“Haa… haa…”
Panicked breathing sounded from Julian’s throat, he held a trembling hand against his chest, feeling as if his heart was about to jump through it.
‘Did someone chase us?’
[Nope. That is just how she drives.]
‘Y-you mean she drives like that all the time?’
[You’ll get used to it.]
‘I don’t think I’ll ever get used to such manic driving.’
[Haha.] The mini-ball let out a laugh, half teasing and half humorous.
Julian was seated in the back of a sleek limo, his body was hugged by expensive leather seats, and the inside was made to comfort one’s soul.
But the drive wasn’t.
The drive was meant to disrupt one’s soul, throwing it into a spiral of emotions.
Mira was a monster behind the wheel, taking off with screeching tires, twisting and turning through traffic while barely ever pressing the brakes, driving at speeds vehicles of that size were never meant to.
Her driving made Julian see his death approach multiple times, only for her to pull of some crazy skills to avoid the inevitable.
‘Crazy.’
The door opened, and Mira stood outside, still wearing the same cheerful smile that could melt hearts despite her disheveled state.
“Are you okay, young Master?”
Mira noticed his slight panicked state and couldn’t help but ask, she was worried about her young Master even though it was her duty to look after him.
“Y-yes. I’m okay.”
Julian tried to act tough, as if he didn’t just almost piss his pants.
Luckily the act was enough to fool Mira and convince himself.
All previous thoughts were forgotten once he stepped out, eyes locked on one of the most magnificent sights he had ever seen in his entire life.
In front of him stood an architectural marvel of steel.
Its curved outer ring rose high up in the air, making one have to tilt up their head to see a glimpse of its top.
Its colors was painted in a split of black and white, making it look fierce and ancient but dangerous.
On the side of it was letters, words.
Large and bold, announcing to the whole world who it belonged to.
“Apex United.”
Julian muttered in awe, the words slipping out unconsciously, as if too heavy to keep inside.
Above the words was a crest, giving of the aura of a predator just by simply looking at it.
It was a circular crest with a wolf head in the center, fangs glistening in the daylight.
Above the head was three stars, black in color, as if permanently carved into place.
The whole crest was in black and white, but the lack of color didn’t dim its intensity, in fact, it only served to amplify its majesty.
Julian stared at it for a long moment, mouth agape.
This is the first time in his life that he ever saw a stadium as big as this, heck, he never even watched a game in person, always shouting behind the television screen.
This is like a dream come true for diehard football fans like him.
Reigning his surprise in, Julian turned his head to Mira.
“You brought me to a stadium?”
“Yes, young Master.”
“Why?”
Mira tilted her head, confusion crossing her expression.
“Didn’t the young Master say he was in need of a football pitch?”
‘I did say that.’
“So you went and rented this place?”
“Of course not, young Master.”
“This,” she swiped her hand across the width of the stadium, indicating every inch of it.
“This belongs to you.”
“…”
Julian’s mind froze at the statement, making him think that he was hearing stuff.
“…what?” He asked after the shock settled enough for his mouth to form words.
“It is as I say, young Master.” Mira gazed up at the stadium, eyes falling on the crest.
“The Valecrest Family are the owners of Apex United. It even has the wolve of the Valecrest proudly displayed in its crest.”
She turned her attention back to him.
“And since you, Julian Valecrest, is the heir of the Valecrest Family, this entire stadium, the sports team and all its facilities, belong to you.”
A pause.
“Every single blade of grass is yours.”
Julian removed his eyes from Mira and gazed up at the monolith of steel.
“…every single one?” He asked, awe, surprise and all emotions that could describe what he felt, in his voice.
“Every single one.” Mira answered.
[Every single one.]
********
‘Mini-ball, when we’re done here, you’re going to tell me everything about the Valecrest Family.’
Julian spoke to the floating ball–which he named Mini-ball–in his mind while following Mira down the quiet hallways of the stadium.
[This is what happens when you skip worldbuilding.]
‘Remind me to never do that ever again.’
[Duelly noted.]
Mira’s heels echoing loudly in the quiet corridors as she walked forward at a brisk pace, leading Julian to the pitch.
“Wow.”
Julian’s eyes widened for the nth time when they stepped outside, eyes taking in the pristine green pitch, the thousands upon thousands of empty black and white seats, the chalk lines on the grass, the off ad boards and the benches for the players.
“This is amazing.”
Milan whispered in child-like wonder, eyes gleaming in amazement.
“Here you go, young Master.”
Mira pointed to something at the edge of the football pitch.
What layed there was a neatly folded black and white kit, black football boots/cleats with a silver wolf on the side, several balls with the Apex United crest on, cones and tape.
“Thank you, Mira.”
Julian stepped on the pitch, his weight causing him to sink in slightly, the damp grass wetting his white sneakers.
“I’ll give you some space.”
Mira excused herself and walked away, disappearing into the corridor.
“Alright. Let’s begin.”
Julian pulled the shirt over his head.
Revealing a lean physique with hints of muscle underneath pale skin.
He pulled the black and white shirt over his head, the fabric soft against his skin, fitting him snuggly.
‘She even knew my exact size.’
Next, he removed his shoes, followed by his pants, making him stand in the empty stadium with only boxers.
Julian quickly slipped the shorts on, not keen on staying in that state for too long.
He put the long and heavy socks on, and then the boots, fitting him perfectly.
“Oh, how I’ve missed this.”
Julian muttered when his feet sank into the boots, wiggling his toes.
He rolled the ball closest to him a little bit forward with the underside of his boot, before kicking it into the pitch.
“Haha.”
He laughed, unbridled, without holding back, the sound bouncing off the empty stadium.
He looked down at his knee, remembering how it looked just a few hours ago: a deep and ugly scar with the faint marks of stitches.
Julian lifted his head to the ball that was still rolling on the pitch, losing momentum.
He leaned forward before kicking off in his hind leg, sprinting forward.
‘I need to put that life behind me.’ He thought as he ran, a big smile on his face.
‘I still haven’t healed from the trauma, but I can use it to adapt.
Use it as fuel for my goals.’
A single tear slipped from his eyes as he ran forward, feet sinking into the wet grass before they lifted again.
‘In this life, I’ll be the best footballer player in the world.’