Core Abilities

Elian took a deep breath as the car revved forward, his live had suddenly gotten a thousand times more interesting. Elian spoke. "This is only about soccer right?"

Maya raised a brow, apparently not understanding the question. Elian sighed, it was expected. He hadn't been specific. 

"About this AI Awakening System, it only helps me in soccer right? I won't gain any superpowers or stuff, right?"

Maya nodded. "That's right. Right now, this is the only successful AI System we've managed to make and for some reason, it got out. I was only able to track it down to you, using some devices I had implanted into the system during its making."

"What are the chances of the system spiraling out of control?" Elian asked, a bit worried. He didn't want to be the host of some crazy parasite.

"The AI wasn't built that way, it's coded. All its functions are listed properly and well defined. But it is a type of AI that is built and expected to improve on its own, along in line with functions coded into it. For example, it will keep on researching new tactics and training methods for your benefit in soccer. But it won't research method to make you a better boxer." 

Maya's answer was what Elian needed to reassure him.

At that moment Elian heard the familiar voice. Do you believe her?

***

Elian lay on his bed, he was thinking. He certainly couldn't sleep after the events of the day. His younger brother was lying beside him on the bed, snoring loudly. Elian was older than him with two years, and Elian was seventeen, making his junior brother fifteen years. Elian had graduated from high school the year before, and he had decided to take football quite serious. He was quite talented in the field and it didn't take him any time to get signed to Manchester City's U-19 squad.

But lately, he had suddenly lost his form, his one attribute-speed that made him stand out was suddenly gone, his legs felt heavy and he was always tired in every match, even before it began. He knew his position as a right-forward was at risk, it had always been a very competitive position in his team. He prayed he was going to be given one more chance to prove himself to the team, their hope in him was fast diminishing.

Elian sighed as he closed his eyes again, forcing himself to sleep but it wasn't working, the thoughts just kept on coming. Elian wondered what he was going to do if he didn't become a professional footballer, if he didn't become the best. Elian suddenly went back on his last thought. Even if he was given another chance, the same thing would happen. He won't deliver.

"That's why I'm here." Elian heard the system speak. Elian sighed. He couldn't put off the system, he wasn't in a position to do that. He needed it very badly. 

"Do you have a name?" Elian asked.

The Awakening System was silent. "No, I don't. I never thought about naming myself, but you can give me a name if you so desire. What would you call me?"

Elian thought for a moment and only one name came to mind. "Meta. That's what I'd call you. Meta."

The System seemed to smile. "Meta, that's nice."

"So… Meta continued. How would you like to explore your abilities now?" 

Elian found that tempting. "My abilities? Or yours?"

Meta chuckled slightly. "Yours, mine. It's still the same. We are one and the same."

Elian sighed. This bot sure knew how to sweet talk. Elian gave it one final think and his mind was made up. This was his fate now, he had to accept this bot and make the most use of it.

Elian stood up as he spoke. "Alright, Meta. What do you have for me? I can't sleep anyway."

Meta chuckled. "That's the spirit. Lead the way, there's a little field in here, right?"

Elian sighed as he made his way towards the small field. "I guess you have access to my memory?"

"Yes"

"Can you tamper with them?" Elian asked.

"No. Unfortunately I wasn't given such power by my creators." Meta replied.

A minute later, Elian was in the small field in his compound, a ball at his feet. "So what areas can you help me improve actually?"

Meta replied. "Generally. I can help you improve on every aspect of a forward. But you have to become conversant with me first. There are some core system abilities at your disposal right now, but you'll unlock more later as you level up."

Elian nodded. "That sounds nice, what are the core system abilities?"

Meta continued. "There are three core abilities. Two are Active, while one of them would be granted unto you indefinitely(Passive)."

"Let's hear them."

*Ding!*

A screen appeared in Elian's eyes immediately, it was a black white sheet holding just a few messages, saying: "The Awakening System wants to send you a notification, Accept or Decline?"

Elian was a little excited. It was really a system after all.

Elian clicked accept and a new sheet appeared, containing lots of messages. Elian took his time, slowly reading it.

"Do you really want to read all these? I can summarize it for you." Meta spoke, a little impatient.

Elian ignored the bot, focusing his eyes on the messages before his very eyes. And in no time, he saw what he was really looking for.

Name Of Host: Elian Slade

Age: 17

Height: I88cm

Current Team: Manchester City

Position: Right Forward

Stamina points: 90/100 (Generates one stamina point every five minutes.)

Level: 1

Goals: 0

System Abilities: [1 Skill Boost (Active Core ability)] [2 Game Reading (Passive Core Ability)] [3 Body Enhancement (Active Core Ability.)

Skill Descriptions

-"Skill Boost" (Active Ability): Temporarily increases Elian's skills and abilities. (Duration: Two Minutes       Cool Down: 30 Minutes         Cost: 5 stamina points Backlash: None (Level: 1)

-"Game reading (Passive Ability)": Gives Elian real-time analysis and predictions of the game.

-"Body Enhancement (Active Ability)": Enhances Elian's physical abilities, allowing him to perform superhuman feats.(Duration: 5 Minutes    Cool Down: 30 Minutes     Cost: 50 stamina points Backlash: Weakness for thirty minutes. (Level: 1)

Level up to gain more abilities.