Trials (1)

"DING"

No sooner had Coach Aston announced the first test in the trial than the familiar system notification resounded in Adam's mind. The translucent blue screen shimmered and then popped up in front of him without being summoned. The incident was a first as he usually had to will the screen to appear when he needed to check the user interface of the system.

Adam ignored the chaos around him and checked the contents of the notification.

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G.O.A.T MISSIONS

#NEW MISSION: New York soccer trials (serial missions)

*Task 1: Become the top 3 in the physical fitness testing at the soccer trials.

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*Rewards:

->B-grade strength-enhancing-elixir

(Will make you stronger and more in control of your body.)

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*Punishment in case of failure:

->The system will go offline for three months.

*Remarks: A G.O.A.T. is a player who should dominate his profession from the start or at the very least try to. Cheers to the beginning of your rise as a potential G.O.A.T.

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suddenly Adams's face became very serious he couldn't cost the system to be offline for three months which means he has to be to 3 and by looking at the others he doesn't think it was going to be a challenge except for those 3

"What the fuck?" Adam exclaimed out loud, forgetting where he was. "How will I achieve this with all the monsters partaking in the trial?" He mumbled.

"You have anything against my instructions, young man?" Adam heard Coach Aston bellow, his voice sounding incensed. He looked up only to find the other players staring at him with stunned and perplexed eyes. Some were trying their best to suppress their laughter.

[What have I done?] Adam's heart leaped into his throat.

He looked towards the front and saw the dark-skinned Coach Aston wearing a scary face as he glared at him, his hands akimbo.

"Young man," he intoned. "Do you have anything against my instructions?" He once again asked, his fists clenching and relaxing. Adam could tell that the no-nonsense coach was angry. He resolved to save the situation before it escalated.

"I'm sorry, sir," Adam stammered, trying his best to sound humble. "I quite forgot myself there and shouted out loud. I meant no offense." He added, giving a slight bow to the coach. He was aware that Coach Aston liked honest students who could acknowledge their faults rather than gloss over them. So, he decided to disclose some half-truths to gain the coach's pardon.

"Can you tell us what you were thinking at the time? We want to understand what could make a young man forget himself when at one of the most rewarding soccer trials in the country."

Adam let out a breath of relief as he heard the coach's tone lighten. He appeared to have passed the first hurdle.

"I was thinking about how I need to beat all the players here to catch the eye of one of the scouts. I am very nervous, sir." He replied in a shaky voice.

A titter rippled across the otherwise silent stadium. Some of the young men held on to their stomachs and laughed like there was no tomorrow. The adolescents seemed very amused by Adams's cowardice. But this did not affect him in any way as he was only concerned about the coach.

"Quiet," Aston bellowed once again, putting a stop to the waves of roiling laughter.

"Young man," he said, turning back towards Adam. "I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. I will let this slide in the meantime. But mark my words, this should be the last time an incident like this happens." The coach let his gaze roam over the players to emphasize his point.

None of the players wanted to have a negative tag from the coach so, they remained quiet with their heads bowed.

"Young man," Aston once again eyed Adam. "What is your name?" He asked.

"I'm Adam... Adam strong, sir."

I will be watching you during the trials. Try to do your level best." Aston said. He then continued giving out his directives.

Adam only half-listened to the rest of the coach's instructions. His mind was mainly on the system's mission. The system had offered the best possible reward for him at that moment. He needed the strength-enhancing-elixir to break through his bottleneck. But he was supposed to outrun everyone, including the boy prodigy -Brenden Aaronson. Adam didn't think that he was already the best in his age group just because of a few gifts from the system. There may be players who were already at the S grade by fifteen. Adam suspected that Brenden Aaronson was such a player.

[But what's there to fear?] He thought after calming down.

[Brenden Aaronson is still fourteen. I have longer strides and pretty good stamina. I can win.] Adam grinned.

He then concentrated back on the words of Coach Damata who seemed to be completing his peroration.

"From our records, we know that there should be 700 players," Coach Damata stated. "We will need 100 players

By noon, the third group was finishing their race. It was now finally Adams's turn to head to the running tracks. And as fate would have it, the boy prodigy - Brenden Aaronson, was also in the fourth group.

Adam stepped on the running tracks knowing he would have to try his best to be top 3 out of these 200 people he would win a strength-enhancing-elixir from the system that would upgrade his talent. Adam would then not have to worry about not being too weak enough later in the trials. Thus, he was more up to winning than anyone.

[I'll win this race.] He inwardly vowed while lining up with the others on the tracks. He was only waiting for the whistle.