"Can we go to the other football field? Some of our teammates are waiting for us over there," Ethan said, leading the way.
Winston walked behind him. The players from Building B stared at him as they passed, but he paid them no attention. The only thing on his mind was finishing the daily challenge and preparing himself to climb into Group C and eventually Group B.
Although his mind was split between two things, his first priority was completing the challenge. His second was learning how to replenish his Nethen essence. He didn't want to worry the people around him, and more importantly, he wanted to avoid falling into another coma-like sleep. Those incidents had already affected his academy rating, and his future depended on his health. Most clubs would have second thoughts about signing a player who kept fainting after rigorous training sessions or playing a full ninety-minute match.
"As I was saying, I'm planning on playing a 4-1-4-1 formation," Ethan said as they approached the football field. He opened the gate and allowed Winston to enter first.
Seeing the players waiting for them, Winston greeted them before turning back to Ethan.
"Why play so defensively? Is the player we're facing a goal poacher?"
With a wry smile, Ethan scratched the back of his head.
"Well, he's a tough opponent. I'm sorry for putting so much pressure on you, but I really need this win. It could be what gets me into Group A."
"Oh, no worries. I'll try my best," Winston said.
I wish I had done some research on Ethan's opponent. I was too focused on Ethan himself. He pushed the thought aside and shook hands with his new teammates.
"Okay, guys. Like I said, we're playing a 4-1-4-1 formation," Ethan said. "Winston here will be our target man. Eli is a tough goal poacher. He's dangerous in Zone 14, and his footwork is pretty good, so this formation is meant to close him down. Whenever you get a chance, make sure you pass the ball to Winston."
Winston felt as though he was going to carry this one-on-one challenge, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. The daily challenge required him to reach superhuman speed.
While Ethan continued explaining the tactics, Winston quietly channeled his newly replenished Nethen essence.
One thing he had learned was that his Voltage Core also enhanced his body reflexes. However, he didn't want to channel the Nethen essence into his upper body. He was afraid that doing so would make him cough again and alert Ethan to something being wrong.
It's replenished.
Winston let out a quiet sigh of relief. After Ethan finished talking to them, Winston raised his hand. "Do you mind if I do some warm-ups?"
Ethan nodded.
Winston took the opportunity to stretch and loosen his muscles. During his warm-up, he didn't channel the Nethen essence. Instead, he simply allowed it to circulate through his body. After finishing their warm-ups, they sat down and waited to be called by the Building B instructor.
Eventually, the instructor called them for their match.
Winston, Ethan, and the rest of the team followed him toward the football field where the match would be held.
Winston glanced at his teammates. They looked calm, casually talking about their day in the training domes. None of them seemed to be taking the match particularly seriously. At first, Winston was surprised, but he brushed it off. Perhaps this was simply how they coped with the nervousness.
As they emerged from the tunnel, Winston scanned the stands. There weren't many players watching the match. Then his gaze shifted toward the opposing team.
His heart sank.
Diago and Diego stood among them, both staring directly at him.
They wore identical smirks, something about those smiles immediately rubbed Winston the wrong way.
Why are they here?
For the first time since accepting Ethan's invitation, Winston felt a knot form in his stomach. Something told him this match was not going to be as simple as he had expected.
He ignored them and continued onto the football field with his team.
In the stands, Oswin, Bongani, Hickman, and Elijah watched the players enter the field. When they spotted Diago and Diego among the opposing team, their eyes widened.
They immediately sensed that something was wrong.
Seeing the concern on their faces, Elijah asked, "What's wrong? It's just the player he beat in their first one-on-one challenge. He can beat him again."
Hickman leaned back in his chair, "It's not just him. Look at the player standing next to him."
Hickman glanced at Oswin. He had already heard about the beef between Oswin and Lucas from both Winston and Oswin.
"Diago is friends with Sebastian and Lucas."
Elijah glanced between Hickman and the field, confused.
"And I don't follow. What does that have to do with this match?"
Hickman and Bongani remained quiet. They didn't want to interfere with the issue between Oswin and Lucas.
Oswin sighed. "Well, Lucas was the one who injured me. Because of that, I lost my opportunity to play in the Supreme League."
Elijah's expression darkened as anger rose inside him. "What? And you just let him walk away? This is the perfect opportunity to get your revenge!"
Oswin chuckled and turned toward Elijah. "You and Wis are alike." He sighed and leaned back in his seat.
"It's not that easy. I wanted to, but Lucas is a sly character who always seems to have multiple schemes going on. I wouldn't be surprised if this is one of them."
"We should warn Wis," Elijah said. "And we have to get revenge on Lucas. If you let him go now, he'll be like a rash that's hard to get rid of."
Bongani turned toward Elijah with a disgusted expression.
"That's a terrible analogy."
"At least you understood what I meant."
Elijah shrugged. "Oswin, you need to find a way to challenge Lucas in a one-on-one match and show him who's the better player."
Oswin paused for a moment. "Yeah, but you've never been injured badly enough to spend an entire year on the sidelines."
Hickman interjected, "We can't rush Oswin into it when he isn't ready. We just have to wait for him. But if you ever decide to challenge Lucas, count me in."
Oswin smiled and nodded.
Bongani draped an arm around Oswin's neck. "You can count on me too."
"Me too," Elijah said. He sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry. I just hate players who play dirty because they're jealous of someone more talented than them."
"Don't worry. I understand," Oswin said, "I'll challenge him when the time is right. For now, I don't want to let myself be consumed by hate."
He lowered his gaze toward the field. "Ever since I came back, I've been depressed. The doctor said it would take time to recover. Then I saw Winston playing in the league after he had been demoted to the junior league. I met him, and he made me enjoy football again. Seeing how hard he worked inspired me again."
Bongani, Hickman, and Elijah turned their attention toward Winston, who was warming up on the field while waiting for the match to begin.
"You know, ever since I started practicing with Wis, I've been inspired to improve too," Bongani said. "I was anxious when I got invited to the Federation Academy. I don't have many friends, and when I heard Pirlo had also been invited, I tried to avoid him whenever I could." He chuckled. "But once I started training with Wis, I became more confident in my football skills. And you, Oswin and Hickman, seeing your skills made me want to improve even more."
Hickman nodded. "Winston is truly the most determined and skilled player I've ever met. When I received my invitation, I was hoping I would see him again."
He looked toward Winston. "I have to admit, I want to challenge Winston in a friendly match too."
"I knew it," Elijah said with a grin. "All of us want to challenge Wis in a friendly match."
He rubbed his hands together. "Okay, let's play a match among ourselves. Whoever wins gets a shot at Winston."
On the football field, Winston suddenly sneezed. Someone must be talking about me. He glanced toward the stands and saw his friends huddled together, talking among themselves.
Winston shook his head. I'd rather not know what they're planning.