The early November breeze danced through Leicester's Victoria Park as Ethan Cole juggled a football under golden autumn leaves on November 4, 2011, his laughter mingling with the chatter of joggers and dog walkers. His Leicester City tracksuit gleamed as he spun the ball on his finger, drawing cheers from a group of teens snapping photos. "Sign my scarf, Cole!" one shouted, waving a blue number 17. Ethan grinned, tossing a mock salute, his energy electric with the city's pulse. Tomorrow's Championship match against Watford loomed, but tonight, Mia Hart's invite to a cozy café date sparked a different kind of thrill. The Football System hummed, its sarcasm a flicker: **Park's your stage, eh? Don't juggle your focus before Watford, champ.**
Ethan's mind flickered to the anonymous note slipped under his door after Hull (*Stars fall hard*). The cryptic words lingered, a shadow he couldn't shake, but the roar of Premier League scouts—Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea—set to watch him tomorrow fueled his fire. His quest log, pulsing since Birmingham, reminded him of the Golden Boot and Championship title, with a Ronaldo template upgrade waiting. Tonight, Mia's smile was the perfect distraction, grounding him amidst the rising stakes.
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At a cozy Leicester café, the mood was warm and flirty. Mia Hart sat across from Ethan, her pink hair tucked under a beanie, her influencer vibe softened by a chunky sweater. The glow of fairy lights reflected in her eyes as she sipped a latte, smirking. "You're blowing up, superstar 🌟," she teased, nudging his foot under the table. Ethan leaned back, the Ronaldo template's charm smoothing his reply: "Only 'cause you're my spark, #1 😏." Mia laughed, her fingers brushing his as she passed him a biscuit. "Smash Watford, Ethan. I'll be cheering 📺😉," she said, her voice laced with pride. Their banter crackled, the heat of their last night simmering beneath the surface, but kept light for now. Ethan's phone buzzed with her text later: *Kill it tomorrow, champ! Coffee again soon? ☕💕*. The system stayed quiet, letting the moment breathe.
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The next day, Ethan stood in the tunnel of Vicarage Road, Watford's stadium, the roar of 15,000 fans a pulsing wave. The system updated, its tone sharp:
**Football System Update**
- **Template**: SSS-Class Striker Template (Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting Lisbon 2002–03 Stage)
- Speed: 97/100 (*Lightning quick.*)
- Dribbling: 101/100 (*God-tier flair.*)
- Finishing: 95/100 (*Sniper-level.*)
- Vision: 91/100 (*Playmaker sharp.*)
- Stamina: 100/100 (*Unstoppable machine.*)
- Assimilation Progress: 80% (*Ronaldo's spark burns bright.*)
- **Task**: Score in the Watford match to cement Premier League interest.
- **Reward**: Unlock Lisbon Precision III milestone (Finishing +3).
- **Advisory**: Use a skill card and shop item to outwit Watford's defense. Slack off, and you're their meme.
- **Penalty**: Attribute deductions only for match losses or training slacking.
- **Points**: 86 (*Ready to spend, champ.*)
Ethan adjusted his number 17 jersey, activating a new **Zidane's Pirouette Card** (one-use, earned post-Hull for a side quest: *Score in two consecutive matches*): **Zidane's Pirouette active: Spin past one defender with Zizou's grace (*One play, make it art.*).** He also used a **Focus Enhancer** bought for 20 points: **Focus Enhancer active: Mental Focus +10 for Watford (*Laser-sharp, mate.*).** The Ronaldo template's Lisbon stage was perfect for Watford's solid defense, a strong mid-table side where a solid goal difference win was expected. The system stayed quiet, its sarcasm minimal.
Leicester's 2011–12 Championship season was a high-stakes grind, with Ethan's Hull goal and assist (Chapter 26) making him a fan idol. The Premier League spotlight—Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea scouts in the stands—demanded a masterclass. The anonymous note (*Stars fall hard*) lingered in his mind, sharpening his edge. Ethan's main quest (Golden Boot and Championship title.
The tunnel buzzed, Leicester's blue kits gleaming beside Watford's yellow and black. Danny Drinkwater nudged Ethan. "Watford's midfield is fast, Cole. Break 'em, and those scouts'll be begging." Ethan nodded, his focus a blade.
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The match kicked off under Vicarage Road's floodlights, Watford's defense pressing hard. Ethan's vision and focus carved through gaps. In the 10th minute, he used **Zidane's Pirouette**, spinning past a midfielder with a balletic twirl, then fired a shot that clipped the post. The crowd gasped, and the system noted: **Match Impact +10 (*Zizou would nod. Card's done.*).**
Watford scored in the 15th minute, a low drive slipping past Schmeichel. The system warned: **Down 1–0. Don't lose, or you're kissing stats goodbye.** Ethan pushed harder. In the 25th minute, Gallagher crossed. Ethan outjumped a defender, but Watford's center-back clipped him, a missed foul. His header went wide, the system silent.
In the 38th minute, Ethan struck. He intercepted a pass, weaved through two defenders with Ronaldo's flair, and rifled a curling shot past the keeper. The net rippled, Leicester fans erupting.
**Goal! Lisbon Precision III Progress: 50%. Match Impact +30%. Fan Appeal +20 (*Scouts are buzzing.*).**
Halftime came at 1–1, Nigel Pearson nodding. "You're their problem, Cole." The system updated: **Task Progress: 90%. One more goal or assist (*Keep it tight.*).**
The second half was a battle, Watford's defense tightening. Ethan's stamina kept him relentless. In the 85th minute, with his focus enhancer sharpening his read, he latched onto a through ball and fired a low shot that the keeper spilled over the line. The stadium roared, Leicester fans chanting "Cole! Cole!"
**Goal! Task Complete: Score in Watford match. Reward: Lisbon Precision III Unlocked. Finishing: 98/100 (*You're a finishing god.*).**
The match ended 2–1, Leicester victorious with a one-goal difference, fitting the strong team rule. Ethan's brace earned him man of the match, fans chanting his name as he waved to the stands. A staffer whispered: "Liverpool's scout mentioned a January bid. United and Chelsea are circling tighter." The system quipped: **Bidding war, eh? Don't buy a crown yet, mate.**
The system glowed: **Points Earned: 50 (25 for win, 25 for two goals). New Task: Score in the next match to lock Premier League interest. Reward: Lisbon Surge II milestone (Speed +3). Side Quest: Score a hat-trick this season (Reward: One-Use Skill Card – Messi's La Croqueta).**
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Post-match, Ethan crashed at his flat, scrolling Instagram. His follower count hit 55,000, fans hyping his Watford brace. He posted a match clip, captioned: *Watford whipped, let's keep climbing 🦁⚽ #LeicesterLad*. Fans commented: *You're our king, Cole! 🌟* Ethan replied: *Cheers, fam! More to come 😏🔥*. Mia commented: *My champ's a legend! Coffee was fun, more soon? ☕😉*. He replied: *You know it, #1 😎💕*. He swiped to Hollywood gossip: "Katy Perry's Tour Sells Out 🎵😱" and "Brad Pitt's New Film Sparks Oscar Buzz 🎬👀." The system stayed quiet.
The Premier League buzz had skeptics. A teammate forwarded a tweet: *Cole's on fire, but can he handle Premier League pressure? #LCFC*. The anonymous note's words (*Stars fall hard*) echoed, a quiet menace Ethan couldn't place, but it sharpened his resolve.
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The next morning, Ethan hit the park, the system's new drill pushing his Ronaldo template:
**Lisbon Surge II Drill: Complete 300 sprints with 95% intensity. Reward: Speed +3 (*Ronaldo was a blur.*).**
He blazed through, his flair electric. By the 290th sprint, he was untouchable, the system updating: **Drill Progress: 95% (*Speed demon vibes.*).**
At training, Drinkwater said: "Crystal Palace is next, Cole. They're solid, and they'll try to box you in. Scouts are coming—United, Liverpool, Chelsea." The system warned: **Spotlight's blazing. Palace is a trap. Win, or you'll dim it.**
Ethan scrolled Instagram post-training, liking a fan's post: *Cole to crush Palace! 🦁⚽* He replied: *Bet on it 😎💥*. As he walked home under Leicester's streetlights, a figure lingered across the street, hood up, watching. Ethan's pulse spiked, the anonymous note's threat feeling closer. He quickened his pace, but the figure vanished into the shadows. Crystal Palace loomed, a tough test under Premier League eyes, with an unseen watcher tightening the noose. Ethan's fire burned hotter, but the game was no longer just on the pitch.