Contract; intense preparation

"Thank you for this opportunity".

After thanking this legendary coach, Endrick left the hotel.

As soon as he stepped out of the hotel, the hologram in the hotel room disappeared, showing the real scene behind where Coach Alex Scaffold sat.

Behind him were 2 muscular men, clearly galactic warriors.

Apart from wearing all black attire from head to toe, the combat armor of these warriors was high tech, they wore the logo of one of the high-ranking Earth tech companies, capable of stealth, flight, and even limited space travel.

These 2 were Coach Alex Scaffold's personal guards.

They were not the only one in this hotel room. While Endrick conversed with him, there was another person inside, an old man with white hair and beard.

If he saw this person, Endrick would have believed him to be the real Coach Alex Scaffold. This was the legendary coach's personal assistant, Gandalf.

"What do you think?" Gandalf asked.

"He's lying". Coach Alex Scaffold said flatly.

Gandalf chuckled as he stood up. "You're right, he is a genius, it's clear from the last game that he played but there's no way he learned all those skills naturally, at least not to such a horrifying level".

"On my research subject, my research team has never slacked".

"My research on the 21st century football has bore a lot of fruit even before Unity launched, I already discovered most of the skills that he did".

"You were the one who told me otherwise to award him with the reward for creating a brand new football skill".

"Yes". Coach Alex Scaffold nodded as he folded his arms.

"I wanted to confirm something. From the names that he gave to the skills which correlates with their name a thousand years ago, we can confirm that he clearly knew of these skills beforehand".

"The dilemma is why does he feel that he has to hide the truth?"

"Is there something that we are missing?"

"Should we monitor him?" Gandalf asked.

"Yes". Alex nodded. "But…, do not make it too obvious, let's stay cautious since everything is still speculations for now".

"I value his input; I don't want to jeopardize my relationship with him".

Gandalf nodded.

A few minutes later, a latest gen helicopter lifted out of the hotel.

…

BEEP!

{Sender: Coach Alex Scaffold}

{You have received a virtual contract!}- {tap to sign}

After returning to the surface city, as Endrick walked back home, thoughts flowed through his mind as he remembered the last parts of his conversation with the legendary Coach Alex Scaffold.

"I have a proposal for you, since you said you learned all those football skills naturally, I will respect your truth".

"But as you know, not everyone is as talented as you with a ball at their feet and in my preparations for the Universe Cup that will be coming soon, I need to make sure that my prospective players are properly prepared to face aliens".

On hearing this, Endrick recalled his heart skipping a beat.

"I want to create a virtual training session in the game through which the football skills can be taught to players with a high enough level".

"To access the training sessions, they'll pay through experience points".

"Originally, I intended to order the game developing team to create everything but I'm not satisfied with the result that I got". He paused. "It's not realistic enough for my liking".

"This is why on noticing you, I changed my mind. I want you to become the ambassador of the virtual training sessions".

"All I need for you is to perform the football skills repeatedly in front of our high focus cameras where everything can be animated from your movements".

"Don't worry, this is not a free proposal".

"In exchange, after coming to an agreement, depending on how many players use the virtual training sessions in a month, you'll be paid accordingly".

"Take your time, make your decision after reading through the contract".

Legolas felt his temperature turn hot like a furnace after the proposal.

Perhaps, it was only because of his familiarity with contracts from his previous world that prevented him from jumping in to sign the contract.

'A contract is a delicate subject, I need to take my time to go through the terms'. This also made Endrick feel more motivated to perform in the final phase and game of the elite team trials.

"I feel like my career as a footballer in this world already started".

"And compared to my previous world…" He grinned. "My starting point is far higher than ever before".

It was at this point that his system lit up again.

~_______________~

~Strongest System~

DING!

[Congratulations on receiving your first football-related contract!]

[This is a validation of your performance and flair through the elite team trials, keep on trying your best to become the best!]

[Sign the contract to receive a system prize!]

[System Prize: 20 Sexwale Points!]

~___________~

"Wow, there's even a reward for signing, nice!" He was excited.

Endrick returned home in a good mood. By the time that he got home, it was already dark, his mother was sure to be pissed again.

As soon as he entered the house, like expected, he was confronted.

This time, Ana Gustavo was not as confrontational as the first time, this time it seemed more like tears were about to flow out of her eyes.

She looked pointedly into Endrick's eyes. "Tell me…, why are you doing this?"

"You were never like this".

"You were always that focused boy, my favorite, what happened? Why did you suddenly decide to throw all mine and your father's efforts to the drain?"

"…" Now, Endrick was caught off-guard.

"Ahh…" While he stammered, his sister saved him this time.

"MOM!" Maria screamed from the sitting room.

"They're showing a priority advertisement!"

Both Endrick and his mom were stunned, priority advertisements were endorsements that were backed up by the Brazilian government, giving them a much firmer support and guarantee than most other advertised products.

On standing before the television though, Ana Gustavo was stunned.

"We have entered the era of Unity".

"After 2 phases of intense elimination games, Coach Luiz Vicente, the organizer of the elite team trials has finally called for the last phase and last game of the elite team trials".

"Get ready people, witness as the best football prodigies birthed from Brazil go up against each other in a game of 11 players vs 11".

"It is commencing in a week, on Saturday, 11:00am".

"Do not miss it".

"These are the highlights from the elite team trials".

The presenter disappeared, and in her place appeared a football pitch.

FWEEE!

Bam!

The highlights were short, but they were captivating.

GOAL!!!

Maria screamed alongside them after they scored.

The next moment, she was stunned. "That's brother!"

"Endrick, mom, see Endrick!"

Bam!

GOAL!!!

"Mom, Endrick scored!" She was excited.

For the brief 2 minutes of the highlights, this family of 3 became one as they watched with one mind and one fascination.

By the time that it was finished, they were stunned.

"Do not miss the final game for anything, it'll be exciting!" Her voice portrayed emotion.

"Thanks for watching, I remain your humble presenter, Jenkins Joana".

By the time that it finished, a fire already lit in Endrick's heart.

'I can't slack'.

'I need to become the G.O.A.T of this era by all means'.

'This is my first game to truly show my talent to this world, I can't fail!'

He made his decision. 'I need to train!'

Before he could pick his galactic phone though, he received a message.

BEEP!

{NEW! 1 Unread Message!}

{Sender: Legion}

{…}

Endrick turned to look at his mom, she recognized that look.

"Don't do it".

"I'm sorry mom, I'll explain everything to you later".

That night, Endrick left the house to go start preparation, intense preparation.