-Sigh – My legs hurt.
–My stomach hurts, my arms and my back. Why could this have happened to me? What will come after this. I feel how the blood that was gushing from my nose is surrounding my entire face, I felt how my stomach was wet with that red substance that only made me feel even colder.
–Is my family going to be okay after all I've done? I hope they live well.
–Now my whole body hurts even more. I see how all the frightened people around, I hear the sirens of the police officers and the ambulance siren. My body is completely stunned.
–I feel like I'm slowly losing the sensitivity of my body and the pain is fading away. I don't know how much time has passed since this happened.
–I could barely speak, I could hardly keep my eyes open.
In a moment, I felt as if a dream controlled me, making me lose consciousness.
–Sigh – "Where am I? I see nothing, I feel nothing. In fact, I can't speak." I am in a place of total darkness. I lost any sense of time; I simply spent all that time wandering in my thoughts.
–When, suddenly, a light appeared. This light was small but little by little it grew. I suppose wandering in my thoughts helped me not to lose my sanity. It was a way to free myself from my problems and not think about the now.
–Hello Arthur, you are dead as you well know.
You lost yourself in time. That's why we couldn't find you. I give you two options:
Be sent to an alternate world or go to heaven.
–What? And what about my family, how are they?
–Your family, after your death, overcame your death after a period of mourning. They died naturally.
–Then, I suppose I will be reborn. Hey wait a minute, being sent to another world? That is not an isekai. In my previous life, I read FanFictions. Are you going to give me some power or something?
–No. You and many people, when you die, once you have enough karma, can choose these options. But everything is random, meaning you may or may not have powers. Well, in 5 seconds you will automatically be sent to the other world.
–After the indicated time passed, I felt my consciousness fading.
–The moment I opened my eyes I was sitting on a bed, in a room I didn't know.
–The moment a headache started to give me pain. I felt as if my brain was cooling like ice. As if new memories were being implanted, memories of a life that wasn't mine.
–I'm 17 years old, I'm a footballer. My name is Arthur, my parents died when I turned 3, they left me a large inheritance. I have my own servant that my previous self considered a father.
–He manages my money among my other needs. I am at a football club, I'm in that anime about footballers called Blue Lock. I am in the same team as Kira.
–I suppose I will excel in this new world, I will excel on my team. My self of this world didn't excel at anything; I was just on the bench. Practically I was there just to fill the roster.
–I'm going to devour everyone and I'm not talking about the footballers. Well, just kidding, I suppose I will improve my football skills.
According to my memories, there is little time left before the tournament against the Isagi team. I have to stand out in that match, I have to be better than Kira, to be recruited into Blue Lock.
I got up from the bed, putting on my sandals, heading towards my bathroom to take a shower.
After getting out of the shower and having changed, I headed towards my kitchen since my servant named Hendrick.
–Hendrick, I want to go train at the club a bit longer.
–Of course, gladly, finish your breakfast first, take a break and I will take you to the club.
I had my breakfast and Hendrick, already in the car, took me to the club.
It was a large and well-kept place.
The club was almost empty when I arrived. The sun was barely beginning to warm the grass, and the fresh morning air filled my lungs. Hendrick dropped me off at the entrance, as always, with that look of concern that he never quite managed to hide.
—Don't overexert yourself, Arthur —he said before leaving, but I just nodded, knowing that I would do exactly the opposite.
I entered the locker room, put on my uniform and went straight to the field. The smell of freshly cut grass was strangely comforting. I started warming up, first with basic exercises, then with sprints, dribbles, shots at goal. Each movement was a silent declaration: I was not going to be just another benchwarmer, not this time.
Sweat ran down my forehead, but I didn't stop. I imagined the match against the Isagi team, the pressure, the stares, the opportunity to shine. I had to be better than Kira; I had to be the best on that field.
Little by little, my teammates began to arrive. Some greeted me with a nod, others not even that. I wasn't close to any of them, according to the memories of my "previous self," but that could change. Soon, the coach gathered us for a joint training session. The pace picked up; the competition could be felt in the air. I pushed myself to the maximum, beyond what my body demanded. Every pass, every shot, every play was an internal battle against my own limits.
—Arthur, slow down! —the coach shouted at one point, but I just gritted my teeth and kept going.
The training lasted longer than usual. When it finally ended, I collapsed on the grass, panting, feeling the exhaustion wrap around me like a heavy blanket. I closed my eyes for a moment, but sleep caught me immediately.
I don't know how much time passed. Perhaps minutes, perhaps an hour. The sun was already high when I opened my eyes again. I felt strange, as if something inside me had changed. I got up slowly, rubbing my eyes, and that's when I noticed.
A teammate, Takumi, was approaching to pick up his water bottle. When I looked at him, something appeared before my eyes, as if an invisible screen was unfolding in my mind:
[Takumi Sato]
Talent: Dribbling (B-)
Talent: Game vision (C)
Talent: Endurance (C+)
I blinked, surprised. I looked at another teammate, Yuto, who was tying his boots:
[Yuto Nakamura]
Talent: Speed (B-)
Talent: Long-distance shooting (C+)
Talent: Ball control (C+)
I got up, my heart pounding. What was this? A special ability? A gift from this new world? I remembered the words of that being before sending me here: "Everything is random, you may or may not have powers." Apparently, luck was on my side.
But it wasn't just about seeing the talents. When I focused on one of them, a small window appeared with additional information:
[Conditions to obtain the talent: Dribbling (B-)]
Train with Takumi for at least 10 sessions.
Surpass Takumi in a dribbling duel during an official match.
Could I… copy the talents of others? Could I become a football monster, accumulating the abilities of all my teammates and rivals? The idea made me smile, a smile I couldn't help but give.
But there were limitations. I couldn't simply look and obtain. I had to meet certain conditions, work hard, prove my worth. That made it more interesting, more challenging.
I sat again on the grass, processing it all. If I wanted to stand out in the tournament against the Isagi team, I had to start working right away. I had two weeks. Two weeks to train, to get closer to the teammates with the best talents, to meet the conditions and absorb their abilities.
I remained seated on the grass, looking at my hands, feeling the cold sweat on my forehead. The murmur of the other players mixed with the birds' song and the distant hum of cars on the road. The sun was already high, and the heat was beginning to hit hard, but I barely noticed. I kept turning over in my mind what had just happened. I looked at my teammates and the names, the talents, and the rankings appeared as if they were part of a video game. It wasn't a dream, it wasn't an hallucination. It was real.
I got up slowly, feeling my body heavy from overexertion. I walked towards the hydration area, where Takumi and Yuto were sitting, chatting about just anything. I approached them without a word, took a bottle of water and sat down beside them. Takumi looked at me sideways, as if surprised that I joined them.
—Did you fall asleep on the field? —Yuto asked, half laughing.
—Yes, I was tired —I replied, without wanting to give any explanations.
Takumi nodded, as if he understood. He stayed silent, drinking water. I watched him sideways, once again seeing the list of talents hovering above his head. Dribbling (B-), Game vision (C), Endurance (C+). He didn't seem like someone special at first glance, but now I knew he had something that could help me.
The coach passed by, shouting orders to those still training. Some of the boys laughed, others complained about the heat. I only thought about how to get closer to Takumi without raising suspicions. He wasn't someone very sociable, according to the memories of my previous self, but he wasn't a complete loner either. I could try.
—Hey, Takumi —I said, looking at the field—, are you staying to train a little longer? I want to practice dribbling, but it's boring on my own.
Takumi looked at me, hesitating. Then he nodded.
—Yes, I can stay. But don't complain if I leave you behind —he said, with a barely perceptible smile.
Yuto got up, saying he had to go. It was just Takumi and me left, in silence, while the others gradually left. The field emptied until there were only the two of us and a couple of other boys at the far end.
We began to train. At first, we merely passed the ball, but soon Takumi proposed one-on-one duels. He attacked, I defended, and then vice versa. At first, it was hard for me to keep up with his pace. His dribbling was quick, precise, and although he wasn't the fastest, he had a way of moving that threw me off. Every time he outpaced me, I felt a mix of frustration and curiosity. Is this what it felt like to have a B+ talent in dribbling?
After several attempts, I managed to take the ball from him once. He looked at me, surprised, and then smiled, as if he enjoyed the challenge. We continued like that for almost an hour, sweating, panting, without much conversation. Just the sound of the ball, the footfalls on the grass, and our heavy breaths.
When we finished, we were both exhausted. I dropped onto the ground, looking at the blue sky, feeling my heart pounding. Takumi sat beside me, without saying anything. The silence wasn't awkward, just heavy with tiredness.
—You're good —he finally said, gazing at the horizon—. I didn't think you'd last that long.
—You too —I replied, not wanting to say much more.
We stayed like that for a while, catching our breath. Then, Takumi got up, shook off his pants and said goodbye with a gesture. I watched him leave, thinking about the conditions I had seen before. Ten training sessions together, and then surpass him in a duel during an official match. It wasn't impossible, but it wasn't easy either. I would have to work hard, and above all, get closer to him.
I got up slowly, feeling my body heavy. I walked to the locker rooms, where the smell of sweat and disinfectant mingled in the air. I showered quickly; the cold water helped clear my mind. I changed and left the club, where Hendrick was already waiting in the car.
—How was the training? —Hendrick asked, looking at me through the rear-view mirror.
—Good. I stayed a little longer with Takumi —I replied, looking out the window.
Hendrick nodded, saying nothing more. The journey back was silent, only the sound of the engine and the city passing by outside. When I arrived home, I went straight to my room. I threw myself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, reviewing everything that had happened. The ability, the talents, the conditions. Everything was so strange, but at the same time, so real.
That night, I dreamed of the football field, of the talents floating above my teammates' heads, of the ball rolling under my feet. I dreamed of the match that was coming up, of the chance to stand out, to change my destiny in this new world.
Hendrick was always awake before me. When he came down to the kitchen, breakfast was already ready: eggs, toast, orange juice, sometimes some fruit. I ate in silence, looking out the window at the perfectly kept garden. Hendrick didn't speak much, but his presence was comforting. Sometimes I wondered if he also had hidden talents, but I never dared to look at him with my ability. I didn't want to know, at least not yet.
After breakfast, Hendrick drove me to the club. The journey was always the same: the same streets, the same traffic lights, the same hurried people on the sidewalks. I went looking out the window, mentally reviewing the names and talents of my teammates, thinking of the conditions I had to meet. Sometimes, Hendrick played soft music on the radio, but most of the time silence filled the car.
Upon arriving at the club, the atmosphere was different every day. Some teammates arrived early, others just on time. The locker room smelled of disinfectant and sweat, a mixture that had become familiar to me. I changed quickly, without talking much, and went out to the field before the others. I liked feeling the fresh morning air, the damp grass under my cleats, the silence before everything began.
I started with basic exercises: stretches, light jogging, ball touches. Then, when the others arrived, the coach gathered us to give instructions. He was a man of few words, but his eyes said everything. He didn't like mistakes, but neither did he like shouting. He just expected us to do our job.
The training was divided into several parts. First, group exercises: passing, rondos, agility circuits. Then, short matches, one-on-one duels, shots at goal. I put every effort into each exercise, but without drawing too much attention. I didn't want the coach to think I was desperate to stand out, even though, in reality, I was.
When the official training ended, most of the boys left quickly. Some had classes, others jobs, some simply wanted to rest. I always tried to stay a little longer, and almost always I found Takumi willing to accompany me. Sometimes Yuto stayed too, but most of the time it was just Takumi and me.
The dribbling duels became a routine. At first, Takumi was clearly superior. His movements were quick, unpredictable, and I could barely keep up with him. But little by little, I improved. I started anticipating his feints, reading his intentions, finding small gaps in his defense. Takumi noticed that, and that made the duels increasingly intense.
Sometimes, after a good dribble, Takumi laughed, a brief, dry laugh, as if he couldn't help it. Other times, he simply looked at me with a mix of respect and challenge. We didn't speak much, but the language of football was enough.
Between sessions, I began to notice small changes in my own game. My feet moved faster, my reflexes became sharper, my ball control more precise. It wasn't just a matter of practice; I felt that something inside me was adapting, as if the ability to see talents was also helping me absorb them little by little.
Days passed, and the tournament against the Isagi team drew near. The atmosphere at the club grew tenser. The coach increased the intensity of training, and the internal matches became more competitive. Everyone wanted a spot in the starting eleven, and no one wanted to stay on the bench.
Kira, as always, was the center of attention. His shots on goal were powerful and precise, and his leadership on the field undeniable. But I observed him with different eyes. I saw his talents floating above his head, and each time I trained with him, I tried to learn something new. Sometimes, after training, I approached him to practice shots at goal. Kira accepted, though he didn't seem particularly interested in me. To him, I was just another teammate, one among many.
But I knew I had to surpass him. According to the condition of my ability, I had to score more goals than him in an official match and train with him in shots at goal at least five times. I had already done three sessions, and every time we trained together, I felt I was getting a little closer to his level.
The nights were long. After dinner, I would go up to my room and throw myself on the bed, staring at the ceiling, going over everything I had done during the day. Sometimes, I would lie awake for hours, thinking about the tournament, the talents, the conditions I had to meet. But most of the time, my mind was occupied with football, with the talents, with the conditions I had to fulfill.
Sometimes, I dreamed of impossible matches, of stadiums full of people, of spectacular goals. Other times, I dreamed of darkness, of the feeling of being lost in a place without time or space. But always, upon waking, the reality was the same: a new day, a new training session, a new opportunity to improve.
One day, after an especially hard training session, Takumi and I were left alone on the field. The sun was already setting, and the sky had that orange hue that is only seen in summer. We sat on the grass, taking deep breaths, without saying a word.
—Why do you push yourself so hard? —Takumi asked suddenly, looking at the horizon.
I stayed silent for a moment, thinking about what to reply.
—I don't want to stay on the bench —I finally said, shrugging—. I want to play, I want to be better.
Takumi nodded, as if he understood. He said nothing more, and silence filled the field again.
After a while, we got up and left. When I arrived home, Hendrick was waiting with dinner ready. I ate in silence, thinking about Takumi's question. Why did I push myself so hard? Was it just to stand out, to be the best? Or was there something more?
That night, I had trouble sleeping. I tossed and turned in bed, thinking about the tournament, the talents, the conditions I had to meet. In the end, exhaustion overtook me, and I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The following days followed the same routine. Training, dribbling duels with Takumi, shots at goal with Kira, internal matches, silent dinners with Hendrick, long and lonely nights. But little by little, I began to notice changes in the team. Some teammates started talking to me more, asking about the training sessions, inviting me to play matches outside the club. I accepted, even though I didn't always feel like it. I knew I had to get closer to them, know their talents, fulfill the conditions of my ability.
One day, after an internal match, the coach called me aside.
—Arthur, you have improved a lot in the last few weeks —he said, looking me in the eyes—. Keep it up, and you'll have your chance in the tournament.
I nodded, saying nothing. I didn't need any more motivation. I knew I was on the right track.
That afternoon, I stayed training alone on the field. The sun was setting, and the field was almost empty. I practiced shots at goal, dribbling, long passes. I felt my body tired, but my mind clearer than ever.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned and saw Kira approaching, with the ball under his arm.
—Staying to practice? —he asked, without looking at me.
—Yes —I replied, taking the ball.
Kira stayed with me for a while, practicing shots at goal. We didn't talk much, we just passed the ball and shot repeatedly. Every time Kira shot, I observed his technique, his posture, the way he struck the ball. I tried to imitate him, but it never came out the same.
When we finished, Kira said goodbye with a gesture and left. I remained alone on the field, looking at the dark sky, feeling my body exhausted but satisfied. I had already completed four sessions of shots at goal with Kira. I only needed one more to fulfill the condition.
That night, upon arriving home, Hendrick asked if I wanted to have dinner. I said I wasn't hungry and went straight to my room. I threw myself on the bed, staring at the ceiling, reviewing everything I had done during the day. I felt my body heavy, but my mind didn't stop working.
The next day, the training was more intense than ever. The coach divided us into two teams and organized an internal match. I was on Takumi's team, and Kira on the other. The match was hard, full of clashes, shouts, fast plays. I gave everything I had, trying to surpass Kira in every play, score more goals than him, fulfill the condition of my ability.
In the end, the match ended in a tie. I scored two goals, Kira one. I felt a mix of satisfaction and relief. I had met the condition. Now I only needed one more session of shots at goal with Kira.
After the match, I approached Kira and asked him to stay for extra practice on shots at goal. He agreed without a word, and we stayed a little longer on the field, shooting repeatedly. When we finished, I felt a strange sensation in my chest, as if something inside me had been unlocked.
That night, when I arrived home, I went straight to my room and threw myself on the bed. I closed my eyes, and suddenly, an invisible window appeared before me:
[Talent obtained: Shooting (B)]
I felt a surge of energy running through my body, as if I suddenly understood something that had been a mystery before. I got out of bed, grabbed a ball and went down to the garden. I started shooting at an improvised goal, and each shot was more precise, more powerful, more natural. It was as if Kira's talent had fused with mine, as if it had always been there.
In the following days, I continued training with Takumi, meeting the sessions necessary to obtain his dribbling talent. Every time we trained together, I felt I was getting closer to his level, that I could anticipate his movements, that my feet moved faster, more surely.
Finally, after the tenth session, I felt that strange sensation in my chest again. An invisible window appeared before me:
[Talent obtained: Dribbling (B-)]
I sat on the grass, breathing deeply, feeling my body tired but my mind clearer than ever. Now I had two new talents, two more weapons for the approaching tournament.
The atmosphere at the club became increasingly tense. Everyone was talking about the match against the Isagi team, about the opportunity to be recruited by Blue Lock, about the possibility of changing their lives forever. I listened in silence, observing my teammates, seeing their talents, thinking of the conditions I had to meet to obtain them.
Sometimes, I wondered if what I was doing was right. Stealing others' talents, even if it was by fulfilling conditions? But then I remembered my previous life, all that I had lost, and the opportunity I now had. I couldn't waste it.
The nights continued to be long and lonely. Sometimes, Hendrick would come up to my room and ask if I was okay. I would say yes, even though it wasn't always true. But he wouldn't insist; he just patted me on the shoulder and left.
Finally, the day of the tournament arrived. The club was packed, nerves were palpable in the air. The coach gathered us in the locker room, gave us the final instructions, and we headed out to the field.
The Isagi team was already there, warming up. I looked at them one by one, seeing their talents, their rankings, their weaknesses. I knew I had to stand out, that I had to be better than Kira, that I had to seize every opportunity.
The referee blew the whistle to start the match, and the ball began to roll. I felt my heart pounding hard, adrenaline coursing through my body, my mind clearer than ever.
It was my opportunity. I couldn't fail.
The murmur of the crowd in the stands, the shouts of the coaches, the crunch of cleats on the grass. Everything became sharper, as if the world had suddenly focused. I looked around, at my teammates, at the rivals of the Isagi team. Their talents floated above their heads, letters and symbols that only I could see. Some had skills in defense, others in speed, others in passing. None had an S or A rank talent, but several had C+.
I took my position, feeling the weight of the jersey, the cold sweat on my neck. The ball was at the center of the field, and Kira was preparing for the kickoff. We exchanged a brief, tense look. He was the team's benchmark, the one everyone expected to lead the offense. But I had other plans.
The match began with intensity. The Isagi team pressed high, not giving us comfortable space to play. The first minutes were an exchange of quick passes, divided balls, clashes in midfield. I tried to remain calm, not rushing. I knew I had to use my new talents, but I also knew I couldn't do everything alone.
In the first offensive play, the ball came to my feet. I felt a strange confidence, as if I knew exactly what to do. A defender approached me, and without thinking, I executed a dribble that I had seen countless times from Takumi. The ball went one way, my body the other, and the opponent was left behind, surprised. The crowd murmured, some teammates looked at me in amazement. I just kept running, looking for the pass, the play, the space.
Kira saw me and signaled. I passed the ball to him; he controlled it and shot from outside the area. The opposing goalkeeper stopped the shot, but the message was clear: we were going to attack, aiming to score right from the first minute.
The match continued with high intensity. The Isagi team did not hold back.
I moved around the field, looking for spaces, calling for the ball, combining with Takumi and Yuto. Every time I had the ball, I felt I could do something different: a dribble, a through pass, a long-range shot. It was as if the talents I had obtained were integrated into my own style, as if they had always been mine.
In one play, I received the ball near the opposing area. A defender rushed at me, but I used Takumi's dribble to leave him behind. Another defender came to close me down, but I anticipated him, changed direction and found myself face to face with the goalkeeper. I felt Kira's talent in my legs, I loaded my shot and kicked with force. The ball flew off, grazed the goalkeeper's hand and slipped into the net.
Goal.
The stadium erupted in cheers, my teammates ran to embrace me. I felt a mix of euphoria and relief, but I didn't let it go to my head. The match had just begun.
Kira looked at me, surprised, but also with a smile of complicity. I knew that goal was important, not only for the team, but for me. The other teammates began to see me in a different light, with more respect, with more confidence.
The Isagi team did not give up. They continued attacking, looking for the equalizer. Their star forward received a long pass, outpaced our defender and calmly finished. A goal for them. The match was tied, and the tension grew.
The coach was shouting from the sidelines, demanding focus, order, intensity. I tried to stay calm, not letting the nerves get the better of me. I knew I had to continue playing my game, take advantage of my talents, wait for the right moment to make a difference.
In midfield, Takumi and I began to combine better. Our training duels had paid off: we already knew how the other moved, what play he was going for, where the space would be. In one play, Takumi gave me a through pass, I controlled it while turning my back to the goal, spun and volleyed. The ball flew nearly off target, but the crowd applauded the play.
The match went on, intense, evenly matched, full of emotions. Every play was a battle, every divided ball a war. I felt my body tired, but my mind remained focused. I saw the talents of the opponents, their weaknesses, their strengths. I knew whom I had to pressure, whom I had to avoid, whom I had to confront one-on-one.
In one defensive play, I recovered the ball near our area. I looked up and saw Yuto breaking free on the flank. I sent him a long, accurate pass; Yuto ran, controlled the ball and crossed into the area. Kira arrived from behind and headed the ball. Goal.
We went 2-1 up. The team celebrated, the coach applauded from the sidelines. I felt a surge of satisfaction, but I knew I couldn't relax. The Isagi team was dangerous, and much of the match was still ahead.
Minutes passed, fatigue accumulated. Sweat trickled down my forehead, my legs hurt, but I couldn't stop. Every time the ball came to my feet, I felt a huge responsibility. I couldn't fail, not now.
The Isagi team began pressing higher, seeking the equalizer. Our defense suffered but held on. I dropped back to help, recovered balls, and started playing calmly. In one play, an opposing forward pressed me hard, but I used Takumi's dribble to escape danger. The crowd applauded; some teammates congratulated me. I just kept playing, focused on the match.
The coach made some substitutions, putting in fresh legs in midfield. I stayed on the field, knowing I had to give it my all until the end. The match turned more physical, more tense. The opponents began committing fouls, protesting the referee, looking for mistakes.
In the last minutes, the Isagi team had a clear chance. A shot from outside the area, the ball deflected off a defender and just grazed the post. The crowd held their breath, but the referee blew for a goal kick.
There were only a few minutes left. The coach asked for calm, possession, intelligence. I tried to follow his instructions, but I was also searching for that third goal, the final blow. In one play, I recovered the ball in midfield, advanced a few meters and saw Takumi breaking free. I passed him the ball, he controlled it, dribbled past a defender and returned it to me at the edge of the area.
I felt Kira's talent in my legs, I loaded my shot and kicked with force. The ball flew off, the goalkeeper dove, but couldn't reach it. Goal.
The stadium erupted in cheers, my teammates ran to embrace me. The coach applauded from the sidelines, Hendrick in the stands smiled with pride. I felt a mix of relief and satisfaction, but also a strange emptiness. I had achieved my goal, had shone, had been the best on the field. But I knew this was only the beginning.
The referee blew the final whistle. We won 3-1. The team celebrated, my teammates congratulated me, some even hugged me. Kira approached and patted me on the back.
—Good game, Arthur —he said, smiling.
—Thanks —I replied, not knowing what else to say.
The coach gathered us in the locker room and congratulated us for the effort.
I sat in my locker, breathing deeply, feeling my body tired but my mind clearer than ever. I knew I had played a good game, that I had shone, that I had achieved my goal. But I also knew I had to keep improving, that I had to keep seeking talents, that I had to keep making the most of my ability.
After the match, Hendrick was waiting at the stadium exit. I got into the car, exhausted, and he looked at me through the rear-view mirror.
—Good game, Arthur —he said, smiling.
—Thanks —I replied, looking out the window.
The ride back home was silent, only the sound of the engine and the city passing by. When I arrived, Hendrick prepared dinner, but I wasn't hungry. I went straight to my room, threw myself on the bed, closed my eyes and let the exhaustion take over.
That night, I dreamed of the match, of the goals, of the talents floating above the heads of my teammates and opponents. I dreamed of stadiums full of people, of impossible plays, of the feeling of being invincible. But I also dreamed of darkness, of the sensation of being lost in a place without time or space.
When I awoke, I felt my body heavy, but my mind clearer than ever. I knew I had to go on, that this was only the beginning.
One afternoon, while training alone on the field, the coach approached me.
—Arthur, there's something for you —he said, handing me an envelope.
I opened it with trembling hands. Inside was a letter with the Blue Lock logo. They were inviting me to a trial, an opportunity to demonstrate my talent, to compete with the best, to fight for a place among the elite.
I felt a mix of fear and excitement, anxiety and hope. I knew it was my chance, that I couldn't miss it. I looked at the empty field, the ball at my feet, the blue sky above.
I knew I had to keep going, that I had to keep seeking talents, that I had to keep improving. I couldn't fail, not now.
I sat on the grass, breathing deeply, feeling my body tired but my mind clearer than ever. I closed my eyes and let the silence envelop me, preparing me for what was to come.
To be continued.