NOVEL WEB Chapter 3: First Match
The opening whistle rang out, signaling the start of the game. The opposing team wasted no time, pressing hard from the very first second. Their movements were sharp, their passes precise, and their strategy clear: overwhelm us with speed and coordination.
I sprinted to my position, my eyes scanning the field. My role as a forward meant I needed to be ready to strike, but right now, all I could do was watch our defenders scramble to keep up.
A familiar ping sounded in my head as the system interface appeared.
[One For All System Activated.]
[Current Stats:]
STR: C
AGI: C
SHO: B
SPE: B
VIS: C
END: B
Skill Available: One For All (Raise all stats by a single rank for five minutes.) Cooldown: 5 hours.
I clenched my fists. The skill was powerful, but I couldn't waste it. Not yet.
The first twenty minutes of the match were a stalemate. Both teams battled fiercely, but neither could break through. I played conservatively, focusing on positioning and link-up play, but the opposing team's defense was suffocating.
Then it happened. Their midfielder sent a perfectly weighted through-ball to their striker, who broke past our back-line.
My heart sank. He was fast—too fast for our defenders to catch.
[Critical Situation Detected. One For All activation recommended.]
I didn't hesitate.
[Skill Activated: One For All]
A surge of energy coursed through me. My entire body felt lighter, stronger, sharper.
[Stats Updated:]
STR: B
AGI: B
SHO: A
SPE: A
VIS: B
END: A
The striker was fast, but now I was faster. I sprinted back, covering the distance in seconds. Just as he wound up for a shot, I slid in, cleanly stealing the ball and redirecting it toward our midfield.
"Counterattack!" I shouted, already on my feet and surging forward.
Okita, our captain, picked up the loose ball and sent it to me with a quick pass. I drove forward, weaving through their midfield with ease. My enhanced vision highlighted a clear lane to the goal.
At the edge of the penalty area, I planted my foot and unleashed a shot. The ball rocketed off my foot, curving beautifully into the top corner of the net.
Goal!!
The crowd erupted as my teammates swarmed me. Okita grinned, slapping me on the back. "That's what we needed, Haiji!"
The system pinged again.
[Remaining One For All time: 3:30.]
With the lead in hand, we tightened our defense. My enhanced stats held out for the remainder of the five minutes, helping me intercept passes and create chances. But as the clock ticked down, the familiar weight of my normal abilities returned.
[Skill Deactivated: One For All. Cooldown: 5 hours.]
The opposing team capitalized on our fatigue and equalized early in the second half. The score was 1-1, and the pressure was mounting.
The final ten minutes of the match were chaos. Both teams pushed relentlessly for the winning goal. My normal stats weren't enough to dominate, but I played smart, using my positioning and teamwork to stay effective.
Then, with two minutes left, we caught a break. The opposing goalkeeper fumbled a clearance, and the ball landed at my feet.
The system pinged.
[Tactical Opportunity Detected.]
I didn't think—I acted. Driving forward, I sidestepped a defender and lined up a shot. My endurance was near its limit, but I put everything I had into the strike.
The ball soared past the keeper, slamming into the back of the net.
Goal!!
The final whistle blew moments later, and the stadium erupted in cheers. We had won 2-1.
As my teammates celebrated, Okita pulled me aside, his sharp amber eyes studying me. "That was insane, Haiji. Where's this been hiding all season?"
I smiled faintly, the system's interface flickering in my vision.
[Post-Match Evaluation: Performance Rank: A]
SHO: +6% END: +5% Skill Progression: +15%
"Guess I just needed the right moment," I said, trying to sound casual.
This win wasn't just about One For All. It was about finding my place on the team—and in this new life. I was in Shizuka Haiji now. And this? This was only the beginning.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The locker room was alive with energy after the win. Cheers echoed as players slapped each other on the back, reliving the best moments of the game. Okita, as usual, was at the center of it, rallying the team's spirits.
"That's how you do it, boys!" he said, his grin wide. "We're one step closer to nationals!"
I sat quietly on the bench, catching my breath. The One For All cooldown timer loomed in the corner of my vision: 4 hours, 30 minutes remaining.
It was a reminder that I couldn't rely on it too often. I'd gotten lucky today, but next time, I might not have the luxury of timing the activation so perfectly.
Okita plopped down next to me, still brimming with energy. "You're really something, Haiji. You showed the people out there why you're the ace of our team. Don't get cocky, though. I'm still the captain."
I chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it."
He smirked, leaning back against the wall. "Still, where've you been hiding all that? You've got serious talent."
"Just needed the right stage, I guess," I said, keeping my answer vague.
I wasn't ready to explain the One For All system—or the fact that I wasn't even the original Haiji. That was a can of worms I wasn't opening anytime soon.
The Walk Home
The sun dipped low in the sky as I walked home, my bag slung over one shoulder. The adrenaline from the game was fading, replaced by a deep exhaustion.
[System Notification: Post-Match Analysis Available.]
I stopped in my tracks. "Post-match analysis?"
The interface expanded in front of me, displaying a breakdown of my performance.
[Post-Match Analysis:]
Goals Scored: 2
Key Passes: 3
Tackles: 1
Stamina Management: B-
Decision Making: A
Overall Performance: A
[Skill Insights:]
One For All: Effective use during critical moments. Recommended: Develop base stats to reduce reliance on skill activation. Tactical Vision: Improve awareness of off-ball movements.
The last line caught my attention. "Improve awareness, huh?"
It made sense. I'd gotten tunnel vision a few times during the match, focusing too much on the ball and missing better opportunities.
The system chimed again.
[Daily Training Task Unlocked:]
Vision Drill: Practice identifying passing lanes and predicting opponent movements. Reward: +1% Vision Progression.
Instead of heading straight home, I made a detour to the local park. It wasn't much—a few trees, a small field, and a net—but it was enough for what I needed.
The system set up a simple drill using cones that only I could see. The goal was to navigate through them while keeping my eyes up, scanning for imaginary passing lanes. Man, I'm not even in Blue Lock yet and I've already developed schizophrenia.
The system guided me, overlaying the cones with glowing markers to simulate defenders. It even threw in random scenarios, like a teammate making a run or an opponent cutting off my path.
At first, it was awkward. I kept looking down, losing track of the "teammates." But after twenty minutes, something clicked. My movements became smoother, my head staying up as I navigated the cones.
[Task Completed: Vision Drill. Progression +1%.]
I wiped the sweat from my forehead, satisfied with the slight improvement. It wasn't much, but every bit counted.
As I packed up, I noticed someone standing at the edge of the field. A girl with short black hair and glasses, wearing the Sakuraoka uniform. She seemed hesitant; her gaze flicking between me and the ground.
"Uh… Hi," she said, stepping closer. "You're Shizuka Haiji, right?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Can I help you?"
She fidgeted with the strap of her bag. "I'm Aki… Aki Nishimura. I'm the manager of the girls' soccer team. I saw your game today, and, well…"
She paused, as if searching for the right words.
"You were amazing," she said finally, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. "The way you played… it was inspiring. I was wondering if you'd be willing to help us out during practice sometime? We're struggling with offense, and seeing you in action made me think you'd be the perfect person to give advice."
I blinked, surprised.
"Uh, sure," I said after a moment. "I'd be happy to help."
Her face lit up. "Really? That's great! Thank you so much!"
She gave a quick bow before hurrying off, leaving me standing there, bemused.
As I walked home for real this time, the weight of everything hit me again. The One For All system, the expectations of the team, and now this request from Nishimura.
I didn't know if I could handle it all. But if there was one thing I'd learned today, it was this: I couldn't back down. Not now, not ever.
This wasn't just about soccer anymore. It was about proving that I, Shizuka Haiji, belonged in this world—and that I could be something more.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's 2 AM at the time of this writing, I felt bored and thought might as well release more chapters.
As always, please leave a review and if there is any room for improvement, please let me know.