Chapter 12: The Shark Tank
If the Under-18 dormitory was a school, the Reserves (U21) building was a correctional facility for the overly ambitious. There was no PlayStation music leaking through the doors here. The air was thick with the scent of high-grade liniment, espresso, and the silent, grinding anxiety of men who were twenty years old and realized their "wonderkid" clock was ticking toward midnight.
Mide walked into the Reserves locker room on Wednesday morning, his new kit bag over his shoulder. The room went silent.
A tall, broad-shouldered defender with a buzz cut—Ryan Shawcross—looked up from taping his ankles. He stared at Mide like he was an uninvited guest at a private funeral.
"You're the one from the papers," Shawcross said, his voice a low growl. "The 'African Wizard' who thinks he's too good for the youth team."
[System: "Aura Detection: Hostility Level 80%. These boys see you as a 'Line-Jumper.' You skipped the queue, and in England, people hate a queue-jumper more than a goal-robber. If you don't establish dominance in the next ten minutes, they will 'accidentally' step on your toes during the rondo."]
Let them try, Baba, Mide thought, find a vacant locker. I've dealt with Lagos landlords. A few frustrated twenty-year-olds are nothing.
[System: "Oshey! The confidence of a man with 405 SP! But listen, Oga, you have a massive problem. Thursday's match against the First Team is in 24 hours. Your 'Physical' stat is 61. If Rio Ferdinand hits you, you won't just fall; you'll shatter into enough pieces to be sold as a jigsaw puzzle. You need to spend."]
Mide sat on the bench, pulling on his socks. Open the shop. I need something for the giants.
The Tactical Investment
[System Shop: The 'Giant Slayer' Special]
1. 'Center of Gravity' (Passive): Increases balance by 25% when being shoved by a larger player. (Cost: 150 SP)
2. 'Phantom Step' (Active): A 1-second burst of 'Invisibility' to a defender's peripheral vision. Perfect for escaping a world-class mark. (Cost: 200 SP)
3. 'Predictive Impact' (Trait): Calculates the exact moment of a tackle, allowing you to ride the challenge without injury. (Cost: 100 SP)
Give me 'Center of Gravity' and 'Predictive Impact', Mide commanded.
[System: "Purchasing... SP Remaining: 155. Physical Stat adjusted (Hidden Buff). You are now as 'heavy' on the ball as a man twenty kilos heavier. Now, go out there. Shawcross is waiting to see if you bleed."]
The Training Grind
The session with the Reserves was brutal. Where René Meulensteen focused on technique, the Reserves coach, Jim Ryan, focused on "The Meat." It was 4-on-4 in tight cages. No fouls called. No mercy.
Mide was paired with Shawcross against two other fringe players.
"Don't get in my way, kid," Shawcross muttered as the whistle blew.
The ball was played in. A Greek defender named Sotiros lunged at Mide, leading with his elbow. In his old life, Mide would have folded. But the Predictive Impact kicked in. Mide saw the elbow's trajectory as a red vector. He tilted his torso just three centimeters, absorbing the force on his shoulder and using the Greek's own momentum to spin him.
Mide didn't lose his footing. The Center of Gravity perk made him feel like his boots were rooted into the Manchester mud. He stayed upright, flicked the ball over an incoming sliding tackle, and smashed it into the small net.
Shawcross stopped. He looked at Mide, then at the Greek defender sprawled on the floor.
"Alright," Shawcross said, a begrudging respect entering his tone. "You're not made of glass. I'll give you that."
[System: "Social Update: Shawcross Status — 'Neutral.' You've survived the 'Newbie Tax.' But don't get comfortable. Look toward the main building. Someone is watching."]
Mide glanced toward the large glass windows of the First Team analysis room. High above, a silhouette stood with its arms crossed. Even from this distance, the mop of gray hair and the sharp profile were unmistakable.
Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Boss wasn't watching the Reserves. He was watching him.
The Eve of Battle
That night in the dorms, Mide sat in total darkness. Danny Welbeck was already asleep, snoring lightly, but Mide's mind was a storm of data.
Baba, Mide whispered. Show me the 'Eagle's Nest' update. I need something to ground me before I face Ronaldo tomorrow.
[System: "Connecting to 2025 Database... Victor Osimhen (Age 7) has just moved to a new school in Oregun. He is currently hungry. Wilfred Ndidi (Age 9) won a street match today and earned 50 Naira. They are struggling, Mide. While you are worried about Sir Alex, they are worried about dinner."]
Mide felt a sharp pang in his chest. The "Slow Pace" of the novel allowed him to feel every second of this transition. He wasn't just a player; he was a bridge.
Tomorrow, I play for them too, Mide thought. If I can stand up to Ronaldo and Ferdinand, I can show the world that a boy from the streets can't be broken.
[System: "Spoken like a true MA10. Get some sleep. Tomorrow, the First Team won't play with you. They will try to crush you to show you the hierarchy. I hope those new perks are worth the SP, Oga. Because if you fail, the 'Oracle' is going to have a very long laugh at your expense."]
Mide closed his eyes. In the darkness, he could already hear the studs clacking in the tunnel and the sound of a Portuguese voice calling him "Nigeria."
Thursday was coming.
[Current Status]
Name: Mide Adeyemi (MA10)
SP: 155
New Traits: Center of Gravity, Predictive Impact.
Location: Carrington Dorms (Night before the Showcase).
Next Objective: The Reserves vs. First Team Scrimmage.