The morning air was crisp, filled with the distant hum of the city awakening. A thin layer of mist still clung to the grass as Áron approached the training ground. It was a modest place—worn-out fences, rusty goalposts, and a small set of bleachers that had seen better days. Yet, for Áron, this field carried the weight of a beginning.
His heart pounded in his chest. It was not fear exactly, but anticipation—an emotion he hadn't felt in millennia. As a god, he had faced wars between celestial beings and witnessed the birth and death of stars without so much as a flutter. Now, just the thought of stepping onto this earthly pitch filled him with an almost unbearable tension.
He wasn't alone. Groups of kids and teenagers were already gathering, laughing and juggling balls, their voices echoing across the damp morning air. At the center stood a tall man with a whistle around his neck, his hands behind his back as he observed the group.
"Molnár Áron?" the man called, his voice deep and commanding.
Áron stepped forward. "Yes," he said simply.
The man studied him for a moment. He was older than Áron expected, perhaps in his late forties, with graying hair and sharp eyes that missed nothing. "I'm Coach Kovács," he said. "You're here to train. That's good. But let me make one thing clear—no one here gets special treatment. You'll start at the bottom like everyone else."
Áron nodded. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
A soft snicker came from somewhere behind him. A tall, broad-shouldered boy with bleached hair smirked. "Great. Another rookie who thinks he's gonna be a star," he said loud enough for everyone to hear.
A couple of the other players chuckled, while others rolled their eyes. One of them whispered, "Don't mind Patrik. He's always like this."
Patrik ignored them and continued. "Let's see how long he lasts. Bet he can't even dribble without tripping over himself."
Áron met Patrik's gaze calmly, saying nothing. But inside, a spark of determination flared.
SYSTEM ALERT:Optional Challenge: Prove yourself in training.Reward: Unlock Intermediate Ball Control.
The warm-up drills began. Coach Kovács barked orders as they jogged laps around the pitch, the cool morning air biting at Áron's lungs. His new body was strong but still unfamiliar, and he had to fight the instinct to push it beyond its limits too quickly.
Next came dribbling through cones. At first, Áron moved with steady precision, his divine instincts guiding him. But earthly legs were far less reliable than celestial form. Twice he stumbled, the ball rolling awkwardly away from him.
"Careful, starboy!" Patrik called out mockingly. "Don't trip on the grass!"
A couple of players laughed.
Áron gritted his teeth and reset the drill. He tapped the ball gently, weaving it between the cones, adjusting his balance. Each touch improved ever so slightly.
SYSTEM:Skill Progress +7% — Basic Dribbling
The passing drills followed. Players paired up to send the ball back and forth, focusing on accuracy. Patrik was paired with Áron, and it was clear he intended to make things difficult.
He sent the first pass straight at Áron's shin, hard and fast. It would have knocked any other player off balance, but Áron absorbed the impact, controlling the ball with a calm first touch before sending it back with perfect precision.
Patrik narrowed his eyes and kicked harder the next time, but Áron returned it just as smoothly.
Coach Kovács watched quietly from the sideline. "Hmm. Not bad," he muttered under his breath.
Finally came a small-sided scrimmage. Patrik made sure he was on the opposing team.
The first few minutes were chaos. Áron's teammates didn't know him, and they weren't eager to pass. When the ball did reach him, Patrik was there immediately, charging at full speed.
"Move, rookie!" Patrik barked, lunging in for a hard slide tackle.
Áron leapt just in time, twisting his body in mid-air to avoid the hit. He landed on his feet with the ball still under his control, and something inside him clicked.
SYSTEM:Skill Progress +20% — Ball ControlNew Passive Unlocked: Spatial Awareness (Beginner)
The field suddenly felt different. Áron could see the space, the passing lanes, the angles. Two defenders closed in, but he feinted left, darted right, and slipped a perfectly timed pass through the narrowest of gaps.
"Go!" he shouted instinctively.
His teammate latched onto the ball and scored with a clean finish.
The whistle blew, and a ripple of surprise swept across the field. Even Patrik froze, stunned by the play.
"Who is this guy…?" someone whispered.
Coach Kovács blew his whistle again. "That's enough for today!"
The players gathered their things, sweat dripping down their faces. Patrik brushed past Áron roughly, muttering, "This isn't over."
Áron didn't respond. He didn't need to.
The coach approached him as the others dispersed. "You've got talent," Kovács said quietly. "But talent isn't enough. You'll need discipline and hard work. Do you understand?"
"I do," Áron said firmly.
"Good. Training continues tomorrow. Don't be late."
As Áron left the pitch, the SYSTEM flickered to life before his eyes.
SYSTEM:Quest Complete: Prove yourself in training.Reward Unlocked: Intermediate Ball Control.
But another notification appeared immediately after:
New Quest:Join the team as a starter.Condition: Impress the coach in the upcoming trial match.Time limit: 3 days.
Áron clenched his fists. This was it—his first real chance to secure a place, not just as a guest, but as a true member of the team.
For the first time in ages, he felt something close to joy. This mortal life was harder, messier, and more unpredictable than the heavens. But it had purpose.