Spins, Sparks, and Sprints

Monday's dawn greeted Luca with a brisk breeze as he powered through his 10km run. In the backyard, he flicked through 300 Stepovers and juggled 1000 keep-ups. The Football Prodigy System chimed as he wrapped his Mastery of Control task, two weeks of grind paying off.

[Task Completed: Mastery of Control]

Points Earned: 1000

Skill Unlocked: Roulette (+5 Ball Control)

Ball Control: 66 → 71

Total Points: 1800 → 2800

Overall Rating: 68 → 69

Luca grinned, spinning an imaginary ball with Roulette flair. Breakfast was lively—Emily's eggs sizzled, her voice warm. "Another big week, huh?" Luca nodded, gulping water. "Yeah, Mom."

He banged Sophia's door—"Up, zombie!"—and she stumbled out, grumbling, "You're a human alarm clock from hell." Gianpiero chuckled over coffee. "Yoga later, Luca. Nice hustle."

Sophia, munching toast, smirked. "Hey, loser, wanna hit the arcade tonight? My friends are dying to meet the 'football hero.'" Luca raised an eyebrow. "Your friends? What's the catch?" She shrugged.

"No catch—just don't embarrass me, or I'll tell everyone you still sleep with a teddy bear." He snorted. "That's you, Soph. I'm in."

Training was a blur of brilliance. Luca's Roulette debuted—spinning past Nico, who tripped, and leaving Paolo gaping. A Body Feint followed, dodging a tackle, and a cross set up Matteo. Coach Rossi's "Looking good, Cappetta" carried weight now.

After school, Sophia's plan unraveled—most friends bailed, leaving just her and Luca trudging to the arcade. "Great crew," he teased.

"What's next, you challenge me to air hockey and lose?" She shoved him. "Shut up, I'd smoke you." Then, a girl stepped from the neon-lit entrance—tall, dark hair, a shy smile. "Oh, Luca, this is Chiara," Sophia said, smirking. "She didn't ditch."

Chiara's eyes flicked to Luca, warm and curious. "Heard you're some football star now." He scratched his neck, grinning. "Uh, getting there."

They played—Luca crushing Sophia at racing games, Chiara laughing as he fumbled Dance Dance Revolution. "You're better with a ball," she teased, her voice soft. A spark flickered,his usually serius face faltered, replaced by a nervous flush.

Back home, Luca swiped the Store. 69 Overall felt solid, but 66 Speed and 52 Strength lagged. He grabbed two potions.

[Purchase Confirmed]

Item: Physical Potion (Speed)

Cost: 100 points

Speed: 66 → 69

Item: Physical Potion (Strength)

Cost: 100 points

Strength: 52 → 55

Remaining Points: 2800 → 2600 Overall

Rating: 69 → 70

A surge hit—legs lighter, arms firmer. The system flared with a new task.

**[Task: Power Surge]**

Objective: Sprint 200m x 10 daily, do 200 push-ups, and 100 bodyweight squats per leg daily for 30 days.

Reward: 2000 points, +5 Speed, +7 Strength. Deadline: October 13th.

Luca whistled. A month of pain for 74 Speed and 62 Strength? Worth it. He'd dominate the wing.

Days rolled—10km runs morphed to sprints, push-ups and squats carved his frame.

Training dazzled: Roulette into Body Feint, a goal against Paolo's scowl. Chiara texted—"Saw your highlights. Cute moves."—and Luca's grin grew dopier. Sophia caught him. "You're smitten, idiot. Don't trip over her like you do defenders."

By midweek,Coach Rossi gathered the squad. "U15 league starts in two weeks—October 19th. Goal's simple: win it. No slacking—train like champions."

The team buzzed, Matteo nudging Luca. "We've got this." Luca nodded, 70 Overall itching to prove it.

Luca flopped into bed, Power Surge underway, Roulette mastered, Chiara's smile lingering. The league loomed—two weeks to cement his stamp. He'd sprint, push, and dazzle. No stopping now.