The late afternoon sun stretched across the private training field behind the Montiero mansion.
The grass was still slightly wet from the sprinklers, shining under the golden light.
Adrian placed the ball carefully on the ground.
Shot.
The ball slammed into the top corner of the goal.
Inside his mind—
[𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗫 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠]
[𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗞 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦]
Ball touches: 223 / 300
Shots taken: 58 / 100
Acceleration runs: 9 / 20
Adrian wiped sweat from his forehead.
Just then—
A football rolled across the grass toward him.
He stopped it instantly with the sole of his boot.
"Nice control."
Adrian looked up.
Valentina Rousseau walked through the gate carrying her training bag.
She tossed her jacket aside and stretched her arms.
"Thought I'd find you here."
Adrian smirked.
"You always do."
Valentina dropped her bag near the bench.
Then she kicked another ball toward him.
"Let's train."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"You?"
Valentina placed her hands on her hips.
"Don't underestimate me."
Then she suddenly dribbled past him.
Fast.
Very fast.
Adrian blinked.
"Okay… not bad."
Valentina laughed.
They began passing the ball back and forth.
Short passes.
Long passes.
Quick one-twos.
The rhythm between them felt natural.
After a few minutes she stopped and took a deep breath.
"There's something I need to tell you."
Adrian caught the ball and waited.
Valentina looked directly at him.
"My state league tournament starts in three months."
Adrian nodded slowly.
"I heard about it."
The girls' state league was serious.
Top teams.
Top scouts.
Real competition.
Valentina kicked the ball lightly.
"I'm starting my own serious training from today."
She looked determined.
"No more playing around."
Adrian smiled slightly.
"Good."
Valentina frowned.
"That's it?"
"You expected something else?"
She crossed her arms.
"I expected you to say something motivating."
Adrian pointed toward the goal.
"First to ten goals wins."
Valentina blinked.
"Wait—"
Adrian already shot.
Goal.
1-0
Valentina groaned.
"You're unbelievable."
She grabbed the ball and fired back.
Goal.
1-1
Adrian laughed.
"Not bad."
They continued.
Shot after shot.
Goal after goal.
2-1
2-2
3-2
3-3
The competition grew intense.
Both of them running harder.
Faster.
Smarter.
Finally Adrian scored again.
4-3
Valentina collapsed on the grass laughing.
"Okay… break."
Adrian sat beside her.
The sunset painted the sky orange and purple.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then the system appeared again.
[𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗫 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠]
[𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗞]
Train with Valentina Rousseau for 10 sessions
Objective:
Improve teamwork and game vision.
Reward:
+3 Vision
+2 Passing
Adrian stared at the panel.
Interesting.
Valentina suddenly nudged him.
"What are you thinking about?"
Adrian stood up and kicked the ball toward her.
"Training schedule."
She smiled.
"Good."
She stood up too.
"Because starting tomorrow…"
Her eyes burned with determination.
"I'm going to train like crazy."
Adrian nodded.
"Then I'll train even harder."
Valentina laughed.
"Competition already?"
Adrian shrugged.
"Always."
The wind moved gently across the field as the lights slowly turned on.
Two young players.
Two different paths.
But both chasing the same dream.
To become the best.
Far away inside the mansion, Elena watched them through the window.
She giggled happily.
"Adrian has a girlfriend."
Behind her, Lucas chuckled.
"Looks like it."
And upstairs…
Camila Montiero was already editing another viral football clip.
But outside on the field…
The Apex Predator System pulsed again.
Watching.
Calculating.
Preparing the next challenge.
Do you think Valentina will become as strong as Adrian during her state league tournament?
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