The hum of the jet engines filled the first-class cabin, but Brian barely noticed. His mind was locked onto the cryptic message.
"The real test starts now."
He leaned back in his seat, staring out the window at the endless stretch of sky. Whoever was pulling the strings had his full attention now. They had gone through the trouble of setting up a mystery opponent—someone good enough to push him, but not good enough to win.
A test.
Brian smirked.
They wanted to see if he was the real deal.
Fine.
He'd make sure they never doubted him again.
---
The moment he stepped off the plane at LAX, a man in a dark suit was waiting near the gate. No sign, no introduction—just a nod before turning and walking toward the exit.
Brian followed.
Outside, a black SUV was parked at the curb. The back door opened as they approached. Inside sat the same man from the warehouse court.
Brian stopped, arms crossed.
— "You gonna tell me who you are now, or is this another test?"
The man smirked.
— "Get in."
Brian hesitated for half a second, then slid into the seat. The door shut behind him, sealing him in.
The man leaned back, watching him carefully.
— "You ever hear of the 'Kingmaker Project'?"
Brian raised an eyebrow.
— "No."
— "That's because it doesn't officially exist. But let's just say… the biggest athletes in the world? They didn't just get there on talent alone."
Brian's smirk faded.
— "I don't need help being the best."
The man chuckled.
— "No, you don't. That's what makes you different. But the system isn't built for lone wolves. If you want the world at your feet, you play the game behind the game."
Brian exhaled slowly.
— "And what do you get out of this?"
The man's grin widened.
— "We get to say we backed the next global phenomenon before anyone else saw it coming."
Brian stared at him for a moment.
Then he laughed.
— "You don't get it, do you? You're not discovering me. I was always going to take over. With or without you."
The man nodded, unfazed.
— "Maybe. But why fight the system when you can use it?"
Brian tapped his fingers against his knee.
— "And what does 'using it' look like?"
— "Private facilities. Access to the best trainers in the world. Strategic media pushes. Exclusive deals before they even hit the market. And—most importantly—control over your own narrative. You dictate how your legacy is written."
Brian tilted his head.
— "And if I say no?"
The man shrugged.
— "Then you do it the hard way. You'll still win. You'll still dominate. But the world won't move as fast for you. And trust me, in this industry? Timing is everything."
Silence filled the car for a long moment.
Brian exhaled through his nose, then grinned.
— "Alright. Let's see what you've got."
The man nodded, knocking twice on the partition.
The SUV pulled away from the airport, disappearing into the Los Angeles streets.
The real game had just begun.
---
They drove through the city in silence for a while, the bright lights of LA flashing by. Brian barely paid attention to the skyline—his mind was focused on what was coming next.
Eventually, they turned down a road leading to a private facility, hidden behind high walls and security checkpoints. The car stopped, and the man motioned for Brian to step out.
— "Welcome to the proving grounds."
Brian scanned the facility as they walked inside. It was unlike anything he'd seen before. State-of-the-art training equipment, private courts, recovery centers—it was built for perfection.
A few other athletes were already inside, training with laser focus. Some were faces he recognized—pros from the NBA, young talents from overseas. Others were unknowns, but the way they moved told Brian all he needed to know.
They weren't here by accident.
They were here to prove something.
The man led Brian to the main court, where a group was gathered around.
At the center stood a tall figure—someone Brian instantly recognized.
Kevin Durant.
Brian's smirk widened.
— "You've got my attention."
Durant glanced at him, then dribbled the ball once before passing it to him.
— "Good. Let's see if you deserve to be here."
Brian caught the ball, spinning it in his hands.
He didn't hesitate.
— "Let's play."
The others backed away, forming a loose circle around them.
The challenge was set.
And Brian was about to show them all exactly why he was inevitable.