Julian stepped into the classroom, but instead of the usual empty classroom, this time some students were already filling the seats.
Just like he said, he got the hour’s sleep in last night, discarding Mini-ball’s useless routine, making him feel more refreshed than on other days.
With his usual confident strides, he made his way to his seat.
And as always, his presence drew gazes with every step he took.
By now, Julian didn’t care as he got used to the attention in the last few days.
He knew that people were drawn to him, either because of his social standing or because of his looks.
None of it mattered to him as soon he will be known for something else.
Sitting down in his spot next to the beautiful blonde, Julian patiently waited for the professor to arrive and start the lecture he wasn’t going to pay attention to.
‘Hmm?’
Julian tilted his head when the blonde girl discreetly passed him a note, sliding it along the desk.
Pulling the note closer, he read it.
(Are you okay?)
A frown crossed Julian’s face.
‘Why wouldn’t I be okay?
Did something happen that I’m not aware of?’
Realizing that there is only one person who can answer his questions, Julian pulled a pen from the inside of his blazer and wrote on the note before sliding it back.
(Yeah. Why?)
The girl’s head dipped and pen moved steadily on the note as she wrote, before sliding the note back.
(You arrived later than usual today.)
Julian turned his head to her, studying her side profile as she stared forward.
His eyes traced over her smooth skin, her pale neck, golden blonde hair, dark eyebrows and soft cheeks.
‘…’
His thoughts paused, not because of her otherworldly allure–not this time–but because he didn’t know what to think.
‘Can I see the road ahead?
No.
But can I see the next step?
Yes.’
Julian dragged to note closer and wrote his message.
(Yeah. I decided to come in at this time from now on.)
He slid it back.
The girl’s eyes widened slightly when she read the message.
Julian noticed that she wrote faster, almost in a hurry.
(Does that mean we will no longer spend time together before classes start?)
[She wants the D.]
‘Hahaha.’ Julian laughed internally.
‘Shut up, dude.’
‘More importantly, this is an important branch in our journey.
We could either choose to cut ties with her, or keep her around.’
[Keep her around.]
Mini-ball’s answered came quick, surprising even Julian.
‘That was quick.’ He thought. The source of this chapter is g.com.
‘Why should we keep her?’
Even though he questioned Mini-ball, he still wrote down on the note.
[Because of who she is.]
‘And who is she?’ His head tilted slightly, enough to make the girl think that he is hesitant on what to write back.
[The Princess.]
‘Princess of who?’ His pen paused.
[Princess of the Ashton Empire.]
‘You’re telling me she’s the Princess of the Ashton Empire?’
His head turned to her, looking at her with narrowed eyes, confusing the girl even more.
[That’s exactly what I’m saying.]
‘Why are you only saying that now?’
[There wasn’t a appropriate moment to tell you.]
Julian’s pen glided along the note again.
‘I’m guessing you want to keep her around to use her for your goals?’
He slid the note back.
[Yes.]
(We can make some time to hang out after school.)
A deep blush instantly spread across the girl’s cheeks when she read the message, eyes widened, staring at the note as if she’s seeing things.
‘She’s really cute.’
Julian’s hand pulled the note back to him, deciding to hit the final nail in the coffin.
(And yes. I am asking you to go on a date with me.)
He could practically see the smoke rising from the girl’s head now.
‘Hahaha.’
[…]
********
“Alright, everyone.”
–clap–
Coach Irene’s gathered everyone’s attention with a clap of her hands, asking them gathered around her.
They were on Training Field 1A next to the U/17A Team Building, dressed in black and white training kits.
Julian stepped forward with the rest of the team, arms crossed in front of his chest, black hair swaying slightly in the wind.
“I want the forwards, midfielders and Oliver gathered at the north post.” She lifted her hand, showing where the north post was.
“And the rest should go the assistant manager at the south post.”
The group immediately did as told, splitting up and going to their designated area.
Julian’s boots sunk in the well-maintained grass as he made his way to the north post, the silver wolve on the side glistening in the afternoon sun.
A sack full of balls awaited them when they got to the post.
“Today we’re going to train your shooting and finishing.” Coach Irene said walking upto them.
“After we’re done, we’re going to do some passing drills.”
She walked to the sack of footballs and took one out, holding it under her arm against her hip.
“Oliver. Get in goal.”
“We’re going to make this a little fun for you all by having a little competition.” A small smirk crossed her features before she continued.
“Last man standing will have a guaranteed place in this weekend’s starting eleven.”
Her words instantly caused the player’s fighting spirits to flare even though they had no idea what the competition will be about, eager to get that starting spot.
‘She certainly knows how to get everyone riled up and give their all in training.’
“The concept of the competition is easy. I’m going to roll the ball forward, you’re going to run up and kick it at the goal. If you miss; you’re out. And if you score, you stand off to the side until the round finishes and its your turn again. We’re going to go like this until there’s only one of you left. Do you hear me?!”
She shouted out the last sentence.
“Yes, Coach!” The players shouted in unison.
“Good.”
She took a few steps back with turning, stopping only when she was out of the box.
“Stand outside the box and form a line.”
The players followed her lead, moving out of the penalty area, leaving enough space to make a run up.
They formed a loose line, with no one really willing to go first, everyone trying to find a place somewhere between last and in the middle.
“Whose going first?”
Just as the tall striker with dusty blonde hair was about to step forward, a hand was in front of his chest, blocking him.
“I got this, bro.”
Julian stepped forward confidently, rolling his shoulders theatrically.
“I’ll go, Coach.”
“Alright.” She nodded before turning her head to the goalkeeper.
“Oliver, are you ready?”
“Yes, Coach.” He said, rolling his shoulders and stretching his legs.
Coach Irene turned her head to Julian.
“You?” She asked.
Julian nodded, confirming his readiness.
With that, Coach Irene dropped the ball, but before it could touch the grass, she kicked it with the inside of her foot, rolling it horizontally in front of the 18-yard box.
The speed was perfect, rolling steadily.
Julian instantly made his run-up when the ball left her foot, his speed surprising even him.
‘Hmm?’
Something peculiar showed up in his vision as he came closer to the ball.
All over the goal appeared percentages.
A long space with 100% ran from top to bottom on the inside of the both post, and the closer it got to the goalkeeper, the lesser the percentage became.
‘I guess I’m going for the big one hundred than.’
Julian firmly planted his left foot next to the ball, leaned back, lifted his right foot before bringing it back down, striking the ball with the inside of his foot.
–thud–
The ball sped forward with a muffled thud, spinning to the goal at waist length.
The goalkeeper–Oliver–took a step before diving for the ball, arm stretched to the max.
But ultimately, he couldn’t beat the system’s prediction, falling to the ground after the ball hit the back of the net.
“Wow.” Coach Irene clapped.
“Good form.”
Julian just nodded, stepping to the side.
“Next!”