Chapter 21: The Forge of the Giants
The bruise on Mide's ribs from Essien's "welcome" was a mottled purple reminder that talent has a ceiling when it hits a wall of muscle. He stood in the Carrington gym, watching Rio Ferdinand bench press weights that looked like small car parts.
[System: "Checking Stats... Physical: 62. Current Status: 'Ragdoll Potential.' If you go into the next match like this, you'll be spent by the 60th minute. You have 2,595 SP. It's time to stop being a 'boy' and start being a 'beast'."]
Baba, you said 10 SP equals 1 Attribute point?
[System: "Correct. But listen, Oga, don't just dump it all into Strength. A King needs balance. Speed, Stamina, and Power. What's the move?"]
Mide didn't hesitate. He remembered the feeling of being pushed off the ball at the Bridge.
Allocate 1,000 SP to Physical Attributes.
[System: "Spending 1,000 SP... 100 Attribute Points gained. Allocating as follows:
+40 to Strength (62 -> 70)
+30 to Stamina (68 -> 71)
+30 to Agility (75 -> 78)
Remaining SP: 1,595."]
As the points settled, Mide felt a literal surge of heat through his muscle fibers. His jersey felt tighter around his shoulders. His legs felt denser, like coiled springs made of carbon fiber.
The Gym Challenge
"Oi, Nigeria! You done admiring yourself in the mirror?" Wayne Rooney shouted, stepping off a treadmill. "Come here. Let's see if those 'Wizard' legs can actually hold some weight."
Rooney pointed to the leg press machine. He had it loaded with 200kg. "Match my set, and I'll buy you dinner. Fail, and you're cleaning my boots for a month."
[System: "New Challenge: The Pitbull's Bet. Objective: Complete 12 reps of 200kg. Reward: +50 SP & Rooney's Respect."]
Mide sat in the machine. A week ago, this would have crushed his knees. But now, with Strength 70 and Level 2 Center of Gravity, he felt a strange stability.
One. Two. Five...
His muscles burned, but the Predictive Impact trait helped him find the perfect angle to drive the weight.
Ten. Eleven... TWELVE.
Mide locked the machine and stood up, barely breathing hard. Rooney's jaw dropped.
"Bloody hell," Rooney muttered. "What are they feeding you in that apartment? Iron filings?"
The Brand War
After the gym session, Mide's agent, Bernard, was waiting in the parking lot, looking like a man who had just won the lottery and lost his car keys at the same time.
"Mide, it's a mess," Bernard said, waving two thick folders. "Nike heard about the Adidas offer. They've gone nuclear. They want to give you a signature 'MA10' line of boots by 2008. But Adidas is offering a direct link to the 'Beckham' marketing tier."
[System: "Financial Alert:
Nike Offer: £2 Million/year + Signature Line.
Adidas Offer: £1.8 Million/year + Global 'Predator' Face.
Advice: Nike is better for the 'Crown' brand, but Adidas is the soul of Manchester United. Choose carefully."]
"Tell them both to wait," Mide said, leaning against his car. "I'm not signing anything until after the Liverpool game. If I silence Anfield, the price goes up."
Bernard looked horrified. "You're gambling with millions!"
"I'm not gambling, Bernard. I'm investing in myself."
The Tactical Prep: The Red Hell
The weekend was approaching. Liverpool vs. Manchester United. The North-West Derby. Anfield.
Sir Alex called Mide into the video room. On the screen was Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
"Gerrard is going to try and kill you," Sir Alex said plainly. "He hates that the press is calling you the new 'King.' He'll try to rattle you in the first five minutes. And Carragher? He'll talk in your ear for ninety minutes in an accent you won't understand. Don't listen to him. Just play."
[System: "Anfield Atmosphere Debuff: -10% Mental Focus for 'Away' players. You need to stay cold, Oga. Gerrard isn't just a player; he's a force of nature. This isn't Chelsea's 'tactics.' This is Liverpool's 'passion.' And it's much more dangerous."]
Mide looked at the screen, his eyes following Gerrard's movements.
"Let them come, Boss," Mide said. "I've been practicing a new trick."
[System: "SP: 1,645. You're holding onto your points like a miser. Are you saving for 'Gravity Well' or 'Cannon of the Savannah'? Because at Anfield, you're going to need a weapon."]
Mide didn't answer. He just tightened his grip on his gym bag. He could already hear the "You'll Never Walk Alone" echoing in his mind.
The boy from Surulere was about to enter the most hostile stadium in England. And this time, he had the muscle to back up the magic.
[Current Status]
Name: Mide Adeyemi (MA10)
SP: 1,645
Physical Stats: Strength 70, Stamina 71, Agility 78.
Next Match: Liverpool vs. Manchester United (The Derby).