August 27 – Carrington Training Ground
The video analysis room was dim, only the projection screen lit up. Coach McGuinness stood in front, remote in hand. The whole U21 squad sat in silence.
Beep. A replay of Derby's goal.
"Lazy tracking. Sloppy positioning. And where's the midfield press?" He glared across the room. No one answered.
Another beep. A clip of Alex driving forward, beating two players, and nearly scoring.
"See this? That's what we want. Direct. Brave. Bold."
Alex stayed still, his heart pounding. His name was being said — in a good way.
Then: Beep. The moment Curtis missed the counter. Alex throwing his arms. Their verbal spat.
"This," McGuinness said with emphasis, "is what we don't need. You both act like children in the middle of a match. I see one more on-pitch tantrum, you're both sitting."
Alex felt Curtis's eyes drilling into him. He didn't look back.
[Coach Standing: Stable][Discipline Flag: Active – Monitor Behavior Next Match][Curtis Rivalry: Tension Level – 3]
August 27
"Marshall," said a unfamiliar voice.
Alex turned in the hallway. Wayne Rooney stood by the physio room, arms crossed, wearing a United tracksuit and a slight smirk.
"I texted you," Rooney said. "You ghost everyone, or just England's top scorer?"
Alex laughed nervously. "No, no—I didn't think it was really you. I mean i'm a nobody and you're Wayne Ronney. So i thought i was being punk"
Rooney walked beside him toward the pitch. "Don't sell yourself short lad. Saw the match. You've got balls. Talent, too."
Alex looked down. "Still raw, though."
"Good. Raw can be sharpened. But you've got to fix your fire. Anger helps. Ego ruins." Rooney tapped his chest. "I've been there before. All fire and guts."
[Mentorship Activated: Wayne Rooney – Progress 5/5]
"Rooney's Insight: Controlled Fire" — Trait UnlockedTemporary Buff: Mental +2 when provoked.Permanent Unlock: Physical Attribute - Strength +3Signature Trait Available (Locked): "Rooney's Strength" – Claimable at Full Bond*
"You keep rising, keep training and keep improving, who knows" Rooney said, "I'll get you training with the senior team."
Alex blinked. "Seriously, you would do that ?"
Rooney grinned. "Of course. One more big match. One more spark. You play great and maybe it will be a start of something great for you and the club"
August 28 – Training Day
Alex was focused. After a conversation with arguably the best player in England history. It light up a fire and hunger in him
He ran harder, passed sharper, called louder.
During 5-a-side, he scored twice and set up Lingard with a backheel that got a whistle from one of the assistant coaches.
Even the normally stoic Paul Scholes watched from the balcony, arms folded.
His eyes followed Alex closely—not the ball, not the drill—Alex. His expression unreadable as ever, but his subtle nod to McGuinness spoke volumes.
"He's got something," Scholes finally muttered, almost reluctantly.
McGuinness didn't look up, still scribbling notes. "He's raw."
"He's young, not even 18," Scholes said, "but sharp. Like a blade not yet polished."
He paused, eyes narrowing as Alex took on three defenders and laid off a perfect pass to Jesse.
"Let's see if he can do it when the heat rises."
[System Notification]
Weekly Growth Summary – Training Boosts:
Pace +1
Vision +2
First Touch +1
Team play Progress: Moderate
New System Quest Unlocked: "Stay Focused"
Condition: Avoid yellow/red cards or in-match arguments for 2 full gamesReward: Leadership Trait Boost
Flashback – February 2010, Manchester Royal Infirmary
Rain hit the windows. Inside, 14-year-old Alex sat on a hospital bed, his leg in a full brace. Torn ACL. Career-threatening.
His dad — James Marshall — stood by the bed, hands in pockets, eyes tired but steady.
"You crying?" he asked softly.
Alex looked away. "No."
James sighed. "You're allowed. But not for long. We get back up. We're only lose when we dont get back up."
Silence.
Then his father sat down and handed him a folded photo. A young James Marshall in a Sunday league kit. Dirt-stained, smiling.
"Didn't get to go pro. Didn't have the talent. Didn't have what God has given you. Talent and hard work"
Alex stared at the photo.
"I need you to get back up, son," James said. "Not for me, or your mother or brother but for yourself."
His mother, Elaine, peeked in with a coffee. "And if not for you, at least do it so I can scream your name and tell everyone "THAT'S My SON" in a stadium someday."
Even his older brother, Daniel, stood awkwardly by the door, arms crossed. "Well, you were decent. Would suck to waste it."
Alex smiled then. Broken. But not defeated. Just another bump in a long journey to the top.
[Flashback Integration: Emotional Anchor – "Family Fuel" Trait Acquired]
Trait: Boost to Morale after setbacksCurrent Family Support Level: High
August 29
Back to present. After weights, Alex entered the locker room late. Curtis was there, shirt off, surrounded by a few teammates.
"Oi," Curtis said, not even hiding his irritation. "You enjoying the golden boy tour?"
Alex looked around. A few teammates went quiet. Not wanting to get in the way between the two.
"I'm just training," Alex said.
"No. You're performing for the staff. Rooney. Scholes. Acting like the prince of Carrington."
Alex stood tall. "If I'm a prince, you're a jester, mate. Always playing, never delivering."
Curtis's face darkened. He stepped forward—
But Jesse grabbed his shoulder. "That's Enough. Don't you remember what the coach said"
Speak of the devil. McGuinness walked in just then. "Problem here ?"
Both froze.
"No, coach," they said in unison.
[Curtis Rivalry – Peak Tension]
Risk of On-Pitch Incident: HighOpportunity: Beat Curtis in performance to gain favorReward: Coaching Favor + Rival Collapse Path
Later That Night – Private Message
Alex checked his phone before bed.
Message from Jesse Lingard:
"Scholes asked about you. You've got people watching. Don't fumble it."
Alex smiled to himself.
He turned toward the ceiling in the dark, muscles sore, but heart calm.
His second life was finally moving forward.
[System Alert: "Breakthrough Arc – 38% Complete"]
Next Trigger: 1 goal or 1 assist in the next match
Bonus Trigger: Avoid public argument with Curtis.
"The hard part is avoiding him starting a trouble with me"
[Wow, the story got a 122 collection already and it's not even a week, i want to thank you guys for the support, it really means a lot. So keep it coming either comments,review,stones or even a thumps up in the comment is appreciate it. Keep it coming and i'm going to keep on coming]