Chapter 11: Breaking Point
The next morning arrived like a blow to the ribs.
Lucas groaned as he rolled out of bed. His legs were stiff, his lower back ached, and there was a dull throb behind his eyes. He blinked hard, trying to shake off the fog. The system's Fatigue Level: Moderate warning still pulsed faintly in his mind.
He forced his body through the routine washed up, shoved a piece of toast into his mouth, and left with Juliana trailing behind, her brow furrowed with quiet concern.
"You're not sleeping enough," she said gently as they waited for the first bus.
"I'm fine, Mãe. Just... sore," Lucas lied.
The ride to Morumbi was unusually long that day roadworks, overcrowded buses, someone arguing with the driver. Lucas stood the whole way, clinging to a metal pole, swaying with each turn.
By the time he arrived at the academy, his legs already felt like they were made of stone.
Coach Silva's sharp whistle cut through the air. "Warm-up, now!" he shouted. "Run full laps around the field, then move straight to the agility ladders!" Lucas didn't complain. He never did. He started running, pushing one foot in front of the other, sweat already building on his brow after just one lap. The world around him was starting to blur at the edges.
During drills, he fell behind.
His usually sharp passes during tight-space rondos were now just a bit off, arriving a moment too late. His reactions had slowed, and even his Ronaldinho-like vision flickered like a candle fighting to stay lit in the wind. The system noticed.
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[Skill Downgrade Warning: Ronaldinho's Vision - Mastery slowed due to fatigue.]
Tip: Mental sharpness directly affects skill growth. Consider rest or tonic.
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"Lucas!" Coach Silva barked from across the pitch. "You're dragging out there! Stay sharp and stay focused!"
Lucas nodded, gasping for breath, his lungs burning with every inhale. During the water break, he bent over, fingers gripping his knees for support. But when training resumed, he straightened up and stood tall, ready to push through.
The scrimmage started, and Lucas barely lasted fifteen minutes.
He was sprinting after a loose ball when his knees suddenly gave out. It wasn't a dramatic fall, just a slow, crumbling collapse, like a puppet whose strings had been silently cut.
The play continued around him until João stopped, waving at the sideline. "Coach!"
Silva jogged over, kneeling beside Lucas. "What the hell happened?"
Lucas blinked up at the sky, the clouds swirling and shifting in his blurred vision.
"I'm... I'm okay," he murmured. "Just dizzy. I think I need some water…"
Silva's jaw clenched, but his voice was calm. "You're not okay. Get him off the pitch."
An assistant helped Lucas to the benches. Ice water was pressed into his hand, but he could barely hold it steady. As the cold stung his throat, the system flashed again.
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[Stamina Critical – Legacy Trait Suppressed]
Warning: Further exertion may lead to minor injury or long-term fatigue.
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A few minutes later, Coach Silva stood over him, arms crossed. "Lucas. After training, you and I are having a talk."
Lucas opened his mouth to respond, but the words clung to his tongue like molasses, thick and impossible to push out.
After the final whistle, Coach Silva led him toward the administrative building. Lucas walked slowly, dragging one foot behind the other. Inside, a woman in a São Paulo FC blazer sat waiting with a slim folder in hand.
She looked up, offering a professional smile. "Lucas Rocha Silva, right? I'm Mariana, from player development."
Lucas nodded, confused.
Coach Silva folded his arms, his voice tight with concern. "This kid's been commuting across the entire city every single day three hours round trip. And on top of that, he's been training harder than anyone else out here. And now he's on the verge of breaking down."
Mariana slid the folder toward Lucas. "We've reviewed your progress," she said. "And your performance isn't just impressive, it's special. You've caught the eye of the youth development staff."
She opened the folder. Inside was a printed contract, stamped with the club's logo.
"Starting next week, we're offering you a residential training agreement. You'll stay in the academy dorms, eat at our cafeteria, study through our partnered school program, and train with a dedicated recovery team."
Lucas stared, lips parting.
"You've earned this, Lucas," Coach Silva added. "But it won't be easy. We'll expect results. Attitude. Growth. This is a three-year agreement. If you keep improving, you'll be promoted to the U-15 pro youth squad. That's the real deal."
The system pulsed brightly, as if celebrating the moment with him.
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[Milestone Reached: Academy Recognition]
Status: Residential Contract Offer Pending
Choose within 48 hours
Legacy Reward Upon Acceptance:
+100 Legacy Points
+Permanent Passive Trait: Daily Stamina Regen +2
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Lucas swallowed hard.
No more long bus rides. No more collapsing after training, too tired to move. No more falling asleep at the dinner table while Carla shook her head in quiet worry.
This… this was real now.
He looked up at Coach Silva and Mariana. "Can I talk to my mom about this first?"
"Of course," Mariana replied, standing. "But think fast. The spot won't stay open long."
That night, Lucas sat on the roof of their house, the city stretching out around him like a sea of lights.
Carla joined him, quietly placing a small cup of warm milk in his hand.
"I heard," she said. "About the contract."
Lucas nodded.
"So, are you going?"
"I don't know yet," he admitted. "It feels… like everything's changing so fast."
She didn't push him. Just nudged his arm and said, "Well, make sure whatever you choose… you don't regret it."
He smiled softly. "Thanks."
Later, inside the house, Lucas found his mom sitting at the kitchen table, folding laundry.
"Mãe," he began hesitantly. "Coach Silva wants me to sign a contract. It means moving closer to the academy."
His mom looked up, eyes gentle but serious. "That's a big step, Lucas. How do you feel about it?"
He sighed. "I'm excited.., really excited but I don't want to leave you and Carla behind. And the training feels like a challenge not just for my body, but for something deeper inside me."
She reached across the table, her hand firm and steady as she squeezed his. "We'll face this together. If this is truly your path, you won't walk it alone. We'll support you, always."
Lucas nodded, a weight lifting from his shoulders. "Muito obrigado, mãe. Hearing that means more than I can say."
She smiled softly, eyes full of understanding. "No matter what, never forget your happiness comes first."
The system floated before his eyes again, the words [Pending Decision: 48 Hours Remaining] blinking slowly.
Lucas leaned back, eyes on the stars, and whispered, "I'm almost there, ready for what comes next."