Noah woke to the muffled hum of Amsterdam stirring outside his window, a city still foreign to him, still unreal. The sheets felt stiff, too clean, and the faint scent of detergent clung to his kit hanging by the chair. Today wasn't just another training session—this was his first full Ajax scrimmage, and not against academy juniors, but against Jong Utrecht, one of the most well-drilled youth setups in the Eredivisie development pyramid.
His stomach tightened. Jong Utrecht wasn't just any opponent—they were known for their aggressive pressing and physicality, often used by Ajax itself as a benchmark for testing new talent. This wasn't a safe exhibition; this was a proving ground. For Noah, it was also his first real chance to see where he stood among players fighting for professional contracts.
He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his boots like they were the last piece of home he'd carried across the sea. A faint shimmer flickered in his vision.
[Football Vision Console Activated]
Scrimmage Mode
Legacy Package Detected: "Iniesta's Legacy"
Skills Active: Spatial Awareness Lv 2 | La Pausa Lv 1 | Weighted Passing Lv 2
Trait: Quick Scan (Basic)
Focus Objective: Tempo Adaptation & Press Resistance
The words faded, leaving a soft hum in his chest.
The training complex buzzed with life. Jong Utrecht had arrived early, their players warming up with synchronized passing drills and dynamic sprints. They looked sharp—athletic frames, sharp movements, voices barking commands in Dutch that Noah couldn't fully understand but felt all the same.
"They press like madmen," Jamal Idrissi muttered as they walked out to the pitch. "They'll chase everything, Carter. No easy passes today."
The Ajax coaches reinforced the same message in their briefing. "Expect pressure in every phase. Use width, play one-touch when necessary, and don't panic." Vermeer's eyes lingered on Noah. "Carter, you'll be the pivot. You don't hide. You control our rhythm, even when they swarm."
Noah nodded, nerves prickling under his skin. He'd played plenty of matches back home, but this was different—faster players, higher expectations, and no safety net.
The whistle blew, and Jong Utrecht exploded forward exactly as promised. Their 4-3-3 shape morphed into a full-throttle press, with wingers jumping onto Ajax's fullbacks and midfielders crashing toward Noah the moment he showed for the ball. His first touches were neat but cautious, safe passes sideways and backward. It kept possession, but it didn't break pressure.
[Console Feedback]
Pass Completion: 8/8 (Safe Bias)
Progressive Pass Attempts: 0
Tempo Integration: 61%
One sequence, a diagonal lane opened wide for him to switch play. He saw it, but hesitation cost him the window, forcing him to recycle back instead. Jamal's voice snapped from across the pitch. "Forward, Carter! Don't play tourist!"
The next time, under similar pressure, Noah leaned into instinct. He feinted left, drew his marker inward, then delayed just long enough—La Pausa—to slip a weighted ball through a tight gap, breaking two lines at once.
[Console Ping]
La Pausa Triggered: Effective
Weighted Pass Execution: 91% Accuracy
It wasn't spectacular, but it was progress.
Halftime came with Ajax leading 1–0, courtesy of a lightning-fast wing combination that bypassed Utrecht's press entirely. Noah sat quietly on the bench, absorbing Vermeer's brief analysis. "Good shape, but Carter—trust your feet. Break them, don't just survive them."
[Console Mid-Match Summary]
Pass Completion: 21/23 (91%)
Progressive Pass Attempts: 2/5
Turnovers: 1 (Pressured)
Impact Index: Moderate
The second half was steadier but still cautious from Noah. He began scanning earlier, completing one clean diagonal that released Ajax's winger and set up a half-chance, but he remained a supporting piece rather than a driver. Utrecht kept pressing until fatigue slowed them, and Ajax sealed the game late with another goal from a transition move.
[Console End-Match Report]
Team Result: 2–0 (Win)**
Noah Carter:
Pass Accuracy: 89% (Safe Bias)
Progressive Pass Index: +3%
Weighted Passing Efficiency: Stable
Physical Tempo Sync: 72%
Overall Impact: Adequate (No Key Moments)
Adaptation Progress: 21%
The locker room hummed with light chatter, Ajax players relaxed after the win, but Noah sat quieter, replaying moments in his head. Jamal walked past and clapped his shoulder. "Solid, Carter. But next time? Be braver." It wasn't scolding; it was a challenge.
Later that night, Noah texted his mother: We won. I did okay.
Her reply came instantly: Okay is good, but don't settle there. You're not here for okay.
He stared at the screen, then at the faint console glow still hovering in his mind. He'd survived today, yes—but surviving wasn't why he'd come all the way to Amsterdam.
[Console Summary]
Legacy Skills: Spatial Awareness Lv 2 | La Pausa Lv 1 | Weighted Passing Lv 2
Trait: Quick Scan (Basic)**
Adaptation Progress: 21%
Note: "Stop playing safe."
Noah closed his eyes, thinking of Jong Utrecht's relentless press, of the windows he'd ignored, of the safe passes he'd taken. Next time, he promised himself, he wouldn't disappear.