Chapter 1: The Rejected Striker

The roar of the crowd echoed through the stadium as the final whistle blew. Players collapsed to the ground, some in relief, others in despair. The air was thick with tension, the kind that either crushed dreams or solidified futures.

Jason Carter stood frozen near the penalty box, his jersey drenched in sweat. His breath came in ragged gasps as he stared at the scoreboard. U-18 Academy Final Trials – Blue Team 2, Red Team 1.

It was over.

For years, Jason had worked tirelessly, sharpening his skills, scoring goals, and dreaming of hearing his name called for a professional contract. But as he looked towards the coaches, their hushed discussions and unreadable expressions filled him with dread. He clenched his fists. Did I do enough?

The head coach, a grizzled man with years of experience, stepped forward, clipboard in hand. One by one, he called out names. Each name meant another player had secured a spot in the club's professional setup.

"Luis Matias."

"Alex Donovan."

"Marcus Lee."

Jason's heart pounded against his ribs.

"Victor Santos."

His stomach twisted. Where is my name?

More names followed, but Jason's wasn't one of them. His fingers dug into his palms as the coach closed the clipboard.

"That concludes our selection. For those not chosen, we appreciate your dedication. Keep working hard, and you may find opportunities elsewhere."

The words sliced through Jason like a dull blade. His world blurred as disappointment settled in. His dream, his future—gone in an instant.

Failure

Jason didn't remember walking off the pitch. He barely registered his teammates patting his back, murmuring empty words of encouragement. The tunnel leading out of the stadium felt like a long, dark void, swallowing him whole.

He had always believed in himself. He wasn't just another academy player—he was a goal-scorer, a finisher. He had worked harder than most, stayed after practice, studied the movements of the greats—Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Lewandowski.

And yet, it wasn't enough.

Outside, the evening sun cast long shadows over the academy grounds. Jason slumped onto a bench near the parking lot, his bag resting at his feet. He pulled off his cleats, staring at the worn-out studs.

Was I really not good enough?

He replayed the match in his head. He had scored a goal, created chances, and worked hard off the ball. But maybe it wasn't about just this match. Maybe he had been lacking in something crucial all along.

"Carter," a voice called.

Jason looked up to see Coach Reynolds, one of the assistant coaches, standing nearby. The older man had always been tough but fair, someone Jason respected deeply.

"You played well today," Reynolds said, sitting beside him.

Jason let out a bitter chuckle. "Guess it wasn't well enough."

Reynolds exhaled, rubbing his chin. "Football isn't just about what happens on the pitch, Jason. Sometimes, timing, connections, and a bit of luck play a role."

Jason shook his head. "I don't want excuses, Coach. Just tell me… What did I lack?"

Reynolds studied him for a moment before answering. "Instinct."

Jason frowned. "Instinct?"

"You have talent, but you hesitate. Great strikers don't think—they react. You wait too long to pull the trigger. You second-guess your movement. You lack that killer instinct."

Jason clenched his jaw. He wanted to argue, to say it wasn't true. But deep down, he knew Reynolds was right.

"I still believe in you, Carter. This isn't the end. If you want it badly enough, find another way." With that, Reynolds stood up, giving Jason a firm pat on the back before walking away.

Jason watched him leave, frustration swirling inside him. Find another way? How? The academy had been his best shot. Without a club, his career was already over before it had even started.

He ran a hand through his damp hair, his mind spiraling into doubts.

Then, suddenly—

[SYSTEM ACTIVATION COMPLETE]

Jason flinched. His vision flickered as strange blue text appeared before him, hovering in the air like a holographic screen.

[Welcome, Player. The Ultimate Striker System has been activated.]

Jason's breath caught in his throat. What the hell is this?

He blinked, expecting the text to disappear, but it remained, floating before his eyes. He hesitated before reading further.

[Initiating Striker Potential Analysis…]

A sudden rush of warmth spread through Jason's body, like an electric current pulsing through his veins. His vision blurred momentarily, then refocused.

[Analysis Complete.]

Striker Rating: 62 (Amateur Level)

Strengths: Finishing (B-), Acceleration (C+), Positioning (B)

Weaknesses: Decision-Making (D), Physicality (C-), Tactical Awareness (D+)

Jason's eyes widened. What the—this thing is analyzing me?

The system continued.

[Starter Pack Reward Unlocked]

- Skill: Striker's Instinct (Level 1)

- Attribute Boost: +2 Finishing, +2 Acceleration

Before Jason could react, another rush of warmth surged through him. He gasped, gripping the bench as a strange sensation settled in. His muscles twitched, his body tingling as if unlocking something dormant.

The world around him suddenly felt… different.

His heartbeat slowed. His senses sharpened.

Jason stood up, still dazed. His mind raced with questions, but one thought overshadowed everything else—

This wasn't the end of his football career.

It was just the beginning.