March 11th, 2007 — Sunday
Segunda División B Matchday: Real Madrid Castilla vs. Rayo Majadahonda
Location: Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano
The locker room was alive with nervous chatter, the clinking of studs against tile, the sharp tang of liniment oil and sweat already filling the air. Jersey numbers hung along the wall like silent guardians. 11. 7. 9.
Nico Valen sat alone near the far end, jersey number 21 resting on his lap.
His heart thumped against his ribs—not with fear, but with something electric. He wasn't in the starting eleven, but his name was on the bench.
Progress.
Coach Emil walked in with the assistant manager behind him. "Alright, listen up! Rayo's midfield is tight and aggressive. They love to collapse on the ball. We break them with width and quick transitions. Stay smart, stay sharp."
Nico stared at the board, memorizing every detail.
Emil's eyes flicked to him briefly. "Valen. You're not just here to watch. Be ready."
Nico nodded, gripping the hem of his shirt like it held the weight of his past.
Kickoff — 16:00
The crowd wasn't massive—just over 2,000 in attendance—but the atmosphere carried weight. Castilla's ultras sang from the stands, waving white flags and shouting chants that echoed off concrete.
Nico sat on the bench, focused. The wind bit at his neck, but his blood was hot.
On the pitch, the game unfolded with intensity. The midfield was chaotic. Challenges flew in, passes were missed, and tempers flared.
By the 55th minute, the score was still 0–0. Castilla's attacks were disjointed.
Emil looked down the bench. "Valen. Warm up."
Nico stood instantly, muscles coiled, ears ringing with adrenaline.
The assistant leaned in. "You're replacing Arturo. Go central. Stay disciplined, don't overextend. Show them you belong."
Nico nodded once, then pulled his jersey over his head.
Minute 60 — Substitution: Nico Valen IN
A ripple went through the small crowd. Some fans murmured, confused.
"Who's the kid?"
"Another academy sub?"
"Never seen him before."
Nico didn't care.
As he stepped onto the pitch, the system buzzed to life.
[Live System Activated]
Match Conditions: Sunny, light wind
Objective: Influence game tempo, minimum match rating 7.0
Bonus Objective: Create a key chance
The ball hit his foot on the first touch. Time slowed slightly. He scanned the field.
There.
A darting winger was free on the right. Nico sent a curling pass across the half-space—cutting out two defenders.
Roars from the bench. The winger took it, crossed, but the striker's shot was blocked.
Coach Emil stood with arms crossed, watching.
Nico moved differently. His Tactical Awareness I kicked in like instinct. He anticipated Rayo's press, dropped between lines, received on the half-turn, and recycled the ball with calm precision.
By the 68th minute, the tempo shifted.
Castilla was breathing easier.
A loose ball came flying in Nico's direction. A Rayo midfielder lunged.
Nico fainted left, slipped right, and with a deft outside-foot flick, skipped past him like water slipping around stone.
Gasps from the crowd.
Even the commentator in the small press booth stammered.
"Elegant touch from the Castilla youngster… number 21—Valen, I believe…"
Minute 74
He received the ball near the final third. The striker called for it. Nico paused—not out of hesitation, but calculation.
Then he chipped a diagonal ball, perfect weight.
The striker volleyed it on the first touch.
GOAL.
1–0, Castilla.
The stadium erupted.
Nico didn't celebrate wildly. He raised a fist once and jogged back—quiet fire in his eyes.
[Key Chance Created — Bonus Objective Complete]
Match Rating: 7.8
Performance: Exceptional
Full-time: Castilla 1 – 0 Rayo Majadahonda
Nico walked off to claps from teammates. The assistant manager patted his back. "That was class. You didn't force anything. You dictated."
Coach Emil pulled him aside briefly, speaking in a low voice.
"You proved something today, Valen. You weren't just good. You brought control."
Nico nodded, sweat still trickling down his temple.
He didn't say anything.
He didn't need to.
Later That Night
Nico sat in his small room again, light from the street lamp casting shadows across the walls.
He opened the system.
It pulsed stronger than ever.
[Quest Completed: First Professional Match — Match Rating 7.8]
Reward: +3 Skill Points, +1 Trait Point
New Quest Unlocked:
[Path of the Chosen: Consistency Under Fire]
Objective: Deliver 4 match ratings of 7.5+ over next 6 matches.
Bonus: Assist or score in at least 2 games.
REWARD: Unlock Player Template Selection
(Choose from legendary archetypes: Maestro, False Nine, Complete Midfielder, or create your own custom path.)
Nico stared at it.
His pulse picked up.
Player Template?
It was more than skill points now. It was identity. Destiny.
He closed the system slowly, breathing in the silence.
Outside, Madrid slept.
Inside, the fire burned hotter than ever.
And Nico Valen—the quiet boy on the bench—was starting to become a name.