Two weeks of training had transformed Harry's daily routine into a rhythm. Wake at 6:30, breakfast with the lads, three hours of education, then the real work began on the pitches. Technical training with Steve Murphy, followed by physical conditioning with Carl Henderson.
The XP had been adding up steadily. Four points for excellent training days, three for good ones, two when he struggled. Match practice sessions gave him bonus experience, especially when he successfully completed new skill drills or hit fitness milestones.
Each day brought small improvements. His bleep test score crept up from level 12 to level 13. His passing accuracy improved from 72% to 78%. His first touch became more consistent under Steve's guidance.
The system tracked everything.
[DING!]
[Level Up Available]
[Current Experience: 203/200]
[Ready to advance to Level 2]
The notification had appeared three days ago after a particularly intense training session. Harry had been waiting for the right moment to make the upgrade, wanting privacy to explore what changes would come.
That moment came on a quiet Tuesday evening. Jamie had gone to the common room to play FIFA with the other lads. Harry sat alone at his desk, homework finished.
He closed his eyes and accessed the system.
[Confirm Level Up to Level 2?]
[Yes / No]
Harry selected yes.
The sensation was unlike anything he'd experienced. Not painful, but intense. Like every muscle in his body was being fine-tuned, every nerve connection optimized. His vision seemed sharper when he opened his eyes. His breathing felt more controlled.
---
[DING!]
[Level 2 Achieved!]
[+5 Attribute Points Available for Distribution]
[Next Level Requirement: 400 XP]
[Experience Reset: 3/400]
[Current Stats - Level 2]
[TECHNICAL: 8/20]
- Dribbling: 47/100
- First Touch: 48/100
- Passing: 45/100
- Crossing: 45/100
- Finishing: 50/100
- Long Shots: 40/100
- Marking: 37/100
- Technique: 45/100
- Free Kicks: 47/100
- Penalties: 44/100
[PHYSICAL: 10/20]
- Pace: 55/100
- Acceleration: 50/100
- Agility: 52/100
- Balance: 47/100
- Strength: 45/100
- Stamina: 47/100
- Aerial: 40/100
- Natural Fitness: 55/100
[MENTAL: 10/20]
- Composure: 45/100
- Decision Making: 50/100
- Positioning: 54/100
- Off the Ball: 54/100
- Vision: 48/100
- Work Rate: 55/100
- Teamwork: 51/100
- Leadership: 45/100
- Flair: 50/100
- Aggression: 40/100
---
Five attribute points to spend. Harry studied his stats carefully, considering where the improvements would make the biggest difference.
His finishing had been decent in matches, but his physical attributes needed work. He was getting knocked off the ball too easily by bigger defenders.
His physical attributes were his weakness. Strength at 45, Stamina at 47. Both needed work if he wanted to compete at higher levels.
His technical skills showed promise but had room for growth. Finishing at 50 was decent, but first touch at 48 could be better.
After ten minutes of deliberation, Harry made his choices:
[Attribute Point Allocation:]
- Stamina: 47 → 49 (+2 points)
- Strength: 45 → 47 (+2 points)
- Finishing: 50 → 51 (+1 point)
[Changes Applied]
[New Overall Rating: 49/100]
The improvement was subtle but noticeable. Harry felt like he could breathe easier, like his lungs had more capacity. His fingertips tingled slightly, suggesting improved touch sensitivity.
A knock interrupted his concentration. Jamie poked his head around the door.
"You alright, mate? You look different."
"Just tired from training," Harry lied.
"Fair enough. Danny's organizing a team meeting in the common room. Frank wants to tell us about the draw."
Harry's pulse quickened. The second round draw. He'd almost forgotten in his focus on training and system progression.
---
Twenty-five lads crammed into the common room, sitting on sofas and the floor. Frank stood at the front with a printed sheet of paper.
"Right then, lads. The FA Youth Cup Second Round Proper draw came out this morning. Forty teams left, down from the original eighty."
The room went quiet. This was what they'd been waiting for.
"Some interesting ties," Frank continued, scanning the list as he called out.
"1. Northampton Town U18 vs Weston-super-Mare U18
2. Rochdale U18 vs Luton Town U18
3. Colchester United U18 vs Aldershot Town U18
4. Macclesfield Town U18 vs Cambridge United U18
Replay: Cambridge United U18 vs Macclesfield Town U18
5. Peterborough United U18 vs Grimsby Town U18
6. Bristol City U18 vs Barnsley U18
Replay: Barnsley U18 vs Bristol City U18
7. Oldham Athletic U18 vs Brighton & Hove Albion U18
8. Burton Albion U18 vs Hartlepool United U18
9. Gravesend & Northfleet U18 vs Notts County U18
10. Telford United U18 vs Brentford U18
11. Woking U18 vs Kidderminster Harriers U18
12. Hornchurch U18 vs Tranmere Rovers U18
13. Yeovil Town U18 vs Barnet U18
14. AFC Bournemouth U18 vs Accrington Stanley U18
Replay: Accrington Stanley U18 vs AFC Bournemouth U18
15. Cheltenham Town U18 vs Leyton Orient U18
16. Port Vale U18 vs Scarborough U18
17. Wycombe Wanderers U18 vs Mansfield Town U18
Replay: Mansfield Town U18 vs Wycombe Wanderers U18
18. Southend United U18 vs Lincoln City U18
19. Scunthorpe United U18 vs Sheffield Wednesday U18
Replay: Sheffield Wednesday U18 vs Scunthorpe United U18
20. Swansea City U18 vs Stevenage Borough U18."
"What about us, gaffer?" Tommy Henderson called out, not hearing their club's name.
Frank smiled. "We're not on the list."
Confused murmurs rippled through the room.
"What do you mean?" Danny asked.
"I mean Salford City U18 didn't get drawn. Because we're not in the second round."
Harry felt his stomach drop. They'd been eliminated somehow? An administrative error? A retrospective penalty?
Frank's smile widened. "We're not in the second round because we've been given a bye straight through to the third round."
The room erupted. Lads jumped up from their seats, high-fiving and shouting. Harry felt relief flood through him.
"How's that work then?" Riley Croft asked over the noise.
"Numbers game. Forty teams in the second round, but they need thirty-two for the third round before inclusion of the latter teams. So the lowest-ranked teams from the first round get byes."
Frank looked around the room. "Normally, being the lowest-ranked team would be embarrassing. But right now, it means two weeks of extra preparation while everyone else is knocking lumps out of each other."
The celebration continued, but Harry was already thinking ahead. Third round meant the big boys entered. Premier League and Championship academies. The real test.
"When's the third round then?" Noah Perring asked.
"January 10th. Gives us seven weeks to prepare. Seven weeks to get fitter, stronger, better."
Frank folded the paper and tucked it into his tracksuit pocket.
"Don't think this is a holiday, lads. We've got the hardest part still to come. But for tonight, you can celebrate. You've earned it."
---
Later that evening, Harry called home. The family were having dinner, so he got the full chaotic experience on speakerphone.
"A bye to the third round!" Sophie shrieked. "That's mental!"
"It's brilliant, love," Mum said. "More time to prepare."
"What teams will you be playing?" Ellie asked, ever practical.
"Don't know yet. The draw's not until after the second round finishes in December."
"Well, whoever it is," Dad's voice seemed to echo in the room, "you'll be ready for them."
Nobody had said those exact words, but Harry heard them anyway.
After hanging up, he opened the system one more time before bed.
[Current Status: Level 2]
[Overall Rating: 49/100]
[Experience: 3/400]
[Days until next match: 49]
Forty-nine days to reach Level 3. With daily training providing 3-4 XP, he'd need match performance or major training achievements to make significant progress.
But he had time. Seven weeks of preparation. Seven weeks to prove the system could turn a decent Academy player into something special.