Chapter 3: First Mission
Chapter 3: First Mission
"What!? You're hanging up your boots to become a team manager!?"
"Yes. I've made my decision." Aran nodded, his voice steady despite the tremor in his chest. "I don't like it either, but since I can't play professional football anymore, this is what I want to do."
"Don't rush to conclusions. This is just a preliminary examination. You might be fine."
Silence stretched between them. Aran felt the weight of concern in those words, and tears threatened to spill.
"I'm not rushing to conclusions." His voice carried the weight of months of knowing. "I've been aware of this condition for a while now. I'm not giving up or losing hope, but there's truly nothing I can do anymore."
Yeger Hartmann. Former Red Kaiser player. Current manager of the u23 squad. The man who saw Aran's talent and fought to bring him to the team. For ten years, he had taught and supported Aran like his own flesh and blood. When he learned about the heart condition, his own heart nearly shattered.
The warmth in those familiar eyes told a story. Yeger knew this boy well. This kid had never feared anyone, never surrendered to anything. For him to speak these words—to say he was done—it meant the symptoms were truly serious.
"Should we start then?" Yeger asked.
"Start what?"
"Coaching training. The sooner the better. The youngest team manager in the world—sounds pretty cool, right? Don't worry about paperwork or anything. The club will handle it all." Yeger held back his tears and smiled. His student had just lost his dream but was already chasing a new one. How could a teacher like him wallow in sadness? This new dream deserved his full support.
"Actually, I was thinking of going back to open an academy in Thailand," Aran said.
He had already completed coaching certifications. Repeating the training would be pointless. Better to return home and start teaching Thai kids properly as soon as possible. Besides, that mysterious system's warning about recruiting players within a week—time was running out. Whatever that punishment mission was, he'd rather avoid it.
"Hey, hey. Isn't that skipping too many steps? You haven't learned anything yet and you're already thinking of opening an academy?"
"It's not that I won't study. I'll definitely get the proper licenses. But Thailand doesn't have regulations about coaching licenses yet. I think it's better to go back and start working as soon as possible."
"You're really impatient, aren't you? Running a football academy isn't simple. More importantly, do you think you know and understand enough to teach kids?"
"Heh, did you forget I've lived in Germany's top academy for ten years? I know plenty." Aran's confidence was unshakeable.
"Geez, you're really something else."
Aran's reasoning might not sound convincing, but that face brimming with confidence left Yeger speechless. He began weighing the possibilities and risks his student would face.
"What about money? That's the most important thing."
"I'll start small. With my reputation, I should be able to partner with clubs or sports schools back home easily. Besides, Thai football may have its ups and downs, but it never lacks sponsors."
"This isn't child's play. Without real commitment, you'll fail easily," Yeger warned.
"Trust me. I'm not doing this just for myself. I'm doing it for Thai football too."
"Then show me you're as serious as you claim."
"...How?"
"Tomorrow, you'll manage the u23 team. Beat me and my senior squad." Yeger's eyes gleamed with challenge.
"Uh... isn't that a bit much?" Aran protested.
"Giving up already? Where's all that confident bragging from earlier?"
"Not at all. It's just that suddenly arranging a match like this, and with the senior team too—old man Jens will complain."
"Don't worry. Once he sees a cocky kid like you get demolished, he'll be in a good mood."
"Heh, then Coach better prepare to handle his mood. Because I won't lose." Aran smiled back.
"Well then, I'll go prepare and plan. See you tomorrow, Coach."
Yeger watched his student walk away without a care in the world, deep in thought.
This kid should know better. I manage the u23 team—I know all their strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. And he didn't even argue about me using the senior squad. A match where he's completely disadvantaged, yet he's still confident he'll win? What is this kid thinking?
Arcana System – Manager Mode
Mission Received: First Team Management
Details: Manage Red Kaiser u23 team in match against Red Kaiser senior team managed by Coach Yeger
Rewards based on match result:
Win - 5 Arcana Points Draw - 3 Arcana Points Loss - 1 Arcana Point
Am I playing a game? There are missions to complete too. What exactly is this necklace? Time travel, holographic projections—is it some device from the future?
Don't tell me our descendants sent this from the future to help us... Have I become Nobita?
But what are these Arcana Points for anyway?
Whatever. The important thing is I've traveled back in time. This challenge from Coach Yeger never happened in my original timeline. That means I can change the future.
If that's the case, then the future of Thai football—always struggling in the same place—can be changed too!