SSS Alpha Ranking: Limitless Soccer Cultivation After A Century

Training wrapped later than usual. Everyone was tired, but nobody said it out loud. It wasn't the workout itself. It was the air between them. Every drill felt a bit tighter than normal, every correction sharper, every break shorter. They were all trying too hard to pretend nothing had changed.

Blaze stayed behind after the session, leaning against the wall with his notebook while Jason reviewed the day's footage. The gym was almost quiet now, just the hum of the lights and the soft tapping of Jason's keyboard.

"Your notes were solid," Jason said without looking up. "Ryker's stance actually improved."

Blaze lifted a shoulder. "He listens better when I'm not yelling at him."

Jason let out a short laugh. "True."

A moment passed. Not awkward. Just thoughtful.

Blaze shifted his weight to his good leg. "You think the team's going to be like this for long?"

Jason paused the video. "Like what?"

"You know what," Blaze said quietly. "Everyone's watching me like I'm going to vanish mid-set."

Jason sighed. "They're worried. You leaving isn't something they want to picture."

Blaze lowered his gaze. "I'm not even sure it's something I want to picture."

Before Jason could respond, Blaze's phone buzzed.

He glanced down.

Unknown number.

He ignored it.

A second buzz.

Then a third.

Jason raised a brow. "Spam?"

"Probably," Blaze muttered, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

It buzzed again.

Blaze pulled it out with a frown this time.

A text lit up the screen:

We need to discuss your future. Call when you're alone.

No name.

No company logo.

Just confidence.

Blaze's stomach tightened.

Jason noticed his expression shift. "Everything alright?"

Blaze hesitated. "It's nothing."

Jason narrowed his eyes. "That looked like something."

But Blaze didn't answer. Instead, he pushed off the wall and made for the exit.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Jason watched him go, tension coiling in his jaw.

Outside, Blaze walked until he reached the backside of the building where no one ventured unless they had a reason. The air was thick and still. The sky a muted grey.

His phone buzzed again.

We won't move forward without you. Call when convenient.

Blaze let out a slow breath.

He wasn't stupid. Investors didn't chase people. Not like this. Not directly. Something about this felt… personal.

He called.

It rang only once.

"Blaze," a smooth voice greeted. "Thank you for returning my message."

Blaze kept his tone flat. "Who is this?"

"The person who wants to elevate you."

Blaze frowned. "You didn't answer the question."

"You'll have everything in writing soon. I didn't want to overwhelm you. I know you're dealing with an injury."

That made Blaze stiffen. "How do you know that?"

"We keep track of the people we invest in."

There was a beat of silence.

Blaze's voice dropped. "Listen. I'm not agreeing to anything. I didn't even say I'm interested."

"You don't have to be interested yet," the voice said calmly. "You just have to understand your value. The team needs you, yes. But what we're offering? It's bigger than them. Bigger than your current role. You could lead something the entire industry revolves around."

Blaze swallowed. "Why me?"

"You already know why. The moment you stop doubting yourself, you'll see it."

Blaze didn't respond.

The voice softened. "Talk to no one about this. Especially not Jason."

That snapped him out of it. "Why?"

"Because he'll talk you out of it. He wants what's best for the team. We want what's best for you."

Blaze's grip tightened on the phone.

"I'll send the contract soon," the investor went on. "Think about it before you dismiss it."

The call ended.

Blaze stared at the dark screen, jaw clenched hard enough to ache.

Don't tell Jason.

That was the biggest red flag of all.

He looked up at the sky, trying to steady the flood of thoughts pressing against his ribs.

If he told Jason, they'd stress him more.

If he didn't, the secret would eat him alive.

Either way, something would break.

He pocketed the phone and walked around the building toward the parking lot.

He didn't know Aya had been sitting on the curb beside the bike rack, tying her shoelace for far longer than necessary. She wasn't snooping. She hadn't meant to overhear.

But she recognized the tone in Blaze's voice, even from a distance.

Quiet and sharp.

The tone he only got when something serious hit him.

She stood before he fully reached her.

"You okay?"

Blaze masked his expression without missing a beat. "Yeah."

aya gave him that look. The one that stripped away his two-word answers.

"You're lying."

Blaze ran a hand through his hair. "It's nothing, aya. Just… stuff."

"You only say 'stuff' when the world is falling apart behind your eyes," she said.

He tried to laugh, but it came out hollow.

He wasn't ready to share the call. Not yet. The words don't tell Jason still clung to his mind like a hook.

"I'll figure it out," Blaze said. "I always do."

aya stepped closer. "You don't have to figure things out alone."

For a moment, Blaze almost told her. Almost.

Then he stepped back.

"Goodnight, aya."

And he walked away.

Inside, Jason gathered the team for a brief talk before locking up.

"Blaze left early," Lionel said.

aya walked in right after him, quieter than usual.

Jason studied her face. "Did something happen?"

She paused, choosing her words. "I think Blaze is dealing with more than he's letting on."

Scarlett scoffed. "Of course he is. The guy internalizes everything."

Jason crossed his arms. "What kind of 'more'?"

aya shook her head slowly. "I'm not sure. But something's off."

Jason felt the discomfort settle deep. Blaze was already stretched thin by the injury and the investor pressures. If something else was creeping in too, the team needed to know.

But they couldn't force him to talk.

"We'll keep an eye on him," Jason said. "Give him space, but don't let him drift."

Scarlett grunted in agreement. Lionel nodded.

aya hesitated. "Jason… he's scared. Not of leaving. Of choosing."

Jason didn't respond. He didn't need to.

They all felt the truth of it.

Blaze drove home in silence, the road blurring past his headlights. His leg throbbed, his head felt heavy and the investor's voice replayed like a quiet echo.

We want what's best for you.

Not the team.

You.

And worst of all:

Don't tell Jason.

He pulled into his driveway and cut the engine. The car went quiet.

He didn't move. Didn't reach for the door. Didn't breathe for a few seconds.

He already knew this wasn't just another opportunity. It was a wedge being driven straight into the middle of everything he cared about.

And he had no idea how to stop it.