The academy felt different that morning—brighter, louder, almost vibrating with a strange kind of nervous energy. Maybe it was just me. Or maybe everyone felt it. Word had already spread that I was leaving for the Arsenal Pre-Selection Camp tomorrow, and even though no one said it directly, the air was thick with whispers, glances, and that mix of jealousy and admiration people try to hide but never really can.
I arrived early for training, earlier than usual. The sky was washed in faint orange, the field still damp from the night's dew. The goal nets glistened, and the cones laid out on the turf looked almost ceremonial, as if today's session wasn't just training—it was a ritual before a battle.
I inhaled deeply.
Today was the last day before everything changed.
As I stepped onto the grass, the familiar DING chimed inside my head.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
⚡ Major Event Approaching: International Trial (Arsenal Pre-Selection)
⚡ Performance Pressure Level: HIGH
⚡ Temporary Buff Available: Focus Clarity (Active for 24 hours)
Would you like to activate?
Yes.
The world sharpened instantly—sounds clearer, vision steady, mind calm.
This… was going to be a good day.
---
Coach Daniel arrived shortly after, whistling loudly, eyes twinkling even though he tried to hide his pride.
"Joseph! Early as always, eh?" He chuckled. "Good. Today we push hard. One last sharpening before you step onto the big stage."
He tossed me a bib.
"Warm up with Blue Squad for now."
Ah. So it had begun. My unofficial integration into the top squad.
Blue Squad players were already stretching. Some looked at me with friendly nods, others with eyes that said, I don't know if I like this kid yet.
And then—of course—there was Darius.
He glanced up, expression unreadable, then resumed tying his boots. At least he wasn't outright hostile anymore. Progress.
I took my spot, dropped to the grass, and began stretching.
A shadow fell over me.
I looked up.
Darius.
He wasn't smiling. He wasn't scowling either. His face was… neutral. Calm. That was new.
"You're leaving tomorrow," he said quietly.
"Yeah."
A long pause.
Then—
"Don't embarrass us."
It sounded like an insult… but it wasn't. It was the closest thing to encouragement he could manage. The corners of my mouth twitched.
"I won't."
He nodded once and sat beside me.
We stretched in silence.
And for the first time, it wasn't tense.
---
Warm-up began quickly. Passing drills, first touch sequences, one-touch rondos. My mind was calm, my touches clean, the ball sticking to my foot as if drawn magnetically.
During rondos, Coach Daniel clapped loudly.
"Joseph! Inside!"
Ah. Rondo pressure. Four-touch limit, fast rotations. Normally, it was chaos.
But today—today I was floating.
I intercepted passes before they even formed, stole the ball off senior players, and once I nutmegged one of the defenders so cleanly the whole circle erupted with laughter.
Even Darius smirked.
Coach scribbled on his clipboard, eyebrows raised.
I wasn't just sharp today. I was different.
The system's buff thrummed inside me like electricity.
---
After rondos came the possession drills.
Blue Squad worked like a machine—fluid movements, fast decisions, confident touches.
But I didn't feel out of place.
In fact… I felt like I belonged.
At one point, the ball came rolling to me with two defenders pressing. Instead of turning away, I flicked it through the narrow space between them, sprinted around, and burst free.
Darius yelled, "MOVE! SWITCH!"
I delivered a diagonal pass across the pitch—clean enough to slice the air.
The coach blew his whistle, looking stunned.
"Pause!"
Everyone froze.
Coach Daniel stared at me.
"Joseph… where did that come from?"
I shrugged. "Just saw the space, sir."
He shook his head slowly.
"That wasn't seeing the space. That was elite-level decision-making."
The players murmured.
And it hit me.
For the first time… I wasn't the little kid proving himself.
I was the player raising the squad's level.
---
We moved into tactical drills next—pressing shape, transition runs, and fast-break simulations. My legs burned, my lungs tightened, but the system buff kept my mind steady and my movements precise.
During a counter-attack sequence, a perfect through-ball opened for me. I sprinted in, cut inside the defender, and curled a shot toward the top corner.
It kissed the post and went in.
A few players clapped.
Someone muttered, "Damn. Kid's really leaving us soon."
It felt both good and strange.
---
We transitioned into set-piece practice.
I stood at the edge—Coach Daniel pointed at me.
"You! Take the free-kick."
Me?
Blue Squad players looked surprised.
But I stepped forward.
Twenty-five yards out. Slight left angle. Perfect for a right-footer.
The wall stood firm.
The keeper crouched, serious, ready.
I inhaled.
The system pulsed.
[SHOT TRAJECTORY ASSIST: ACTIVE]
Curve angle: 41°
Elevation: Medium
Power: 68%
I followed the guidance.
Ran up.
Struck the ball cleanly.
It bent beautifully over the wall.
The keeper dove—
MISS.
The ball hit the net.
A ripple of applause followed.
Coach nodded slowly.
"Joseph… you're ready."
It wasn't just encouragement.
It sounded like a declaration.
---
THE SCOUT'S MESSAGE
Training wrapped up around noon. Players walked off in pairs, sweaty and loud, exchanging small jokes and claps on the shoulder.
As I walked toward the bench to grab my bag, my phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
UK country code.
My heart thumped.
I opened the message.
"Hello, Joseph. This is Mitchell Hayes, Arsenal Academy Scouting Division.
We're looking forward to seeing you. You've created quite the buzz."
I blinked.
Darius leaned over my shoulder.
"What's that?"
I turned the screen toward him.
His mouth fell open slightly.
Then he laughed.
"Well damn, Oyas. They're already watching."
The message continued:
"Bring your best.
London awaits."
My chest tightened with excitement.
This wasn't a dream anymore.
It was happening.
---
SYSTEM SURGE
Later, as I walked back toward the dormitories, the system chimed again—louder, more urgent.
---
[MAJOR SYSTEM UPDATE]
You are approaching a critical branching point in your career.
Due to exceptional performance and mental growth:
🔸 New Passive Skill Unlocked: Mental Steel (Lv. 1)
• +5% composure in high-pressure scenarios
• Reduced panic reactions
• Improved clarity under stress
🔸 Arsenal Trial Pathway: ACTIVE
Your decisions in the next 72 hours will determine future system evolution.
🔸 Trial Preparation Missions Available:
• Individual Drill Session
• Tactical Study
• Mental Focus Training
• Body Recovery Optimization
Accept Missions?
"Yes."
---
Suddenly everything made sense—the sharpness during training, the calmness, the ease of decision-making.
The system wasn't just helping me train.
It was preparing me for London.
---
AFTERNOON.
After lunch, I walked around the academy alone.
The field.
The dorms.
The cafeteria.
The study rooms.
Tomorrow I would leave all this behind.
A place that once felt too big… now felt almost small.
I passed by a group of younger kids playing with a beaten football. One of them recognized me.
"Joseph! You're the boy going to England, right?"
I smiled. "That's the plan."
"Score for us!" he shouted. "Show them Nigeria is the best!"
Their excitement hit me right in the chest. I ruffled their hair and jogged off.
I never realized how many people were watching.
How many believed in me.
How many wanted me to succeed.
Suddenly, the pressure felt heavier.
But also… empowering.
---
EVENING.
Before lights-out, Coach Daniel called me into his office.
Trophies gleamed behind him. The Nigeria flag draped the wall.
He gestured for me to sit.
"Joseph… I've coached many boys in my time. Talented ones. Hungry ones. Lazy ones. Arrogant ones."
He looked directly into my eyes.
"But you… you're different."
I swallowed.
"You work like someone who already knows the world doesn't owe him anything. And that's why I believe you can go far."
He leaned back.
"Tomorrow, don't be nervous about where you came from. Be proud of it. Benin City, the academy, the struggle… let it push you, not weigh you down."
I nodded slowly.
"Yes, sir."
"And Joseph?"
"Yes?"
He smiled.
"Make them remember your name."
My heartbeat echoed in my ears.
I would.
---
NIGHTTIME: FINAL SYSTEM MISSION
Back in my dorm, lights off, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling.
Tomorrow… London.
A new life.
A new chapter.
The system glowed softly.
---
[TRIAL PREPARATION MISSION COMPLETE]
Mental Steel passive stabilizing…
Confidence level: OPTIMAL
Focus level: HIGH
Tomorrow begins the Arsenal Path.
---
I exhaled.
I wasn't afraid.
For the first time…
I was ready.