# Chapter 1 — Alien Ronaldo
"Bang!"
"9997th time…"
"Bang!"
"9998th time…"
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
On an empty football field, Rafael Storm was practicing shooting.
Sweat drenched his jersey; clearly, he had been training for a very long time.
"Sigh… still doesn't feel quite right."
After another shot went wide, Rafael shook his head in frustration.
He lay on the warm grass, staring up at the open blue sky.
Memories flashed through his mind like a spinning reel.
Rafael had loved football since he was a child.
Back during the 1998 World Cup, when he first saw Baggio, Zidane, and the phenomenon Ronaldo, something inside him ignited. He didn't just watch football — he lived it.
On countless nights, he dreamed of becoming a professional player.
Champions League, World Cup, legendary stadiums — he wanted all of it.
But dreams are dreams.
Reality is always harsher.
Before he could even figure out how to take his first step into professional football, the pressure of exams and adult life pushed him away from that path.
He eventually understood: talent and early training ruled football. His dream had been broken long before he realized.
Still… he never stopped loving the game.
During university, during work, during every exhausting week, football was his escape — a source of pure joy.
But fate… had different plans.
Three years ago, Rafael fell asleep watching a match — and woke up in 1990.
Not only that, he had become a 13-year-old boy from Macau.
His name, however, remained Rafael Storm.
"Honestly… this new face of mine is pretty damn handsome," Rafael muttered as he pinched his younger cheek.
After the shock passed, he adapted quickly — and why wouldn't he?
He was younger, better-looking, healthier.
And his new father was a wealthy businessman in Macau.
Not just rich — loaded.
Rafael Storm had become a true rich second generation.
On top of that, the original boy also loved football and had already received proper youth training for two years.
In this life… maybe he really could chase the dream he missed.
Excited, Rafael begged his parents to let him continue football.
And because Macau's football level was low, he needed a stronger environment.
Luckily, his father had business ties in Rio — so Rafael was sent straight into the Flamengo Youth Academy.
But with one condition:
He had three years.
If he didn't achieve results, he would quit football forever and return to inherit the family business.
Rafael had been confident… too confident.
The blow came fast.
Brazil produced football monsters everywhere.
Being "good in Macau" meant nothing here.
In Flamengo, dozens of youths were eliminated every year.
Without his family's money, he would've been kicked out long ago.
"No… I won't give up. Not on my second life. Not like this."
It was January 1993 — his deadline.
He was nearly 17.
If he didn't get promoted to Flamengo U20, he would be forced out.
And once he left… his dream would die.
"9999th time…"
"Bang!"
The ball smacked into the net with a crisp pop.
"That one felt good," Rafael muttered, retrieving the ball.
He practiced because he once saw a video:
A Japanese amateur elevated himself to semi-pro by shooting 100,000 times.
If effort could change fate, Rafael would give everything.
"10000th time…"
"Bang!"
Clang!
The ball slammed the post.
But Rafael wasn't looking at the ball anymore.
Blue holographic text appeared in front of him — floating in midair.
"Detected completion of 10,000 long-range shots. System activation initiated."
"Activation Reward: Long-range shooting upgraded to Professional-level."
"Current attribute: Long-range Shooting — Professional (0%)."
Rafael froze.
Then… smiled.
A system.
He really had a system.
It came late — but it came.
He opened his attribute panel and saw all his stats: speed, dribbling, passing, stamina…
Only stamina and long-range shooting were at Professional-level.
Everything else was Youth or Amateur.
Below each stat was an EXP bar.
Long-range shooting (1 / 100000)
"So… if I fill the bar, I level up? Hehehe… perfect."
Rafael sprinted to retrieve the ball again.
"10001st time…"
"Bang!"
The ball flew truer, smoother, sharper than before.
"So this is… professional level?"
"10002nd time…"
"10003rd time…"
"Long-range shooting + 1"
"Long-range shooting + 1"
"Long-range shooting + 1"
The notifications flashed continuously.
Rafael Storm kept shooting, eyes burning with hope.
This time, he would chase his dream — and catch it.
At some point, unnoticed by Rafael, a pair of eyes appeared at the edge of the field, silently watching him.
After another goal, a voice spoke behind him:
"Your shooting is good… but during a match, defenders won't let you shoot so easily."
Rafael turned.
A Brazilian boy stood there.
Wild curly hair.
Baby fat on his cheeks.
Amber eyes.
Rabbit-like buck teeth — one chipped.
Rafael froze.
That face… that iconic smile…
This boy would one day shock the entire world.
The "Alien."
Ronaldo.