Chapter 4: Can You Really Win?

Chapter 4: Can You Really Win?

The truth is, Kleber would have passed out from exhaustion, but what happened today was so overwhelming that he couldn't even close his eyes.

Aran has heart disease.

Aran will quit playing football.

Aran will become a team manager.

Aran will return to Thailand to open an academy.

Aran will lead the U23 team to compete against the senior team coached by Coach Yeger.

"That guy... I don't know what he's doing, but why won't he come and see me?" Kleber is restless now, and it's already 10:30 PM, but Aran still hasn't returned to the room.

Suddenly, the door he's been staring at for hours opens. The man who created so many events in a single day has returned.

"...Yo"

"Don't just 'yo' me!! Why didn't you consult me about something so important?" Kleber shouts.

"Okay, sorry" Aran replies briefly, then climbs onto the bed and starts writing plans for tomorrow in the notebook he just bought.

Kleber can only stare from a distance, unable to say anything. Aran's brief response seems to indicate that he's currently very tense. Realizing this, he starts to feel ashamed of his irritation towards someone who just had his dreams shattered.

"Is it really impossible? For the past ten years, no matter what you've faced, you've always managed to overcome it," Kleber asks.

"Yeah... this time it's different. No matter how hard I try, how determined I am, I can't beat this disease," Aran responds.

...

They both fall silent for a moment. Finally, Aran breaks the silence.

"Help me tomorrow."

"Help with what?" Kleber asks.

"The match. You're the forward on my team."

"If you win, you'll go back to open an academy in Thailand... is it worth helping?" Kleber himself wants Aran to continue his coaching training in Germany and, if possible, stay and work at Red Kaiser club.

"Should I deliberately lose?"

"If you do that, I'll be disappointed in you, and you'll be disappointed in yourself too. I still remember when we played in the U12 team and had to compete against the U15 team. While everyone was complaining it was impossible, there was one crazy guy who was smiling, eager to get on the field and measure up. After the game ended in defeat, that crazy guy cried as if he'd lost the World Cup final," Aran says.

Kleber blushes, "Back then, you were also teary-eyed, weren't you?"

"The sweat got in my eyes..." Aran smiles slightly.

...

"Are you really going to compete against the senior team?" Kleber asks.

"If we follow the plan, we'll definitely be competitive. But winning or losing depends entirely on you. Help me," Aran says.

"Seriously? The other side is Coach Yeger, who's been working in this field for almost ten years. Compared to you, who hasn't learned or gained any experience, how can you possibly win?"

"Then use the energy you're spending complaining to help in tomorrow's match instead. That'll increase our chances of winning."

"This guy is genuinely trying to help! I can't believe it!" Kleber swears and burrows under the blanket to sleep.

Kleber is already asleep, while Aran is now happily planning for a victory he hasn't achieved in a long time.

As midnight approaches, the Arcana necklace begins to glow. Holographic messages appear before him.

Daily Missions

- Light exercise for 15 minutes by any method. Reward: Endurance increased by 0.1, Arcana point increased by 0.1

- Sleep for 8 hours. Reward: Physical performance increased by 0.1, recovery speed increased by 0.1, Arcana point increased by 0.1

- Learn something for at least 30 minutes. Reward: Knowledge increased by 0.1, Understanding increased by 0.1, Arcana point 0.Wow... with daily missions too, but what exactly is this Arcana point? After getting it, what can I use it for... can't figure it out at all.

The next day

The training match between the U23 team and the main team attracted more attention than ever before. Aran's story had leaked to the media. Today, reporters came to set up cameras and wait to capture photos and write news. The club staff themselves had a good relationship with Aran. For a match that would determine his future, how could they possibly miss it? Almost everyone skipped work to watch the game today.

At this moment, the warm-up before entering the field has ended, and the athletes have gone to their respective zones to listen to the manager's plan.

"No need to change the plan or do anything extra. Just play according to Grandpa Jens' original plan," Jager said.

The Red Kaiser main team players heard this and laughed. For them, competing with the U23 team was nothing challenging. The case of making a mistake and losing was almost never going to happen, especially with the team manager being Jens Hindwald, a master coach whom football people worldwide praise for his fierce skills.

"You're really something, daring to use my team to bully kids," Jens said to Jager. Today, although Jens was not coaching the team, he should still come and watch the match.

"To be honest, I initially said it casually. But the other side showed no fear and even said they would definitely win. At that point, I couldn't back down," Jager replied.

"Hmm, definitely win? I'm quite eager to see now, whether that kid is as good as he claims."