Once Kai unlocked the gift of a peerless genius, he really couldn't hold back.
He took Ronaldo to training every day.
The feeling was like finally getting your hands on a pair of sneakers you'd been chasing forever. Even if you just came back from the stadium, exhausted like a dog, you had to put on the gear immediately and feel that thrill again.
How could ordinary geniuses understand the pain—and joy—of unparalleled talent!
Fortunately, Ronaldo was a training freak himself.
As soon as Kai asked, Ronaldo couldn't refuse.
The two of them trained until they collapsed onto their pillows, soon becoming the talk of the Alcochete training base.
Even the head coach knew two training monsters had arrived at the youth training camp and insisted on forcing management to give them permission for extra training.
For this reason, the groundskeeper, Mr. Forrest, was furious, blowing his beard and glaring.
Their late-night sessions greatly delayed his return home.
"Damn overtime!" he muttered.
Speaking of training, while everyone trains, the real effect varies.
Setting talent aside, normal players dribbling around poles often go through the motions. Neither body nor mind is fully engaged; at most, they achieve "passive warm-up."
This is the most basic purpose of training.
Players stuck in this mode progress slowly, wasting their physical and technical talents. Their growth doesn't match their effort. Most young players fall into this category.
Some players are serious and follow instructions precisely, never slacking off. Training this way adds extra bonuses to body and skill, but such players are rare.
Why? Because when the whole class performs drills in front of others, kids who do everything perfectly are often laughed at.
Many still believe, naively: "I don't have to work hard, but I'll still be awesome."
The few who work hard need strong mental resilience and determination.
Of course, proper form isn't the same as having an exaggerated range of motion. Some kids move widely but don't exert force, so the effect is minimal—it's just showmanship.
The third type combines seriousness with speed and execution—they train beyond the rules.
Every touch of the ball is precise. Every lap around the pole is faster. Every session is all-out, as if defenders are chasing them.
This attitude maximizes training effectiveness and accelerates growth.
Ronaldo belonged to this category.
His technical talent might not be the strongest, but his attitude allowed him to reach 100% of his potential—a rare quality.
So where did Kai belong?
The fourth type.
"Cristiano Ronaldo, haven't you noticed your times aren't improving?" Kai pinched the stopwatch. "For three days, your dribble-around-the-pole time has been stuck at twelve seconds and thirty-five milliseconds. No one under U16 has done better."
Ronaldo nodded. "I know. It's normal. My opponent has always been myself. I'm confident I can break this record."
Kai shook his head, speechless. "Talent is the base, but you have to trust science. Stability means you've reached your body's current limit. To break through, your body must develop further, which takes time.
"Before that, continuing this drill won't help much. Maintain your level here, but focus on other projects.
"Like when you go around the pole for the third time…"
At that lap, Ronaldo's time faltered slightly.
"The ball rolled off the uneven turf. I spent extra time retrieving it," he explained.
Kai waved his hand. "That's not what I mean. At that moment, your only option was to hook the ball back with your right foot, right?"
Ronaldo froze.
Watching Kai and Ronaldo pause to inspect the drill, Trigla was also startled.
"Why not use your left foot? Or a Marseille pirouette? You wouldn't need that awkward right-foot hook, then move right, then turn left."
Kai's point was simple: with solid fundamentals, Ronaldo could start creative training—training that comes from, but goes beyond, basic drills.
Dribbling and passing aren't just moves—they're habits, logic, and thinking. Two players with the same skills may face the same press, but one just passes, while the other manipulates his body and movement to trick the opponent completely.
That's why every player's dribbling style is unique, shaped by character, thinking, and training environment.
In Germany's youth academies, players are precise but often lack creativity. In Latin academies, players may lack perfect execution but have imagination and daring—the raw materials for superstars.
Had Ronaldo reached his peak in his previous life? Yes.
But could he improve further? Kai thought so.
Under "Coach Kai," young Ronaldo began advanced training.
"Ahem!" Trigla interrupted. "Why do you call him Chris Ronaldo?"
Kai smirked. "Otherwise? Call him Nonaldo? At least not at this stage. No one would respect that—except ridicule and doubt."
Ronaldo was speechless.
But it made sense. Before, Andoa had mocked him as "Portugal Ronaldo."
Calling him Chris? It was affectionate, and it didn't force Ronaldo to hide or change himself.
"C. Ronaldo has his own style without abandoning 'Ronaldo.' He's neither arrogant nor low-key. This abbreviation works, like in basketball. You know?"
Ronaldo nodded eagerly.
He realized much of the hostility he faced in the youth team came from introducing himself as "Ronaldo." But now Kai solved the problem.
He liked being "C. Ronaldo." He wasn't just any Chris.
Ronaldo said, "Kai, thanks. From now on, I'll call you K·D! Like superstars in basketball—M·J, etc."
Kai groaned.
K·D? Really?
Was he mocking him for being a doormat? Or for drinking Scarlett's bathwater?
Kai shook his head. "Just call me Kai. I like it. No conflict with any superstar name."
"Caesar isn't bad either. In Chinese, it's like Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wu of Han, Tang Taizong, or Emperor Kangxi. My future Chinese fans might like it."
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