The sun was barely over the horizon when Tobi Oliveira's alarm vibrated beside him, not with sound but with a soft, rhythmic pulse from the wristband he wore. He stirred, bleary-eyed, and rolled onto his side, groaning quietly as the soreness in his muscles whispered reminders of yesterday's training.
The life of a professional footballer was never meant to be easy. But for Tobi, juggling two demanding lives—the academic and the athletic—made it feel like he was constantly chasing time itself. With the school term still in session, his days were packed tighter than a La Liga defense during a title-deciding match.
His phone screen glowed with reminders:
6:30 AM: Morning Stretch + System Diagnostics
7:00 AM: Quick Review – Spanish Literature (Test Friday)
7:45 AM: Breakfast with Leonor
8:00 AM: School Pickup
10:00 AM: Valencia CF First Team Training
3:00 PM: Tactical Review with Coach Baraja
4:30 PM: Recovery & Ice Bath
6:30 PM: Online Tutoring (Math)
8:00 PM: Dinner & Family Time
10:00 PM: System Mental Conditioning
Tobi yawned and sat up, rubbing his face.
"System," he whispered, "Run Morning Diagnostics."
> [SYSTEM INTERFACE: MORNING MODE] Status: Fit (94%) Fatigue: Moderate (30%) Motivation: High Focus: 82/100 Confidence Points: 3
> Suggestion: Initiate Active Recovery during warm-up. Tactical IQ boost possible if literature review completed by 8:00.
Tobi smirked.
"Bribing me with IQ points, are you?"
He pulled on a hoodie and made his way quietly to the bathroom. The apartment was still cloaked in early morning calm. Only the low hum of traffic from the city streets below broke the silence.
As he finished brushing his teeth, he heard small footsteps behind him.
"Tobi?"
It was Leonor, standing in her too-big slippers, hair sticking up in every direction.
"Hey, Leo. Come here," he said, kneeling and opening his arms.
She hugged him sleepily. "You didn't say goodnight last night."
"I was reviewing tape," he said. "But I owe you a big hug tonight. Deal?"
She nodded against his chest.
Their bond was deep. Tobi had always been protective of his little sister, but ever since the reset, that instinct had grown tenfold. In his past life, he had been too self-absorbed, too caught up in chasing fame. This time, he'd promised himself: no more neglect.
---
School in a Storm
Tobi arrived at school in his Valencia team hoodie, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. But there was no hiding anymore. He was already a local celebrity—featured in articles, clips from La Liga matches, and even a short segment on a sports network calling him "Portugal's Young Maestro."
In class, whispers followed him. Phones were discreetly aimed his way.
"Did you see that backheel assist last week?"
"I heard he makes 10K a week already."
"His mom's his agent. She's the real MVP."
Tobi forced himself to ignore it. He focused on taking notes, highlighting important sections in his textbook. Still, the contrast between discussing 18th-century poetry and defending against world-class midfielders was enough to make his brain ache.
After Spanish Literature, he had a break. He pulled out his phone and opened the System quietly beneath the desk.
> [SYSTEM UPDATE AVAILABLE] New Skill: Threaded Through Ball (Lv. 1) Unlock Cost: 2 Confidence Points
> Activate?
He tapped "Yes."
> Skill Acquired. When activated, vision improves for 4 seconds. Execution of through passes increases accuracy by 15% during matches.
He couldn't help but smile. This was why he pushed so hard. This was why he endured the noise, the pain, the late nights.
---
Training Pressure
By the time Tobi arrived at the training center, the temperature had risen, and so had the stakes.
Coach Baraja didn't believe in coasting. Not when the team was struggling to stay in the top half of the table. The midfield needed spark. Creativity. Unpredictability.
"Oliveira!" he shouted midway through the session. "This isn't futsal! Think faster. Two-touch max!"
Tobi gritted his teeth. He knew what the coach wanted—quick release, keep the ball moving. But his instincts sometimes screamed for flair, for risk.
Still, he adjusted. Played it simpler. Passed. Moved. Recycled. Then, in a small-sided game, the moment came.
He feinted left, drew a defender, then, with the System skill engaged, he slipped a perfect through ball between two defenders. It landed at the feet of the striker, who slotted it into the net.
Baraja blew the whistle. "Yes! That's it!"
> SYSTEM UPDATE: Threaded Through Ball – Mastery +12% Training Performance: 8.2 Confidence Points: +1
After training, as he iced his ankles in the recovery pool, he found himself thinking of school again. He had an exam next week. An actual written test.
Life didn't pause for ambition. You had to juggle everything.
---
Agent & Mother
Back home, his mother sat at the kitchen table, papers spread around her. Contracts. Emails. Sponsorship deals.
"Adidas sent an updated offer," she said as he entered. "They're pushing for a 2-year deal. Performance bonuses included. I'll negotiate the media clause."
Tobi raised a brow. "You're unstoppable."
Marta smirked. "It's my job. You keep doing magic on the field. I'll handle the sharks."
He nodded, walking over to kiss her temple. "I don't say it enough, but thank you."
"You will when I retire on your Champions League bonus," she teased.
He laughed, but deep inside, he was grateful. Most players hired agents. He had family.
---
Late-Night Conversations
That night, as the apartment quieted, Tobi sat on the balcony with Leonor. The stars were bright. The city buzzed softly below.
"I got tackled hard today," she said, rubbing her knee.
"You'll get stronger. You always do."
"Do you think I can play for Portugal someday?"
He looked at her, eyes fierce with ambition, then smiled.
"You won't just play. You'll lead the team out."
She leaned against him, and he put an arm around her. Their futures were uncertain, but they had each other.
---
Closing Thoughts
As midnight approached, Tobi lay in bed staring at the ceiling. His body ached. His mind raced.
"System," he murmured. "Mental Conditioning. Start."
> [MENTAL MODE ACTIVE] Reflection Mode Engaged.
He was far from perfect. His stats weren't maxed. His performances still varied. But he was growing.
Every tackle. Every book read. Every setback. It was all building him into something stronger.
This wasn't a fairy tale.
It was a second chance.
And he wasn't wasting it.
---