The sun barely rose, and I was already awake—gear packed, boots cleaned, mind wired.
This wasn't just another game.
This was Cavite Forge.
They weren't street legends or campus stars. They were system-born—academy-trained, roster-deep, and dead serious. The kind of team that didn't just win—they ended stories.
But ours wasn't ending today.
System Update: Final Group Stage Match
Opponent: Cavite Forge Youth
Rank: #2 in Metro Circuit
Notable Traits:
– High Press Efficiency
– Clinical in Transition
– No Cards in 3 Matches (Disciplined Brutality)
Phoenix Standing: 2 Wins, 0 Losses
Forge Standing: 2 Wins, 0 Losses
Stakes:
– Winner = Group A Champions
– Bonus Quest Active: "Forge Fire"
Objective: Score via Team Move (5+ Passes)
Reward: Trait Evolution – Field General ➝ Tactician
Ana met me at the court an hour early.
"You ready for this?" she asked.
I nodded. "You?"
"I've been waiting for this."
Behind us, the squad trickled in. No jokes. No music. Just quiet focus.
Maria arrived last, setting up two cameras this time.
"This one," she said, "needs to be remembered."
Kickoff – Phoenix vs Forge
They pressed early.
Hard.
Every touch we took was contested. Every pass under pressure. Their #6—lean, surgical, unreadable—marked me like a shadow with a brain.
Ravi lost it in midfield once. Isko got shoved twice. Zay overran his man and nearly collided with Ana. It was like trying to breathe in a room full of smoke.
Minute 11 — they scored.
Quick triangle on the right. One drag, one dummy, bang.
Goal: Cavite Forge – 0–1
The crowd murmured.
I didn't.
I saw the weakness.
They pressed in sync—but over-trusted the shape. If we pulled two out of place, a lane opened.
We just had to get there.
System Prompt: Activate Adaptive Pattern?
Requirement: Execute 5+ connected passes
Trigger: Counter Forge Shape
Bonus: Unlock "Team Move" Trait
Risk: Interception ends chance
I signaled the change.
Bryce to Ravi. Ravi to Ana. Back to me. I turned, skipped one, and split to Isko wide.
Zay made the run.
One-touch cross.
I followed—and let it roll behind me. Ana crashed in.
GOAL: Campus Phoenix – 1–1
Assist: Zay
Scorer: Ana
Pattern: 7 Pass Chain (Successful)
Trait Evolved: Field General ➝ Tactician (Tier 1)
Buff Gained: +10% Team Efficiency when Controlled Build-Up is Active
Bonus Perk: "Phantom Lane" – Auto-detect Passing Lanes During High Press
The sideline exploded. Not from the goal—but from the message it sent.
We weren't folding.
We were learning.
Second Half
Forge changed shape. Dropped deeper. Waited to pounce.
This wasn't a brawl anymore—it was chess with sweat.
Minute 38 — they nearly scored. Bryce dove horizontal, fingertips saving pride.
Minute 44 — our turn.
Ana snapped a loose ball forward. I shielded, pivoted, saw Zay ghosting behind.
I floated it over two lines.
Zay didn't even look. Just volleyed.
GOAL: Campus Phoenix – 2–1
System Notification: Match Point Approaching
3 Minutes Remain
Forge Status: Surge Mode Engaged
Next Attack Imminent
They came like a storm. Precision and pressure, folding both flanks inward.
Minute 49 — corner.
Their #8 rose—clean header—goal?
No.
Bryce. Superman leap. One hand. Denied.
FULL TIME
Final Score: Campus Phoenix 2 – 1 Cavite Forge
Group A Champions
Trait Evolved
Coach Mateo: "Impressed."
Café Eleven: "Schedule a meeting."
Metro Youth Weekly: Feature Incoming
Team Fatigue: High
Morale: Maxed
Chemistry: Surging
After the match, Coach Erwin just stood at the edge of the court, arms crossed.
"You took a punch and gave one back," he said. "No fluke. No luck."
Ana dropped beside me on the bench, her breathing shallow.
"That's the first time they've lost in regulation this season," she said.
I looked across the pitch—Forge walking off without words, heads up, already planning revenge.
"They'll be back," I said.
"So will we."
Later, Maria handed me her phone. The footage of the team goal already had 14,000 views. Comments pouring in. Shares climbing.
One stood out.
@RealCoachDelRio:
"I've seen that play before. But never from kids this young. Someone better sign this squad fast."
System Alert: New Chapter Unlocked
Arc Shift: "From Sparks to Signal"
Next Objective: Survive the Knockouts
Hidden Subplot Activated: Rivalry Tracker – Cavite Forge
Unlocked: Team Identity Level 2 – The Rise Protocol+
Performance Stat:
– Win Streak: 3
– Tactical Trait Unlocked
– Public Reputation: Regional Tier (5%)
We walked off together—not just players now.
Not just kids.
But a problem.
And every team left in the bracket?
Was on notice.