The Starting Line
The late August sun hung low, casting golden streaks across the park near Luca's house. Six months had passed since that muddy fall, and today, Marco's words rang in his ears like a victory chant: "You're cleared to run, Luca. Light stuff only—build it up slow." The support wrap hugged his knee, a final tether to his injury, but the ache was gone. He stood at the edge of the path, heart pounding, ready to reclaim what he'd lost.
The Football Prodigy System panel flared to life, brighter than ever.
*[System Update: Recovery Milestone Achieved]*
Status: Cleared for light running. Message: Congratulations, Host. The warmup phase is complete. Real tasks begin now—higher stakes, greater rewards. Prepare to rise.
Luca grinned. "About time."
A new task materialized, bold and demanding.
*[Task: Return to Motion]*
Objective: Jog 5km daily at a light pace for 14 days.
Reward: 200 points per day, +2 Speed (upon completion).
Total Potential: 2800 points, +2 Speed.
Another followed, pushing his limits further.
*[Task: Strength Reborn]*
Objective: Squat your body weight (55kg) 100 times on each leg daily for 14 days.
Reward: 100 points per day, +2 Strength (upon completion).
Total Potential: 1400 points, +2 Strength.
Luca's eyes widened. 4200 points total. Enough to max out the Store and then some. He laced up his sneakers, the fire in his chest roaring. Two weeks until U15 training started on Monday, September 2nd. He'd jog, squat, and shop his way to a new level before then.
The first jog was tentative—5km at a gentle pace, his knee holding steady. The system chimed each day, points stacking like bricks in a wall. The squats were brutal, his legs burning as he balanced on one, then the other, but he powered through, picturing the San Siro. Matteo's promise—starters together—drove him, and his dad's faith steadied him.
By Sunday night, August 31st, Luca collapsed onto his bed, sweat-soaked and triumphant. Fourteen days of jogging. Fourteen days of squatting. The panel glowed with his haul.
*[Task Completed: Return to Motion]*
Points Earned: 2800
Speed: 64 → 66
Total Points: 500 → 3300
*[Task Completed: Strength Reborn]*
Points Earned: 1400
Strength: 50 → 52
Total Points: 3300 → 4700
4700 points. A fortune. Luca swiped to the Store, hands trembling with excitement.
[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%. (Owned)
Iron Will (250 points): Prevents Mental Attributes from dropping under pressure.
Nimble Feet (300 points): Permanently boosts Agility and Dribbling by +5 each. (Owned)
Skills (Locked): Requires 1000 points to unlock. Description: Unlock specialized football techniques and signature moves.
He had Iron Will left to grab, and room for potions. His stats needed balance—stamina for endurance, ball control for precision, determination to push through. He went all in.
[Purchase Confirmed]
Item: Iron Will , Cost: 250 points
Remaining Points: 4450
[Purchase Confirmed]
Item: Physical Potion , Cost: 100 points
Choice: Stamina (+3 permanently)
Remaining Points: 4350
[Purchase Confirmed]
Item: Technical Potion , Cost: 100 points
Choice: Ball Control (+3 permanently)
Remaining Points: 4250
[Purchase Confirmed]
Item: Mental Potion , Cost: 100 points
Choice: Determination (+3 permanently)
Remaining Points: 4150
Warmth surged through him—his lungs deepening, his touch refining, his resolve steeling. The panel updated.
[Player Stats Update]
Stamina: 61 → 64
Ball Control: 63 → 66
Determination: 76 → 79
Overall Rating: 62 → 64
64. A leap from 59. Iron Will locked his mental game tight—no more crumbling under pressure. Luca flexed his legs, feeling the gains. But 4150 points remained, and a new prompt flashed.
*[System Upgrade Available]*
Cost: 4000 points
Benefits: Enhanced tasks, increased point rewards,
Skills tab discount (1000 → 500 points).
Confirm by midnight.
Luca's breath caught. Tomorrow was U15 training—his return. Upgrading now would supercharge his comeback. He tapped Confirm, and the system pulsed, draining 4000 points to 150. A wave of energy rippled through him, the panel sharpening, its edges glowing gold.
*[System Upgraded]*
New Task Difficulty: Increased
Point Rewards: Doubled
Skills Unlock Cost: 500 points
[Player Stats]
Physical Attributes: 64
Speed: 66
Stamina: 64
Strength: 52
Agility: 77
Technical Skills: 62
Dribbling: 68
Passing: 58
Shooting: 56
Ball Control: 66
Mental Attributes: 65
Determination: 79
Focus: 57
Teamwork: 54
Vision: 60
Overall Rating: 64 Potential: 85
Luca stared at the ceiling, heart racing. Tomorrow, he'd step onto the U15 grounds—not just healed, but forged anew. The system's voice echoed: Real tasks begin now. He smirked. "Bring it on."