Ethan stared at the system interface for a long moment.
Path A: Optimised Performance — fast, loud, intrusive.
Path B: Organic Growth — slower, steadier, in control.
He didn't hesitate.
"Organic," he said aloud, almost to himself.
The interface pulsed once, then changed. Less flash. Fewer prompts. More space.
System:
Progression Mode: Organic
Intervention: Minimal
Mental Autonomy: High
It felt… right.
Training that morning had a different rhythm.
Alex Neil ran the drills sharper, but Ethan noticed he wasn't forced into flashy moments. He moved smarter. Anticipated passes. Positioned perfectly for pressure. No wasted motion.
"Your movement's cleaner," Alex said during a pause. "That's what matters."
Ethan nodded. The praise wasn't loud. It didn't need to be.
System:
Decision-Making Bonus Activated
He felt the subtle difference immediately. Less pressure from above, more from himself. He made choices deliberately, trusted his instincts, measured risks carefully. The game slowed for him—not the world.
After training, Jordan caught him by the lockers.
"England camp's coming," he said. "No pressure. They just want to see how you handle yourself."
Ethan shrugged. "Organic growth. I'll get there."
System:
Long-Term Potential: Rising
Patience wasn't natural to him, but he liked the feeling of control. Every decision was deliberate. Every move measured.
Back in the changing room, teammates noticed the difference.
"You're calculating more than my maths teacher," someone said, grinning.
Ethan smiled. "Better than panicking mid-pass."
Laughter followed. It felt normal. Easy. Human.
Matchday came. A mid-table side, neutral weather, and a stadium that didn't erupt for every touch. Perfect.
Ethan started on the wing. He didn't chase glory. Instead, he anticipated movements, intercepted passes, recycled possession. At one point, he tracked a loose ball, forced the opposing winger wide, and allowed the defense to reset. Invisible in highlight reels. Crucial to the team.
The commentator said quietly, "Cole's intelligence is subtle but effective."
System:
Impact Recognition: Logged
Confidence Stability: High
Ethan felt it in his chest. Not a roar of approval, but a steady hum of affirmation.
Later that evening, a few sponsor emails arrived.
£12,000 for appearances and social media posts. More than enough for his needs. But Ethan negotiated smaller commitments, maintaining control over his schedule.
System:
Financial Tier: Secured
He sent part home, saved the rest, and didn't think about it again. It felt good. Real. Balanced.
The final text of the day was about the upcoming sponsor event. One name stood out again: Kaia Gerber.
Professional. Polite. Normal.
No sparks. No obsession.
Just… information.
Teammates teased, but Ethan ignored it. For the first time, he realised he could navigate attention without it controlling him.
That night, lying in bed, the system returned one last time.
System:
Organic Path Alignment Confirmed
Projected Peak Performance: +2 Years
Public Recognition: Gradual
Risk of External Pressure: Managed
Ethan exhaled slowly.
Two years. Slow. Steady. Controlled.
But it felt like a choice for the first time in his career.
He wasn't chasing headlines. He was building a foundation.
And for now, that was enough.
END OF CHAPTER 33
Author's Comment
Chapter 33 is about taking control and choosing your own pace.
Readers: Do you like Ethan's organic path so far, or would you have pushed for faster fame?