The morning after the Sevilla win was supposed to be a celebration.
Tobi awoke to the scent of pancakes and the sound of Leonor humming along to a Portuguese pop song in the kitchen. A rare moment of calm after weeks of constant pressure. He stretched, checked his system stats again (as he did every morning), and padded out in socks and sweatpants.
"MVP," Leonor greeted him, flipping a pancake like a pro.
He grinned. "Master chef."
Clara glanced up from her tablet, already reviewing emails. "The club's PR team wants you for a post-match segment. Thirty minutes. You'll do it before school."
Tobi groaned and collapsed at the table. "I'm seventeen. Do they not know that?"
"They know. They just don't care."
---
Interview Lights
The studio was small, all black curtains and blinding lights. A journalist with sharp features and a polished tone asked him questions.
"So, Tobi, there's been talk of you being Valencia's future captain. Do you see yourself that way?"
"I see myself helping the team however I can," he said, calm.
"Even if that means a move elsewhere?"
He paused.
"I'm at Valencia. This is my home right now."
> [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION] Reputation – Club Loyalty: +5 Media Composure: +2
When the interview ended, he ran straight to school.
---
School: The Double Life
"Oliveira!" shouted one of the kids as Tobi entered the gates.
Tobi forced a smile. His classmates weren't unkind, but they didn't understand either. To them, he was famous now. Untouchable.
In literature class, his paper got a 75.
"It's good," Mr. Gouveia said. "But rushed. Your thoughts lack depth."
Tobi looked down. "Right."
He still had training later. Recovery gym work. Tactical review. Nutrition logs. Film breakdown.
Life never slowed.
---
Training Room Whispers
In the locker room, he heard murmurs.
"…might not renew."
"Premier League wants him."
"…won't last here more than a season."
He knew they were talking about him. Some with envy. Others with worry.
Coach Baraja called him in after the session.
"You're young," the coach said. "But eyes are always on you now. And not everyone here wants to see you shine."
Tobi met his gaze. "I'm not here to be liked. I'm here to win."
Baraja smirked. "Good. Then prove it again this weekend."
> [SYSTEM MISSION] Objective: Lead team to win vs. Real Sociedad Bonus Reward: +3 Tactical Awareness / +1 Team Chemistry
---
Matchday: Real Sociedad
A difficult opponent. Structured. Relentless.
From the first whistle, they pressed high. Tobi was marked tightly, shadowed every step.
The game was physical. No space to breathe. Every touch contested.
By halftime, the score was 0–0. The locker room was tense. Baraja paced, frustrated.
"We're giving them too much time. Tobi, drop deeper, control the midfield."
Tobi nodded.
He stepped out with renewed fire.
He tackled, passed, twisted. Created a rhythm.
In the 68th minute, he feinted past two midfielders and laid a perfect assist to Yaremchuk.
1–0.
But Sociedad equalized minutes later. Their striker outjumped Cömert on a corner.
1–1.
The final minutes ticked away. The Mestalla crowd roared, urging them forward.
In the 89th minute, Tobi took a long touch, beat his man, and was brought down just outside the box.
Free kick.
He stood over it.
Heart thudding.
He breathed.
Curved the ball.
It hit the wall.
Final whistle: 1–1.
---
Aftermath
In the locker room, heads hung. Not a loss, but not enough.
Tobi sat alone, towel over his head.
> [SYSTEM UPDATE] Match Rating: 7.3 Assists: 1 Duel Success Rate: 64%
Composure: +1 Decision Making: +1
Clara picked him up in silence.
"You were good," she said gently.
"Not good enough."
They drove home under streetlights. Leonor had left him a sticky note on his desk:
> "Still the best big bro in the world. Even Messi didn't win every game."
He smiled.
---
The Rumblings Begin
On Sunday, news broke.
> "Tobi Oliveira named La Liga's Young Player of the Month."
Another wave of media requests. Another tide of opinions.
Barça fans called him the next Iniesta. Madrid fans dismissed him as hype. City forums buzzed.
Tobi muted it all.
He wasn't chasing fame.
He was chasing something deeper.
Redemption. Purpose. Balance.
He opened his system one more time.
> Tobi Oliveira Age: 17 Position: CAM Club: Valencia CF – First Team
Goals: 8 Assists: 13
Attributes: Vision – 94 Passing – 95 Stamina – 85 Tactical Awareness – 94 Mental Resilience – 86 Shot Power – 84 Balance – 82 Composure – 92
He closed the display.
Back to training tomorrow.
---