The morning fog still clung to Brookhaven High’s football field.
Drops of dew sparkled across the grass as the reserve squad gathered for another day of training.
McCall arrived early.
Very early.
His football rested under one arm while a water bottle hung from his backpack.
He looked around.
The field was empty.
“Good…”
“More time to train.”
He placed the ball on the grass.
Before he could touch it—
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Daily Quest Available
Complete:
• 500 Accurate Passes
• 200 First-Touch Controls
• 100 Weak-Foot Passes
Bonus Objective:
Teach another player one skill you have learned.
Reward:
+2 Passing
+1 Leadership
Skill Fragment
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McCall smiled.
“The System really wants me to help others.”
He remembered yesterday’s quest.
“A king who stands alone…
will always fall alone.”
The First King’s words echoed once again.
McCall nodded.
“I get it.”
…
“You’re here early.”
Jake walked onto the pitch carrying two footballs.
McCall grinned.
“So are you.”
Jake shrugged.
“I figured I’d train before everyone else.”
He placed one ball at McCall’s feet.
“Race you.”
McCall laughed.
“To where?”
“The opposite goal.”
“No hands.”
“Loser buys lunch.”
McCall chuckled.
“You’re on.”
Coach Williams wasn’t there.
Neither were the other players.
Just two friends enjoying football.
“Three…”
Jake counted.
“Two…”
“One…”
“Go!”
Both players exploded forward.
Jake relied on speed.
McCall relied on control.
The football barely left McCall’s feet.
Every touch felt smoother than the last.
Jake noticed immediately.
“You’ve seriously become scary.”
McCall laughed.
“I’m still learning.”
They reached the penalty area almost together.
Jake attempted a flashy rainbow flick.
The ball bounced too high.
McCall calmly slipped past him.
Tap.
Tap.
Goal.
Jake collapsed onto the grass laughing.
“I owe you lunch.”
McCall stretched out a hand.
“You almost had me.”
Jake accepted the help.
“You know…”
He smiled.
“I’m glad you’re finally chasing your dream.”
McCall smiled back.
“So am I.” This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Their laughter echoed across the empty stadium.
Neither of them noticed someone watching from the bleachers.
A teenage boy wearing Brookhaven’s school uniform quietly closed a notebook.
His black hair covered one eye.
His expression never changed.
“So…”
“The Legacy really chose him.”
He stood.
Turned.
And disappeared.
…
Inside the main school building…
Principal Margaret Evans welcomed three transfer students into her office.
“I hope you’ll enjoy Brookhaven High.”
The tallest boy smiled politely.
“We’re honored to be here.”
His voice sounded calm.
Too calm.
The principal handed them their schedules.
“You’ll all be joining different classes.”
“Football club registration is after school if you’re interested.”
The three students exchanged subtle glances.
“We’re very interested.”
…
Outside the office…
The smiles disappeared.
The tallest student spoke quietly.
“Remember the mission.”
The girl beside him nodded.
“Observe.”
The third student adjusted his glasses.
“Do not expose ourselves.”
The tallest looked toward the football field through the hallway window.
“There he is.”
Far away…
McCall laughed with Jake.
Completely unaware…
The Ravens had arrived.
…
Training officially began.
Coach Williams gathered everyone together.
“Listen up.”
“We have three transfer students joining the football program today.”
Several players looked curious.
Coach continued.
“They come from Northbridge Academy.”
A murmur spread through the team.
“No way…”
“Northbridge?”
“That’s one of the strongest football schools in the country.”
Coach nodded.
“They’ll train with us beginning today.”
Just then…
The three students walked onto the pitch.
The tallest stepped forward.
“My name is Adrian Cross.”
The girl smiled politely.
“I’m Lily Morgan.”
The boy with glasses adjusted them.
“Noah Reed.”
Coach pointed toward the players.
“Make them feel welcome.”
Most of the team applauded politely.
Ryan folded his arms.
Ethan simply observed them.
McCall smiled.
“Welcome.”
Adrian smiled back.
“Thank you.”
Their eyes met.
For the briefest second…
McCall felt something strange.
A chill.
Like standing before the shadow creatures from the Arena Beyond Time.
His heartbeat quickened.
“Why do they feel…
familiar?”
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
WARNING
Unknown Energy Signature Detected.
???
Remain Alert.
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McCall’s smile disappeared.
The System had never displayed question marks before.
Adrian noticed.
Interesting…
“So…”
“The System has already awakened.”
He thought silently.
“But only partially.”
…
Coach divided everyone into small groups for possession drills.
As fate would have it…
McCall and Adrian ended up on the same side.
“Ready?”
Adrian asked.
McCall nodded.
“Yeah.”
The whistle blew.
The drill began.
The ball reached McCall.
One touch.
Pass.
Perfect.
Adrian received it effortlessly.
His control…
Was flawless.
Not flashy.
Perfect.
McCall’s eyes widened.
“He’s good.”
Very good.
Adrian returned the pass.
Faster.
Harder.
McCall trapped it cleanly.
Again.
Again.
Again.
The pace increased.
Soon…
Every player stopped to watch.
Neither of them misplaced a single pass.
Coach Williams folded his arms.
“Excellent.”
Ethan watched silently.
Ryan frowned.
Jake whistled.
“They’re making this look easy.”
Finally…
The drill ended.
Coach nodded with satisfaction.
“Very impressive.”
As everyone walked toward the water station…
Adrian quietly stepped beside McCall.
“You’ve improved very quickly.”
McCall smiled awkwardly.
“I’ve just been training.”
Adrian nodded.
“I’m sure.”
He leaned slightly closer.
“So tell me…”
“…how long have you been hearing the King’s voice?”
McCall froze.
His entire body went cold.
“…What did you say?”
Adrian’s smile remained calm.
But his eyes…
Had turned completely crimson.
Only for a split second.
Then they returned to normal.
He walked away as though nothing had happened.
Leaving McCall standing alone.
Heart pounding.
Breath shaking.
The First King’s warning echoed inside his mind.
“The moment you leave this place…”
“The world will begin hunting you.”
McCall finally understood.
The hunt…
Had already begun.