The morning sun filtered through the glass walls of the Virtus Lombardia training center, painting long streaks of gold across the pristine turf. The hum of the automated sprinklers echoed faintly before fading into the steady rhythm of cleats tapping the ground. Inside the locker room, the air buzzed with quiet excitement — and for Jaeven Moretti Han, tension.
His debut Serie D match was only days away.
And his family… was coming to watch.
He sat in front of his locker, eyes fixed on his boots — spotless, black with a faint red outline — a gift from his mother before he left home. His fingers brushed over the leather unconsciously.
(They'll be in the stands… watching me. I can't afford to mess up.)
The thought coiled tight in his stomach like a knot. He exhaled slowly, forcing the air out, remembering Leonardo Rossi's words from the previous day:
> "Pressure isn't your enemy, Han. It's your mirror. Learn to breathe inside it."
He didn't fully understand what the coach meant then. But now, sitting here surrounded by laughter, chatter, and the sound of Velcro straps, it made sense. Pressure showed you what you were made of.
"Oi, Han."
A familiar voice broke through the fog in his mind. Matteo, the team's right-back, leaned against the bench with a grin. "You look like you're about to fight God."
Jaeven chuckled softly. "Feels like it."
"Don't overthink it, man. Just play your game. Rossi's not giving you a debut because of luck." Matteo smirked. "He sees something. Don't waste it."
"Yeah…" Jaeven nodded. "Thanks."
---
Training Ground
"Everyone gather up!" Coach Leonardo Rossi's deep voice cut through the noise like a blade.
He stood at the center circle, clipboard under his arm, wearing a sharp expression that made even the veterans straighten their backs.
Rossi — known across Italy's lower leagues as the Midfield King — had the kind of presence that commanded respect without words. A maestro during his playing days, and now, a meticulous tactician obsessed with detail.
"Tomorrow's scrimmage will decide our starters for the second half of the season," he began, his tone even. "We've worked on pressing structure, spacing, and transitions all week. Now, I want to see who understands the rhythm of this system."
His eyes scanned the lineup, briefly resting on Jaeven.
"Positions — pair up."
The whistle blew.
---
Drill One – Positional Pressing
Virtus split into two sides: the "Red Vests" and the "Yellow Vests."
Rossi's system demanded pressing intelligence — a fast trigger when losing possession, coordinated by the wingers and forwards. Jaeven, playing as left winger, had one job: cut off the passing lanes from the fullback to the central midfielder.
Easy in theory. Brutal in execution.
"GO!"
The ball rolled. Red team built from the back. Jaeven sprinted to close space, body angled perfectly to block the line. The ball shifted wide — he cut the lane again, forcing a turnover.
Rossi's voice rang out: "Good angle, Han! Keep the shape!"
He didn't have time to think. His body just moved. His eyes tracked patterns before they fully formed — runs, spaces, options.
Something in his Spectral Awareness pulsed faintly.
(Wait… what was that?)
As the drills continued, Jaeven's perception seemed to stretch. He could almost see the ghostly trails of the ball before it was passed, faint lines connecting players like afterimages.
He adjusted instinctively — moving where space would be rather than where it was.
And when the turnover came again, he intercepted cleanly.
A clean sweep. Quick counter. Goal.
The whistle blew.
Leonardo Rossi watched silently, one hand under his chin. "Han," he said finally, "that… anticipation — that's new."
"I just… followed instinct, coach."
Rossi's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Good. Keep doing it."
---
System Notification
> [System Notice]
Your understanding of "Spatial Reading" has deepened.
Trait Sub-Skill Unlocked: Spectral Awareness → Spatial Echo (Lv.1)
Effect: Temporarily heightens awareness of movement patterns and passing lanes in your vision range. Short activation period, moderate mental fatigue after prolonged use.
Tip: Anticipate space, not motion. The game flows in echoes — listen to them.
Jaeven's lips parted slightly. (Spatial Echo…?)
It wasn't just vision — it was intuition made visible.
---
Drill Two – Transition Play
The next session focused on 4v4 transition mini-games. Fast, brutal, and designed to replicate real-match chaos. Rossi walked among the players, barking commands.
"Press higher!"
"Reset your line!"
"Don't ball-watch — anticipate!"
Jaeven's mind sharpened. Spatial Echo flickered to life for a second, and suddenly the field looked alive — shapes of movement glowing faintly. He cut in front of the opposing winger before the pass even came.
"Han! Excellent timing!" Rossi called out. "That's how you press with intelligence!"
Sweat dripped down Jaeven's forehead, his lungs burning, but his focus never wavered.
(It's working… but it's draining.)
The skill's activation faded after ten seconds, leaving a faint headache. Still, it was worth it.
Every second of clarity mattered.
---
Break Time
The squad gathered around the cooler. Matteo handed Jaeven a bottle. "You've been a machine today, bro. Did you eat lightning for breakfast?"
"Just… focused," Jaeven replied, forcing a small smile.
Matteo grinned. "If you keep that up, Rossi might actually start you. But man, you look tense."
Jaeven exhaled, finally admitting it. "My family's coming to the match."
Matteo's brows lifted. "Oh… yeah, that explains it. First match, family in the stands — pressure's no joke."
"Yeah," Jaeven muttered, eyes distant. "I just don't want to disappoint them. Not again."
Matteo clapped his shoulder. "You won't. Just play. Let the football talk."
---
Afternoon Tactical Session
Rossi gathered everyone for a tactical meeting.
A whiteboard stood behind him, dotted with magnets.
"This weekend, we face Trento Calcio — 10th on the table, compact in defense, aggressive on the wings. They press narrow, which means…?"
Jaeven raised his hand slightly. "The flanks will be exposed if we draw their fullbacks inside."
Rossi smirked. "Exactly. That's where our wide players come in. Jaeven — I want you exploiting that gap. Time your diagonal runs."
The rest of the squad murmured approvingly.
The rookie was getting noticed.
---
Evening — Post-Training Gym
The training ground emptied out by dusk, but Jaeven stayed behind.
Inside the dimly lit gym, the rhythmic thump of the treadmill echoed through the walls.
He ran until his shirt clung to his skin and his legs burned.
(They'll be there… Mom, Dad, my sister…)
(This time, I'll make them proud.)
He closed his eyes, replaying every drill in his head — the pressing lanes, the passing triggers, the anticipation.
His Spectral Awareness flickered faintly again, revealing flashes of light paths across the gym floor.
(No… it's not about magic. It's about understanding movement. Seeing rhythm.)
A calm voice broke his focus.
"Still training, Han?"
Rossi leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, faintly smiling.
"Yes, Coach. Just… reviewing patterns."
Rossi chuckled. "You remind me of myself at your age. Always trying to control every outcome."
He stepped closer. "But football isn't about control. It's about trust — trust in your teammates, and in yourself. Remember that tomorrow."
Jaeven nodded, absorbing every word.
"And Han," Rossi added, turning to leave, "your family will see what I already see — a player with purpose. Don't chase perfection. Just play."
---
Night
The dorm lights were dim.
Jaeven lay on his bed, phone glowing faintly beside him — a message from his mother:
> We're proud of you no matter what happens. Just enjoy the game, son.
He smiled faintly, staring at the message for a long time before setting the phone aside.
Then he whispered quietly into the dark:
> "In my past life, I could only watch. This time… I'll play. I'll live."
The system interface appeared before his eyes, faintly glowing blue.
> [Status Screen]
Name: Jaeven Moretti Han
Age: 16
Team: Virtus Lombardia
Position: LW/SS
Traits:
Spectral Awareness (Lv.3) → Sub-skill: Spatial Echo (Lv.1)
Ball Control (Lv.2)
Double Footed (Lv.2)
Overall Stats: (unchanged)
Physical: 41 (D–)
Technical: 43 (D)
Tactical: 45 (D+)
Mental: 54 (C)
Condition: Focused, Fatigued.
System Tip: Tomorrow is not just a debut. It is a declaration.
He turned on his side, staring at the ceiling.
The field awaited.
The noise, the lights, the nerves — all of it.
But for the first time in two lives, Jaeven felt ready.
(This is my story now. And I'll carve it with every touch.)
---