The System Makes Me a Player

Minutes later, the podium was set up in the center of the court

The lights turned to the two steps — one for the runners-up from Yamu and the other, higher, for the tournament champions: Kelvin and Ian, representing Sanu.

The announcer, with a voice full of solemnity and emotion, declared:

"And the champions of the Futsal Doubles Cup, doubles category..."

"IAN SANTOS and KELVIN SANTOS, from Sanu High School"

Applause filled the gym. It was a sea of clapping, shouting, whistles, flags waving. Kelvin and Ian climbed the highest step, side by side, sweaty, exhausted, but with shining eyes.

The medal was placed around their necks. It was simple, heavy metal, but to them, it seemed made of pure gold. The trophy was handed to both at the same time — a silver cup, elegant, with the engraving: Champions 2025.

They raised it together.

"THIS IS SANU" Ian shouted, lifting the trophy with one hand and pointing to the stands with the other.

Kelvin just smiled, a calm smile, like someone who already saw beyond that moment.

Later, outside the gym, the group headed to a nearby diner. It was the same place as always, with white tiled floors, a blinking sign, and smelling like old fries and nostalgia.

But that night, it was the most special restaurant in the world.

They all sat together at two tables pushed side by side. Kelvin and Ian were in the center, with the medals still hanging around their necks and the trophy in the middle of the table, being used as support for a tray of fries and a chocolate milkshake.

"You're gonna knock over the trophy with that cheddar, damn", Kazana said, laughing.

"Shut up, bro. It looks better with cheddar", Dante replied, mouth full.

Alisson raised his soda cup.

"A toast to the kings of Sanu"

"The kings of everything", Ian corrected, clinking his cup with Kelvin's.

Everyone toasted. The noise of plastic cups clinking sounded more powerful than any victory anthem.

"I won't lie" Kelvin said, chewing slowly "I thought we weren't going to win today"

"You didn't see how you played today, did you" Dante said "If you're human, then I'm a drone"

Kazana just nodded.

"It wasn't just talent. It was harmony. Chemistry. You two were connected as if you'd played together your whole lives"

A brief silence fell over the table. But it was a good silence. A silence of gratitude, of people who didn't need to say more to understand what the other was feeling.

Seeing this, Alisson started talking with Dante and Kazana, since until that moment, they didn't know him well. They decided to chat and get to know each other.

Meanwhile, Ian and Kelvin just kept eating.

Hours later, when the food was gone and only dirty napkins and loose laughter remained, they went out to the sidewalk, sat on the curb, and stared at the sky.

"And now", Alisson asked.

"Now we sleep", Dante said.

"No... I mean later. Like... what are you guys gonna do now"

Kelvin answered without taking his eyes off the stars.

"The state tournament. Then the national. Then... who knows"

Ian added.

"The professional world, Kelvin"

Everyone smiled.

The night was cold, but they didn't feel it. They were still warmed by the victory, by friendship, by the certainty that this moment would be marked in their memories as one of the purest in life.

And while the city lights flickered in the distance, Kelvin looked at the trophy again, silently.

Kelvin then decided to go home. Realizing it was very late, he grabbed his keys and opened the door slowly, to avoid making noise. Then he went straight to his room.

The first thing he did was put the trophy on the shelf, to bring it to school the next day. Then he hung the medal next to it.

He carefully ran his hands over the medal, feeling a special affection for it.

Then, he lay down on the bed and sighed.

"System"

Saying that, the menu opened, and there was his mission.

[Mission Completed: Emerging Rivalry]

[Objective: Face and surpass Takumi Hoshino in direct confrontation]

[Reward: Legendary Ability]

Kelvin's eyes widened. The bright letters of the interface hovered before him like a magic window, but now everything felt more real than ever.

The system continued.

[You unlocked the Legendary Ability: "God of Speed"]

[Description: Your speed becomes the fastest on the field, regardless of who you face]

[Status: Passive]

[Uses: Three per match]

Kelvin blinked, as if wanting to be sure he was awake. A legendary ability. Something he only imagined in games, mangas... or on the feet of the stars he watched on TV.

He sat on the bed, now fully awake, staring into the emptiness of the room, but his mind spinning as if he were back on the field.

"So... this is what comes after victory", he whispered to himself, with a small smile.

But before he could think more, the interface expanded.

[New Mission Available: State Rise]

[Objective: Be champion of the state tournament]

[Reward: Greater state fame, new style, and 500 XP]

[Status: In progress]

Kelvin leaned back slowly on the pillow, his heart still racing, no longer from the game, but from what was to come. His eyes grew heavy, exhaustion finally hitting his body after so many emotions.

But before sleeping, he grabbed the phone from the desk, opened the messaging app, and sent just one sentence to the group with Ian, Kazana, and Dante.

Kelvin:

"Thanks for today, really. Let's make history together"

Replies started popping up almost immediately.

Ian:

"This was just the first chapter, Kelvin"

Dante:

"You guys were legendary, damn. Let's train tomorrow"

Kazana:

"Our next goal is the state tournament"

Ian:

"Tomorrow there's school, Dante"

Kelvin chuckled softly. Closed his eyes.

And fell asleep with the medal still hanging around his neck.

It was the end of a night.

But also the start of a new journey.

***

[Skills so far:]

[God of Speed]

[Precision Reading]

[Offensive Instinct]

[Styles so far:]

[Instinctive Dribble]

[Body Stats:]

[Strength: 18 / 100]

[Speed: 15 / 100]

[Stamina: 18.5 / 100]

[Body Control: 14 / 100]

[Flexibility: 15 / 100]

[Balance: 17.5 / 100]

[Muscle Recovery: 17 / 100]

[Skill Stats:]

[Dribbling: 45 / 100]

[Passing: 14 / 100]

[Game Reading: 16 / 100]

[Finishing: 32 / 100]

[Positioning: 30 / 100]

[Decision Making: 27 / 100]

[Confidence: 27 / 100]