Morning sunlight spread across the Montiero mansion.
Adrian woke up earlier than usual.
The upcoming regional qualifier stayed in his mind.
Ravenwood Football Institute.
And the striker everyone talked about.
Dante Cruz.
Adrian sat on the edge of his bed.
Then the familiar system panel appeared in front of him.
[■■ THE APEX PREDATOR SYSTEM ■■]
[MATCH PREPARATION PHASE ACTIVATED]
[TARGET OPPONENT: RAVENWOOD FOOTBALL INSTITUTE]
[PRIMARY THREAT: DANTE CRUZ]
[TRAINING PROGRAM GENERATED]
[OBJECTIVES]
[Score 300 training goals before match day]
[Complete 500 precision touches]
[Increase Predator Awareness during live play]
[REWARD]
[Speed +2]
[Finishing +2]
[Unlock Skill: Predator Instinct LV2]
Adrian smiled slowly.
A serious hunt required serious preparation.
Breakfast at the Mansion
Downstairs the dining room was lively.
Elena sat at the table swinging her legs.
"Adrian!"
She waved excitedly.
"Your match is coming soon right?"
Adrian nodded.
"In two weeks."
Lucas leaned back in his chair.
"The Ravenwood match?"
Adrian looked at him.
"You heard?"
Lucas laughed.
"Football media never sleeps."
Camila Montiero held up her phone.
"And your rival is already trending."
She showed Adrian the screen.
A highlight video of Dante Cruz scoring another powerful goal.
Their father calmly sipped his coffee.
"Strong opponent."
Adrian nodded.
"Yeah."
His father placed the cup down.
"Good."
Everyone looked at him.
"Easy opponents don't create great players."
Adrian smirked.
"Exactly."
Elena raised her tiny fist.
"You'll win!"
Adrian laughed and ruffled her hair.
"I'll try."
Crown Meridian Academy
Later that morning the football field of Crown Meridian Academy was filled with tension.
The players already knew.
The Ravenwood match was confirmed.
Tyler jogged toward Adrian.
"So… the monster match."
Adrian tied his boots.
"Yeah."
Tyler grinned.
"You excited?"
Adrian stood up.
"Very."
Before Tyler could answer—
A ball suddenly rolled between them.
Rafael Navarro walked over smiling.
"Morning."
Adrian nodded.
"Morning."
Rafael stretched his arms.
"I heard about the Ravenwood match."
Tyler groaned.
"Everyone has."
Rafael looked directly at Adrian.
"You're facing Dante Cruz."
Adrian nodded.
"You've seen him play?"
Rafael chuckled.
"Of course."
Tyler leaned forward.
"And?"
Rafael smiled.
"He's dangerous."
Training Intensifies
The whistle from Coach Ramirez echoed across the field.
"Listen up!"
The team gathered.
Coach Ramirez looked serious.
"Our first regional match is Ravenwood."
The players nodded.
Coach Ramirez continued.
"They're strong."
He pointed toward Adrian and Rafael.
"But we also have weapons."
Tyler whispered.
"Two nuclear strikers."
Coach Ramirez smirked.
"Exactly."
He pointed toward the field.
"Training starts now."
Practice Match
Kickoff started immediately.
Tyler passed to Adrian.
Adrian dribbled past a defender quickly.
Shot.
GOAL.
1-0
Rafael laughed from midfield.
"Starting early today?"
Adrian shrugged.
"Just warming up."
A few minutes later Rafael received the ball.
He powered through a defender.
Then blasted a shot.
GOAL.
1-1
Tyler clapped.
"Okay this is going to be another striker war."
Valentina Rousseau watched from the sidelines again.
Her eyes stayed locked on Adrian.
After Training
The sun was already setting when training finally ended.
Players slowly left the field.
Tyler stretched dramatically.
"I'm exhausted."
Rafael laughed.
"You barely did anything."
Tyler pointed at the two strikers.
"You two did everything!"
Adrian picked up his bag.
"See you tomorrow."
Rafael nodded.
"Tomorrow."
Evening Walk
Later that evening Adrian walked through the park.
Valentina was already waiting.
She leaned against a tree with a football at her feet.
"You're late again."
Adrian smiled.
"You waited anyway."
She walked toward him.
"So… Ravenwood."
Adrian nodded.
"Two weeks."
Valentina crossed her arms.
"Dante Cruz."
Adrian looked at her.
"You worried?"
She stepped closer.
"Only a little."
Then she grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer.
"You better win."
Adrian smirked.
"You sound confident."
Valentina kissed him.
Soft.
Slow.
Then again.
And again.
Adrian wrapped his arms around her.
"You really like doing that."
She laughed quietly.
"Maybe I do."
Far Away
Inside Ravenwood Football Institute…
Dante Cruz finished another brutal training session.
Sweat covered his body.
His coach walked over.
"Preparing for Crown Meridian?"
Dante nodded.
"Adrian Montiero."
He placed a ball on the ground.
Then shot.
BOOM.
The net shook violently.
Dante smiled slowly.
"Let's see which predator survives."
When the regional qualifier begins, will Adrian outscore Dante Cruz and prove he's the true predator?
If you're enjoying the story pls drop your taught powerstones reviews and collection and comments.