1 Chapter 1- Embers of Hope

In the year 2019, Real Madrid, after winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, experienced a rough season. Their trophy count dwindled compared to the previous years, largely due to the departure of their star player, CR7. This departure left millions of Madrid fans disheartened, and experts speculated that the team was in decline.

Far away from Madrid and Spain, a 17-year-old named Kabir Ali sat on the grass, engrossed in an article about Real Madrid's struggles. With messy black hair, fair skin, and a height of 5 feet 11 inches, Kabir was a handsome young man. Being a devoted fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, he felt the pain of his idol leaving Madrid. In Kabir's eyes, Real Madrid was the perfect team for Cristiano.

"If only he hadn't left, we could have won another UEFA Champions League this year," Kabir mused, setting his mobile phone down and gazing up at the sky.

"Instead of worrying about Real Madrid, I should focus on my own future," he thought. Kabir hailed from Bangladesh but had moved to London with his family. Unlike his family, Kabir's passion leaned more towards football than cricket.

Fortune smiled upon him when scouts from a Premier League club spotted his talent during a football match. While the club was small and struggling to avoid relegation, it boasted a rich history compared to other similar clubs.

Enter Nottingham Forest FC.

"At least this club has won the UEFA Champions League, unlike certain oil clubs," Kabir thought with pride as he embraced the opportunity. Unfortunately, while Kabir possessed above-average skills compared to regular people, his talent fell short when compared to professional players. Not only was his talent lacking, but his physical attributes also left much to be desired.

Once selected, Kabir joined the Nottingham Forest FC academy, but his performance disappointed the coaches and selectors. He feared that his constant underwhelming displays might lead to his expulsion from the club. Kabir relentlessly tried to secure a spot in the Under 18s youth team, but his abilities were clearly inferior to those of the other players.

Kabir's position on the field was an attacking midfielder, where he could showcase his best abilities. However, compared to the other attacking midfielders in the youth team, Kabir's skills were severely lacking. The crucial elements for a midfielder, such as stamina, strength, and speed, eluded him. Kabir would often tire after just 30 minutes of play.

Overwhelmed by a sense of uncertainty, Kabir felt a heavy burden settle upon his shoulders, prompting him to question the trajectory of his life. Lost in his thoughts, he couldn't help but reflect, "What am I truly striving for?" Football had always been his fervent passion, causing him to neglect his academic pursuits. However, his Asian parents, deeply rooted in traditional values, vehemently opposed his dreams of becoming a professional footballer. They insisted that he prioritize his education, emphasizing the significance of securing a stable future.

When Kabir took the pivotal step of joining the Academy, his parents withdrew their support, casting a disapproving shadow over his chosen path. The once steady stream of financial assistance from his father abruptly ceased, leaving Kabir without the funds he had come to rely on. Only through the covert aid of his compassionate mother, who clandestinely sent him a modest sum each month, was he able to meet his basic needs. Without this assistance, he would have struggled to satiate his hungry stomach, let alone fulfill his other necessities. Aware of Kabir's limitations, his club reluctantly provided him with a meager salary, their reservations mirroring the prevailing doubts surrounding his potential. Consequently, his dietary intake suffered, perpetuating a cycle of inadequate nourishment. Physically, he appeared fragile and noticeably underweight, bearing the visible scars of adversity.

Nevertheless, Kabir refused to allow these challenges to define him. Unfazed by financial constraints and physical setbacks, he remained resolute in forging his own path within the realm of football. The flame of determination burned within him, igniting an unwavering resolve to overcome the obstacles that stood in his way.

[Ding! The Football King system has been connected to the host.]

Kabir's breath hitched in his throat, freezing him in surprise as a vivid green screen materialized before his eyes. The sudden appearance of words sent a surge of panic through his veins, triggered by his countless nights immersed in anime. Yet, his fears were swiftly allayed as the next message from the system echoed in his mind, easing his worries and sparking a glimmer of curiosity.

Gradually, his racing heartbeat steadied, allowing him to absorb the system's words. Confusion gave way to cautious intrigue as Kabir's thoughts swirled with the possibilities that lay before him. The connection between himself and the Football King system held the promise of something extraordinary, a potential turning point in his journey. He couldn't help but wonder about the far-reaching implications of this newfound encounter.

Daring to imagine a future where this connection could bridge his skill gaps, Kabir envisioned unlocking untapped potential with the system's guidance. Could this enigmatic presence be the key to transforming his dreams into reality? Perhaps it held the tools needed to conquer the world of football. While uncertainties lingered, a flicker of hope ignited within Kabir's heart, propelling him forward to face the unknown challenges and revelations that awaited him.

[Ding! Analyzing the host's body. Preparing the host's status panel.....]

[ Name - Kabir Ali

Pace - 38

Dribbling - 35

Pass - 48

Defense - 28

Physique - 30

Vision - 80

Penalty - 21

Free kick - 19

Long shot - 41

Header - 40

Possession - 37

Preferred foot - Left foot

Skills - None]

"___"

Kabir's spirits plummeted as he contemplated his underwhelming stats, his dreams of becoming a professional footballer clouded by the harsh reality of his limitations. "No wonder I couldn't secure a spot in the youth team," he muttered dishearteningly, the weight of his deficiencies pressing heavily upon him. Doubts crept in, urging him to relinquish his aspirations, resigned to the notion that success in the footballing realm was beyond his reach.

However, a flicker of optimism flickered within him as he acknowledged one exceptional attribute that had initially caught the attention of the selectors—his exceptional vision on the pitch. It was this gift that had granted him a glimmer of hope in the past. Although his other skills fell short, Kabir's ability to perceive the game with remarkable clarity stood as a beacon amidst the shadows of self-doubt.

"No wonder securing a place in the youth team has proven challenging," Kabir murmured with a tinge of despondency. The statistics of his performance were indicative of a harsh reality—one that tempted him to relinquish his aspirations of becoming a professional footballer.

"However, my vision on the pitch is truly exceptional," Kabir acknowledged. It was his keen sense of vision that initially caught the attention of the selectors. Yet, what good was possessing an 80+ rating in vision when he struggled to fully utilize it? His other abilities lagged far behind, creating an imbalance. Kabir's dedication to training was never in question. Instead, the main obstacle hindering his progress lay in his inadequate diet. In an effort to save money, he often resorted to consuming fast food, a choice detrimental to his developing physique and overall well-being.

[Ding! The Football King system is here to assist the host in becoming the King of football. Every time the host plays an official match, depending upon the host's performance, the number of key passes, and the number of goals scored and assists provided, the host will earn points which the host can use to buy stats points or upgrade skills or buy skills.]

[Ding! From time to time, the system will issue quests to the host. The host will be rewarded with various rank skills depending on the difficulty of the quest.]

[Ding! Skills are ranked from F to SSS. Usually, a world-class player would have A-rank skills and one or two S-rank skills. While players that are considered Goats of football have SS-rank skills. While Messi and Cristiano have multiple SS rank skills and one SSS rank skill.]

[Ding! The Nottingham Forest FC youth squad's attacking midfielder has been injured recently. Coach Gareth Holmes is looking for a replacement from the Academy. Soon a trial will be held in the Academy. Earn your spot in the youth squad by impressing Coach Gareth.

Penalty - The system will stop working for one year.

Reward - A Mysterious skill, one random stat will be boosted by [10+]

'How am I supposed to impress the coach with such stats?' Kabir's heart sank as a wave of helplessness washed over him. He couldn't fathom how he was expected to impress the coach with his current statistics. True, his vision on the pitch exceeded the 80 mark, but he knew that it would take much more than that to catch Coach Gareth's discerning eye and secure a place in the esteemed youth team.

Thoughts of inadequacy consumed Kabir's mind, fueling his sense of despair. The weight of his limited abilities bore down heavily upon him, casting a shadow over his aspirations. He recognized that his vision alone would not be sufficient to make the desired impact and earn the coach's approval.

[Ding! The system has given the host a welcoming gift.]

[Ding! The host has received Xavi's passing ability.]

[Ding! The host's passing stats have been increased to [92+]

Just as these words appeared, Kabir felt a cold sensation throughout his body. His heart was full of shock. One had to know that The Spaniard is one of the few players in the history of the game to finish an entire game with 100% passing accuracy.

'With 92 passing skills and with my 80, I can easily impress the coach and earn my spot in the youth squad.' Just thinking of it, Kabir felt really excited.

-

-

The Next Day,

The following morning brought news that sent ripples of excitement through Kabir's peers. An announcement spread among those of Kabir's age, revealing the prospect of a match against the esteemed youth squad. Coach Gareth himself would grace the event, observing closely as he sought to handpick a midfielder for his team.

As the match commenced, Kabir's heart pounded with anticipation. The opposing side comprised the talented players of the youth squad, and within a mere 40 minutes, they managed to secure three goals. Pressure mounted upon Kabir's team, intensifying the challenge they faced. However, Kabir found himself on the sidelines, relegated to the role of a substitute. His skills were deemed insufficient to warrant a starting position in the match.

Though disappointed, Kabir understood the reasoning behind this decision. He acknowledged that his current abilities required further development before he could make a substantial impact on the field. Despite the frustration simmering within him, he resolved to use this moment of observation and analysis to his advantage, closely studying the strategies employed by both teams. With each passing minute, his desire to prove himself burned brighter, motivating him to work harder and demonstrate his worth when his opportunity arose.

From his vantage point on the sidelines, Gareth Holmes, the esteemed coach of the Nottingham Forest FC youth team, closely observed the clash between the Academy players and his own squad. A sense of truth lingered in his mind—had he been bestowed with ample resources, he would have readily scoured other clubs for a proficient attacking midfielder. Unfortunately, the club's financial constraints necessitated the exploration of untapped potential within the Academy.

"I've seen enough," Gareth declared with a tinge of disappointment, his voice resonating with a touch of resignation. The youth team of Nottingham Forest FC, while not regarded as the strongest in the league, had shown promise in the past. Yet, as Gareth surveyed the match, it became evident that his squad had encountered its fair share of challenges, impacting their overall performance. Their inability to counter the Academy players, who were missing one of their key figures, and the conceded three goals within a mere 40 minutes, served as a testament to the weaknesses that plagued the second team.

Driven by a desire to salvage the situation, Gareth made the decision to introduce the substitutes into the match. This shift in personnel aimed to provide an opportunity for fresh perspectives and undiscovered talents to emerge. As the substitutes prepared to step onto the pitch, Gareth's hope for a spark of brilliance to ignite within the team permeated the air, as he sought to identify the hidden gems capable of reshaping the destiny of the youth squad.

"Yes, sir," the assistant coach acknowledged, promptly carrying out Coach Gareth's instructions to substitute the remaining players. Kabir and his fellow teammates, who had eagerly awaited their chance, stepped onto the field, ready to showcase their skills.

As Kabir took his position, a surge of newfound confidence coursed through him. It was an inexplicable feeling, but today he felt a strong belief in his abilities. Uncertain of the exact reason, he was nevertheless resolute in his conviction that he could penetrate the opponent's defense and deliver crucial passes to his teammates.

With the resounding whistle of the referee, the match resumed its course. Prior to this moment, Kabir had keenly observed the main team, carefully studying each player's style of play. This attentiveness provided him with a rudimentary understanding of their capabilities and allowed him to better gauge the dynamics of the game.

Both teams adhered to a straightforward 4-3-3 formation. While Kabir assumed the role of an attacking midfielder, his fellow midfielders occupied the central positions. It fell upon Kabir's shoulders to orchestrate key passes and create scoring opportunities for the wingers and the striker to capitalize on. Armed with his impressive passing ability of 92 and a vision rating of 80, Kabir brimmed with confidence, knowing that he possessed the tools to craft enticing chances for his team.

In the 43rd minute of the match, a teammate delivered a pass to Kabir, who received the ball with his left foot. Just as he gained control, he noticed the opposing team's striker closing in on him. Aware of his own limitations in ball possession, Kabir swiftly scanned the field, assessing the positions of his teammates. His prior observations of the opponent's playing style and his own team's wingers aided his decision-making process.

With a single glance, Kabir discerned the optimal destination for his pass. He spotted the left winger positioned near an unoccupied area of the field. Filled with unwavering confidence, Kabir executed a precise pass, guiding the ball into the open space. Initially, some spectators doubted whether the opponent would intercept the pass, but to their surprise, the left winger effortlessly seized control of the ball, capitalizing on his speed and agility.

Subsequently, the left winger utilized the available space to execute a cross, intending to set up a scoring opportunity. Unfortunately, his shot possessed too much power, causing the ball to sail above the goalpost. However, such instances are an inherent part of the game, as not every shot finds its way into the net.

Gareth, the coach of the youth team, was intrigued by Kabir's exceptional pass. His curiosity piqued, he inquired about the young player's identity.

Pointing towards Kabir, the assistant coach responded, "His name is Kabir. He's considered one of the less skilled players in the academy."

Gareth remained unconvinced by his assistant's assessment. "If he's considered one of the worst, then who is considered the top player? Kabir smoothly delivered a precise pass to Ryan from a distance of 20 yards. What's more, he accomplished it with just a quick glance, taking no more than a split second."

The assistant coach explained, "Kabir was scouted primarily for his exceptional vision. He possesses remarkable awareness of the field. However, his overall stats fall short, and he lacks significant natural talent. Despite that, Kabir demonstrates dedication by consistently arriving early and staying late for training. It's worth mentioning that he hails from Bangladesh."

Deep in thought, Gareth considered the assistant's words. "Hmm, let's observe this young lad a bit more closely. He may just be the perfect replacement I need. We'll assess his abilities thoroughly after this match." The assistant coach simply nodded in agreement, opting to withhold any further comments.

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Thank you for reading! If you have enjoyed reading this chapter and want more chapters in the future then please vote for this novel. Also, add this novel to your library. My knowledge of football is quite limited but I am a passionate football fan. I wrote this story purely out of a passion for Football. There may be some things that don't happen in real life or match real-life events. So please go easy on me.