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**RFC Seraing Training Ground – Week 4**
The rain had turned Pitch 3 into a quagmire. Ibukun's new boots—cheap synthetics bought with hospital discharge money—sank into the mud as twenty trialists shuffled through drills. Assistant Coach Lebrun's whistle pierced the air.
*"Passing squares! Groups of four!"*
Ibukun's HUD flickered:
***`MISSION: COMPLETE 30/40 PASSES. REWARD: 50 SP. CURRENT SP: 68.`***
Jay-Jay's laugh crackled like static. *"Look at these fools. That one passes like he's kicking dead rats."*
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**First Attempt: Failure**
The ball came to Ibukun. His first touch sent it skidding two meters away.
*"Christ!"* groaned his passing partner, a lanky Breton. *"They dig you up from a grave?"*
Ibukun's second pass rocketed into the Breton's shins.
***`PASS COMPLETION: 2/5. ACCURACY PENALTY: -3 VISION.`***
Jay-Jay tsked. *"Your technique is giving me secondhand embarrassment."*
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**The Shop's Cruel Economics**
During the water break, Ibukun studied his options:
**SKILLS:**
- "Basic First Touch" (200 SP)
- "Short Pass Precision" (150 SP)
**BOOSTS:**
- "30-Minute Ball Magnet" (75 SP)
His SP balance: **68**.
*"Pathetic,"* Jay-Jay muttered. *"Back in my day—"*
*"Shut up,"* Ibukun hissed, earning stares from nearby trialists.
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**Drill From Hell**
Coach Lebrun blew his whistle. *"Conditioning! Twenty laps with weighted vests!"*
Ibukun's stamina bar (41/100) began draining immediately. By lap 12, his lungs burned like he'd inhaled acid. A notification blinked:
***`WARNING: MUSCLE FATIGUE CRITICAL. CONTINUE? (Y/N)`***
Ibukun spat blood and pressed *Y*.
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**Breaking Point**
On lap 18, Ibukun collapsed. The Breton sneered as he jogged past.
*"Go back to your village, cripple."*
Something snapped.
Ibukun tackled him into the mud. Fists flew. Coach Lebrun's whistle shrieked.
***`MISSION FAILED. PENALTY: "DISLOCATED FINGER" (-5 DRIBBLING FOR 72H).`***
Jay-Jay's verdict came as medics hauled Ibukun away:
*"Stupid. But... promising."*
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