rating: 73 OVR
*HOST STATS
>Speed- 77
>Agility- 68
>Dribbling- 79
>Stamina- 71
>Physique- 68
>Accuracy- 71
>Positioning- 61
>Shot power- 69
>Control- 76
>Heading- 68
>Passing- 65
>Pace- 75
>Crossing- 70
>Confidence- 68
>Mentality- 67
----
SKILLS
Step over - (LV 3)
Cutbacks - ( LV 2)
Side chops - ( LV 2)
Elastico - (LV 2)
---
ABILITIES
Focus - (LV 1)
---
TRAITS(Unique)
Trait Unlocked: Goal Predator
Your instincts in the box have reached a new level!
Enhanced Positioning: Find spaces before defenders react (+5).
Elite Finishing: Convert chances with deadly precision(+5).
Predatory Awareness: Sense where the ball will land before it arrives.
You have 15% chance of activating this trait .
---
MISSIONS
>Daily Task:
-Drink 5 litres of water daily.
-Run 2 km daily.
-Spend 1 hour at the gym daily.
-Spend 30 minute on yoga daily.
Rewards: 100 AP monthly.
>Time Limited Task:
-Make your first career debut(2 months).
Rewards: 1000AP and 10SP(COMPLETED)
-Score at least 20 goals or 15 assists during your first season(1 year).
Reward: nil (reward will be gotten based on degree of completion).
*****
"Vincent!!"
Bogani shouted as he banged on the door of his room.
"Broo, what's up? Why the hassle?" Vincent opened the door with an irked expression.
"Got an update from coach. I could possibly be among the substitutes in the next game," He answered with a jovial expression.
"Ohh... That's great. You should be thanking me since I trained you well," Vincent said smugly.
"Nigga be playing. Who trained who though? Nice game yesterday too, we really needed that." He said
"I was kinda lucky I guess. Though with more training and I'll get better sooner." Chuckling Vincent replied.
He opened the door to the living room to find a sweet aroma lingering in the air.
"Did you order pizza?" Vincent said making his way quickly to the kitchen.
Bogani nodded his head, as the two ate the pizza quietly and after they were done, they cleared the table before heading for the couch where the highlights of the football match between Barcelona and Valencia was playing.
"Tomorrow is going to be more intense as we will be facing Club Brugge next tomorrow." Bogani said out loud.
"Yeah.... We'll give our best, alright?" Vincent said half present.