The locker room smelled of rust, rubber, and resignation.
Leon sat alone at the far end, unlacing his boots while the rest of the team celebrated outside. He had scored yesterday. For the first time in his life. But now, twenty-four hours later, the moment felt distant — like it had happened to someone else.
The system interface was quiet. No blue glows. No pop-ups. Just silence.
EXP: 70 / 100.
He sighed.
"Don't let it get to your head," Coach Davor had muttered after the game. "A fluke is a fluke, even if it finds the net."
Leon wasn't even sure the man believed in luck. Only hard data and grit. His clipboard had more game time than Leon ever had.
Still, the PlaySight had worked. It wasn't a hallucination. That one moment, that one burst of clarity — it had changed everything.
6:00 A.M. – Alone with the Ball
Leon arrived at the training pitch an hour before anyone else.
The school's turf was rough, the boundary nets torn, and two goalposts were tilted like broken arms. He dropped his bag and pulled out a faded orange ball.
"Player Stats," he whispered.
Leon Vale – Level 1 (Novice)
EXP: 70 / 100
PlaySight Uses Today: 1 Remaining
Attributes:
• Shooting: 41
• Passing: 48
• Dribbling: 44
• Speed: 45
• Stamina: 42
• Vision: 10
• Mental: 39
Still the same.
The stat screen didn't move just because he wanted it to. There were no easy shortcuts. And that was the terrifying part — this wasn't magic. It was a system built to respond to action, not desire.
Leon placed the ball ten yards from the empty goal. No defense. No pressure.
He took a shot. Wide.
Another. Low and center.
Another. Off the post.
He reset. Changed stance. Adjusted rhythm. Dozens of shots. Repetitions. Grit. He could feel his lungs tighten, legs ache.
+3 EXP: Focused Repetition
+2 EXP: Identified Shooting Weak Point
He stopped, panting, sweat sticking to his neck like a second skin.
EXP: 75 / 100.
A whisper of satisfaction curled inside him.
Leon didn't know he was being watched.
From behind the metal fencing, Coach Davor observed with crossed arms. He didn't speak, didn't interrupt. Just watched. The kid wasn't talented — that much was obvious. But there was… something.
Effort. Obsession. Desperation maybe.
And sometimes, those three things could become something dangerous.
PlaySight Test – Dribbling Drill
Later that evening, Leon stood inside the old gym. He'd lined up cones, benches, chairs — anything he could find — into a messy dribbling course.
He stared ahead, breathing slow.
"Activate PlaySight."
PlaySight Activated – 1 Use Remaining
7-second foresight in effect.
The world slowed. Paths appeared, like glimmers of motion before they happened. The cones shimmered with possible futures.
He moved.
Left. Right. Step-over. Slide around a bench. Burst forward. A faint blue arrow helped him pivot just before hitting a tipped chair.
He reached the end. Ball under control.
It wasn't pretty, but it was the first time the ball felt like it obeyed him, not the other way around.
+10 EXP: PlaySight Use – Training Application
+2 EXP: Dribbling Efficiency Improved (Temporary)
He fell to the floor, chest heaving.
EXP: 87/100.
Reflections Under the Streetlight
That night, Leon sat outside the school gates, alone on the curb, knees hugged to his chest.
Above him, a flickering streetlight buzzed like an old television.
The HUD flicked open on its own, almost like a friend nudging him.
Progress Report – Leon Vale
• EXP Gained Today: +17
• Notable: 1-hour shooting drill, 1 PlaySight dribble session
• Fatigue Status: Mild
• Advice: "Every climb begins in shadows."
• Hidden Skill Potential Unlocked: "Low-Profile Focus"
Condition: Train alone 5 times without external recognition.
Leon chuckled. That was the system's idea of encouragement, he guessed.
He didn't know that Kael Rivas, the academy's golden boy, had been asking questions.
"Leon Vale?" Kael asked his teammate later that evening. "The benchwarmer? He scored?"
"Yep. One-touch curl. Caught the keeper off guard."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"Get me the match tape."
Somewhere else, Aria Laurent, Leon's classmate, a distant stranger had seen the goal clip circulating in whispers across student forums. She didn't message him. But she didn't forget it either.
And Coach Davor circled something in his notebook:
Note: #17. Sudden improvement. Vision seems improved. Monitor for inconsistencies.
End-of-Chapter HUD Log
Leon Vale – Player Log
• Level: 1 – Novice
• EXP: 87 / 100
• PlaySight Used: Yes (dribbling drill)
• Solo Training Sessions: 1
• New Passive Potential:"Low-Profile Focus" – (locked)
• Notes: Minor stat micro-adjustments may trigger upon next level
• Upcoming Unlocks @ Level 2:
– 2 PlaySight uses per match
– Tactical Awareness Preview
– Possible stat improvement: +1–2 max
Leon didn't know how long the system would stay. He didn't know if he'd ever be good enough to matter.
But as he stood up, wiped the sweat from his brow, and jogged back home under the quiet stars, one thing was certain:
For the first time in his life, he was improving. Slowly. Quietly.
But definitely.