Rewards and Coach's Instructions

Izan looked at the rewards and asked the system, "Hey Max, what are the effects of the growth potion?"

"Ding! [The growth potion stimulates the host's latent growth and helps the host's muscles and body evolve. 

This helps the host avoid any career-ending injuries and also allows the host to use his body more efficiently.]"

Izan stared at the description, particularly at the part about avoiding career-ending injuries. If he had injury immunity while playing at an exceptional level, he'd be an invaluable asset to any club.

"Max, how can I maximize the effects of the growth drug?" Izan asked, not wanting to waste its potential.

"[Host should consume the drug after training.]"

Izan, who had just finished an intense match, decided to take the potion. 

He opened the tab, clicked on the growth potion, and watched as it materialized into a blue can. He stared at it for a moment before drinking it.

At first, nothing happened. But as he stood up to leave, he suddenly collapsed, his body stiffening as if electrified. 

A sharp pain shot through his brain, but he clenched his teeth, refusing to cry out.

His muscles felt as if they were being torn apart and stitched back together. His veins shimmered with a faint blue glow.

After about a minute, the pain subsided. Izan lay on the floor, drenched in a sticky, gooey sweat. When he finally stood up, he noticed something.

"I think I've gotten taller," he murmured with a grin.

Not wanting to waste more time, he left the washroom to rinse off.

"Next time, let's do it at home. I felt like I was going to die."

Just as he exited, a teammate entered and recoiled.

"Oh wow, did someone die in here?" the player asked, grimacing at the strong, unpleasant odor left behind by the gooey substance.

Locker Room Banter

While Izan was in the locker room showering, the rest of the players arrived and began washing up as well.

When Izan stepped out, he noticed a few teammates staring at him.

"Damn, looks, talent, and now height? Say, Izan, do you have a girlfriend?" Juan, with a towel draped over his shoulder, asked.

"Hey, look at him. Of course, he might have one or two," Gaia chimed in.

Izan smiled. "No, I don't."

"Really?" Some of the players seemed skeptical.

"You guys forget—I'm only 14," Izan said.

A brief silence followed as they all registered that fact.

"Leave the kid alone," Mark Montes, the team captain, chuckled.

Izan walked up to him. "Mark, who's the best player here?"

"No doubt it's Pietro, but he's injured. Right now, I'd say Andranik." Mark pointed at a blonde-haired boy. "He and Pietro have both been called up to the senior team before."

Izan nodded and immediately used the snooping function on him.

PLAYER INFO

• Name: Andranik Chust

• Age: 18 (Turned 18 a week ago)

• Height: 1.84m (6'2")

• Profession: Footballer

• Status: Youth Player

• Team: Valencia CF U-19

• System Evaluation: Youth Prospect

• Player Rating: 66/100

• Position: Central/Defensive Midfielder

• Potential: 85

STATS

• Speed: 63

• Body Control: 67

• Spatial Awareness: 66

• Technique: 66

• Shooting: 64

• Passing: 67 [+1]

• Body Strength: 62

• Weak Foot Strength: 4 stars

• Skill Moves: 3 stars

SKILLS POSSESSED

• Stepovers: 60% Completion

• Pinpoint Passing: 75% Completion

Izan compared Andranik's stats to his own. Aside from speed, Andranik was slightly ahead in most areas. 

But that wouldn't last long—especially since Izan had gained stat points from their last match.

He then used the snooping function on the entire team and saw that most players had ratings between 61-64, except for himself (65) and Andranik (66).

"Pietro must be around 68 or 69… maybe even in the early 70s, since he's played for the senior team," Izan speculated.

That meant he needed a minimum overall rating of 68 to be considered for the first team.

"Well, let's hurry up and get that overall up," Izan murmured.

"Did you say something?" Mark asked.

"Uh, no."

"Anyway, coach said we have training tomorrow before the match."

Izan nodded, packed his bag, and headed out.

Home

Izan took the bus home, as he had asked his mom not to pick him up every day.

"I'm home," he called out upon entering.

He removed his shoes and placed them on the rack. As he walked upstairs, he noticed an unfamiliar girl sitting with his sister.

"Guess she has friends," Izan thought. His sister was usually picky about who she spent time with.

"Miura, how did it go?" Komi asked about his first session with the U-19s.

"Sensational," Izan replied before heading upstairs.

Once in his room, he opened his system tab and checked his personal info.

PLAYER INFO

• Name: Izan Miura Hernández

• Age: 14 (4 months to 15)

• Height: 1.80m (6'0")

• Profession: Footballer

• Status: Youth Player

• Team: Valencia CF U-19

• System Evaluation: Youth Prospect

• Player Rating: 65/100 → 66/100

• Position: Wing Forward/Attacking Midfielder

• Potential: 87

• Legend Points: 11,200/10,000 to Level 3

• Stat Points: 26

STATS

• Speed: 70

• Body Control: 65

• Spatial Awareness: 65

• Technique: 65

• Shooting: 66

• Passing: 64

• Body Strength: 64

SKILLS POSSESSED

• Stepovers: 85% Completion

• La Croqueta: 50% Completion

• Cruyff Turn: 70% Completion

• Roulette: 50% Completion

Izan decided to distribute his stat points before upgrading the system. 

His last upgrade had unlocked the snooping function, so he was eager to see what the next one would bring.

After allocating his points strategically, his overall rating increased to 66.

"No one said it was going to be easy," Izan muttered as he started his post-training yoga routine.

Izan woke up at 6:00 AM, and glanced at the date: April 17, 2022.

"Sh*t," he cursed, realizing he had forgotten to do the system upgrade.

After finishing his morning workout, he freshened up, had breakfast, and decided to ride his bike to school.

The school day passed without much trouble. Izan confidently finished his mock exams, having balanced football and studying well.

At the end of the day, he picked up his things and headed to the training ground.

Early Training

Izan arrived first. Changing into his kit, he set up cones and dummies and began speed and dribbling drills.

He then moved on to free kicks, setting up four balls from different positions.

His first shot from 20 meters curled perfectly into the net. The second, from 24 meters, struck the crossbar.

A voice interrupted him. "You must use your body well if you want to get the ball inside the net."

Izan turned to see Coach Moreno standing behind him.

"What a monster," the coach thought, watching Izan's shots.

"I guess we won't have to worry about set-pieces for a while."