Morning sunlight slipped through the narrow slats of the curtains, painting golden streaks across Jaeven's room. The soft hum of Milan's distant traffic filtered through the slightly open window, and the faint chirping of birds pulled him from sleep. His muscles felt heavy but loose, the satisfying kind of ache that only came after a match well played.
As his eyes blinked open, the familiar translucent blue of the System Interface shimmered to life above him.
> [SYSTEM NOTICE]
Skill Activation Complete.
[Skill Unlocked: Ethereal Physique Resonance (Unique)]
Type: Passive / Evolving
Description:
A synthesis of divine refinement and natural allure, Ethereal Physique Resonance harmonizes Jaeven's body to its ideal form — refining symmetry, toning features, and enhancing his natural glow. His physical presence subtly radiates balance and magnetism, the kind that draws eyes even in silence.
Effects:
• Gradually enhances physical attractiveness, skin tone, and facial symmetry.
• Unlocks the Charm Stat (reflecting beauty, aura, and physical appeal).
[New Stat Unlocked: CHARM]
Current Charm: 47 (Developing)
Jaeven squinted against the light. "Charm?" he murmured, his voice low and hoarse from sleep.
The system's faint hum faded as the words sank in. He sat up, rubbing the side of his face with one hand. His skin felt… smoother. It wasn't just his imagination — his reflection in the phone's black screen looked a little different. His jawline seemed slightly more defined, the dark circles under his eyes from last night's celebration had vanished, and his hair looked as though it had settled naturally into place.
"Okay… this is new," he muttered. "A stat for looks? Really?"
He opened his Player Panel out of curiosity.
> [STATS OVERVIEW]
Strength: 54 (C)
Speed: 61 (B–)
Agility: 63 (B)
Stamina: 59 (C+)
Technique: 68 (B+)
Ball Control: 72 (A)
Spectral Awareness: 67 (B+)
Double Foot: 65 (B)
Charm: 47 (D)
[Unique Skill: Ethereal Physique Resonance (Passive)]
He couldn't help but chuckle. "So now I have stats that make me prettier."
Still, there was a faint pulse in his body — a soft warmth spreading through his limbs, refreshing rather than tiring. Whatever this skill was doing, it wasn't just for show. He felt lighter, sharper, more balanced — as if his movements had aligned in some invisible way.
His gaze drifted to the clock. 7:40 AM. Training began at nine.
He rose, stretched, and went through his usual morning routine — shower, light breakfast, and a quiet moment by the window, watching the city wake. His phone buzzed with messages from teammates and a few congratulatory texts from fans who had caught his debut highlights online.
One message stood out — from his younger sister, Lucia.
> Lucia: You looked cool yesterday, oppa 😏
Lucia: Mom cried when you scored the second goal lol
Lucia: Also… you look kinda different this morning? Your photo on the team page looks less… I dunno, sleepy? 😂
Jaeven groaned softly, grinning. "Even she noticed."
---
By the time he arrived at the Virtus Lombardia training complex, the sun had climbed higher, casting long shadows over the pristine green of the practice pitch. The atmosphere felt different — not tense, but charged. His debut performance had stirred talk.
As he stepped into the locker room, a few heads turned.
"Yo, Han," said Matteo, the right-back with a mischievous grin. "Something's up with you, man. You do your hair or something?"
Jaeven blinked. "No… why?"
Matteo frowned, studying him. "You just look—uh—different. Like, less zombie, more model."
Laughter rippled through the room.
"Model, huh?" another player snorted. "He scores two goals and suddenly gets a glow-up."
Even Lorenzo, the goalkeeper and team captain, smirked. "Maybe it's confidence. It does change a man's face."
"Confidence," Jaeven said quickly, forcing a grin. "Let's go with that."
Inside, though, he couldn't help but wonder how subtle the skill's effects really were. Ethereal Physique Resonance — even the name sounded ridiculous, but there was no denying he felt slightly… sharper. His shirt clung better, his posture felt naturally straighter, and every motion had a kind of quiet fluidity to it.
Coach Leonardo Rossi entered just then, dressed in his usual black tracksuit. The locker room quieted. Rossi's sharp eyes scanned the players before landing briefly on Jaeven. For a moment, there was a flicker of recognition — not surprise, just observation — before the coach nodded and began speaking.
"Good morning, gentlemen. Yesterday's win was good, but it's not time to relax. Siena was a test. The next one will be tougher. Today, we refine transitions and endurance work. Han, I want you sharp — your positional movement needs more cohesion with midfield rotations."
"Yes, coach."
The team headed out to the pitch.
---
The morning air was crisp, and the smell of freshly cut grass filled Jaeven's lungs. Warm-up routines started — jogs, stretches, quick passing drills. Every step felt different today. His body moved cleanly, as though the minor stiffness from the match had evaporated overnight.
He adjusted to the rhythm of the drills easily, his touches light and fluid. During rondos, his teammates struggled to dispossess him — the ball glued to his feet as though magnetized.
"Damn," Matteo muttered, laughing after another failed attempt. "You been training with glue or what?"
Jaeven grinned faintly. "Just slept well."
When practice games started, he was placed on the starting side — the same position as yesterday, left wing drifting centrally. Rossi's shouts echoed across the field.
"Move with purpose, Jaeven! Don't hesitate!"
His movement between lines improved with each pass. When he received a through ball from their central midfielder, his first touch split two defenders, his low center of gravity helping him glide past before delivering a perfect cross.
Rossi blew his whistle. "Better! That's what I want to see!"
Sweat gleamed under the sun, but Jaeven didn't feel the fatigue creeping in as early as usual. It was strange — even his breathing felt smoother, his balance more natural.
Is this the skill's effect too? he wondered, sprinting back into position.
The rest of the session continued intensely — pattern play, positional rotation, finishing drills. When it ended, players gathered in small groups, drinking water and joking around.
"Han's been possessed," Matteo said again, nudging him with a bottle. "You sure you didn't hit the gym at midnight?"
"Maybe he finally started sleeping like a human," Lorenzo added with a grin.
Jaeven smiled, towel over his shoulders. "Maybe I did."
As everyone began dispersing, Coach Rossi called out. "Han. A word."
Jaeven jogged over, straightening slightly as Rossi regarded him with his usual calm intensity.
"You played well yesterday. Today, even sharper." Rossi paused. "You're adjusting faster than I expected."
"Thank you, coach."
"Good," Rossi said simply. "But don't let it get to your head. Consistency makes a player, not one performance. Keep this rhythm — and next week, you'll start again."
"Yes, coach."
Rossi gave a short nod and turned away.
Jaeven exhaled slowly, feeling a quiet satisfaction bloom in his chest.
---
Back in the locker room, the atmosphere was light again. Music played softly from someone's phone, a few jokes bounced around, and the energy was bright.
He glanced at his reflection in the mirror above the sink while washing his face. Even under harsh fluorescent lights, he could see the faint difference — his eyes seemed clearer, his face subtly more symmetrical. Not dramatic, but noticeable if you looked long enough.
He tapped his cheek lightly, murmuring, "Charm stat, huh… guess you're not just for show."
The system pulsed faintly in response, a faint digital flicker in his vision.
> [Ethereal Physique Resonance in effect.]
Minor increase detected in Charm ( +1 )
Current Charm: 48
"Right," he whispered, half-amused. "At this rate, I'll end up as some football model."
He slung his bag over his shoulder and headed out, sunlight spilling through the glass doors of the training facility. The city breeze was warm, carrying the faint sounds of traffic and laughter from a nearby café.
For once, everything felt… right. The rhythm of training, the warmth of family, the balance of body and mind.
As he walked, his phone buzzed again — this time, a message from an unknown number.
> Unknown: Impressive debut, Han. Keep your head straight. You'll need it soon.
He frowned slightly. No name, no profile picture. Just that single message.
The system pulsed faintly again.
> [Minor Emotional Instability Detected]
[Calm Adjustment Initiated through Ethereal Physique Resonance]
A cool sensation washed through his chest, steadying his breath. The anxiety melted away almost instantly, leaving behind a strange sense of clarity.
He slipped his phone back into his pocket, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Who the hell was that?"
For now, he let it go. There would be time to figure it out later.
Right now, the next match — and his place in the starting eleven — mattered more.
---
> [System Log Summary]
• Ethereal Physique Resonance: Active
• Charm Stat: 48
• Physical optimization progress: 3%
• Emotional balance: Stable
[End of Day Status: Harmony Achieved]
Jaeven leaned back on his bed that night, staring at the faint blue glow of the interface above him.
His reflection in the window looked almost the same as before — yet somehow more… composed.
Not perfect. Not divine. Just balanced.
And maybe, that was enough.