The final hours of training had exhausted the players.
Each of them was breathing heavily, their muscles tense, their eyes tired, but their minds raced on.
Pachira sat on the ground, watching the ball, recalling the feeling of his first failure in front of his neighborhood friends, and why he always ran faster than everyone else: to escape his shyness.
Isagi held the ball in his hands, his heart pounding, and memories flooded back: his childhood in the shadows, where the ball was his only watchful eye.
Nagi breathed slowly, his mind analyzing every move he'd made that day, suddenly recalling the feeling of failing to meet his family's expectations.
Ryo stood with great physical confidence, but inside he felt isolated in the deserted playground of his childhood, where he learned to rely solely on his own strength.
Chigebri watched his teammates, every little movement calculated, remembering the days when he'd watched opponents in the streets of his childhood, learning to read every move before it happened.
Silence hung over the hall, as if the very ground itself was waiting for what was to come.
---
Scene 2 — Ego Appears on the Screen
Suddenly, the lights went out.
A few whispers passed between the players, but there was no time for conversation.
Then a huge screen on the ceiling of the hall ignited, and Ego's face filled every corner.
Complete silence.
Even the air felt heavy.
His voice came through sharply:
"Stop it, all of you… Today, there will be no ordinary assessment.
It won't be just goals or passes… Today, you will face yourselves."
---
Scene 3 — A Direct Address to Each Player
Ego's face on the screen wasn't directed at Asaf alone, but at everyone.
"Each of you carries something of your past…
But that doesn't matter now.
The present is what defines who you will become."
Pachira felt the pressure, clutching his mouth, trying to control his racing heart.
Isagi gave a brief smile, but he felt that every move had to be calculated.
Nagi scanned the room, silently analyzing everything.
Ryo stiffened his shoulders, ready to unleash his full power.
Chigebri mentally processed every move, preparing for every eventuality.
Ego raised his voice:
"The real beast emerges under the most pressure… Every wrong move will expose your inner weakness."
---
Scene 4 — Preparing for Individual Training
The lights partially came back on, revealing a state-of-the-art training ground.
Individual schedules for each player appeared on the screen:
Pachira: Facing an extremely fast opponent, deceptive passes, and sudden changes of direction.
Isagi: Making critical decisions under time pressure; no room for hesitation.
Nagi: Facing a clever opponent who will try to exploit any hesitation.
Ryo: Withstanding immense physical pressure against an opponent who mirrors his strength.
Chigebri: Reading the movements of multiple opponents simultaneously.
Ego said in a menacing tone,
"Now go... and we'll see who emerges as a monster... and who becomes a memory."
---
Scene 5 — Players' Reactions
Pachira took a deep breath, putting all his past fears behind him, and focused solely on moving.
Isagi felt fear, but smiled inwardly, ready to take the risk for the first time without reservation.
Nagi watched his opponent with a sharp eye, analyzing every angle and every possibility, his heart calm yet tense.
Ryo stood confidently, focusing on his physical strength and determination, ready to overcome any obstacle.
Chigebri observed everyone meticulously, every movement calculated, every step anticipated, his heart calm yet ready to explode.
---
Scene 6 — Flashbacks
At this point, the focus wasn't on a long flashback, but rather a quick, intense glimpse of each character:
Pachira: His first major failure in front of his friends, a feeling of shame coursing through his body.
Isagi: The loneliness of his neighborhood, but he learned to rely on himself.
Nagi: Disappointment with his family's expectations, the beginning of his journey to manage stress.
Ryo: A moment of isolation in an abandoned stadium, learning to forge his own strength.
Chigebri: Observing an opponent on the street, learning to anticipate every move.
These moments are brief, yet powerful enough to demonstrate the impact of the past on the present.
---
Scene 7 — The Chapter's Open Ending
The players stand now, each feeling the weight of the upcoming task, each knowing that every mistake will expose their weaknesses.
The lights are dimmed, the screen is off, and the stadium is almost silent.
But deep down, each player's past hasn't faded; it awaits the opportune moment to gradually surface during the individual training in Chapter 17.
The chapter leaves the reader on the edge of their seat, ready for each player to confront their history, instincts, and skills.