The Friday morning session at the Merck-Nachwuchsleistungszentrum carried an unusual electricity. The U19 squad had just finished their light pre-travel activation when the senior first-team assistant coach, a sharp-eyed man named Stefan Berger, appeared on the sideline with the head of youth development. They spoke briefly with Coach Lehmann, who then waved Jonas over.
"Keller," Lehmann said, his voice steady but with new weight. "Senior training this afternoon. The first team is short in central midfield after two injuries in the senior squad. They want to look at a couple of U19s. You're one of them. Pack your bag and be ready at 2 p.m. sharp."
Jonas felt a jolt run through him. This was sooner than expected, even with his improved performances. In his first life, he had never received such a call. He kept his face composed. "Understood, Coach. I'll be there."
Word spread quickly among the U19 players. Felix slapped him on the back hard enough to sting. "First team? Already? Don't forget us little people when you're warming up with Neuer or whoever they bring in."
Tim Hartmann grinned. "Just don't get destroyed out there. Those senior lads hit harder."
Jonas managed a calm smile. "It's only training. I'll do my job and learn."
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of tactical walkthroughs for the Hoffenheim U19 game the next day. Jonas's mind, however, was already shifting gears. He knew the senior Darmstadt squad was fighting near the bottom of the 2. Bundesliga. Injuries had thinned the midfield, and they were desperate for bodies who could handle the physicality and tactical discipline of professional football.
At 1:45 p.m. he changed into fresh training gear, heart beating faster than usual. When he walked onto the senior pitch, the atmosphere felt heavier. The pros moved with practiced authority sharper passes, louder calls, faster recovery. Several glanced at the young U19 newcomer with neutral curiosity.
The head coach, a no-nonsense tactician in his late forties, blew the whistle and started with a high-intensity rondo. Jonas found himself in a group with senior players, including a veteran defensive midfielder who tested him immediately with aggressive pressing. Jonas stayed calm, used his body to shield, scanned early, and played quick one-touch passes. His regressed experience helped him anticipate angles the younger version of himself would have missed.
Halfway through the session they moved to 11v11. Jonas was placed in the "B-team" midfield alongside two first-team regulars. The pace was noticeably higher than U19 level. Tackles came in faster, spaces closed quicker. In the 15th minute of the practice match, he intercepted a loose ball in midfield, dropped his shoulder to evade a challenge, and threaded a precise through-ball into the channel for a senior winger. The winger crossed, and the attack ended with a shot on target.
The head coach stopped play. "Keller good read, good weight on the pass. Do that again."
Jonas's confidence grew with each minute. He covered ground intelligently, broke presses with calm distribution, and arrived late into the box once, forcing a save from the senior keeper. By the end of the session, sweat soaked his shirt, but his body had held up.
As players cooled down, the head coach pulled him aside. "You've got composure for your age. We're thin this weekend. Be at the stadium tomorrow morning you're travelling with the first team for the league match against Kaiserslautern. You won't start, but you'll be on the bench. Prove you belong."
Jonas nodded, keeping his voice steady despite the surge of adrenaline. "Thank you, Coach. I won't let the team down."
The news hit him fully on the walk home. Professional football. First-team bench at 18. In his first life this moment had never come. Now it was here sooner than planned, but he would seize it.
When he opened the apartment door, Lina nearly tackled him before he could take two steps inside.
"Jonas! You're home super early again!" She hugged his waist fiercely. "Did something special happen? You look happy like when you score in my drawings!"
He lifted her up, spinning her once. "Something very special, kleine Maus. The senior first team called me up for training today. And… I'm travelling with them tomorrow for their league match. I'll be on the bench."
Lina's eyes went wide. "The big team? With the real stadium and everything? Can I come watch? Will you play?"
"Not playing yet, but sitting on the bench is already huge," he said, carrying her toward the kitchen. "It means they think I can help. I'll text you updates the whole time."
Anna stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands, her face a mixture of shock and pride. "The first team? Already? Jonas… that's incredible."
Thomas stood from the couch, newspaper forgotten. "You're serious? They pulled you straight into senior training?"
Jonas set Lina down gently and nodded. "Short-term because of injuries. I did well in the session. They want me on the bench for tomorrow's game against Kaiserslautern."
The family celebration was immediate and warm. Anna pulled him into a tight hug while Lina danced around them, waving her lion like a flag. "My brother is going to be a real professional!" she sang.
Dinner that evening felt electric. Anna cooked Jonas's favorite Schnitzel with extra portions. Lina bombarded him with questions what the senior players looked like, whether they were nice, if he would wear the big-team kit on the bench. Jonas answered every one with patience, describing the faster pace and the professionalism he had seen.
"I'll be careful," he reassured his parents when Lina finally went to draw in the living room. "It's only the bench for now, but it's a real chance. I'll keep balancing it with home. Nothing changes here."
Thomas clasped his shoulder. "We're proud. Just don't forget to eat and sleep properly. This is the dream, but we still need our son."
Anna's eyes were misty. "Call or text when you can tomorrow. We'll be watching the game on TV if it's broadcast."
Later, after helping Lina with her bedtime story (she insisted the football animals were now "senior team" animals), Jonas packed a small bag for the trip. The apartment felt smaller, the stakes suddenly larger. He sat on the edge of his bed for a few minutes, breathing steadily.