The first week following the victory at the Coastal Arena was not about glory. It was about science.
While the fans in Northcastle were still buzzing over Declan Whittaker's last-minute strike, Eric Maddox had locked the stadium gates and turned the training ground into a laboratory.
The "Pro Manager System" hovered in his vision as he stood on the touchline, watching his players undergo a series of rigorous tests. The air was cool, smelling of damp grass and the ozone of the high-tech sensors strapped to the players' chests.
"Keep your heart rate steady, Jack!" Maddox called out.
Jack Stones was currently leading a pack of defenders through a VO2 max test. Each player wore a mask that measured their oxygen intake. To the casual observer, it looked like a scene from a sci-fi movie. To Maddox, it was the only way to ensure they wouldn't burn out in the Ascension League.
