Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player
Chapter 44's
The night arrived with a perfect black whisper that grew into a soothing star choir.
Me and my three flatmates rode our bikes back to our apartment. Coach Marcel has disbanded us right after the game—only after a short speech. We are all currently in a somber mood as we reflect on the farewell words of the academy coach.
"Do you think the coach will continue and still cut off some players despite our win over the Anderlecht reserve team last Friday?" Ryandi asked, reducing his speed and equalizing his speed with mine.
"I doubt that very much" I replied without further ado. "The coaches need players for the Riga Cup in early February. Our team has only sixteen players left. Cutting out more players before the new year will cripple the team."
Stefan let out a half smile. "You said that because you weren't here two years ago. Coach Marcel took out more than ten U-17 players from the academy. He has no obligation to coach a full team of players until they join the U-19 team."
"Ohhh!" Ryandi shouted in frustration. "The tension of not knowing kills me. Will I be kicked out of the team or not? Why didn't the coach announce the results today? That's all I can think of."
"I think Nero has a point" Damon cut. "We need a team for Riga. Taking into account our performance over the two games, we are not in danger."
The four boys were in line as they turned the corner and rode a bicycle past Cora Supermarket, heading for a narrow path towards their flat. It was Friday night. Students from the University of Brussels are everywhere, perhaps attending one of their weekend parties. They all held a small beer in their hands and swayed following the loud music blaring from the small basement under one of the apartments.
"When will I join the campus and start enjoying a party like that?" Stefan sighed as the group of four rode a bicycle past the rowdy students.
"Instead of thinking about how to improve your ball handling, you're instead daydreaming about a party in the basement." Damon pouted at his brother. "I'd support the coach's decision if he fired you from the team tomorrow." He grunts.
"We need to put more effort into our training." Ryandi sighed. "The game with Anderlecht's senior team is a warning."
"Only Nero can resist fighting them," Stefan interrupted, shaking his head. "But I was relieved when we conceded only three goals. Before the game started, I was afraid we would concede more than six goals."
Stefan reduced his speed and fell down beside Nero, who was riding behind. "Nero! Why don't we start joining you in your physical training?" He asked while grinning.
I just gave a smile to my flatmate before saying. "You are welcome to join. But be careful, I won't babysit you. I'll move in at six tomorrow morning for an outdoor run. I'll also skip the training ground and do the cone agility exercise before breakfast. ." I said in a serious tone.
I realized that my Norwegian flatmates were very talented but often dropped out of their exercise routines. It seemed like that was the reason why they had remained unclear in their previous lives. I really want to motivate them and see them develop their careers further. There's a chance I could also cause one of those butterfly effects, changing the trajectory of football history in my new life.
"I'm also coming, too" answered the three more or less in unison. I'm nodding. I could feel the silent determination in their tone. It seems like my teammates are starting to train more seriously. I'm happy because I don't want to see them turn into failures at a sport they love like I did in my previous life.
The boys drove in silence for the rest of their short trip to the flat. When they reached their apartment, they quickly took a shower and headed to their room to sleep. They had dinner at the academy after the game.
I opened the system interface as soon as I safely took refuge in my room. Even though I was tired and almost asleep, I wanted to plan the training the next day after making some system purchases.I first clicked on the Mastery Quest tab to check the status of the completion of the mission, and then I did not want to,
"DING"
****
4 new messages
CONGRATULATIONS
-> You have completed the mission (Scoring a goal in a match against Anderlecht senior team).
----
->Mission gifts
1) 80 poin exp
----
->Mission Summary
----
Overall Mission Rating: A+
----
-> Bonus gifts
You have earned a total of 10 bonus exp points
----
****
My heart surges with joy. My expku points stock has been raised to 200 once again after two games against Anderlecht's side. Each game has become a mission system that has offered many reward exp points.
I thirsted for more exp points after starting his daily training in the Virtual Dungeon System. With two exp points, I can train The Miracle Shoot Lionel Messi or my Deadly Shoot for an hour in the dungeon. I can also make some elixir purchases from the system store with more points. Exp points are the currency of the system.
He suppressed his excitement and opened a system shop.
****
*SYSTEM SHOP
-> Gift Package (locked)
-> Purchasing Skills
-> Buy Elixir
-> Lottery Coupons (locked)
->Inventory
****
I tapped on the Purchase-Elixirs tab with my right index finger. Various potions represented by different types of icons fill the drop-down menu. Agility and vitality enhancing herbs of various levels are present on the list displayed on the interface. There are also mental and physical conditioning potions in the store from grades D to B.
However, most are expensive and out of stock expku points. The cheapest agility-enhancing herb, which was class D, cost a total of 1000 exp points. Herbs for increased vitality— are also appreciated in the same range. I was only able to give a monthly dose from D to C-grade physical or mental conditioning-elixir with my 200 exp points. Most of the other herbs were gray in color and were inaccessible to me. For example, I can't see grade A or S potions on the menu.
I chose to purchase a physical conditioning potion right away. This will significantly increase the efficiency of my training with just a monthly dose. I've spent the dose given to me by the system for a year of progressive overload training.
I aim to improve my fitness and raise one of my physical stats to an S. Only by becoming more physically fit could I gain the ability to learn more advanced football skills and become a nightmare for defenders.
Physical fitness is one of the most important aspects of soccer performance. A player can go far in the sport with unparalleled skill. However, without the fitness part of their game, they would not be complete players. My goal is to increase my stamina to maintain a high intensity level for 90 minutes of football.
But more urgently, I need to increase my agility to class S. My dribbling has helped me beat some defenders in previous matches. I intend to develop my dribbling skills further until I can beat any defender in any professional match.
My only logical choice was a physical conditioning potion because it would increase agility in the short term. I can't afford a more effective agility-enhancing elixir drug at this point.
After purchasing elixir, I spent four exp points to activate the Dungeon Virtual Training System feature for two hours. My daily routine is to practice Lionel Messi's The Miracle Shoot before entering slumberland at 11 p.m.
I have an important meeting with Coach Marcel after all that I have to attend the next day.
