**Chapter 42: Trial by Thunder**

The Stormborn Arena vibrated with the roar of celestial spectators as Ibukun stepped onto the pitch, his standard-issue academy boots leaving faint imprints on the self-repairing nano-grass. The air smelled of charged ions and the metallic tang of the floating stadium's reinforcement beams.

***SYSTEM MISSION ALERT***

**Match:** Stormborn FC (Away)

**Objectives:**

1. 2 Goal Contributions (1 must exploit GK Vorrik's weak left side)

2. Complete 3 Qi-infused plays (Dribble/Pass/Shot)

**Reward:** 8,000 SP + "Precision Vision" blueprint

**Penalty:** -15% Stamina Recovery (Next 3 Matches)

Jay-Jay's voice crackled in his skull like bad reception: *"That keeper's left side is about as solid as your weak foot. Don't embarrass me."*

---

### **First Half: The Academy's Test**

Stormborn's high press came like a tsunami.

**4th minute** - Kethar Stormdrift burned past Bryndal with raw pace, his cross nearly taking Gorath's head off. Thalgrim's clearance sailed into orbit.

Ibukun demanded the ball.

**19th minute** - A rare turnover. Zyrax slid a simple pass into his path.

**Basic Dribble (Proficiency: 76%)**

A quick feint left created half a yard, but his touch was too heavy. Vorrik smothered the attempt easily.

***SYSTEM FEEDBACK***

**First Touch Error:** 0.3s delay on reception

**Recommended Drill:** 2hrs Simulation Room (First Touch Mastery - Cost: 500 SP)

Jay-Jay's laugh was brutal. *"You kick like a donkey wearing mittens."*

The breakthrough came through sheer persistence.

**43rd minute** - Sylas intercepted a lazy pass and immediately looked for Ibukun.

**Qi-Infused Through Ball (Basic - 68% Mastery)**

The pass had too much weight, but Zyrax adjusted with demigod reflexes, slotting home with clinical precision.

**0-1**

***MISSION UPDATE***

**Assist Completed (1/2)**

---

### **Second Half: The Grind**

Stormborn emerged hungrier, assigning two markers to Ibukun.

**58th minute** - CB Grondar's legal-but-brutal shoulder charge sent Ibukun tumbling. The referee waved play on.

**71st minute** - The System highlighted Vorrik's weakness:

***GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS***

**Left Side Vulnerability:** -12% save rate on low drives

Ibukun waited for his moment.

**76th minute** - A cleared corner fell to him 25 yards out.

1. **Basic Feint (No Skill Unlocked)** - Created minimal space

2. **Qi-Infused Step (Purchased - 3x/Match)** - Barely evaded Kethar

3. **Standard Long Shot (No Special Technique)**

The shot stayed low, curling toward Vorrik's weak side—

—and somehow squirmed under the keeper's delayed dive.

**0-2**

***MISSION COMPLETE***

**Goal vs. Weak Side (2/2)**

**Qi-Infused Plays:** 3/3

Jay-Jay snorted. *"That wasn't football. That was a drunk stumbling into luck."*

---

### **The Aftermath**

Final whistle: **0-3** (Zyrax penalty).

Valentina waited in the tunnel, her data-pad glowing with endorsement offers. *"Nike's new deal includes performance bonuses. Not SP—actual celestial credits."*

The System's rewards scrolled:

***REWARDS CLAIMED***

**8,000 SP**

**"Precision Vision" Blueprint Unlocked** (Cost to Build: 5,000 SP)

**New SP Balance:** 12,500

Jay-Jay's hologram flickered in the shower steam. *"Tomorrow's simulation session will cost you 1,000 SP. Try not to cry."*

---