The sound of rain tapping against the window filled the quiet dorm room. Night had long settled over Lombardia, yet Jaeven Moretti Han sat wide awake, staring at the faint blue hologram floating before him.
> [System Function Unlocked]
Mental Training Room (Tier 1) – A virtual space that allows the user to simulate matches, analyze plays, and train decision-making under realistic pressure.
Note: The Mental Arena directly strengthens perception, awareness, and tactical instinct. Fatigue and pain will be simulated but not physically harmful.
He blinked in disbelief. "A virtual training room... inside my mind?"
The system had been quiet since his call-up to the first team two days ago, but now, as if responding to his restless drive, it offered him something entirely new.
He hesitated only a moment before whispering, "Enter Mental Arena."
---
[Loading...]
The world blurred.
When the haze cleared, Jaeven found himself standing in the middle of a vast stadium — silent, empty, but blindingly detailed. Every blade of grass shimmered under the artificial floodlights. The air carried the same faint scent of turf and sweat he knew from real matches.
> [System Tip]
The Mental Arena replicates match conditions at a ratio of 1:1. Mistakes, hesitation, and tactical errors will register as mental fatigue.
Objective: "Defend and Counter."
Suddenly, eleven players appeared before him — faceless silhouettes wearing the jerseys of an opposing youth team. Their movements were mechanical but fluid, as if puppeted by something intelligent.
A ball rolled toward Jaeven.
He reacted instinctively, cushioning it with his left foot, pivoting toward open space — but before he could pass, a silhouette lunged at him. The pressure felt real.
The ball was stolen in an instant.
Then came another message.
> [System Notice]
Mistake Identified: Tunnel Vision under pressure.
-1 Awareness.
Tip: Widen your field of view before deciding.
Jaeven clenched his jaw. "So this place punishes bad habits…"
---
He restarted the simulation.
This time, he scanned faster — checking both flanks before controlling the ball. The mental opponent still charged, but Jaeven slipped a quick pass backward, repositioned, and received the return with better balance.
He advanced — this time dribbling between two defenders. The flow felt sharper, the timing cleaner. He could feel his body adapting, his mind syncing with the rhythm of invisible play.
Then the environment shifted. The opponents moved faster, more aggressively. His teammates' positioning became unpredictable. It was as if the system was learning from him.
> [System Tip]
The Mental Arena adapts to the user's growth. Expect increasing difficulty proportional to tactical understanding.
Sweat beaded on his forehead — though he wasn't really sweating. He could feel the exhaustion in his mind, as if he'd been running nonstop.
The next attack came. The opponents executed a one-touch passing sequence straight out of a professional playbook. Jaeven tried intercepting, but he was a step too late. The sound of the net rippling behind him echoed like thunder.
> [Simulation Result]
Defend and Counter – Failed (Score: 42%)
"Damn…" He sighed, hands on his knees. "Even in my own head, I'm losing."
---
He sat on the virtual grass, breathing heavily, though he knew it was an illusion.
Then, he heard it — faint commentary echoing around him.
> "The prodigy loses the ball again!"
"Too slow on the decision!"
"He won't survive first-team intensity at this rate."
The voices weren't real — they were projections of his own doubts, the same fears he'd carried since joining Virtus Lombardia.
He shut his eyes. "No… I will survive."
He stood up again.
> [System Notice]
New Objective: Overcome Mental Fatigue. Complete three simulations without collapse.
"Bring it on."
---
The whistle blew again.
The match restarted.
The first few minutes were chaos — his opponents pressed him relentlessly, their coordination too clean. But this time, Jaeven observed them, memorizing movement patterns, identifying the delay in their transitions.
When he finally stole possession, something clicked.
> [Skill Unlocked]
Spatial Instinct (Basic) – Enhances situational awareness and reaction time when analyzing moving plays.
The moment the words appeared, Jaeven's field of vision expanded. The entire formation — teammates, enemies, open spaces — seemed to slow down just enough for him to see.
He faked a pass to the left, dragging two defenders out of position, then spun right and burst through the middle. His balance was perfect, his timing smooth — he passed, ran into space, received the ball back, and fired.
The net bulged.
> [Simulation Result]
Score: 88% – Objective Completed.
Rewards:
+2 Awareness
+1 Technique
Skill: Spatial Instinct (Basic) proficiency +12%
The digital stadium erupted into virtual applause — a deafening illusion that still sent goosebumps across his skin.
He exhaled deeply, collapsing backward onto the grass, laughing under his breath.
"Now this… this is insane."
---
When he exited the Mental Arena, Jaeven woke up in his dorm bed, drenched in sweat for real this time. The system window floated in the dim light.
> [Status Updated]
Attribute Score Grade Notes
Pace 41 D Speed improving through sharper reactions
Dribbling 42 D Increasing ball control consistency
Passing 40 D Still basic but improving under pressure
Shooting 43 D Better timing and shot selection
Physical 40 D Building endurance
Awareness 47 D+ Major growth due to Spatial Instinct
Technique 45 D+ Ball manipulation becoming cleaner
Mentality 50 C Strong focus and composure under stress
He stared at the table. Every number reflected hard-earned progress — nothing absurd, just steady evolution.
But what amazed him most was how real that mental training had felt. The fatigue, the emotion, the adrenaline — all of it.
He leaned back, whispering to himself, "So that's the real power of the system… It doesn't just make me stronger — it teaches me how to think like a player."
For the first time since joining Virtus Lombardia's first team, Jaeven felt something deep inside him — a new kind of confidence, sharper than excitement but steadier than pride.
He glanced out the window. The rain had stopped. The city lights shimmered faintly across the wet streets.
Tomorrow would be his first official training with the first team.
He smirked, stretching his hand toward the invisible interface.
> "System," he said quietly.
"Let's make them remember my name."
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