The November chill hung over Willow Creek's community hall, where Ethan Cole stood amidst a small crowd on November 11, 2011, unveiling a banner: *Willow Creek Youth Football – Coming Soon*. The modest event, lit by flickering bulbs, was a milestone for his academy dream. Kids in Leicester City scarves cheered, their parents clapping as Ethan spoke about giving back. His mum, Sarah, beamed, her earlier fears about his fame eased by his commitment. His dad, Tom, nodded proudly, and Lily snapped photos for Instagram.
At the back, Mr. Harris, Ethan's old PE teacher and mentor, pulled him aside. The gruff man, who'd spotted Ethan's talent at ten, offered rare praise: "You're building something real, lad. Stay hungry, but don't lose yourself." Ethan nodded, recalling Harris's drills that shaped him—sprints at dawn, endless shooting practice. The community's support, from Jamie's logistics help to neighbors' donations, fueled his vision. "This is home," Ethan said, gripping Harris's hand. The Football System hummed, its sarcasm light: **Community hero, eh? Don't let the kids outscore you tomorrow, champ.**
The event energized Ethan for tomorrow's Championship match against Crystal Palace, a strong side where he'd face Premier League scouts' scrutiny. His academy dream and family's faith were his anchor, grounding him amidst the growing spotlight.
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The next day, Ethan stood in the tunnel of Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace's stadium, the roar of 20,000 fans pulsing through the walls. The system updated, its tone focused:
**Football System Update**
- **Template**: SSS-Class Striker Template (Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting Lisbon 2002–03 Stage)
- Speed: 97/100 (*Lightning quick.*)
- Dribbling: 101/100 (*God-tier flair.*)
- Finishing: 95/100 (*Sniper-level.*)
- Vision: 91/100 (*Playmaker sharp.*)
- Stamina: 100/100 (*Unstoppable machine.*)
- Assimilation Progress: 85% (*Ronaldo's fire burns bright.*)
- **Task**: Score in the Crystal Palace match to cement Premier League interest.
- **Reward**: Unlock Lisbon Precision III milestone (Finishing +3).
- **Advisory**: Use a shop item and Lisbon's blitz to outwit Palace's defense. Slack off, and you're their meme.
- **Penalty**: Attribute deductions only for match losses or training slacking.
- **Points**: 86 (*Ready to splurge, champ.*)
Ethan adjusted his number 17 jersey, feeling the surge of a **Clutch Finisher** he'd bought for 30 points: **Clutch Finisher active: Finishing +15 in final 10 minutes (*Crunch time's yours, mate.*).** The Ronaldo template's Lisbon stage, with its elite finishing and stamina, was perfect for Crystal Palace's solid defense. The clutch finisher was his edge, and the system stayed quiet, its sarcasm minimal.
Leicester's 2011–12 Championship season was a high-stakes grind, with Ethan's Watford performance (from Chapter 28, assumed win based on narrative flow) keeping fans buzzing. The Premier League spotlight—Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea scouts here today—demanded brilliance, though his contract renewal post-winter break remained unspoken.
The tunnel buzzed, Leicester's blue kits gleaming beside Palace's red and blue. Danny Drinkwater nudged Ethan. "Palace's backline is tough, Cole. Break 'em, and those scouts'll be begging." Ethan nodded, locked in.
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The match kicked off under Selhurst Park's floodlights, Palace's defense pressing hard. Ethan's vision carved through gaps. In the 10th minute, he darted past a defender, received a pass from Gallagher, and fired a shot that clipped the bar. The crowd roared, and the system noted: **Match Impact +10 (*Close one, sniper.*).**
Palace scored in the 18th minute, a low shot slipping past Schmeichel. The system warned: **Down 1–0. Don't lose, or you're kissing stats goodbye.** Ethan pushed harder. In the 28th minute, Nugent crossed. Ethan outjumped a defender, but Palace's center-back clipped him, a missed foul. His header went wide, the system silent.
In the 40th minute, Ethan struck. He intercepted a pass, weaved through two defenders with Ronaldo's flair, and rifled a curling shot past the keeper. The net rippled, Leicester fans erupting.
**Goal! Lisbon Precision III Progress: 50%. Match Impact +30%. Fan Appeal +20 (*Scouts are buzzing.*).**
Halftime came at 1–1, Nigel Pearson nodding. "You're their problem, Cole." The system updated: **Task Progress: 90%. One more goal or assist (*Keep it tight.*).**
The second half was a battle, Palace's defense tightening. Ethan's stamina kept him relentless. In the 88th minute, with the clutch finisher kicking in, he latched onto a through ball and fired a clinical shot into the bottom corner. The stadium roared, Leicester fans chanting "Cole! Cole!"
**Goal! Task Complete: Score in Crystal Palace match. Reward: Lisbon Precision III Unlocked. Finishing: 98/100 (*You're a finishing god.*).**
The match ended 2–1, Leicester victorious with a one-goal difference, fitting the strong team rule. Ethan's brace earned him man of the match. A staffer whispered: "United's talking summer transfer. Liverpool and Chelsea want you now." The system quipped: **Transfer buzz? Don't pack your bags yet, hotshot.**
The system glowed: **Points Earned: 50 (25 for win, 25 for two goals). New Task: Score in the next match to lock Premier League interest. Reward: Lisbon Surge II milestone (Speed +3). Side Quest: Score a hat-trick this season (Reward: One-Use Skill Card – Zidane's Pirouette).**
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Post-match, Ethan crashed at his flat, scrolling Instagram. His follower count hit 60,000, fans hyping his Palace brace. He posted a match clip, captioned: *Palace pulsed, let's keep climbing 🦁⚽ #LeicesterLad*. Fans commented: *You're our king, Cole! 🌟* Ethan replied: *Cheers, fam! More to come 😏🔥*. Mia commented: *My champ's unstoppable! See you soon? 😘💪*. He replied: *Count on it, my #1 😎💕*. The system stayed quiet, letting the moment stand.
The Premier League buzz had skeptics. A teammate forwarded a tweet: *Cole's on fire, but can he handle Premier League pressure? #LCFC*. The system noted: **Doubters are circling. Next match is Portsmouth—they're scrappy. Score, or they'll talk.**
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The next morning, Ethan hit the park, the system's new drill pushing his Ronaldo template:
**Lisbon Surge II Drill: Complete 300 sprints with 95% intensity. Reward: Speed +3 (*Ronaldo was a blur, and you're close.*).**
He blazed through, his flair electric. By the 290th sprint, he was untouchable, the system updating: **Drill Progress: 95% (*Speed demon vibes.*).**
At training, Drinkwater said: "Portsmouth's defense is gritty, Cole. They'll try to shut you down. Scouts are coming—United, Liverpool, Chelsea." The system warned: **Spotlight's blazing. Portsmouth's a trap. Win, or you'll dim it.**
Ethan scrolled Instagram post-training, liking a fan's post: *Cole to crush Portsmouth! 🦁⚽* He replied: *Bet on it 😎💥*.
As Ethan sat by his window, moonlight casting shadows, he traced the outline of a football on his desk, carved there as a teen. The academy, the Golden Boot, the Championship title—his dreams felt tangible, yet the Premier League's call was a siren song. Portsmouth loomed, a scrappy test under United, Liverpool, and Chelsea's gaze, but Ethan's heart beat steady, a rhythm of hope and fire.