The Federation Academy's location in the mountains, which were conveniently close to the Celestial Hotel, meant that the travel time to the academy was relatively short. The Federation Academy's remote mountain location was strategically chosen to shield youth players from the distractions inherent in urban environments, a carefully crafted a plan that remained unchallenged until the fateful encounter between Winston and Maximilian, coinciding with the emergence of a mysterious pill circulating within the underground world. What Q said about Winston's horrible match was not entirely false, and he was not the only one who had a horrible match. It's just that his was well televised—the fans of the sport criticized the federation for not prioritizing the junior league.
So the Federation of Football Association (FFA) paused the junior league for four weeks. And they came up with this plan to gather all the youths and train them—themselves. Of course, it all changed when they tested Maximilian and they found the remnant of this drug in his system. Like Haruto predicted, the Federation of Football Association knew about this drug, and they privately invested in its making. As to whom released it underground, nobody knew, and when they heard the news that Winston woke up. Naturally, extensive blood tests were also conducted on him; however, these examinations yielded no significant findings, yet remarkably, Winston emerged from his coma and within a mere three days not only regained his ability to walk but also participated in a game of football. In addition, the medical professional responsible for Winston's well-being was concurrently reporting their findings to the federation. Upon hearing the news and reviewing his X-ray, it became apparent that from the moment Winston was initially admitted to the hospital, he had sustained fractures throughout his entire body, from his upper limbs to his lower extremities, and remarkably, after a period of just three weeks and two days, all of these broken bones had healed to such an extent that he was able to engage in activities within two to three days.
Following the interview with Winston, both Q and the man perceived an unsettling feeling, which led the higher authorities to instruct them to monitor Winston's activities closely. When they observed Winston two matches, they witnessed Winston performing supernatural things, like the speed that nearly made him faint. And the match he was playing with Alex on that ground behind the apartment. After sending some proofs to the higher—ups, even though Winston was not considered for this academy, everything changed when they sent the proofs, hence why Q and the other man came to fetch him personally.
They arrived in a secluded region surrounded by towering hills and mountains. Nestled at the foot of the massive slopes stood an enormous square-shaped complex, covering an area of nearly 100,000 square meters. Scattered throughout the grounds were dozens of gigantic domes, each dwarfing the surrounding structures.
As they approached the entrance, their eyes were drawn to the colossal gate. Above it, bold letters spelled out: Federation Football Association Academy.
Outside the entrance was a row of multiple buses from different clubs parked outside. Amidst the gathered youths on the property, Winston stood alongside his peers, who were all engaged in whispered discussions with each other. Winston proceeded onto the property unaccompanied by Q and his partner, who did not join him inside. After a period of scanning the assembled youths, Winston began to tiptoe and crane his neck, attempting to discern if any familiar faces were present within the crowd. Disappointed, he shrugged and looked towards the base of the main building, where the last step served as a podium before the double doors. A muscular man wearing a black suit walked forth and stepped onto the podium, his hands clasped behind his back. The muscular man had a serious look at him, with his eyes, he narrowed them and scanned the youths who were quiet. He sensed anxiety among the youths—he cleared his throat with his piercing eyes. He said in a husky voice, his voice jolted the youths into straightening up.
"As many of you have already been told by your coaches, the Federation Academy has invited you here for an intensive training program. Let me make one thing clear: this program will not decide your future. Your future will be determined by your dedication, effort, and performance.
Our purpose is simple—to help you refine your skills and become better players. Whether a club scouts you or offers you a contract is entirely up to them. We are here to provide guidance, training, and the opportunity to grow. What you do with that opportunity is up to you."
The muscular man halted, giving the youths a moment to exchange words. He then scanned the group again, his eyes finding Winston, who was looking at the youths murmuring nearby. With a spiteful look on his face, the athletic man continued, "The reason for this academy is simple: some of you were terrible in your first league matches. Such a waste of talent and opportunity.
Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Winston?" the athletic man's eyes fixated on Winston, who clenched his fist and shifted his gaze down. Every youth was looking around until one youth yelled in his recall of seeing Winston match. Everyone's gaze was fixed on him, sharp and piercing like arrows. The youth kept whispering; the muscular man intended to target Winston.
He had learned about Winston's circumstances and how many more talented youths were overlooked while Winston was prioritized. The muscular man didn't know why he was chosen since at first the high uppers didn't choose him, but the last couple of weeks they were forced to put Winston in. And that didn't sit right with the muscular man—he wondered what made him special.
Although the muscular man did some research on Winston, the match between Winston and Maximilian was not made public.
Federation pressure led to the cancellation of the local publication's match reports; otherwise, their deal with the newspaper would have been revoked. The newspapers get their majority of their revenue from football news. The muscular man did not see Winston's last matches, but he read in the papers that Winston was in second place in the league.
And the goals Winston scored did not impress the muscular man. Ultimately, his only conclusion was that Winston had a powerful backer.
Without looking at Winston the muscular man continued, "Today we will do some test, the first test will test your kick power and the threshold you need to pass is 100," the muscular man said, walking toward the double door, over his shoulders he continued, "this way the test is this way,"
Winston waited for everyone to walk inside, with a heavy sigh, Winston prepared to walk inside. A familiar voice called him, "Wis, I am glad you made it, the head coach said you were invited too."
Looking to his right side, Oswin walked toward Winston and low five each other. "I am glad that there is someone I know here too. When did you get your invitation?"
"Remember when you went to the Celestial Hotel? Well, the head coach told me I'd been invited to the Federation Academy. He told me to be ready since a bus would come and pick me up around five tomorrow morning."
"That's why I didn't see you in our room last night,"
"Yeah, about that. I visited some family members who live downtown in Hartford, so I decided to surprise them, but I ended up sleeping there, why were you lonely?"
"Hahaha, shut up bro, I was just confused,"
"How about you?"
An unfamiliar and rude voice from their left suddenly interrupted Winston and Oswin's conversation. "I wonder who paid for this fucken trash to be here, the gate is still open, you can leave now," the person who said this said this spitefully.
Winston and Oswin turned their heads and looked toward the individual who was positioned before them, revealing a tall, attractive young man with blond hair fashioned into a high ponytail. Sebastian Halbrook, this young man, was notably well built, resembling Winston in his physical stature.
On his sides there were two youths who stood there menacingly, looking at both Winston and Oswin. Oswin, whose fist was clenched at his side and whose teeth were clenched, cast a venomous gaze at one youth on Sebastian who smirked at him, before turning to Winston and saying, "Wis, let's go."
"Did I say you could leave?" Sebastian said,
"What's wrong, Oswin? You're not going to greet your old friend?" the youth said mockingly,
Oswin clenches his teeth and fists. He looked over his shoulder and said, "Wis, let's go."
And both Winston and Oswin walked into the building without looking back. Winston wanted to ask, but he saw Oswin was angry.