Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player
Chapter 7: The First Stage Trial
After coach Andreas shouted, the players remained unmoved and no one turned around to leave.
“Alright then,” Andreas speaks after a few seconds.
“I think everyone here has signed up.” He said while petting his stomach.
“But we don't want to know your name yet.” Yells
“Because most of you won't be here tomorrow.” He added, his voice changed dramatically towards the end of his words.
The voices of the youths began to blabber anxiously like rivers in the mountains. But I kept quiet, I already knew that this 2010 youth trial would be different. In the past, the coaching staff would allow any football player who had signed up to participate in the final trial later. But for the year, only a few dozen were selected after undergoing screening due to the presence of scouts from France.
“Diam” shouted coach Andreas, directly silencing the youths – the young man.
“I won't waste – wasting my time explaining our decision to all of you. But you should know that we only want twenty-six of your best – players. The rest will have to go home and wait for next year for the next test.”
“We will only test one thing. That is your physical fitness. You will never be a pro if your physique is not fit. So our test is very simple.” Coach Andreas paused for a moment while grinning.
All the young players gathered on the pitch became nervous after hearing and seeing the grin on coach Andreas' face.
“You should run thirty-two rounds around this field. Those who have the fastest time can survive for the main trial.” Coach Andreas said with a creepy grin.
“DING”
Not long after coach Andreas said about the first test in today's trial, the system notification I already knew echoed in my mind. The translucent blue screen glittered and then appeared in front of him without me having to call. This incident was the first because usually I have to want the screen to appear when I need to check the system user interface.
Meanwhile with the other youths, most of them were already pale-faced hearing the announcement from Coach Andreas, but I ignored the chaos around me and more importantly checked the contents of the notification system.
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Mastery Quest
# New Quest: Youth Football Trial in Jakarta (Series Mission)
Task 1: Be the first or fastest in physical fitness testing at youth football trials.
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*Reward :
>Ramuan Improved Agility Rank B
(It will make you faster and more able to control your body )
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*Punishment If failed :
>Mastery System will be offline for three months
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*Specification: Mastery System is a system that requires users who must dominate their profession from the beginning or at least try. A toast to the beginning of your renaissance as a potential Football Master.
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NB: Mission will be renewed as trial continues
****
“What the fuck is this?” I cried out loudly, forgetting where I am now.
“How do I achieve this with all the monsters taking part in the trial.” I muttered a little worriedly.
“You have something that goes against my instructions, young man?” I heard Coach Andreas yell, his voice sounded angry. I looked up only to find the other players looking at me with dumbfounded and confused eyes. Some like Raihan, Kevin and Toni try their best to hold back their laughter.
‘Sial me release.’ My mind panicked a little while looking at Coach Andreas.
I looked forward and saw the mature-skinned coach Andreas wearing a scary face as he glared at me.
“Do you have anything that goes against my instructions.” He once again asked, his fists clenched and relaxed. I knew that the unreasonable coach was angry. I decided to save the situation before it escalated.
“Sorry, sir.” I try my best to sound humble.
“I quite forgot myself there and shouted out loud. I didn't mean to offend.” I added, bowing a little to the coach. I realize that coach Andreas likes honest students who can admit their mistakes rather than cover them up. So I decided to reveal some half-truths in order to get coach Andreas's forgiveness.
“ Can you tell us what you thought earlier.? We want to understand what can make a young man forget himself while attending one of the most valuable football trials in the country.”
I let out a sigh of relief when I heard the coach's tone subside. He seemed to have crossed the first hurdle.
“I was thinking about how I should do the best of all the players here to attract the attention of one of the scouts. I'm very nervous sir.” I replied with a trembling voice.
A commotion exploded in the stadium which was actually quiet. Some young men held their bellies and laughed like there was no tomorrow. The teenagers were very amused by my cowardice. But this doesn't affect me in any way, because I'm just worried about the coach.
“ Silent.” Shouted Andreas once more, stopping the turbulent tide of laughter.
“Young man,” he said towards me.
“I give you the advantage of doubt. I'm gonna let this go now. But watch my words, this should be the last time an incident like this happens.” The coach lets his views explore the players to emphasize his point.
None of the players wanted to get a negative view of the coach, so they kept quiet with their heads down.
“Young.” Coach Andreas once again looked at me.
“Who is your name.?” She asked.
“I Nero Juniar, sir.”
“Nero Juniar,” murmured coach Andreas.
“That name seems a bit familiar.” The other coach standing to his left whispered something to Coach Andreas. Which resulted in him raising his head and looking back at me while grinning.
“I'll keep an eye on you during the trial. Try to do it to the best of your ability son.” Coach Andreas said, he then went on to give his direction.
I only half listened to the other trainers instructions. My thoughts are mainly on the mission system. The system has offered the best reward for him at this point. I need an agility-enhancing potion to break through the deadlock on my grade. But I had to outrun everyone, including the Magical Child, Arya Bathara. I don't think that I've been the best in my age group just because of some gift from the system. There might be some players who were already at Grade S talent at fifteen. I suspect that Arya is such a player.
‘But what should I fear?’ I thought after calming down.
‘Arya is still fourteen years old, I have longer steps and pretty good stamina. I can definitely win.’ I thought I was encouraging myself.
I then concentrated back on the word – said coach Andreas who seemed to be finishing his season.
“From our records, we know there should be 120 players here.” Said.
“We will divide you into four groups, each with about 30 players.” Said
“When coach Rian here reads your name, you are in the first group.” He said while pointing at the skinny man on his left.
“Go to the track and wait for the whistle. And good luck.” Said
Coach Rian swiftly finished announcing the names of the players in the first group. I was not among them and just waited on the grass with the others. However, the likes of M.Hilmy and Fiqh Firdaus are in the group.
The race immediately started after coach Rian blew his whistle. Hilmy and Fiqih lead the others around the field from start to finish. Finally Hilmy managed to complete 32 laps in just 41 minutes and 1 minute difference with Fiqih who was ranked second. The others are famous names that I know as well who entered the top ten.
After the coach recorded the finish time of the 30 participants, the second group started the race. Again I was not selected among the second group. But I noticed that my former friends Toni and Kevin were in the group. They managed to finish among the top five, behind Raihan who led away in first position.
By noon the third group finished their race. Now it's my turn to run. And as fate would have it, the Miraculous child Arya Bathara, was also in the fourth group.
I stepped on the running track knowing that I would have little chance of winning against Arya. But if I win, I will win the prize of a very good system to improve my talent. As such, I am more excited to win than anyone.
‘I'll win this race.’ I said swear inwardly, while marching with the others on the track. I'm just waiting for the whistle.
