"What do you mean you're not coming to T.B.C High?" Zalika demanded, standing in her brother's room with her arms crossed.
Kyren barely looked up from his duffel bag as he stuffed in clothes. "Sis, your school's football program is dead. It's not what it used to be. The only reason I even considered going was because T.B.C High focuses on sports, Education and arts. But football? It's falling apart. So I'm heading to C-Vails Academy instead."
Zalika's jaw tightened. "What? No! You can't do that!"
Kyren zipped up his bag, finally meeting her eyes. "Yes, I can. I need the best training if I want to stay the best quarterback. I'm not playing around, Zalika. My goal is the national team, and T.B.C High isn't gonna get me there."
Zalika smirked. "Oh? What if I told you the program's changing?"
Kyren raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"Zidane Kingsley is taking over as head coach."
Kyren froze, his eyes widening. "Wait... What? Are you messing with me?"
Zalika shook her head, a triumphant glint in her gaze. "Nope. And he specifically said he wants you on his team."
Kyren swallowed. "He actually said that?"
"Yes," Zalika confirmed.
[Zidane Kingsley's House]
Zidane Kingsley sat in a sleek leather chair, flipping through the files of students who had applied to the football program. His expression was blank, unimpressed.
He exhaled sharply, tossing the stack of papers onto the table. "Trash. All of them."
His piercing gaze landed on one name Kyren Locke. His lips curled into a smirk. "At least there's one gem in this pile let's hope there's more over time."
Without hesitation, he picked up his phone and dialed.
"Natalya, change of plans," Zidane said as soon as she answered. "I know it's early, but I want them in June before school even starts a summer training program."
There was a pause on the line. "You want to start training before the semester?" Natalya asked.
"Yes. I need to destroy them and rebuild them. It's necessary."
"...Fine. I'll notify the board,then the students who are interested in football" Natalya replied.
"Good," Zidane said, hanging up.
[The next day T.B.C High The School Yard]
Zidane walked across the schoolyard, scanning his surroundings. He didn't expect to see anything particularly interesting until his eyes locked onto two students playing catch.
One had messy black hair and piercing red eyes. The other, white blue haired with striking blue eyes.
The black haired boy threw the ball a little too high.
"Sorry, Elijah!" he called.
Elijah leaped, catching the ball effortlessly before landing smoothly and tossing it back.
Zidane narrowed his eyes. He had seen that kind of athleticism before. It was rare. Raw. Unpolished. But dangerous.
He walked straight toward them.
"You," Zidane said, pointing at Elijah.
The white blue haired boy blinked. "Uh… me?"
"Do you even realize what you just did?" Zidane's voice was sharp, calculating.
Elijah shrugged. "I jumped?"
Zidane's smirk widened. "No. You launched yourself with ridiculous control. What's your exact vertical?"
Elijah tilted his head. "I dunno. I can go higher, though."
The black-haired boy gasped. "Wait a minute… You're Zidane Kingsley!"
Zidane ignored him. He looked straight at Elijah. "I want you on the football team."
Elijah's response was instant. "Nah. I'm good."
Zidane's eyebrow twitched. "Excuse me?"
"I said no. Thanks for the offer, but I'm already in the arts program."
Zidane let out a low chuckle. "Alright then." He turned and walked away.
As soon as he left, the black-haired boy grabbed Elijah's shoulders. "Dude. Do you even know who that was?"
Elijah frowned. "Not really."
[Principal's Office]
Zidane entered Natalya's office without knocking.
"You're early," she noted.
"I need to start training before the semester," Zidane said, crossing his arms.
Natalya sighed. "I already said I'll handle it. Anything else?"
Zidane hesitated for half a second before smirking. "There's this kid. I want him on the team."
"Who?"
"Elijah."
Natalya raised an eyebrow. "Elijah Vance? I'm sorry, Zidane, but he's on the verge of expulsion. His grades are terrible, and he refuses to engage in extracurriculars."
Zidane's smirk never wavered. "Then let's fix that. Move him to football. I'll personally make sure he keeps his grades up. But first I want him at the summer training camp."
Natalya pursed her lips before pressing the intercom. "Elijah Vance, please report to my office immediately."
Two minutes later, Elijah knocked on the door.
"Come in," Natalya said.
Elijah stepped inside and immediately froze when he saw Zidane. "You again?"
Zidane leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Yes. Me again."
Natalya folded her hands. "Elijah, meet Zidane Kingsley four-time Super Nova Champion T.B.C High's new football head coach."
Elijah crossed his arms. "Cool. And?"
Zidane chuckled. "And I want you on the team."
"I already said no."
Zidane's smirk dropped. He leaned forward, eyes sharp. "You are in no position to refuse me, Mr. Vance. In fact, you should be begging for this opportunity."
Elijah's jaw clenched. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Natalya sighed. "Elijah… if you don't get your grades up and join an extracurricular, the board will expel you."
Elijah's eyes widened. "Wait what? But my mom.....!"
Zidane stood, looming over him. "I need you. We need your talent to win NFS." He extended a hand. "So what's it gonna be? Sit on the sidelines and watch your future slip away or take the chance to become something unstoppable?"
Elijah looked at Zidane, then at Natalya. He exhaled sharply.
"...Fine. Looks like you need me, and I need you."
He took Zidane's hand.
"You've got yourself a deal."
Zidane grinned. "*Good. Now let's make you into a monster."