Ma'el was somewhat puzzled. Could it be that improving physical skills is harder than improving skill-based abilities?
There is indeed some truth to this, as training physical attributes is more long-term and reliant on talent.
Every person differs significantly due to genetics and factors like diet and environment.
Now Ma'el must consider whether to allocate time for strength training.
He had previously spoken of the theory of doing more without focus, but that was because he only had one skill and wasn't sure how to acquire new ones, not wanting to waste time experimenting.
Now that he has a crucial skill, he can't let it go unchecked.
"There are currently seven trial players in the team, and your contracts all expire at the beginning of July."
Coach Hans's voice sounded next to his ear, and Ma'el temporarily set aside his thoughts to listen.
"But you know, there are only two vacancies in the team."
Hans passed by Ma'el's position, glanced at him, and said, "Only two people can stay, there will be no favoritism, everything depends purely on strength."
Ma'el knew these words were directed at him. Coach Hans was kind to him, but that doesn't mean he would look at him with prejudiced eyes, especially during the selection.
It's human nature, and he admired this fair-minded person.
Because they can balance fairness with personal sentiments.
"On June 30th, we have a friendly match with Liverpool U17, and I will field all the trial players."
Hans's voice sounded again: "Use your performance to impress me, impress the coaching team!"
Ma'el's eyes moved. Today is June 13th, giving him seventeen days to intensify training and improve skills.
If he manages to boost his Long Shot to Level 3 before then and scores 1 or 2 goals in the youth match, he would be an instant sensation.
By then, not only would he be retained, but catching the eye of other professional teams and seeking a loan would also be possible.
He dreamed of stepping onto the professional field, pondering on how to allocate his training time.
Start with oneself, maximizing certainty for oneself.
There's still seventeen days.
As long as he improves his Long Shot Skill Level by 20 points every day, he can certainly reach Level 3 before the match.
With a higher Basic Skill Level in Power, improving over 10 points each day would allow him to reach Level 2 by then.
Perhaps it's worth developing both lines?
"If I go to the youth match with Level 3 Long Shot and Level 2 Power, standing out shouldn't be difficult."
Ma'el made a decision, not thinking further, and focused on his current strength training.
Because of overextending his body for the past two days, he seemed a bit strained during training.
But this wouldn't slow down his enhanced training intensity; one only improves fastest when on the edge of extremes.
He believed the Skill Level panel followed the same principle.
After training ended, he pulled up the Skill Level panel again.
[Skills: Power Level 1]
[Skill Level Progress: (133/300)]
[Utility: You...]
The panel appeared after he had undergone about an hour of training, and it seemed that in just the latter half-hour, he again increased by 4 points!
The improvement speed was faster than he imagined.
No worries now, every evening after Shooting training ends, just hit the gym hard!
......
About 2 miles away from the gym, there stood a building brimming with red Gunner elements.
This is the first team's administrative building, where staff and coaching team members work, also doubling as the first team's cafeteria, conference room, therapy room, etc.
Compared to other places inside the base, this is more like another world, bustling with people, each with an extraordinary presence.
Suddenly, everyone inside the building put down what they were doing and looked towards the entrance.
An elderly man with a tall stature but silver at the temples walked from there, embodying both elegance and edge, his steps quick as if urgent.
The moment you see him in person, you definitely believe that this person stands out everywhere he goes, seemingly born to attract attention.
"Mr. Wenger."
"Good afternoon, Coach Wenger."
Many greeted him, to which he only nodded in response, quickly heading towards his office.
An assistant coach soon followed him, sensing that something bad might have happened, noticing the professor was agitated.
Upon entering, the assistant coach heard the 'click' of a lighter; Wenger lit a cigarette.
This seemed to have become an important way for him to relieve stress, lighting cigarette after cigarette whenever he was troubled until he started coughing.
"Philis."
Wenger saw him come in, looked at him seriously, and asked: "If I were to leave Arsenal, would you follow me?"
"Me?"
Philis was taken aback, then nodded blankly: "I would, sir, but..."
"But it's impossible, right?"
Wenger picked up the conversation, chuckled wryly, took a deep drag, "Everyone thinks I can't leave the team, even I myself can't think of any way to leave the team.
"After all, it's been over ten years…"
He seemed a bit self-mocking, raised his brows slightly, hesitated a moment before pouring out, "The summer window is still without investment, we must be self-sufficient."
Evidently, the notion of leaving Arsenal was a joke; he was just angry.
"Old Kroenke is really that ruthless?"
Philis frowned in disbelief: "Then why did he buy Arsenal? To add a football team to his sports empire?"
"He wants to fully acquire Arsenal's shares, just that 30% in Usmanov's hands."
Wenger had evidently deep talks with Kroenke many times, knowing the reason well, "But the latter also wants a full investment, the two have been at a deadlock."
He stood up and walked to the window, smoking in one hand, holding a telescope in the other, observing the Korni Training Base.
In times of stress, he always liked to look afar, at those youthful faces in the youth team, which gave him more motivation.
"Both are determined for a full investment, afraid that the investment would lead to the other's share repricing?"
Philis seemed to understand something, sighed, "Yet when they're fighting up there, why can't they think about you?
"Why when taking out a bank loan, they need you, but at this time they abandon you, abandon the club?
"Is this Arsenal theirs, or yours?!"
Wenger shook his head, locked his gaze on a spot, remained observing, didn't turn around.
After a long time, he put down the telescope, "There's an interesting lad there."
"What?"
Philis was caught off guard by Wenger's quick shift in focus; weren't they just talking about Kroenke?
"I saw him yesterday Sunday, practically spent all day at the training ground."
Wenger returned to his desk, chuckled lightly, "This morning's early training just ended, he's there adding more practice, very diligent, multiple times to exhaustion."
"Training like that isn't very good either."
Philis replied, then shook his head, "Moreover, football heavily emphasizes talent, diligent training and ability improvement aren't related."
"Just saying he's interesting, also curious how long he can persist."
Wenger lit another cigarette again, his face slowly turning serious. "Next, let's talk about the team, it's time to bring up some from the youth team, recall a few loaned players.
"This season, the depth of the bench relies only on our people."
Philis lowered his head, looking heavy-hearted.