The hallway to the locker room still smelled of sweat and wet grass as Richard stepped through, panting. The light rain from last night still clung to his jacket; the Utrecht U-18 jersey felt warm and unfamiliar on his back. An official debut: a goal, a victory, and a name that now echoed throughout the academy.
As soon as the locker room door opened, his teammates turned. Some who hadn't greeted him earlier now crowded around.
"Hey, our new striker!" Van Houten exclaimed, patting him on the shoulder. "Great, bro—two goals on your official debut!"
Richard just smiled faintly. He knew the spotlight was both sweet and dangerous.
In the corner of the locker room, Coach Bram stood, opening his tablet. A small smile was visible—a sign of appreciation from a training coach who doesn't readily give praise. Shortly after, Coach De Vries, the U-18 head coach, entered. His gaze was like a rock: cold, measured, yet strangely calming.
"Good job today," De Vries said curtly to the entire team. "But this is just the first step. We're ready to grow."
---
Media Spotlight Begins to Turn On
Less than an hour after the match, the academy's internal media staff entered the locker room carrying tablets and handheld cameras.
"Coach, there are several local outlets and several talent scout accounts covering the game. They'd like a brief comment from the young player in question," one of the staff said.
Bram glanced at Richard. "Are you ready?"
Richard nodded, slightly tense. The cameras were on, small lights shining on his face.
"First—congratulations, Richard. How does it feel?" asked the internal reporter.
Richard took a breath, weighing his words. "Alhamdulillah. I'm grateful and… focused on the next step. This isn't the end; it's just the beginning."
The reporter smiled. "Ready for regular football? Your goal?"
Richard looked straight in the eye. "I want to continue developing in the U-18s, help the team win, and one day play professionally."
It was a simple answer—but it came from a mouth that didn't say much. The cameras stopped rolling; the academy staff nodded in satisfaction. The short video was then posted to the club's official account — and before long, clips of the goal and the celebration began circulating on the academy's internal channels and local scouting groups.
---
A Call from Home: A Truly Sustaining Force
In between his busy schedule, Richard sat alone on the stadium steps. His phone vibrated. The name on the screen: Ibu (Sumi).
"Mom, son!" his mother's voice was filled with emotion. "Did you see? My brother's video is on my phone. Lintang and Tasya were crying from screaming. Thank God…"
Richard held back tears. "Yes, Mom. It's because of your prayers and our hard work."
"Take care of yourself. Remember to be polite, don't get cocky," his mother advised, then chuckled.
The short conversation filled him with something that no amount of attention could replace: a sense of belonging.
---
Reward System: Mysterious Box Opened
As he stood and looked at the deserted field, a familiar voice appeared in his head.
Ding.
Quest Completed: First Official Match (U-18)
Rewards: Mystery Box (Silver), +5 Attribute Points, Skill Upgrade Roll.
A small holographic display visible only to Richard appeared for a moment—the virtual box spun, unlocked, and then spewed out its digital contents.
You obtained: SKILL — Spatial Awareness (Lv. 1).
Description: Expands perception of surrounding space; helps read teammates and opponents' positions in real-time, increasing the chance of finding passing lanes/placements without looking back.
Richard's heart skipped a beat. This kind of skill is often praised in the world's top tactical studies—he now has an early version of it.
The box isn't finished yet.
You also gained: +5 Free Points. Please allocate.
Richard considered his perceived weaknesses: decreased stamina in the final minutes, a slight lack of explosive acceleration, but strong control and mental fortitude.
He divided the points concisely:
Stamina +2
Ball Control +1
Mentality +1
Speed +1
Attributes updated. A notification confirmed. He felt a slight shift: his breathing felt more steady, his ball control smoother as he spun around the dressing room.
---
Internal Interview & Head Coach Alert
Soon afterward, Coach De Vries called him to the sidelines—not to criticize, but to give him a message.
"Good work today," he said matter-of-factly. "Two debut goals, that's no coincidence. But remember: the media is quick to create hype. Hype distracts players. Your focus must remain on training."
Richard bowed respectfully. "Ready, Coach."
De Vries stared at him for a moment. "We'll evaluate the footage. You'll get some additional tactical sessions and a recovery plan. Don't get carried away."
Those words were like a crutch—a compliment with a warning that balanced a head that was starting to feel dizzy from the praise.
---
Concussion & New Tasks
As word spread, the club's internal account featured highlights. Several local scouts who frequented the club also offered positive comments. The statistics on the club dashboard: xG, key passes, duels won—Richard's stats appeared to be improving in several metrics.
But in the team chat group, Coach Bram sent an assignment message:
> "Good job. Tomorrow: morning recovery at 7:00, then video tactics at 9:00. Focus: positioning during set pieces and continuous pressing."
The real task was back on his mind. There might be a spotlight, but the work was the deciding factor.
---
Evening with Aquila: Calm Amidst the Storm
As evening approached, Aquila waited at the dormitory door in a warm jacket. Her face was bright. "Everyone at school is talking about you. My older siblings sent a message to the group."
Richard let out a small, embarrassed laugh. "Don't make a scene at your house, Quil. People will be watching me."
They sat in a small cafe near the dormitory. Aquila held his hand, looking into Richard's eyes.
"You're strong," she said softly. "Don't let the gossip get to your head. Remember who you are."
Richard held her hand tightly. "Yes. I remember everything. This is for mom… and for the family."
Under the cafe lights, he opened the virtual box in his head once more, checking his new skills and stats. It felt real, but still a secret.
---
New Quest from the System
Before he went to bed, the notification popped up again.
Ding. New Quest: Prove the Debut Wasn't Luck
Objectives: Start in the next 3 matches, score 2 goals or 1 assist total, maintain a match rating of ≥7.0.
Rewards: Gold Training Pack, New Skill (Random), +10 Attributes.
Richard stared at the small screen—not the public screen, but the one in his head. A big challenge awaited. The debut was over, now it was time to prove his consistency.
He took a deep breath. That night he slept with the same dream: a wet pitch, cheering fans, and his mother's face on his phone screen.
The debut had ignited the cheer. Now he had to keep that fire burning—not just a fleeting glimmer, but a lasting glow.