The plane landed quietly.
But inside Lamii—
Nothing was calm.
As he stepped out into the airport, the air felt different.
Not just because it was a new city.
But because this place…
Meant something.
Bigger streets.
Faster movement.
People everywhere.
And somewhere in all of it—
The dream he had been chasing his entire life.
Lamii adjusted the strap of his bag on his shoulder.
His eyes moved constantly.
Taking everything in.
This is it.
The drive was silent.
He sat in the back seat, looking out the window.
Buildings passed by.
Then more.
Then suddenly—
He saw it.
The crest.
Colors.
Identity.
The place he had imagined a thousand times.
The home of legends.
The system that created greatness.
The gates opened slowly.
And as the car entered—
Lamii felt it.
A shift.
The energy.
The level.
The expectation.
This wasn't an academy anymore.
This was a factory.
A machine that built players for the biggest stage in the world.
Everything was clean.
Sharp.
Perfect.
Multiple pitches.
Players training.
Coaches observing.
No wasted movement.
No noise without purpose.
Lamii stepped out of the car.
And for a second—
He just stood there.
Watching.
Players moved differently.
Faster.
Sharper.
More precise.
Passes zipped across the field with intensity.
Touches were clean.
Decisions were instant.
There was no hesitation.
No wasted time.
Lamii narrowed his eyes.
This is another level.
At the academy—
He had started to rise.
To compete.
To challenge.
But here—
That feeling disappeared instantly.
Because here—
Everyone was like him.
Talented.
Hungry.
Chosen.
He walked toward the field slowly.
Every step heavier than the last.
Not from fear.
From realization.
I'm not special here.
"You're the new one."
The voice came from his side.
Calm.
But with an edge.
Lamii turned.
A player stood there.
Same age.
Same build.
But different presence.
Confident.
Sharp eyes.
A slight smirk.
"I've seen the clips."
He crossed his arms.
"You're supposed to be good."
Lamii didn't react emotionally.
"Supposed to be?"
The player shrugged.
"We'll see."
"Name's Adrián."
He stepped closer.
"But around here…"
A small pause.
"…names don't matter."
Lamii met his gaze.
"Then what does?"
Adrián smirked.
"Performance."
He turned away.
Walking back toward the pitch.
Then added without looking back:
"You're not the only talent here."
Coach called them in.
No introduction speech.
No welcome.
Just instructions.
"Warm up."
That was it.
Lamii joined the group.
Blended in.
Observed.
Everything was faster.
Not just physically.
Mentally.
The ball moved quicker.
Players moved smarter.
There was no time to think.
Only to act.
The ball came to Lamii.
He controlled it.
Looked up.
A mistake.
Too slow.
Pressure came instantly.
The ball was taken.
Clean.
No hesitation.
Lamii blinked.
That fast?
Next play—
He tried to adjust.
Faster.
Quicker.
But still—
Half a second behind.
And here—
Half a second was everything.
"Too slow."
Adrián's voice.
Calm.
Cold.
Lamii didn't respond.
But inside—
He felt it.
Minutes passed.
And the pattern continued.
Lamii wasn't dominating.
Wasn't controlling.
Wasn't leading.
He was reacting.
Surviving.
At the academy—
He saw the game before others.
Here—
Others saw it too.
And some—
Even faster.
Training stopped briefly.
The coach stepped forward.
"We don't care where you came from."
His eyes scanned the group.
"We don't care about clips."
A pause.
"We care about this."
He pointed at the pitch.
"Now."
Lamii nodded slightly.
He understood.
No past.
No reputation.
Only performance.
Next play—
He changed.
No hesitation.
No delay.
One touch.
Pass.
Move.
Again.
Faster.
Cleaner.
Sharper.
The ball came again.
He didn't think.
He acted.
Quick turn.
Instant pass.
Perfect timing.
The play flowed.
For the first time—
He felt it.
Adrián stopped for a second.
Watching.
Better.
Then—
It happened.
Lamii received the ball under pressure.
Two players closing.
No space.
No time.
He moved.
One touch.
Another.
A quick shift of direction.
Both defenders gone.
The field opened.
He looked up—
And delivered a perfect through ball.
Sharp.
Precise.
Beautiful.
Goal.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Then—
Reaction.
Players nodded.
Some impressed.
Some surprised.
Adrián stared at him.
No smirk this time.
Just focus.
But the game continued.
And the reality stayed.
One moment—
Wasn't enough.
The whistle blew.
Players walked off.
No celebration.
No praise.
Just work.
Lamii stayed behind.
Looking at the pitch.
The same feeling returned.
But stronger.
Clearer.
"This is just level one…"
He whispered it.
Not in fear.
In understanding.
He tightened his fist slightly.
Eyes focused.
Determined.
"I'll conquer this too."
Because this time—
He wasn't chasing a dream from far away.
He was standing inside it.
And he wasn't leaving without becoming the best