Morning came fast.
Too fast.
The first light slipped across the lake, pale gold through the hotel window. Julian was already awake—no alarm needed.
By 05:00 AM, he was in the gym.
A short, focused session—stretching, core work, light cardio. Just enough to stir the blood, not enough to exhaust the body.
This wasn't a day for breaking limits.
This was a day for standing ready.
By the time he finished, the city outside had begun to stir—trams clattering, footsteps echoing faintly in the distance.
The official schedule had been set.
Signing presentation: 09:00 AM.
Arrival at HSV Campus: 08:00 AM.
Julian checked his watch.
07:00 AM.
Time to prepare.
He returned to his room, the hum of the city following him faintly through the glass.
On the bed lay the package delivered last night—a clean, folded set of everything that came with his new title.
His name now belonged to Hamburger SV.
He opened it carefully.
Inside, each layer of fabric told its own story.
