The System Makes Me a Player

The next day at school, Kelvin was completely exhausted and worn out. His body ached, his legs felt like lead — the result of the two grueling days he'd just lived through, from the tension of the final match to the celebrations that lasted late into the night. The exhaustion weighed heavily on him, but there was something he hadn't even noticed: while he rested, several videos of him had started circulating on social media.

On the phone screens of classmates, friends, and even strangers, clips of his best moments on the court were popping up. Some showed the incredible goals he had scored, with almost surgical precision. Others highlighted his dribbles — quick and unexpected — that left his opponents completely disoriented. And it was one of those clips that drew the most attention: Kelvin dribbling past Takumi Hoshino, a rivalry that was already being talked about, while the crowd erupted in cheers and wild screams.

Kelvin was in his corner, mindlessly scrolling through TikTok when the video popped up on his screen. His name glowed in the caption, followed by a flood of comments — praise, emojis, even challenge invitations and congratulations from unknown fans.

He stopped, eyes locked on the video showing his agility and control, the way his body moved so naturally — almost like he was dancing. The sound of the gym, the roar of the crowd, the vibration of the trophy — it all seemed to come back to him in that moment.

Thanks to that exposure, Sanu School began gaining recognition not only in the neighborhood, but across the city. The hallways were more crowded than ever, and the fame of the futsal team — especially its rising star — grew by the day. Students from other classes started talking to him, asking for photos, and even the teachers were commenting among themselves about the impact of this young talent.

Kelvin viewed the whole situation with a mix of satisfaction and surprise. It was strange — almost surreal — to see how a single moment in a match could resonate so far, turning something so personal into a shared spectacle. He knew he still had a long road ahead, but that recognition, even if sudden, gave him renewed energy — a motivation to keep moving forward.

As he walked through the school corridor, someone called his name:

"Hey, Kelvin! Dude, I just saw your video! You're insane!"

It was Danilo, grinning wide, holding out his phone and showing another clip — this time of himself pulling off an impressive move. Soon, Kazana and Dante showed up, all talking about the viral videos and what it might mean for the future of the team.

"I think the state championship is gonna be different, man", said Ian, joining them with a sparkle in his eye "Everyone's gonna be watching us now"

Kelvin took a deep breath, thinking over Ian's words.

"I think they won't be watching us...", Dante replied, laughing. "They'll be watching Kelvin"

***

Even with all this attention on his name, Kelvin still felt inferior. He couldn't shake the thought that the only reason he had beaten Takumi was because his Style leveled up — and that boost was the key to his victory.

Taking advantage of the afternoon break, Kelvin walked to the teachers' room and called for Rafael.

Rafael, who was sitting on a couch in the middle of the room with a cookie in hand, quickly stood up. The other teachers glanced over at Kelvin, curious.

Feeling all those eyes on him, Kelvin got a little embarrassed and decided to wait for Rafael outside.

"How are you, Kelvin? Something wrong?", Rafael asked with a wide smile.

Kelvin took a deep breath.

"Coach, our field tournament is this Saturday and Sunday, right?"

Rafael nodded.

"And you're going to decide the rest of the team after today's practice, right?" Kelvin said seriously.

"Yes, Kelvin"

"I want you to put me as the left winger"

Rafael stared at him for a few seconds, surprised by the request.

"Left wing, huh? But… you stood out really well as a pivot in futsal. Why the switch?"

Kelvin hesitated for a moment, then answered firmly:

"Because I want to test myself more, coach. I want to run more, dribble more… I want to push myself past my limits. In futsal, I did well, but… on the field, I want to really feel the game. I want to give it everything"

Rafael raised his eyebrows, surprised by the boy's raw honesty. It was rare to see someone admit something like that — the desire to prove themselves, to step out of their comfort zone.

"You know field football is different, right? More space, more endurance, more strategy. It's going to be tough"

Kelvin nodded, serious.

"That's exactly why I want to do it"

The coach stayed silent for a few seconds, analyzing the determined look in Kelvin's eyes. He saw something there that not many young players had: hunger. But not the hunger to beat others — the hunger to beat himself.

"Alright. But don't think I'm only saying yes because you won that tournament, got it? — Rafael said, laughing"

Kelvin gave a slight smile, feeling the weight of responsibility — and at the same time, motivation — grow on his shoulders.

"Fair enough"

***

Later that day, during field practice, Kelvin took his place just as he had asked — on the left wing. The sun was low, and a light breeze moved across the pitch. His cleats sank slightly into the grass, so different from the slick surface of the futsal court. But that was a good thing. This felt real.

Within minutes, his lungs were already burning. He sprinted down the sideline, tracked back to defend, then surged forward again. Every dribble demanded more from his body, more from his mind. And that was exactly what he wanted — to feel the game completely.

He received a long ball from Ian, controlled it near the sideline, and even while gasping for air, faced the defender head-on. He made a sharp cut inside and got past him. Another came in for support — Kelvin spun, used his body, and slipped away again. He looked up and whipped in a cross. Kazana smashed it on the volley.

GOAL.

Rafael, standing at the edge of the field, smiled with his arms crossed. Kelvin wasn't just a good player. He was obsessed with growth.

And even tired, even with his legs burning, Kelvin ran back to his position with a worn-out but satisfied grin on his face.

"I'll get past anyone."

Something he didn't tell Rafael — because he couldn't reveal his secret — was that he wanted to improve his speed, finishing, and dribbling. And whether he succeeded or failed, the system would keep increasing those stats every time. Which meant... left winger was the perfect position for him.