The morning air was brisk as Dawit stepped onto the training pitch, the scent of freshly cut grass sharp and invigorating. A thin layer of mist clung to the ground, swirling around his cleats with every step. Today wasn't just another practice. It was the day Coach Hendrik Maas had warned him about the day where consistency would finally be tested.
Players moved around the field, warming up with the usual chatter and laughter, but Dawit's mind was focused, clear. The sting of the previous game's mistakes still lingered, but it was no longer a weight holding him down. Instead, it was fuel.
Coach Maas blew his whistle sharply, calling everyone in for the morning briefing. The squad gathered in a tight circle, faces eager and tense.
"We're preparing for a tough match this weekend," Maas began, his voice firm. "It's not enough to rely on talent or flashes of brilliance anymore. We have to be sharp, disciplined, and most importantly consistent. Dawit, I want you leading the defense today. Show me what you've learned."
Dawit's heart skipped, but he kept his composure. Leading the defense was a responsibility he didn't take lightly. It meant organizing, communicating, anticipating.
As the drills started, Dawit's focus sharpened to a razor's edge. Passing drills, positioning exercises, fast breaks each one was a test. He noticed the smallest details: the angle of his body, the timing of his step, the weight of his passes. When he made a mistake, he corrected immediately, vocalizing adjustments to teammates.
During a scrimmage, Dawit intercepted a dangerous pass with precise timing and launched a quick counterattack. His teammate sprinted forward, receiving the ball cleanly thanks to Dawit's sharp vision.
Coach Maas shouted, "That's the leadership I want to see!"
Dawit felt a surge of pride, but he didn't let it distract him. There was still work to do.
Later, as the session wound down, Dawit jogged to the sidelines, chest heaving. The scout from the previous week was back, quietly observing from the stands.
The presence was familiar now, but the pressure was no less intense.
Dawit locked eyes with the scout briefly, then turned away to focus on stretching. The session wasn't over not until he proved he could deliver not just once, but every single day.
As the sun climbed higher, Dawit's phone buzzed with a message from Hakeem:"Big game this weekend. We got this."
A small smile tugged at Dawit's lips. With his best friend in his corner, and the lessons of the past driving him forward, he was ready.
The real challenge was just beginning.
The morning of the day before the match, Dawit woke to the familiar hum of Rotterdam outside his window. The sky was a soft gray, heavy with clouds that promised rain, but inside him, the weather didn't matter. His mind was already racing through the steps of tomorrow's game.
Breakfast was quiet. His parents sat across the table, exchanging hopeful glances. His mother's hand brushed over his, grounding him with silent support. His father gave a rare, encouraging nod.
"You've earned this," his father said quietly, "but remember, it's the work after the game that builds legends."
Dawit nodded, the words settling in his chest.
At the training ground, Coach Hendrik Maas gathered the team for a tactical briefing. The room smelled of chalk dust and worn leather a smell Dawit had come to associate with focus and discipline.
"Tomorrow," Maas said, "we face a team that plays with speed and aggression. We must be ready to adapt. Dawit, you'll be central to our defensive strategy. Communication is key. Trust your instincts, but trust your teammates even more."
Coen Moulijn joined them, his weathered face breaking into a rare smile. "You've got potential, Dawit. But talent alone won't keep you here. It's what you do after today that counts."
Dawit looked up, absorbing every word. It wasn't just about the scout's visit or impressing the coaches. It was about the long grind ahead the countless hours, the sacrifices, the moments when no one was watching.
As the players gathered their gear, Hendrik Maas clapped a hand on Dawit's shoulder. "Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, we begin again."
Walking off the pitch, Dawit felt a strange mixture of exhaustion and excitement. He knew the real test was only just starting.
Back in his small room, Amanuel's voice spoke softly inside his head:"Progress checkpoint reached. Tactical awareness improved by 8%. Weekly consistency milestone: Nearing completion. Next objective: Maintain peak performance under pressure."
Dawit exhaled and smiled to himself. This was no longer a dream. It was his reality and he was ready to fight for it.
Dawit's eyes scanned the room. The weight of expectation pressed down, but instead of crushing him, it sharpened his resolve.
Later, Dawit found a quiet corner of the pitch. He closed his eyes, running through the mental drills Amanuel had suggested: visualization, breathing, tactical rehearsals. Every pass, every run, every challenge played out perfectly in his mind.
The system's voice cut through the silence:"Focus level: Optimal. Stress management: Stable. Tactical awareness: Peak."
A small smile touched Dawit's lips. He was ready to prove himself not just to Feyenoord, not just to the scout, but to himself.
That evening, his family gathered around the dinner table. The conversation was light, filled with laughter and stories from the neighborhood. For a moment, Dawit forgot the pressure, simply enjoying the warmth of home.
But as the night deepened, he retreated to his room. He spread out his training notes, reviewing key points from Coach Maas, replaying tactical clips on his tablet, and jotting down reminders.
The room was quiet except for the occasional tap of his pen and the soft hum of the city below.
Tomorrow, everything would change.
Tomorrow, the test of consistency would begin.