Raising the Stakes

Sunday morning broke with a crisp edge, Luca's breath puffing in the cool air as he finished his 5km run. The high of yesterday's victory still thrummed in his veins, a goal, an assist, his family's cheers echoing.

But he wasn't done climbing. As he stretched in the park, the *Football Prodigy System* glowed, and he spoke to it, voice firm. "Give me harder tasks. Something with a skill reward."

The panel pulsed, text sharpening.

**[System Response]** 

- Request acknowledged.

New challenge issued: Unlock *Roulette*. 

- Task: *Mastery of Control* 

- Objective:

Run 10km daily

Perform 300 *Stepovers*

Complete 1000 keep-ups every day for 14 days. 

- Reward: 1000 points, *Roulette* skill (+5 Ball Control). 

- Deadline: September 21st. 

Luca's eyes widened. *10km? 300 Stepovers? 1000 keep-ups?* Every day for two weeks? Brutal, but *Roulette*—that spinning flair move—would pair with *Stepovers*, making him untouchable on the wing. "Deal," he muttered. The system chimed, locking it in.

Home was its usual chaos. Emily slid eggs onto his plate, smiling. "Still buzzing from yesterday, huh?" Luca grinned, gulping water. "Yeah, Mom. Big week ahead."

He banged Sophia's door—*"Up, slowpoke!"*—and got a muffled, "I hate you!" Gianpiero sipped coffee, nodding. "Heard you're stretching with me later. Good game last night—keep that fire." Luca shoveled food, already plotting his keep-ups.

Training that week was electric. Monday, Luca danced through drills, his *Stepovers* flicking past defenders. Tuesday, he nailed a cross,he could feel that his passing is improving—setting up Matteo for a tap-in.

Wednesday, he ran 10km before school, then aced sprints. Coach Rossi's nods grew frequent, his gruff, "Cappetta's earning it," silencing Paolo's grumbles.

By Friday, Rossi pinned the lineup for Saturday's match—Luca's name in the starting XI, left wing. Matteo whooped, "Told you, man!" Luca just smirked,he felt ready.

The *Mastery of Control* task consumed him. Post-run, he'd hit the backyard—300 *Stepovers*, feet blurring, then 1000 keep-ups, ball bouncing off his toes, knees, heels.

Sweat soaked him, but his agility* and ball control made it fluid. Schoolwork piled up—math equations blurring—but he powered through, crashing early each night, body spent.

Points stacked from smaller tasks too. Helping Emily with dishes: 50 points, +1 Teamwork (*54 → 55*). Yoga with Gianpiero: 50 points daily, +1 Focus by week's end (*57 → 58*). By Friday, September 12th, he'd banked 2000 points, the *Roulette* grind halfway done.

**[Player Stats Update]** 

- Teamwork: 55 

- Focus: 58 

- Total Points: 500 → 2000 

Friday night, sprawled on his bed, Luca swiped the *Store*.

*Body Feint* : +5 Agility—called to him. At *78*, he'd hit *83*, dodging markers like a ghost. Tomorrow's game loomed—another chance to stamp his name. He finally tapped it.

**[Purchase Confirmed]** 

- Item: *Body Feint* 

- Cost: 500 points 

- Remaining Points: 2000 → 1500 

- Agility: 78 → 83 

A ripple coursed through his legs, light and sharp. *66 Overall* ticked to *67*. He grinned, exhaustion tugging him under. "No more bench," he whispered, drifting off.

Saturday, September 13th, dawned bright. Luca's 10km run flew by, *Stepovers* and keep-ups polished in the yard. Emily packed eggs and toast."Win big, star!"

Sophia yawned, "Don't suck," and Gianpiero clapped his shoulder, "Own it."

On the bus, earbuds thumped, nerves steady with his focus on todays opponents. Against Como U15s, he'd start and stay.

The whistle blew, and Luca erupted. First touch, *Body Feint*—a subtle sway, a defender lunging past air. His agility gleamed as he darted, flicking *Stepovers* to shake another. A cross curling it—found Paolo, who nodded despite himself, scoring. 1-0, 20th minute.

Second half, Matteo's pass met Luca's run—*Body Feint* again, keeper wrong-footed, a low drive. 2-0, 70th minute.

Como crumbled, Milan won 2-1. Rossi's rare grin said it all: "Starter now, Cappetta." The system chimed.

**[Task Completed: Claim Your Spot]** 

- Objective: Start and dominate the match. 

- Reward: 300 points, +2 Passing. 

- Passing: 58 → 60 

- Total Points: 1500 → 1800 

- Overall Rating: 67 → 68 

**[Player Stats]**

Physical Attributes: 66

 - Speed: 66 

 - Stamina: 65 

 - Strength: 52 

 - Agility: 83 

Technical Skills: 65

 - Dribbling: 73 

 - Passing: 60 

 - Shooting: 59 

 - Ball Control: 66 

Mental Attributes: 66 

 - Determination: 79 

 - Focus: 58 

 - Teamwork: 55 

 - Vision: 60 

- Overall Rating: 68

- Potential: 85 

Luca trudged home, family cheering from the stands replaying in his mind. *Roulette* loomed—one week left. He'd run, train, and lock it in. No bench again. Ever.