After the tactical session under Coach Soner, training shifted to an 11v11 match.
Two sides. Two colors. One mirror.
The squad split cleanly across the pitch—blue bibs versus red.
Julian found himself in blue, alongside Mageed.
Across the field, under the faint glare of the morning sun, stood Anssi and Omar Silah—the current spearhead of HSV II.
Julian flexed his hands, waiting.
Any moment now—
A whisper. A chime.
A quest.
But nothing came.
[ … ]
Silence.
Julian blinked, slightly frowning.
No new mission. No echo in his mind.
Why?
Did this scrimmage not count?
Was this match meaningless—just a test, not a trial?
He breathed out slowly, letting the question dissolve.
Even if the system was quiet, the pitch wasn't.
Ball down. Whistle sharp.
The match began.
Julian surged into position, following everything Soner had drawn on the board earlier—
Stay central.
Pin the backline.
Press on trigger.
Hold shape in possession.
He wasn't here to freestyle. Not today.
