Morning arrived peacefully at the Montiero mansion.
But the internet was not peaceful.
Across social media, clips of Adrian's scrimmage were everywhere.
Students had recorded everything.
Ten goals.
Dribbles.
Impossible finishes.
The videos were spreading quickly.
Inside the kitchen, Camila Montiero sat at the table scrolling through her phone.
She suddenly laughed.
Lucas looked up from his coffee.
"What?"
Camila turned the screen around.
Adrian's clip was playing.
One of the goals where he chipped the goalkeeper.
Lucas smirked.
"That's my brother."
Their father folded the newspaper slowly.
"Fame is growing faster than expected."
Adrian walked into the kitchen at that moment.
Elena ran toward him instantly.
"Adrian!!"
She hugged him.
"I saw your goals!"
He smiled and picked her up.
"Did you?"
She nodded excitedly.
"You were like a superhero!"
Lucas chuckled.
"More like a villain for the defenders."
Camila raised an eyebrow.
"You're trending in three different football pages."
Adrian sat down quietly.
Their father looked directly at him.
"You are becoming visible."
Adrian nodded.
"I know."
His father leaned forward slightly.
"And visibility attracts predators."
Adrian smirked.
"Good."
Crown Meridian Academy
Later that morning the campus of Crown Meridian Academy felt louder than usual.
Students whispered everywhere.
"Did you see Adrian's goals?"
"He scored ten!"
"Ten goals in training is insane!"
Tyler walked beside Adrian laughing.
"You're basically a celebrity now."
Adrian shrugged.
"It's just school."
Tyler pointed toward a group of students.
They were watching Adrian like he was a professional player.
"Tell that to them."
As they reached the football field, Coach Ramirez was already waiting.
He blew the whistle.
"Montiero."
Adrian walked forward.
"Yes coach."
Coach Ramirez crossed his arms.
"You've improved fast."
Adrian stayed silent.
Coach Ramirez continued.
"But talent attracts competition."
He pointed toward the training board.
"Regional qualifiers will begin soon."
The team looked excited.
Coach Ramirez's voice became serious.
"And there are academies much stronger than us."
Tyler whispered.
"Here comes the scary speech."
Coach Ramirez ignored him.
"There is one academy in particular."
He wrote a name on the board.
Ravenwood Football Institute.
The players murmured.
Coach Ramirez looked directly at Adrian.
"They have a striker who scored twelve goals in one match."
The field suddenly went quiet.
Tyler blinked.
"Twelve?"
Coach Ramirez nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian's eyes sharpened slightly.
Predator instincts reacting.
The System Reacts
The moment Adrian stepped away from the team—
The system appeared again.
[■■ THE APEX PREDATOR SYSTEM ■■]
[NEW THREAT DETECTED]
[RIVAL PREDATOR IDENTIFIED]
[UNKNOWN STRIKER — RAVENWOOD FOOTBALL INSTITUTE]
[NEW TASK GENERATED]
[PREDATOR EVOLUTION]
[OBJECTIVES]
[Score 15 goals across the next 3 matches]
[Maintain a minimum of 3 assists]
[Defeat the Rival Predator in their first encounter]
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
Then the rewards appeared.
[REWARD]
[Speed +3]
[Finishing +3]
[Unlock Skill: Predator Instinct LV2]
Adrian slowly smiled.
Now it was interesting.
Afternoon Training
The team trained harder than usual.
Tyler passed the ball to Adrian repeatedly.
"Try not to score ten again."
Adrian laughed slightly.
"No promises."
Tyler shook his head.
"You're insane."
Across the field some students were watching again.
Among them…
Isabella.
She stood with her friends watching Adrian train.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"So that's the guy."
Her friend nodded.
"He's the one who replaced you."
Isabella looked annoyed.
"Whatever."
But she kept watching Adrian.
Longer than she expected.
Evening Walk
Later that evening Adrian walked to the park again.
The sunset painted the sky orange.
Valentina Rousseau was already there juggling a football.
When she saw Adrian—
She kicked the ball toward him.
He controlled it perfectly.
She smiled.
"Show off."
Adrian walked closer.
"You were waiting."
She nodded.
"I wanted to see the famous striker."
Adrian smirked.
"You watched the clips?"
"Of course."
She stepped closer.
"You're getting stronger."
Adrian shrugged.
"So are you."
Valentina looked at him seriously.
"My state league starts in three months."
"I know."
She moved even closer.
"So you better become the best striker in the country before then."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
She smiled softly.
"So I can brag about dating you."
Adrian laughed.
Then he pulled her closer.
And kissed her.
Slow.
Warm.
She kissed him back instantly.
Then again.
And again.
They stayed like that for a while under the sunset.
Two young players chasing the same dream.
But far away…
Inside Ravenwood Football Institute…
A tall striker watched Adrian's highlight again.
He smiled slowly.
"Adrian Montiero…"
He placed a football on the ground.
Then kicked it violently into the net.
BOOM.
"I'm coming."
Will Adrian defeat the mysterious striker from Ravenwood when they finally meet?
If you're enjoying the story pls drop your taught powerstones reviews and collection and comments.