The stadium buzzed with nervous anticipation as the Eternal Era Rising Stars lined up for the second half. Jason stood with arms crossed, his eyes narrowing at the tactical display flickering across his wristband. The first half hadn't gone disastrously, but it hadn't been convincing either. The opposing academy's team—brutal, disciplined, and faster than expected—had managed to squeeze through Eternal Era's defenses and strike first.
Now, Eternal Era trailed by a single goal.
Jason's jaw tightened. He had tested different lineups in training, tried shifting players around, but this wasn't practice anymore. The enemy wasn't giving them an inch. His players had spirit, but they lacked the cutting edge to truly dominate.
And then someone from the stand shouted.
"Put in the new kid!"
It started from one corner of the stands, loud and sharp like a thrown spear. Soon, other voices picked it up, echoing, swelling until the entire east side of the stadium seemed to roar the same words.
