The first light of dawn had barely touched the Galaxy Youth Academy grounds when Alex Rivera stood alone on the main pitch, the grass still wet with dew. The 1-1 draw from the previous match still sat heavy in his chest, but so did the fire that had carried him this far.
He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the cool morning air fill his lungs.
This is the real work now. No more small-club friendlies where one good game could hide everything. Every sprint, every touch, every decision is watched by scouts, coaches, and cameras. The contract is signed. The media is already asking about Emma on camera. I died once on a couch in 2024 watching Messi and Ronaldo build empires while I stayed ordinary. This is my second chance. I will not waste it. I will surpass them both — and I will enjoy every single second of the ride.
The blue system screen appeared in front of him, clear and detailed, exactly as it had been since the rebirth.
[System Status]
Host: Alex "Ace" Rivera
Age: 15
Position: Attacking Midfielder (No. 10)
Overall Rating: 71
Level: 8
EXP: 4,130 / 5,000
Core Stats:
Pace: 75Shooting: 68Passing: 82Dribbling: 85Defending: 60Physicality: 77
Skills:
God's First Touch (S-Grade)Phantom Shadow Dribble (A-Grade)Enhanced Physicality (B-Grade)
System Points: 3,680
Active Daily Task:
Complete 800 high-quality touches in training.
Reward: 400 EXP + 200 System Points
Alex stared at the numbers. They were climbing, slowly but surely. The system was no longer just a silent helper — it was becoming the engine of his second life. He felt the weight of every point, every stat, every small improvement.
He took a deep breath and began.
Monday – Technical Precision at Pro Speed
Coach Harlan blew the whistle. The squad moved into tight-space possession grids. The ball moved at a speed Alex had to adjust to instantly. He took his first touch with God's First Touch and felt the difference — these players closed space faster. He tested Phantom Shadow Dribble repeatedly — sudden body feints that left older academy players stumbling, quick roulette turns that created space out of nothing.
Diego Morales whistled after one sequence. "Ace, that move looked sharper than last week."
Alex kept his voice casual. "Just getting better, Diego."
The session was relentless. Alex completed 1,200 touches in grids no larger than five yards wide.
[System Notification]
Technical Training Bonus – Professional Environment
EXP Gained: +620
Skill Progress: Phantom Shadow Dribble +12% (A-Grade)
Dribbling Stat: +2 (now 87)
Tuesday – Endurance & Physical Hell
Gym at dawn. Heavier squats, deadlifts, explosive power circuits. The squad pushed until failure. Alex pushed further. In the afternoon they ran repeated 11v11 small-sided games with almost no rest. His enhanced physicality kept him sharp while others started to fade.
During a 1v1 duel he faced the team's strongest defender. Phantom Shadow Dribble, quick roulette, and he was gone. The defender hit the turf.
[System Notification]
Endurance Training Bonus – Professional Environment
EXP Gained: +670
Physicality Stat: +3 (now 80)
Wednesday – Tactical Mastery & Vision Overload
Video analysis in the morning. Coach Harlan broke down high-pressing patterns from top MLS sides. On the pitch they ran repeated attacking sequences at full speed. Alex received in the No. 10 pocket, played quick one-twos, delivered through-balls, and tested long-range vision.
Mid-session, after a particularly sharp 11v11, Alex stepped aside for water. The system screen appeared again.
[System Status – Mid-Week Update]
Host: Alex "Ace" Rivera
Level: 9 (EXP: 5,420 / 6,000)
Overall Rating: 73 (+2)
Dribbling: 88
System Points: 4,300
Active Daily Task: Completed
Reward Claimed: 400 EXP + 200 System Points
Alex felt the growth in every fiber of his body. The A-Grade Phantom Shadow Dribble was becoming sharper with every session.
Thursday – Full Intensity & Leadership Test
11v11 against the U-19 reserves. The level was brutal. Alex started in the No. 10 role and never stopped moving — dropping deep to win balls, surging forward to create, organizing the press. He scored once with a curled 25-yard shot and assisted twice.
The system chimed during the session.
[System Notification]
Tactical Training Bonus – Professional Environment
EXP Gained: +720
Passing Stat: +4 (now 86)
Vision & Decision-Making: +5
Friday – Final Sharpening & Reflection
Light recovery session in the morning. Alex stayed behind after everyone left. He stood alone on the main pitch, the sun setting behind the hills.
He mentally opened the system one more time. The screen appeared in full detail.
[System Status]
Host: Alex "Ace" Rivera
Age: 15
Position: Attacking Midfielder (No. 10)
Overall Rating: 75
Level: 9
EXP: 6,140 / 7,000
Core Stats:
Pace: 76Shooting: 70Passing: 86Dribbling: 88Defending: 62Physicality: 80
Skills:
God's First Touch (S-Grade)Phantom Shadow Dribble (A-Grade)Enhanced Physicality (B-Grade)
System Points: 4,900
Alex stared at the numbers. The growth was real. The skill was active. The system was no longer silent — it was alive, pushing him forward.
He looked across the pitch toward the first-team training ground in the distance.
This is only the beginning. I will surpass Messi. I will surpass Ronaldo. I will become the greatest. And I will enjoy every single second of the ride.
The climb had officially moved to the next level.