Visionary Pass
Hope bloomed inside Amani's heart after reading the words below the LEGENDARY skill card.
Without a moment of hesitation, he clicked on the image of the skill card filling up the screen and learned the Ruud Gullit's Visionary Pass. He was looking forward to how it could improve his budding football career.
Almost instantly, a sharp headache slammed into his brain as the system implanted the skill's essence. For a fleeting moment, disorientation reigned, but gradually the haze lifted, revealing no immediate, visible transformation in his body or mind.
Determined to assess the change, Amani quickly opened the user-stats tab, its red blink demanding attention:
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USER STATS
->Physical Fitness: B-
->Football Technique: B-
->Game Intelligence: A +
->Mental Ability and Mindset: C +
->Skills: 1 (1 msg)
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#1 new message
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CONGRATULATIONS
->You have learned the LEGENDARY Skill:
'RUUD GULLIT'S VISIONARY PASS'
(1st-level: Progress -> 10%)
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(check user stats for more info.)
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NB: Play the game more and watch it to level up the skill.
Remarks: Practice makes perfect.
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Amani hurriedly closed the skills tab and opened the game-intelligence stat.
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->Game Intelligence (Av. Rating: A+)
Spatial Awareness (A+)
Tactical Knowledge (A-)
Risk Assessment (A+)
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"Fuck!" Amani exclaimed out loud. "This is not scientific." He could not help but swear after glancing at his game intelligence stat. It had experienced the most substantial change and was his highest-rated skill according to the system. From a C+, it had leaped to an A+ grade. Amani suspected that that was a grading close to the highest ratings by the system.
"But what is this visionary pass?" He was curious about it as he tapped it.
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VISIONARY PASS - Increases the accuracy of first-time ball controls, one-touch passes, and one-touch finishes of players who receive passes from the holder of this Player Skill.
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"WTF!" It will be like playing football with ping-pong skills.
He recognized that this boost in-game intelligence signified more than just sharper reflexes — it meant his ability to strategize and react was now elite. Every match, every play, would be a canvas for his newly acquired brilliance.
Yet, as excitement surged through him, a part of Amani couldn't help but feel a pang of imbalance. While his mind now operated at peak efficiency, his physical fitness and technique still lingered in the B- range. The disparity was glaring, and he knew that if he were to truly capitalize on this legendary skill, he'd need to train harder to synchronize his body with his mind.
'One LEGENDARY skill could improve one of my skills by this much...' He mused.
He could not help but daydream.
The changes in his game intelligence were beyond his expectations.
Amani understood that highly-rated game intelligence indicated his ability to make smart decisions on the pitch and make them quickly.
Determined to test this potent new ability, Amani leaned back, took a deep breath, and began to simulate a few practice drills in his mind. Everything was loaded with lifelike precision, presenting himself with a series of rapid-fire scenarios on the pitch. As he controlled his thinking, his every pass and move echoed the promise of Visionary Pass. The visual ball obeyed his commands with newfound accuracy, gliding effortlessly to teammates in one-touch plays and executing crisp, decisive finishes.
An intelligent player always had good spatial awareness and was able to see spaces clearly across the entire football pitch and utilize them to his advantage.
That was why coaches referred to spatial awareness as the sixth sense of a football player. A player with a sixth sense would remain aware of where his teammates were and anticipate where they would be just by looking at the positioning of the other team.
The skill was not inborn but developed through experience. This was the same for the tactical-knowledge and risk-assessment skills also under the game-intelligence category.
However, the Football System could improve the three skills just by implanting obscure football knowledge and experiences in his head. Amani was both mystified and filled with joy.
[With the system, I could become one of the best.] He thought.
He now had to work extra hard towards leveling up the Visionary Pass. It was a skill that might soon raise his talent above the B grade. Although his talent assessment had not yet improved from the C grading, he was sure that he might level it up once again before the trials.
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The village where Amani lives is in a situation where there is a lack of proper facilities for playing football. The children have to make do with a makeshift field that is not well-maintained, and they use rocks as goalposts. The materials they use to make their own balls are whatever they can find, such as plastic bags, rubber bands, old clothes, and paper. The children often play without proper sports shoes or boots, just wearing socks or slippers, which can be uncomfortable and increase the risk of injury.
Despite these limitations, Amani and his friends never stopped playing football. They are passionate about the sport and find creative ways to keep playing. Their determination and enthusiasm are admirable, considering the challenges they face in playing football.
Overall, the situation in Amani's village is one of limited resources and a lack of proper facilities, but the children's resilience and love for the game make up for it. They have learned to be resourceful and find joy in playing the sport they love, regardless of the circumstances.
Now that he is older, to fulfill the dream of becoming a professional football player he needs a lot.
Amani goes for a stroll, he thinks a lot about improving the facilities here after he gets money but that's a story for another day. He stands atop a small hill overlooking his village in rural Malindi, his eyes fixated on the horizon where the sun sets. As the magnificent fiery orb slowly disappears behind the distant mountains, he can't help but marvel at the beauty of the scene unfolding before him.
He takes comfort in the sound of crickets chirping outside and the distant laughter of children playing in the fields.
Despite the darkness that is slowly creeping in, he can still see the vibrant colors of the sky, the oranges, and purples blending into each other in a magnificent display. The colors of the sun's last rays reflect on the tranquil waters of the nearby river, creating a mesmerizing sight that never fails to take his breath away.
The night falls and the slow darkness envelopes the village, Amani decides to return to their little shack as turns his gaze to the kerosene lamp that illuminates the small huts. Every night, they rely on this simple source of light to navigate their way around the village and carry out their daily routines.
As he looks on, he becomes acutely aware of the absence of electricity in his village in rural Malindi. There are no streetlights to illuminate the darkening streets, no lamps to brighten the homes. Instead, the gentle flicker of a kerosene lamp to light their way does the job.
He remembers how, as a child, he would sit around the lamp with his family, sharing stories and laughter as they ate their evening meal. The dim light would cast long shadows across their faces, adding to the sense of mystery and intrigue.
However, he is grateful for the absence of the blaring electric lights that would otherwise pollute the natural darkness of the night sky. Instead, he can see the stars twinkling in the inky blackness, each one seemingly brighter than the last.
He gazes up at the vast expanse of the cosmos, feeling a sense of awe and humility wash over him. In this small corner of the world, away from the noise and distractions of modern life, he can truly appreciate the majesty of nature and the simple beauty of a starry night.
Amani walks to their small shack and sits in the darkness, his eyes transfixed on the glowing blue virtual screen in front of him. As he gazes at the passive skill "Visionary Pass," he is filled with a sense of wonder and amazement.
The skill promises to increase the accuracy of first-time ball controls, one-touch passes, and one-touch finishes of players who receive passes from the holder of this Player Skill Amani can't help but imagine the benefits this skill could bring to his players in the future.
He thinks about how this skill could redefine the way his team plays—a subtle revolution that starts with one precise pass. In his mind, every flick of his foot, every rapid decision on the pitch, could become a masterstroke that unlocks the potential hidden within his teammates. He envisions a future where defenders are left grasping at air, caught off guard by the crisp accuracy of his one-touch passes, and where goalkeepers, overwhelmed by the speed and precision of his moves, can do nothing but watch as victory unfolds before their eyes.
In that quiet moment within the darkness of his humble shack, the glowing blue screen transforms into a window of limitless possibility. He sees the stadium lights, the roar of an enraptured crowd, and the palpable electricity in the air when a perfectly weighted pass turns into a game-winning goal. The Visionary Pass isn't just a skill; it's a catalyst for transformation — a key that could unlock the dormant brilliance of his future team and propel them toward greatness.
Amani's thoughts wander further, imagining the bond that would form among his teammates as they learn to trust the instinctive magic of that pass. It's a connection built on shared moments of brilliance, a testament to the idea that, when precision meets passion, legends are born. Even as the night envelops his modest surroundings, a spark of determination ignites within him. This skill, with its promise of elevating the ordinary into the extraordinary, becomes not only a tool for success on the field but a symbol of hope — reminding him that every setback and every hardship in his past could one day fuel a future defined by triumph.
He stretches out his tired limbs, jumps on his bed and takes a deep breath, feeling the weariness of a long day begin to fade away. Despite the lack of modern amenities, he finds comfort in the simplicity of his surroundings.
As he closes his eyes, he can hear the distant sound of the crickets and other nocturnal creatures as they begin to stir. The night is cool and quiet, offering a peaceful respite from the heat and bustle of the day.