Dinner – The Konp Residence
The silence in the dining room was only broken by the sound of silverware hitting plates. Belt sat across from his mother, eating with his usual mechanical precision.
"How is the food?" she asked, trying to break the ice.
"Like always, Mother. Efficient."
She put down her fork, hesitating.
"Ah, I see... Say, tell me a little about that girl."
"What girl?"
"The one you brought home last time. I think her name is Quiena."
"That's correct. Why do you ask?"
Belt's mother smiled gently, a spark of curiosity in her eyes.
"No, no, I'm just surprised. It's rare to see you getting along so well with someone."
"Get to the point, Mother. I don't understand detours."
"Are you two... dating?"
Belt almost choked on his water. He slammed the glass down on the table.
"That's a good one! Of course not."
"I didn't mean to be intrusive," she quickly added. "It's just that I really like that girl. She's good company for you, I think."
"You are mistaken. She is just an acquaintance from high school. She proclaimed herself my manager, nothing more."
"Manager? What are you talking about, son?"
"I joined the high school football team. I even receive a salary that will be transferred to your account soon."
His mother's face lit up with genuine pride.
"Really? That's wonderful! You made friends, that's such great news!"
Belt's face instantly shut down. The air in the room became heavy.
"Don't confuse things. Yes, I am on the team. No, I do not have friends."
"I don't understand anymore... How can you be on a team sport without having friends?"
"It is perfectly possible," Belt cut in with a voice as cold as ice. "Don't forget: the concept of friendship is a useless burden, a chain too heavy for the shoulders of the prey in this social system."
His mother froze, shocked by her son's dark view of the world. She didn't say another word and silently signaled for him to finish his meal.
Belt's Room – Later that night
Once dinner was over, Belt went up to lock himself in his sanctuary. He pulled up his high chair and sat in front of his computer, trying to finish his game. But the glowing screen couldn't hold his attention.
Flashes of the training session kept coming back to him. Bill Maël's face. Bobby's carefree attitude.
These weren't painful memories or a punishment anymore. They were a call. A Call to Evolution.
He thought about Bobby's philosophy of play, entirely based on his connection with the Captain. An ironic smile stretched across Belt's lips.
"Relying on others to progress... What a weakness. Decidedly, Bobby, I gave you more importance than you deserve."
He stood up, looking over his room like he wanted to dominate the field.
"In this world, the strongest are those who act as Absolute Sovereigns."
Krow City High School – The Next Morning
Belt walked into the large courtyard, his bag over his shoulder. He stopped in front of the huge billboard featuring the team. He stared at the image for a long moment.
"At the start, when I looked at this, I told myself it was a frozen world, impossible to change," he thought.
An aura of confidence began to radiate from him.
"But what I didn't know is that you can tame everything through the sheer force of your will. And I have chosen my target: I am going to tame this world called Football."
His gaze locked onto the printed eyes of Captain Bill Maël on the poster.
"You are a hard prey to catch, Maël. But don't worry. I will do everything to bring you to your knees. If I fail, then this rotten system will continue to exist."
He started walking toward the school entrance again. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations stopped as he passed. Heads turned. It was the first time he was the center of attention, and he felt the stares weighing on him like physical pressure.
He walked faster down the hallway, but the whispers followed him:
"That's him, over there!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, 100%. Rumor has it he's already a starter!"
Suddenly, a student of average height with black hair and a shy look blocked his path. He was trembling slightly but gathered his courage:
"H-Hello, Mr. Belt! I am a huge fan of your playstyle! My name is Rulon... Can I have an autograph, please?"
Belt, confused, frowned.
"I don't have time to play the star."
"I understand," Rulon insisted, "but please understand us! For me and my buddies here, you are a sports phenomenon!"
"Phenomenal? What do you mean?"
Belt stepped closer to the young man, his shadow looming over him menacingly.
"Listen carefully. If I started this sport, it wasn't to become a commercial product for anyone. It is to be the only one reigning over this system."
He paused, seeing the disappointment in the fan's eyes, then sighed.
"But fine... since you asked nicely. Give me your pen. Where do I sign?"
Rulon's face lit up. He handed over a black marker and stretched out his T-shirt. Belt signed quickly.
That was the signal. As soon as the pen cap was back on, a horde of students rushed toward him, holding out notebooks, arms, and clothes.
"What kind of mess did I get myself into?" Belt thought with regret.
"Well, look at that! I see you are enjoying your success! Lucky guy!"
A powerful but friendly voice cut through the crowd. Belt looked up.
Captain Bill Maël, Vice-Captain Morgking, and Bobby were standing there. Their simple presence parted the students like the Red Sea.
"Perfect timing," Belt replied without flinching. "I have some questions for you."
"Questions? Haha! I didn't know you were the chatty type, The Tiger," laughed Morgking, the giant defender.
"In my opinion, I think he likes us already," added Bobby, chewing his gum, hands in his pockets.
Belt stared at them with unnerving seriousness.
"Take it however you want. Just answer my questions."
"Okay, no problem, Newbie," Maël smiled with his usual elegance. "Meet us at the cafeteria once you're done satisfying your subjects."
The three starters walked away, leaving Belt in the middle of his improvised signing session.
The Meeting with Quiena
Once the last signature was done, Belt, his hand numb, headed for the hallway exit. He was stopped dead in his tracks.
"So, how is our new high school star doing?"
Belt turned around. Quiena was standing there, a mischievous smile on her lips.
"What do you mean, 'new star'?"
"Do you live in a cave? Don't you know the front page of the school newspaper is all about you?"
"About what?"
"After your duel against the two monsters, Maël and Bobby, the coach was really surprised. And the press committee didn't miss a thing."
Belt raised an eyebrow.
"You mean there were spies during practice?"
"Obviously! And that's not all. Listen to what they wrote..."
She pulled out a copy of the paper and read with a theatrical voice:
"Page 2: The Awakening of a Prodigy. It has been years since Krow City witnessed a talent as raw and imposing as Belt Konp during a simple recruitment. We wish him to become the Leader of this new era."
Quiena folded the paper, satisfied.
Belt sighed.
"That explains why I was assaulted for autographs."
"Yes, and get ready, because this is just the beginning."
"I don't want any of this," Belt grumbled. "They will never corrupt my ambition. I am here to become the Emperor, not a mascot."
"No one is stopping you from being that, Belt. But fans want their part of the dream too."
"Who?"
"Your fans!"
"Whatever. I'm not interested. I prefer silence."
He started walking away.
"Where are you going?" Quiena asked.
"To the cafeteria, to meet the rest of the team."
"But you're going in the wrong direction!"
"What?"
"The starting players have a cafeteria exclusively dedicated to them."
"Well... this sport will never cease to surprise me with its inequalities."
"It's on the third floor, near the Athletic Director's office."
"Okay. Thanks."
The Sanctuary of the Chosen (VIP Cafeteria)
When Belt pushed open the heavy doors of the private cafeteria, he discovered another world. Far from the noise and the smell of fried food in the common canteen, this place breathed luxury. The floor was marble, everything was spotless, and the dishes looked like they came from a five-star restaurant.
He spotted the three players sitting in the North Sector, near a bay window. He walked toward them, but a security guard in a strict uniform blocked his path, arm extended.
"Sir, may I see your Player Card?"
"What do you mean, 'Player Card'?"
"The official badge that certifies you are a member of the high school football team."
"I don't have one."
"Sorry. If you don't have one, please leave the premises immediately. This is a private area."
The tension rose. Belt was about to snap back when a calm voice spoke up behind the guard.
"What is going on here, Sergeant?"
Bill Maël had stood up and was approaching with natural authority.
"Mr. Captain," the guard replied respectfully. "This individual claims to be a member of the team, but he has no badge."
"Ah, I understand. No, let him in. He is telling the truth. He is our new Number 13."
"But Sir... rules are rules."
"I know. But this is my fault, I was actually planning to take him to get his badge after lunch. I take full responsibility."
"Very well, Mr. Maël. If you say so."
The guard stepped aside and nodded at Belt.
"You may enter."
Maël put a hand on Belt's shoulder, an enigmatic smile on his lips.
"Come on, Newbie. We can only talk seriously on a full stomach."