"The drive to the physician is far. I hope your coach won't be angry with you," Dumi said as he climbed into his SUV.
"I don't think he will. He gave us today as a free day, and I told one of my teammates I'd be out," Winston replied, fastening his seat belt.
"Why did you request a better forward specialist if the one you have is so terrible? And doesn't your club review its staff?"
Winston fell silent for a moment. He wouldn't know; as far as he was aware, the club didn't conduct reviews of its staff. "From what I've seen, it seems like they don't, at least not in front of us. And the striker coach's methods are pretty rote. He doesn't offer suggestions for improvement or give us any real direction."
"Oh, I'm gonna charge you."
Winston paused. "How much...?" Before he could finish, Dumi interrupted. "Fifty thousand as an upfront fee and ten thousand per hour."
Winston's eyes widened. He couldn't afford that much money. Even with potential help from his parents, the amount was far beyond what he could reasonably pay. He began wondering if he could negotiate the price.
Dumi suddenly burst out laughing, slapping his thigh. "I'm joking, kid. I'd do it for free for you... only for you."
Winston blinked in surprise. "And besides, you remind me of my younger self. I know those determined eyes. Losing sleep, pushing your body to its limit, that burning desire to become the best."
Winston lowered his gaze, unsure how to respond. As they reached the outskirts of the city, Dumi pulled the SUV over and parked along the roadside. Winston looked around. The area reminded him of the downtown district of his own city, yet it was quieter, with scenic views and a refreshing breeze.
Not far from the city stood a forest, marking the boundary between the urban area and the surrounding wilderness. Dumi stepped out of the vehicle and gestured for Winston to follow. They walked toward an apartment building whose balconies were adorned with decorative railings. The building itself was heavily secured, with guards stationed around the entrance. After entering, they made their way toward the elevators.
"Eleventh floor," Dumi said as he pressed the button. The elevator doors closed, and they began their ascent.
Instead of lengthy conversations, Dumi and Winston exchanged only a few short comments during the ride. It might have seemed strange to some, but neither of them found it particularly awkward. They barely knew each other, after all. When they reached the apartment, Dumi led Winston down the hallway and stopped at a door at the far end.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
Dumi opened the door. Inside, a man seated in front of four computer monitors spun his chair around to face them. He appeared relatively young, perhaps somewhere in his early to mid-thirties. Winston furrowed his brows and glanced at Dumi, who folded his arms and leaned against the closed door.
"So this is the kid?" the physician asked, pointing at Winston.
"Yeah. Winston, this is Haruto, the physician I told you about. He's one of the most renowned sports physicians around. Some of the best athletes in their respective fields have sought his help after serious injuries."
"Hello. My name is Winston."
"Lie down on that bed," Haruto said, gesturing toward the long examination table nearby. Before Winston could explain what had happened or how his legs had become strained, Haruto was already examining them.
"The tension in your muscles has become severe," Haruto said. "It's restricting your blood flow, which is why your legs have started changing color. Judging by the condition, this has been developing for about a month."
"How long will it take to fix?"
"One to three hours, give or take. I'll use acupuncture to release the tension in your muscles."
Haruto turned back toward his computers and rapidly typed something. "This kid is lucky he got help this early. If he'd waited any longer, he could have ended up spending weeks in the hospital recovering."
He returned to Winston and began inserting acupuncture golden needles into his legs. A strange numbness immediately spread through Winston's lower body.
"When did you return?" Haruto asked without looking up.
"A week ago."
"Mmh. So you went back to practicing ancient medicine again."
"I never stopped. I was only doing it in the background."
"Any breakthroughs in your meditation?"
"Hmph. I'm currently stuck in the second phase of the Bamboo Lifeform." Haruto paused. "Anyway, have you heard about the new drug that's been circulating?"
Dumi's expression changed slightly. "What drug?"
"Apparently, it enhances all five human senses and can even grant people superhuman abilities."
"It's still in the early stages, from what I've heard," Haruto replied. "Apparently, some kid killed his childhood friend after taking the pill."
"Judging by how many powerful people are involved, they'll probably master it sooner than later."
Dumi frowned. "Has anyone in the football world used it yet? And does the Federation know about this pill?"
"I'd be shocked if they didn't. They might even be secretly funding the research or monitoring it." Haruto adjusted his glasses. "Either way, this pill could change the world as we know it."
Silence fell over the room. Neither man said anything else. Winston remained still on the examination table, listening.
So people are actually taking something that can enhance abilities?
The thought unsettled him. There would always be people willing to use something like that for self-improvement, regardless of the risks. As the conversation continued, warmth gradually returned to Winston's lower body. The numbness that had plagued his legs for days slowly began to fade.
"By the way," Haruto said, glancing at Dumi, "is this kid your new protégé? I thought you left football."
"Yeah, he is. I retired. I didn't completely abandon football."
"Oh, let me guess. He reminded you of your younger self." Haruto smirked. "That must be the only reason you'd take someone on as a protégé."
Dumi shrugged. "Okay, you got me."
Haruto stood up with a yawn and walked toward the kitchen. "Coffee? I don't have any alcohol, and I'm out of tea."
"Coffee is fine."
"How do you even live like this?"
Haruto ignored him and began preparing the coffee.
"How's the kid doing?" Haruto asked.
Haruto glanced at Winston, who was lying on the examination table and staring at the ceiling.
"I can still feel my legs," Winston said. "There's some numbness."
"A few more minutes," Haruto replied. "The muscle clots need time to dissolve and the blood flow needs to return to normal."
Haruto picked up his coffee. "How's little Annalise? It's been a long time since I saw her."
"Still the same energetic girl. She's nineteen now." Dumi placed his mug on the coffee table.
"Say hi to her for me."
"You can visit."
"Maybe when I have time. I'm going abroad again tonight. That's the perk of being a traveling physician. I don't get much time to relax."
"More like a tiring job."
"I like it. And it pays pretty well."
After carefully removing each acupuncture needle, Haruto examined Winston's legs one final time. The moment the last needle came out, a burning sensation spread across the soles of Winston's feet.
"Ah!" Winston instinctively reached down to scratch them.
"Don't," Haruto warned, stopping his hand. "The nerves are waking up."
He handed Winston some painkillers. The burning gradually subsided. Dumi helped Winston sit up and then stand. His feet were still numb and hot—far too uncomfortable for him to walk properly. Winston looked at Dumi and gave him a thumbs-up.
"Check your account. I sent you the payment," Dumi said, waving his phone with one hand while supporting Winston with the other.
Haruto nodded. "He needs to rest now. The medicine I gave him will help disperse the muscle tension. By tomorrow, he should be able to walk normally."
"All right. Let's go, kid. It's getting late."
Dumi slipped an arm around Winston and supported him toward the door. After a few steps, he realized Winston was moving far too slowly. With a sigh, Dumi grabbed the back of Winston's shirt and unceremoniously hoisted him onto his shoulders.
"Just relax, kid. At this rate, it'll take us all night to get downstairs."
Winston groaned but didn't resist.
"How are you feeling?"
"My legs are burning. It feels like I've been running a marathon."
"That means it's working."
Dumi adjusted Winston's weight on his shoulders. "Listen, kid. Do you want to start training tomorrow, or—"
"Please," Winston interrupted. "Let's start tomorrow."
[Nethen Essence: 58%]
Nethen Essence increased by another percentage... Maybe that acupuncture treatment had something to do with it. I wonder how many reward bonuses I'll get.
Could this mean that taking care of my body is another way to increase Nethen Essence?
[Congratulation user]
[Voltage Core awakening]
[Voltage Core: 58%]
Another awakening? Does this mean I have more than one awakening? Dammit, this pill the physician Haruto gave me is really kicking in. I wish this system came with a manual explaining how it works.
Thanks to Mr. Crowe for taking me in as his protégé. At least now I won't fall behind. To think my childhood hero is going to train me... My father would be jealous that I met him. First, he'll train me. I should call home. I wonder how Mom, Anita, and Dad are doing.
Winston glanced at Dumi, who was humming the same smooth jazz song he had been playing earlier. The jolt from a speed bump caused his tired body to lurch upward, turning his head toward Dumi. He forced a tired smile before his eyelids grew heavy, and he slowly drifted off to sleep.