The locker room was quiet.
Water dripped from the showers, faint echoes bouncing off the tiled walls. Empty boots lay scattered, shin guards tossed, socks crumpled like war banners after battle. The storm had passed.
Vihaan sat alone, jersey folded in his lap, the faint outline of his sweat still clinging to it. He stared at the HUD that hovered faintly in front of him.
[System Quest Completed – Final Battle: U-15 League Decider]
Result: Victory.
Performance Rating: 9.1
Direct Contribution: 2 Assists
Rewards Unlocked:
+200 SP
+8 Stat Points
Trait Opportunity: Available
The system blinked again.
[New Trait Assimilated: DEFENSIVE INSTINCT]
Sharpens positioning during opponent's attacks.
Boosts defensive awareness and tackle timing.
Enhanced anticipation against skilled dribblers.
+6 Defending
New Stat – Defending: 46
Vihaan exhaled. It had taken everything — the training, the losses, the pressure, the trust. And now? He stood on a new threshold.
The locker room door creaked open.
Coach Müller stepped in, still damp from the champagne ambush earlier. His usual scowl had softened — not a smile, not quite, but something close.
"Come with me," he said simply.
Upstairs. Office hallway.
Posters lined the walls — generations of Schalke youth squads. Past champions. Future stars.
Vihaan walked beside Müller in silence until they reached the door to the coaching suite. Inside, three men stood waiting.
Two wore Schalke jackets. One wore a suit.
The suited man was already studying a file. He looked up as Vihaan entered and smiled faintly.
"This is him?"
Müller nodded. "The one who made Becker look like a benchwarmer."
Vihaan flushed slightly.
The man extended a hand. "Lars Herold. Director of Youth Development. Schalke U-17 is officially calling you up."
Vihaan blinked.
"Starting next week," Herold continued, "you'll join pre-season prep with the U-17s. It's a big step. Faster game. Smarter players. You'll struggle, especially early."
Vihaan looked up, eyes steady. "I want that."
Herold smiled wider. "Good answer."
Then came the sound of a phone buzzing. One of the coaches checked it and smirked.
"Well, the word's out."
[Camera Flash — Click]
A photographer caught Vihaan as he exited the hallway.
On a digital screen nearby, someone had already loaded up Kicker Junior's breaking news:
"Regionalliga West Crowned: Schalke U-15 Triumph over Dortmund – Vihaan Mehra Stars in Final"
"...the midfielder controlled the tempo with maturity far beyond his age. Scouts from Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Leverkusen were spotted at the match and have reportedly inquired about his availability…"
His 1v1 against florian was talk of the town.
Another headline flashed beside it:
"Leon Meyer Earns U-19 Promotion – Double Brace in Final Draws Bundesliga Attention"
Vihaan grinned. "Show off," he muttered.
Later that night. At home.
The house buzzed with celebration. Anya had drawn banners and made hand-written "CONGRATS BHAIYA" signs plastered over the walls.
Papa brought out the fancy sweets. "You better not get soft now," he joked, handing Vihaan a second laddu.
Arjun leaned against the wall, smirking. "U-17 already? You know when I was 15, I could barely crack the school eleven."
Vihaan rolled his eyes. "You still can't."
Anya jumped onto the couch. "Next time, I want a goal too! Not just passes! You need a signature celebration!"
Vihaan laughed and pulled her into a side hug. "Deal. Next match, I score and do the Anya dance."
"Maaaan," Leon's voice rang over the phone speaker. "You're already a fanboy of your sister. What's next, she manages your PR?"
"Actually," Arjun said, taking the phone, "she already does."
Midnight. Vihaan's room.
The celebrations had dimmed. The house quieted. Only the ceiling fan spun in rhythm with the quiet thoughts in his head.
He sat at his desk, the glow from his HUD casting soft light over his face.
[System Notification – Quest Completed]
"Climb the Ladder"
+200 SP
+15 Stat Points
+3 Overall Rating
New Title Unlocked: Rising Star
Effects:
Minor boost in coach favorability during evaluations
Increased media and scout visibility
Passive reputation gain in local football circles
Current Stats:
Overall: 56
Pace: 65
Stamina: 60
Strength: 50
Jumping: 51
Dribbling: 61 (+2 first touch mastery) 63
Passing: 55 (+3 field scanner) 58
Shooting: 47
Defending: 43 (+6 defensive instinct) 49
Vision: 50 (+3 field scanner) 53
Composure: 51 (+3 tempo dictator, +4 First touch mastery) 58
Awareness: 49 (+3 tempo dictator) 52
Work Rate: 62
SP: 650
Stat Points: 26
Traits:
First Touch Mastery (Lv.1)
Field Scanner (Lv.1)
Defensive Instinct (Lv.1)
Tempo Dictator (Lv.1)
Title: Rising Star 🌟
Vihaan leaned back in his chair, fingers laced behind his head.
Every trait is giving him +6 in stats. That was very useful. Also he has 26 remaining point which he can still allocate. He has grown a lot in these 2 months, he has grown from outcast to a rising star and it was only a beginning.
His phone buzzed again. A new message from Leon.
Leon: U-19 is next. But don't think you're catching up just yet.
Leon: I'll be waiting — two years ahead. Come get me.
Vihaan smirked.
Vihaan: One year. I'll see you there.
Vihaan: And then I'll pass you.
He placed the phone down and looked at the sketch Anya had pinned to his wall — the one with the golden crown.
His crown.
"Not yet," he whispered. "But soon."
Next week – Schalke Campus Grounds
Vihaan arrived early. The sun hadn't even finished rising. But the U-17 boys were already training. Bigger bodies. Louder commands. Tighter drills.
One player jogged over — lean, tall, intense eyes. He offered a hand.
"You the U-15 call-up?"
Vihaan nodded.
The older boy grinned. "Name's Rami. Striker. They say you're the tempo boy who shut down Becker?"
"Just Vihaan," he replied, shaking his hand.
"Well, Vihaan," Rami said, eyes twinkling, "Welcome to the jungle. Hope you're fast — or you'll get eaten alive."
He jogged off, leaving Vihaan grinning.
Challenge accepted.
Somewhere in Frankfurt – Scouting Office
A report was handed over. The name bold on the page.
Player: Vihaan Mehra
Position: CM / CAM
Club: Schalke U-15
Status: Promoted to U-17
Notes: Elite passing vision. Strong mentality. Leadership potential. Watchlist Priority: High.
Recommendation: Offer trial next transfer window if available.
Another scout sighed. "Why do Schalke always find them first?"
The head scout shrugged. "They won't hold onto him forever."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION – NEW QUEST UNLOCKED]
"Hold Your Own"
Objective: Make your mark in Schalke U-17 during first three months.
Requirements:
Minimum 3 Match Ratings above 7.5
3 Assist or Goal
Earn praise from U-17 Coach
Reward:
+10 Stat Points
+100 SP
Vihaan stood alone on the U-17 pitch.
He closed his eyes, breathed in the crisp morning air, and whispered to himself again:
"Show them what you are made of."