The Grind

Four months had slipped by since Luca hobbled through his front door, and the days had settled into a rhythm—a slow, relentless grind that tested his patience but stoked his fire. The brace was gone now, replaced by a lighter support wrap, and his knee, though still tender, felt stronger with each passing week. School, therapy, and the Football Prodigy System had become his world, a triangle of effort pulling him closer to the pitch.

Mornings started with a protein shake—Sophia's doing, after she'd insisted his scrawny frame needed fuel. "You're not gonna bulk up on pasta alone," she'd said, shoving a blender at him. He'd grumbled but stuck with it, swapping out sugary snacks for grilled chicken and eggs. The system noticed.

*[Task Completed: Dietary Shift]*

Objective: Maintain a protein-based diet for 30 days.

Reward: 50 points, +2 Strength.

[Player Stats Update]

Strength: 47 → 49

Total Points: 10 → 60

School was a slog—math tests and history lectures blurring together—but Luca kept his head down, knowing every day brought him closer to recovery. At home, he'd sprawl on the couch with his dad's old match tapes, studying legends like Maldini and Kaká. The system turned it into a game.

*[Task Completed: Film Study - Defensive Wing Play]*

Objective: Analyze 5 hours of professional wingers' defensive positioning.

Reward: 50 points, +1 Vision.

*[Task Completed: Film Study - Attacking Flair]*

Objective: Watch 5 hours of flair moves and finishing techniques.

Reward: 40 points, +1 Dribbling.

[Player Stats Update]

Vision: 59 → 60

Dribbling: 62 → 63

Total Points: 60 → 150

Therapy with Marco was the real battleground. Twice a week, Luca pushed through lunges, balance drills, and resistance bands, sweat soaking his shirt. Each session chipped away at the Recovery Boost timeline—now down to 5 months total, thanks to his diligence. The system rewarded the small wins.

*[Task Completed: Therapy Milestone - Week 8]*

Objective: Complete 8 consecutive therapy sessions without skipping.

Reward: 50 points, +1 Stamina.

*[Task Completed: Core Strength]*

Objective: Perform 100 sit-ups daily for 7 days.

Reward: 40 points, +1 Strength.

[Player Stats Update]

Stamina: 60 → 61

Strength: 49 → 50

Total Points: 150 → 240

Even mundane moments turned into points. Helping his mom carry groceries earned him a quick 20 points for Teamwork (+1, now 54). Racing Sophia to the mailbox on crutches—before ditching them last month—netted 40 points and a +1 Speed (now 64). By mid-July, with summer sun streaming through his window, Luca's stash hit 850 points. His stats crept up too.

[Player Stats]

Physical Attributes: 61

Speed: 64

Stamina: 61

Strength: 50

Agility: 72

Technical Skills: 59

Dribbling: 63

Passing: 55

Shooting: 53

Ball Control: 63

Mental Attributes: 61

Determination: 76

Focus: 54

Teamwork: 54

Vision: 60

Overall Rating: 60

Potential: 85

60 Overall. A single point gained, but it felt like a mountain climbed. With his knee nearly healed—Marco estimating two more months before light training—Luca eyed the Store. At 800 points, he could splurge before stepping back onto the U15 grounds.

He swiped the panel open, the familiar interface glowing.

[Store]

Potions (Permanent):

Physical Potion (100 points): Permanently boosts one Physical Attribute by +3.

Technical Potion (100 points): Permanently boosts one Technical Skill by +3.

Mental Potion (100 points): Permanently boosts one Mental Attribute by +3.

Traits (Permanent):

Quick Learner (200 points): Increases stat growth rate by 10%.

Iron Will (250 points): Prevents Mental Attributes from dropping under pressure.

Nimble Feet (300 points): Permanently boosts Agility and Dribbling by +5 each.

Skills (Locked): Requires 1000 points to unlock. Description: Unlock specialized football techniques and signature moves.

Luca grinned. Time for a shopping spree. He'd saved enough for three potions and two traits. Nimble Feet tempted him—Agility to 77, Dribbling to 68—but he wanted balance. His passing and shooting lagged, and his focus needed work.

He settled on a plan: two Technical Potion and one Mental Potion.

[Purchase Confirmed]

Item: 2 Technical Potions Cost: 200 points

Remaining Points: 600

Choice:

Passing (+3 permanently)

Shooting (+3 permanently)

[Purchase Confirmed]

Item: Mental Potion Cost: 100 points

Remaining Points: 500

Choice: Focus (+3 permanently).

A warmth spread through him—his hands tingling for the Technical Potion, his mind sharpening as Focus kicked in. The panel updated.

[Purchase Confirmed]

Trait:Nimble Feet :300 points

Permanently boosts Agility and Dribbling by +5 each.

Trait:Quick Learner:200 points

Increases stat growth rate by 10%.

[Player Stats Update]

Passing: 55 → 58

Shooting: 53→56

Focus: 54 →57

Agility: 72→77

Dribbling: 63→ 68

Overall Rating: 60 → 62

62. Another step up. Luca flexed his fingers, imagining the ball at his feet, his passes crisper, his mind clearer. Two months until training. He'd stockpile more, maybe snag a trait and some potions before his return.

Matteo's voice rang in his head—We'll be starters together—and his dad's steady faith pushed him on. Luca leaned back, staring at the ceiling. The U15 grounds loomed on the horizon, and he'd walk onto them a new player. Not just recovered, but reborn.

"Almost there," he muttered, the system pulsing in silent agreement.