The days blurred into weeks.And weeks into a rhythm.
Wake up.Stretch.Rehab.Ice.Rest.Repeat.
There was no crowd.No roar of stadiums.
But inside the walls of the rehab facility, Mateo González was still fighting.
Silent Progress
Each week, his ankle grew stronger.
Balance drills that once made him wobble were now done with confidence.His gait became smoother.Swelling, gone.Pain, manageable.
He could finally put full weight on his leg.He was still a long way from sprinting…
But he was walking.
And walking… felt like flying.
The Doctor's Review
One morning, after a particularly intense aquatic training session, Mateo was called into the private office of Dr. Falk, the lead physician for Bayern's first team.
Dr. Falk reviewed the latest scans, comparing them with the pre-surgery results.
"You're healing faster than expected," he said with a raised brow.
Mateo leaned in, hopeful.
The doctor clicked through charts. Ligament density, muscle tone, recovery milestones.
"Originally, post-surgery, we estimated a 12-month layoff," he continued.
Mateo nodded. He remembered.
The news had crushed him.One entire year away from the pitch.
"But now," Dr. Falk said, sitting back, "I'm revising the estimate."
Mateo's eyes narrowed.
"With your current evolution, you could be back in full form in just six months.Maybe even a little sooner."
The System's Help
As the words settled in, a familiar interface shimmered quietly in Mateo's vision.
[System Passive Effect Log:]
– Enhanced Tissue Regeneration (Minor)– Minor Pain Resistance– Injury Recovery Boost: 15%– Stress Recovery Multiplier: +10%
Current Projected Return: 5.8 months(Based on training compliance & health discipline score)
Mateo exhaled.
It wasn't magic.
He was still working harder than ever.
But… he had help.Silent help.
And he was using every bit of it.
Flashback to Surgery
He remembered the night after arriving from Chile.
The swelling had worsened.The team had run tests.
And the next day —he'd gone under the knife.
Three hours.Reconstruction.A year of football… gone in an instant.
At least, that's what they thought.
But now?
Now it was different.
The Doctor's Final Words
Dr. Falk stood and offered a hand.
"Keep this up, Mateo, and you'll beat the odds."
Mateo took his hand firmly.
"I didn't come here to match the odds," he said softly.
"I came here to rewrite them."