The golden sunlight spilled across the polished floor, painting the room in warmth. For a long moment, Jaeven sat there, breathing in the air of a world that didn't hurt.
No tubes.
No wires.
No beeping machines whispering his mortality.
Just life.
He rose from the bed slowly, half expecting his legs to collapse beneath him the way they always did before. But they didn't. The floor was cool under his feet. His body felt light, strong—even the simple act of standing made him shiver with disbelief.
He flexed his fingers, clenched his hands into fists, then placed one over his heart.
The beat was steady. Firm.
Tears welled in his eyes before he could stop them. The memory of hospital walls, of watching life pass by through a television screen, flashed through his mind like shards of broken glass. Now, he was standing—truly standing.
The knock came again, gentler this time.
"Jaeven? Are you awake?"
The voice was female—soft, concerned. He turned toward the door, panic flickering across his face.
What do I say?
Who am I to them?
Before he could answer, the door opened slightly. A woman stepped in—mid-thirties, elegant, dressed in a cream blouse and slacks. Her dark hair framed a kind face that radiated warmth.
She smiled the moment she saw him.
"Oh, good. You're finally up," she said in relief. "You slept past nine, young man. Your father will think you've gone lazy."
Her laughter filled the room like music. For a second, Jaeven could only stare, his throat tightening. He didn't know her, and yet… something deep within him recognized the tenderness in her tone—the kind of affection Elias Kwon had only seen in dreams.
"…Mom?" he whispered without meaning to.
She blinked, then chuckled. "Of course, me. Who else?"
Jaeven forced a smile, hiding the storm behind it. She crossed the room and brushed his hair gently, the way mothers do when they've done it a thousand times before.
"Come down soon, alright? Lucia's waiting—and you know how your sister gets when breakfast goes cold."
"Okay," he murmured, voice almost trembling.
She left, closing the door softly behind her. Silence returned, but this time it was warm, not empty.
Jaeven stood before the mirror again, studying the face that wasn't his but somehow was.
So this is Jaeven Moretti Han…
Bits and fragments of memory trickled in—names, places, habits, emotions. He saw flashes of a large villa, an Italian father's stern gaze, a playful younger sister.
It was strange, how the memories intertwined with his own, blending into something seamless. The soul of Elias Kwon and the life of Jaeven Moretti were merging—like two rivers flowing into one.
Then the blue holographic screen flickered again before his eyes.
> [Tutorial Mode Initiated.]
[Welcome to the Football System.]
[You have been granted a second life with one mission—Rise to the Top.]
[Before you begin, please complete the initial synchronization test.]
Lines of light formed around him, scanning his body from head to toe.
> [Analyzing physique…]
[Scanning neurological responses…]
[Calibrating athletic potential…]
[Complete.]
A soft chime followed.
> [Base Stats Initialized.]
Attribute Score Grade Notes
Pace 42 D– Average high school stamina
Dribbling 39 E+ Untrained instincts present
Shooting 37 E+ Untested power
Passing 40 D Basic coordination
Physical 44 D Solid, developing frame
Intelligence 53 C– High perception and decision speed
Mentality 56 C Strong willpower detected
> [Overall Rating: D– (Developing)]
[Potential: Unlocked – System Training Required.]
[Tutorial Objective: "Test Your New Body."]
Jaeven's mouth fell open slightly.
Stats… like a game?
The System pulsed again.
> [Run 10 meters to complete synchronization.]
He blinked, looking down at his body. "Run…?"
A laugh escaped him before he could stop it.
He hadn't run—really run—in twenty years.
He took a deep breath, stepped back, and tightened his fists. Then he moved.
His foot hit the ground—softly at first, then faster. One step, two, three… His body flowed forward, smooth, strong, effortless. The air brushed past his face like silk. His lungs didn't burn. His legs didn't give out. The warmth of motion spread through his chest until it felt like he was flying.
For the first time, Elias Kwon—now Jaeven Moretti Han—ran.
Laughter burst from him, unrestrained, echoing through the spacious room. He stumbled to a stop, panting lightly, but not in pain—just exhilaration.
He looked at his reflection, sweat glistening on his forehead, eyes shining with something fierce.
> [Synchronization Complete.]
[Reward: 1 Skill Point.]
[Tutorial Phase 1 Cleared.]
> [Skill Shop Unlocked.]
A new tab opened on the holographic screen.
> [Available Beginner Skills:]
Ball Control (Lv.1) – 1 Skill Point
Basic Dribbling (Lv.1) – 1 Skill Point
Precision Pass (Lv.1) – 1 Skill Point
Low-Curve Shot (Lv.1) – 2 Skill Points
Jaeven stared, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile.
"So this is my second chance…"
---
Breakfast at the Villa
He made his way downstairs, still trying to act natural as the memories of this body continued to settle. The villa was breathtaking—Italian architecture with Korean elegance woven into every detail. Marble floors, open halls, sunlight streaming through tall windows.
At the table sat three people: his mother from earlier, his father—broad-shouldered, dressed in a crisp shirt, reading the newspaper—and a girl who looked around fourteen, her hair tied into a ponytail. She was munching on toast, eyes glued to her phone.
When she noticed him, she grinned.
"Well, well, the prince finally wakes up," she teased. "Did you pull an all-nighter again?"
Jaeven hesitated, then smirked back. "Maybe I did. What are you gonna do about it, Lucia?"
Her jaw dropped. "You—! You usually don't talk back!"
The parents exchanged amused glances. His father chuckled. "Good to see some fire in you, son. You'll need it if you plan to join the academy next month."
Jaeven froze. Academy?
He smiled quickly to hide his confusion. "Right… the academy."
Lucia leaned closer, suspicious. "You sure you didn't hit your head or something?"
He ignored her, pretending to eat while the words echoed in his head.
Football academy… So this body was already chasing the same dream.
It was almost poetic.
---
System Message
The screen flickered faintly in the corner of his vision, invisible to everyone else.
> [New Objective: Attend the Local Trial for Virtus Lombardia Academy.]
[Reward: System Upgrade and Hidden Attribute Unlock.]
[Deadline: 7 Days.]
Jaeven's fork paused midair. His eyes narrowed.
A trial… in seven days.
It was as if fate had written the script for him. He clenched his jaw, excitement burning under his calm expression.
He was given what he'd begged for in his dying breath—a chance to play, to run, to become.
His fingers brushed the table unconsciously, tapping in rhythm, like dribbling an invisible ball. The faint echo of stadiums, of roaring crowds, filled his imagination again.
He wasn't Elias Kwon anymore—the sickly man who watched others live.
He was Jaeven Moretti Han.
And this time, he wouldn't waste a single breath.
---
He stood from the table after breakfast, excusing himself quietly. His mother smiled warmly.
"Go get some fresh air, Jaeven. You look brighter today."
He nodded, stepping out into the villa's courtyard. The sun bathed the garden in light, the air thick with the scent of fresh grass.
Jaeven crouched down, his hand brushing over a football resting by a small training post near the garden wall. His heartbeat picked up instantly.
He picked it up. It was light, familiar, and yet brand new. He bounced it off his knee once, twice—then let it fall and rolled it forward with his foot.
His body responded naturally. Balance, timing, rhythm—each movement flowed smoother than the last. The ball obeyed him, like it had been waiting for this moment.
> [Tutorial – Dribbling Activated.]
[Objective: Maintain control for 60 seconds.]
[Timer: Start.]
He laughed softly. "Let's see what you've got, System."
The ball danced between his feet, one touch after another, smooth and fluid. His muscles adapted instantly. The System assisted him, subtle cues flashing in his vision: too strong—angle left—weight balance shift.
Before he knew it, a minute passed.
> [Objective Complete.]
[Reward: Skill Unlocked – Basic Dribbling Lv.1]
[Stats Updated: Dribbling +3 | Pace +2]
Jaeven fell back onto the grass, staring up at the sky as the sunlight shimmered through the leaves.
He could feel it—the warmth of the sun, the rhythm of his heart, the weight of his new destiny.
A laugh escaped him again, softer this time.
> "Elias Kwon is gone," he whispered to the sky. "This time, I'll live."
> [System Log Updated.]
[New Quest Added: Path of the Prodigy – Chapter 1.]
[Quest Description: Enter the Virtus Lombardia Academy and prove your worth. The world awaits its next football legend.]
[Countdown: 7 Days.]
The blue light faded, leaving only the whisper of the wind.
Jaeven closed his eyes.
The roar of imaginary crowds filled his head again—but this time, it didn't sound like a dream.
It sounded like destiny.