The kitchen table in the Rivera's apartment felt smaller than usual that evening. The fluorescent light hummed softly overhead as Alex sat with his family, the LA Galaxy scout's business card lying in the center like a quiet bomb. Dad had made his famous arroz con pollo, but no one had taken more than a few bites. Mom kept glancing at the card. Mia, still in her school uniform, swung her legs under the chair, eyes wide with excitement and a touch of worry.
Alex had told them everything after training — the scout's visit, the full scholarship, the trial starting next month, the clear pathway to the first team. The words "LA Galaxy Youth Academy" still hung in the air like a promise and a threat at the same time.
Dad finally broke the silence, voice thick. "This is big, mijo. Bigger than anything we ever imagined when we started the shop. You'd be training with professionals. Real facilities. Real coaches. Real chance."
Mom reached across the table and squeezed Alex's hand. Her eyes were already glistening. "We're so proud of you, Ace. You turned our lives around. The debt is gone, the shop is doing well, and now this… But leaving Inglewood? Moving to the Galaxy academy? It means travel, different schedule, maybe even living closer to the facility some days. You're only fifteen. Are you ready for that?"
Mia piped up, voice small but eager. "Will you still come home? Will I still get to watch your games? Can I wear a Galaxy jersey with your name on it?"
Alex looked at each of them, his chest tight with a mix of emotions he hadn't felt since the rebirth. This was the family he had fought for. The family he had promised himself he would lift out of struggle in this second life. He thought about the 2024 version of himself — the fan who died watching Messi and Ronaldo build empires while he remained ordinary. He thought about the system, the secret blue screen that had given him the edge no one else knew about. He thought about Emma, the private nights, the growing media whispers, the full superstar life he had chosen to enjoy.
He took a slow breath.
"I'm ready," he said quietly, but his voice carried the same fire he had shown in the locker room during the comeback against Santa Monica. "This is what I was reborn for. I'm not doing this just for me. I'm doing it for us. The shop is stable now. You've got the business running. I'll still come home as much as I can. I'll still help with the shop on weekends. But if I stay here forever, I'll never become what I'm meant to be. I want to surpass the legends I watched on TV. I want to give you all a life we never dreamed of. This is the next step."
Dad's eyes filled with pride. He stood up and pulled Alex into a tight hug. "Then you go, son. We'll be right behind you. The Rivera family doesn't hold you back — we push you forward."
Mom wiped her tears and smiled. "We'll pack your bag together. And we'll celebrate every milestone. Just promise you'll call every night at first."
Mia jumped up and hugged him from the side. "I'm telling everyone at school my brother is going to be a Galaxy star!"
The decision was made.
Alex felt the weight lift and a new fire ignite. Tomorrow he would step onto the Galaxy academy pitch for the first time. Tonight, he let himself feel the full reality of the leap.
The next morning, Alex arrived at the LA Galaxy Youth Academy complex in Carson. The facility was worlds away from the patched Inglewood pitch. Manicured fields stretched out under perfect lighting, state-of-the-art gym equipment gleamed through glass walls, and the main training ground looked like something from a professional club.
A tall coach in a Galaxy tracksuit met him at the gate.
"Alex Rivera? I'm Coach Harlan. Welcome to the trial. We've been watching your local games. Today we see if you can handle the next level."
Alex nodded, heart steady. "I'm ready."
They started with a light warm-up, but the intensity ramped up fast. The U-17 squad was already on the pitch — twenty-two players who moved with a sharpness Alex had never seen at Inglewood level. Some of them had already trained with the first team reserves. A few glanced at him with curiosity, others with the quiet challenge of competition.
Morning Session – Technical & Tactical Integration
Coach Harlan put them through possession drills in tight grids. The ball moved at a speed Alex had to adjust to instantly. He took his first touch with God's First Touch and immediately felt the difference — these players closed space faster. He used Shadow Dribble twice in the first ten minutes, leaving two defenders stumbling. One of the older boys, a tall central midfielder named Diego Morales, whistled low.
"Kid's got moves," Diego muttered to the player next to him.
Alex kept his face neutral, but inside he smiled. This is the level I need.
The system rewarded him silently.
[Technical Training Bonus – Professional Environment]
EXP Gained: +580
Skill Progress: Shadow Dribble +15%
Mid-Morning – Endurance & Physical Testing
They moved to the gym for explosive work. Alex loaded the bar heavier than he had at Inglewood. The squad did circuit after circuit — box jumps, agility ladders, heavy sled pushes. Alex's enhanced physicality let him keep pace, but he pushed harder, refusing to show any weakness. During a 1v1 duel drill he faced Diego directly. Alex dropped his shoulder, triggered Shadow Dribble, and left the older boy on the turf.
Diego stood up grinning. "Alright, new kid. You've got my respect."
[Endurance Training Bonus – Professional Environment]
EXP Gained: +620
Afternoon – Full Tactical Session & 11v11
The real test came in the afternoon. Coach Harlan split them into two teams for a full 11v11 practice match. Alex was placed in the No. 10 role for the "trial" side. The level was noticeably higher — quicker passing, smarter movement, better pressing. He dropped deep when needed, surged forward when gaps opened, and linked play with vision he had honed in Inglewood.
Midway through, he received the ball in the pocket, beat two players with a quick roulette, and slipped a perfectly weighted through-ball to a winger who scored.
The coach blew the whistle and called him over. "That pass was pro-level, Rivera. You see things others don't."
Alex nodded, breathing hard but focused.
The system chimed internally.
[Tactical Training Bonus – Professional Environment]
EXP Gained: +680
Total EXP: 4,180 / 3,200 → Level Up!
Level 7 Reached
New Stat Points Available
At the end of the session, Coach Harlan pulled him aside while the rest of the squad cooled down.
"You handled today better than most kids your age. The trial is yours if you want it. We'll start you with the U-17 squad next week. Full integration, full support. Your family will be looked after too — we have programs for that."
Alex looked across the pristine pitch, the professional facilities, the players who were already on the edge of the first team.
This was the leap.
He thought about the family conversation last night, about Emma waiting for him later, about the system waiting to be upgraded.
He felt the fire burn brighter than ever.
This is it. The real beginning of the climb.