They say you can feel destiny in the air before it happens.
I didn't believe that until today.
The stadium wasn't big — maybe three hundred seats at most — but to me, it felt like the world was watching.
Scouts from Abuja, Lagos, even one from Europe, all sitting behind a small banner that read:
> National Youth Cup Trials – Final Evaluation
This wasn't another academy scrimmage. This was judgment day.
Every touch, every mistake, every breath — recorded, reviewed, and remembered.
---
I sat on the cold metal bench, hands clasped, staring at my boots.
They were old, faded black with a worn Arsenal logo on the heel — a gift from my uncle when I was thirteen.
He told me, "One day, you'll wear the real badge, Joseph."
Back then, I laughed. Now, that dream felt closer than ever — and more terrifying.
> "Number 18," the coach called. "You're sub today."
My stomach twisted.
Sub.
I nodded silently. I knew I wasn't a regular yet.
Still, part of me wanted more.
I looked out onto the pitch where the first team warmed up — Chinedu among them, stretching and smirking like a lion waiting to hunt.
He caught my eye and grinned.
> "Enjoy the view, Benin boy."
I smiled back faintly.
> "I'll see you on the pitch soon enough."
He laughed, shaking his head.
---
Kickoff.
The air snapped alive.
The match opened with thunder. White Team (Chinedu's side) came out aggressive, pressing high. Red Team, my side, couldn't keep possession.
Within ten minutes, they scored — a deflection from the box.
1–0 White.
Coach Olumide's expression didn't change, but his jaw tightened.
He was a man who hated waste — of time, energy, or talent.
I watched, every nerve burning with impatience.
Every bad pass made me twitch.
Every wasted chance made my fingers dig into my knee.
I knew what I could do.
But knowing and proving are worlds apart.
---
Halftime
We filed into the tunnel quietly.
Coach's voice broke the silence.
> "You think anyone here came to jog? You think scouts flew in to watch you panic?"
No one answered.
Then his gaze landed on me.
> "Oyas."
My heart skipped.
> "Sir?"
> "Warm up."
Just two words. But they hit harder than thunder.
Chinedu's smirk vanished for a second, replaced by something sharper — curiosity, maybe respect.
I jogged down the sideline, every step shaking the weight off my shoulders.
This was it.
---
Second half.
The scoreboard still read 1–0.
Coach waved.
> "Oyas, in for Kabiru. Central attacking midfield."
I tore off my jacket, sprinted to the line.
Chinedu's voice followed me.
> "Showtime, huh?"
> "Always," I replied, stepping onto the turf.
The world shrank instantly — crowd noise faded, colors dimmed.
It was just me, the ball, and the heartbeat of the game.
---
My first touch came from a clearance.
A long ball bounced awkwardly near midfield.
Two defenders charged.
The System flickered faintly — blue lines tracing their approach angles.
> ⚙️ Micro-Analysis Active: Predictive Pathing Engaged (2s)
I faked left, nudged right, and spun through both defenders in a flash.
The gasp from the crowd was electric.
Then I saw a runner — striker peeling off the backline.
Instinct took over.
Outside foot. Threaded through-ball.
Perfect.
He shot — far post.
Goal.
1–1.
The noise hit me like a wave.
Teammates swarmed me, shouting, clapping, disbelief in their eyes.
And on the sideline, Coach Olumide wrote something on his clipboard. Slowly.
---
Control
Confidence surged.
The pitch didn't feel heavy anymore. It felt like home.
I started dictating tempo — one touch, turn, release.
Short passes when pressed, switches when we spread wide.
Every call from my teammates came faster now, clearer.
They trusted me.
Even Chinedu.
He started drifting inside, connecting plays instead of forcing them.
We linked twice, three times, slicing through defenders like synchronized gears.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
---
Counterattack.
I intercepted a pass near the halfway line, lifted my head — Chinedu was sprinting down the left flank.
The System pinged.
> ⚙️ Team Chemistry Triggered: +8% Passing Flow
A blue arrow curved in my vision, leading perfectly into space.
I didn't even think.
Outside foot, lofted pass — it bent, dipped, and kissed the turf right in front of him.
He took one touch. Two.
And buried it.
2–1.
For a heartbeat, he stood frozen. Then he turned and sprinted straight toward me.
We collided mid-celebration — shoulder bump, laughter, adrenaline.
> "Told you not to blink!" he shouted.
> "And I told you I'd see you on the pitch!"
For the first time, we weren't rivals. We were brothers in battle.
---
The tempo intensified. White Team threw everything forward.
Our defense wavered. I dropped deeper, helping recover balls, organizing shape, shouting for balance.
It wasn't about tricks anymore — it was about leadership.
> "Hold the line!"
"Push up, left side!"
"Rotate!"
I barely noticed how loud my voice had become until Coach nodded from the sideline.
That was the first time he'd ever looked proud.
---
Eighty-seventh minute.
The opposition had a free kick just outside our box.
They curved it toward goal — I cleared it with my head, dizzy but alive.
The ball dropped near midfield.
A counter chance.
Chinedu shouted,
> "Joseph! Run!"
I sprinted.
The System flashed bright gold.
> ⚙️ Adrenaline Surge: Stamina Boost (Temporary +10)
He passed. The ball rolled slightly behind me.
Without breaking stride, I flicked it forward with my heel — an instinct born from street football in Benin.
Two defenders crashed in.
I dropped my shoulder, split between them, and drove forward.
The goal opened up before me.
25 yards.
One defender left.
I feinted left, cut right — he bit.
Space.
Shot.
The ball curved high, kissed the post, and dropped into the top corner.
Goal. 3–1.
The stadium erupted.
It wasn't just noise — it was release. Months of training, pain, rejection — all bursting out in one explosion of sound.
I fell to my knees, arms wide, eyes skyward.
For the first time, I felt it — that taste of greatness.
---
When the final whistle blew, I didn't celebrate.
I just stood there, breathing hard, soaking it all in.
Teammates rushed in, shouting my name.
"JOSEPH! OYAS! BENIN BOY!"
Even Chinedu hugged me, laughing.
> "Bro, that last shot — that was madness!"
> "Guess the rookie can play, huh?"
He grinned.
> "Nah. You're not a rookie anymore."
Then Coach Olumide approached. His expression unreadable, clipboard tucked under his arm.
He stopped in front of me, eyes locked.
> "Oyas."
> "Yes, sir?"
> "Welcome to the National Youth Squad."
It was like my soul exploded inside my chest.
---
Later, as the crowd thinned and the field emptied, I sat on the grass alone.
The night breeze brushed my skin, cool and soft.
I looked down at my boots — torn, scuffed, covered in dust and glory.
I whispered,
> "We did it, Uncle. I did it, Mom."
Then, the world flickered.
---
⚙️ [SYSTEM UPDATE – Trial of the Cup Complete]
> Quest Completed: "Trial of the Cup" ✅
Rewards:
+5 Skill Points
Trait Unlocked: Clutch Performer
Stat Boosts:
Ball Control +2
Vision +2
Composure +4
Shooting +3
New Overall Rating: 75 (+3)
Trait Description:
Clutch Performer – When the match pressure peaks, your performance surges. Slight stat increase in decisive moments.
> "Congratulations, Joseph Oyas. You have earned your place among Nigeria's rising stars. Continue — the world is watching."
---
The System faded away, leaving only the faint hum in my chest.
But that light — that fire — didn't fade.
I could still feel it burning, pushing me forward, whispering:
> "This is only the beginning."
I looked at the empty goalpost one last time.
The same goal that had changed everything.
And I promised myself —
One day, I'll do this at the Emirates.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
⚙️ SYSTEM UPDATE(Version 2.4)
Host: Joseph Oyas
Age: 15
Position: Attacking Midfielder (CAM)
Current Club: Lagos National Youth Squad
Nationality: Nigerian 🇳🇬
---
⚽ Base Attributes
Attributes.
Pace 68 —
Dribbling 74 (+1)
Passing 72 (+1)
Shooting 70 (+3)
Defense 46 (+1)
Physical 71 (+2)
Stamina 75 (+3)
Ball Control 76 (+2)
Awareness 73 (+3)
Vision 75 (+2)
Composure 68 (+4)
---
💫 Active Traits
Trait Effect
Team Chemistry +5% passing and movement synchronization with teammates
Clutch Performer (NEW) Slight stat boost in decisive moments; performance peaks under high pressure
---
🧠 System Status
Environment Sync: ✅ National-Level Fully Integrated
Skill Learning Efficiency: +15% in match scenarios
Fatigue Resistance: Improved under high-intensity matches
Replay Mode: Tactical Review Available
---
🎯 Active Quest
"National Youth Cup Campaign"
> Objective: Prove worth in official National Youth Cup matches.
Reward: Skill Point +5, Trait Unlock (Hidden), Potential International Scout Attention.
Progress: 0 / 1