I rejected the school bully’s confession because of soccer.

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

“Pardon?”

Seeing my expression, the coach added.

“Of course, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to study at all. If possible, it would be good to do both. But we won’t force you.”

I felt envious and jealous glances.

It was all good, but something felt a bit odd.

La Masia is a place that strictly combines soccer and academics.

Following that educational philosophy, even current players like “Sergi Roberto” or “Adama Traore” pursued university studies alongside their careers.

But there must be a reason for openly mentioning such a radical treatment in front of the children.

Is it to instill a sense of purpose by showing that if you’re good at soccer, they won’t interfere with your studies?

At the same time, it’s not just good for me, as I’ll feel pressure for receiving such special treatment.

‘A test to see if I can handle the pressure?’

I’m not sure.

If I were really five years old, I would have been simply happy about this news without even feeling any pressure.

It could even hinder growth by getting intoxicated with the arrogance that La Masia is extremely wary of.

‘This is unlike La Masia…’

Maybe it’s a choice possible because I’m five years old.

They must see me as an age where they can quickly correct me if I waver under this level of special treatment and pressure.

If I waver according to their test…

They would quickly reduce both their expectations and benefits for me.

‘Well, let’s enjoy being treated well enough to focus on soccer while it’s good.’

And so time passed, and I turned seven.

Now I’m old enough to play in official games.

At the same time, I skipped grades directly to Alevin A.

When I first heard the news?

To be honest, I was more shocked than happy.

Alevin A is where 12-year-old players play.

It was really unthinkable for me, at 6 years old, to go there.

On the first day of training, the children of Alevin A whispered while looking at me.

“That kid is going to play here? Really?”
“No way… He must be quite a genius.”
“Is it okay even if he’s exceptionally talented?”

It was more or less the reaction I expected.

The difference between 6 and 12 years old isn’t just a matter of age numbers.

The difference in physique, muscle strength, and rate of physical development was like heaven and earth.

Wouldn’t I just fly away if I collided?

Still, I don’t intend to just worry.

‘Physical confrontations might be tough, but I can show other aspects.’

After the first training, I felt it.

It would be easier to adapt than expected.

While there were curious glances wondering how great my talent was, I didn’t feel any overt hostility.

They probably didn’t want to act childishly towards a kid 6 years younger than them right away.

They also showed caution, not wanting to make me an enemy unnecessarily.

I thought I might safely get through the first day like that.

“You’ve finally reached the age to play proper games? Congratulations.”

I turned my head at the familiar voice.

What caught my eye was Diota’s face with an arrogant smile.

“The days of showing off alone in practice games are over now? How sad for you.”

I was genuinely curious.

Why is he so full of himself?

“Long time no see, idiot.”
“It’s Diota!”
“Ah, sorry. My Spanish is still poor.”

I shrugged and continued.

“By the way, I thought you’d leave once your contract was over, but I didn’t know you’d still be here.”
“Of course you didn’t know. You were stuck in Pre-Benjamin.”

He hasn’t heard about me yet?

I heard about him though.

“Ah, I heard. When your contract expired, you cried and begged to extend it, right? I heard you even had a runny nose saying your statement about leaving was rash.”

Diota’s expression stiffened for a moment, but soon became triumphant again.

“That’s old news. No matter how much you brag, I’m now in Alevin C. Do you even know what Alevin C is?”
“I do.”
“Right, I skipped grades to that Alevin C. That means the gap between us is now so wide that we’ll never be on the same team again, not even if we die and come back to life.”

At that moment, a boy approached.

He was a player I had trained with on the training ground.

His name was Lucas.

With brown curly hair and a bright impression, he smiled brightly at me.

“Kang! Training’s over, aren’t you going home?”
“Ah, I was just talking for a bit.”

Lucas noticed Diota and asked me.

“Is he a friend?”
“Not a friend, we played together in Pre-Benjamin before. He was just saying he skipped grades to Alevin C, so I was congratulating him.”

Lucas extended his hand to Diota.

“Oh, skipped grades? That’s amazing. Congratulations!”

Diota puffed up and accepted the handshake.

‘Was he always this easily pleased?’

Lucas turned his head to me.

“Skipping grades is amazing, but you coming straight to Alevin A, what’s your real identity? Kang! That’s truly a different dimension, even among grade skipping.”
“Alevin A?”

Diota’s voice was filled with disbelief.

“Ah, you didn’t know? Kang! It seems he hid it to avoid embarrassing his teammate, I was so tactless!”
“It’s not like that.”
“You’re really too kind! Though I just met you today.”

Lucas joked and laughed.

Meanwhile, Diota was so mixed with anger and confusion that you could see his eyes trembling.

“Kind? That bastard? You’ll see. How much of an individualistic bastard he is.”
“Whoa~ That’s harsh. No matter how you were teammates, Kang is just six years old now.”

I stopped Lucas.

“It’s okay. I’m used to Diota treating me like this. It’s partly true anyway.”

And I added, looking at Diota.

“Diota, I agree with what you said.”

Ah, if I just say this, will he misunderstand that I agree with him calling me selfish?

Well, that’s true too, but I should make it clear.

“I mean about how the gap between you and me is so wide that we’ll never be on the same team again, not even if we die and come back to life.”

Bloodshot eyes directed at me.

Sorry, but I wasn’t afraid at all.

“Kang, aren’t you going home?”

Lucas, who had been watching my personal training with interest for a while, asked.

“The training time feels too short. I feel a bit more at ease doing this.”

He raised one corner of his mouth after hearing my words.

“I can see why you became an Alevin at that age. You’re probably heading to the dormitory soon, right?”
“Dormitory?”

I didn’t understand the meaning of his words.

Lucas smirked at my reaction.

“You don’t get scolded for not studying, right?”
“Well… that’s the situation for now.”

He crossed his arms and made an “I knew it” expression.

“Just know that the rules become stricter for promising players like you.”

Then he continued.

“By the way, is there anything I can help with?”

I thought for a moment.

‘Something he can help with…’

Then I looked up at him and said.

“There is. It’s something hard to do alone…”
“If it’s passing, you’ll be practicing tiki-taka endlessly from now on, are you already worried about that?”

Lucas asked with a smile on his face.

“No, it’s not that. I’d like to ask for crosses.”
“Crosses?”

He hesitated for a moment, looking puzzled.

“Well, you’ll be doing that to death too.”
“Please.”
“Alright… it’s not difficult anyway.”

Lucas lightly lifted the ball.

I received it and passed it back, saying.

“Not those ordinary crosses.”

Lucas tilted his head.

“Please make them as fast as shots, with unpredictable hitting points.”
“Is that right? That’s not a good cross…”

Lucas mumbled, scratching his forehead.

“We can’t always receive good crosses, can we?”

His expression said it was absurd, but he kicked the ball fast and hard as I requested.

At first, I often touched it clumsily or missed it.

To make an excuse, it was quite difficult because I didn’t intend to receive it normally.

But I had no intention of giving up either.

I just bit my lip and concentrated.

This went on for about an hour.

“You… you’ll ruin your body at this rate.”
Lucas’s warning.
But I didn’t care.

“No, it’s not heading, not trapping, you’ve attempted bicycle kicks hundreds of times now.”
“I know.”

I rolled on the ground over and over.

Every time I fell, wanting to kick even one more time, I quickly got up and took position.

“This is really crazy.”

Lucas spoke in a tired voice.

“I, who’s helping, will collapse faster.”
“Just one more time, please!”

Lucas shook his head.

Yet he sent the ball flying one more time.

The moment the shot-level ball came flying.

I instinctively flipped my body and stretched out my foot.

And.

‘It worked.’

The sensation clearly felt from the instep.

It wasn’t a lucky hit.

‘It went in as I aimed.’

A smile spread across my face.

Lucas was silent for a while.

Then, seeing me smile, he burst into laughter.

“Wow, I knew you were crazy… but this is really unbelievable. You’re a real lunatic.”
“That’s a compliment, right?”
“It’s an insult, you maniac.”

Knowing his feelings, I just laughed.

“This is just the beginning, but it’s already this good. I think I’ve got the hang of it.”

Lucas shook his head.

“Can I ask for your help tomorrow too?”
“You’re thoroughly crazy, aren’t you?”
“If it’s too hard for you…”

He cut off my words, turning his back.

“Tomorrow, only a hundred times, you madman.”

I bowed to his back.

“Thank you, senior.”
“What senior, we’re teammates. And thanks to you, I think my accuracy has improved a bit too.”

Lucas turns his head and smiles broadly.
“So you should go home now too.”
“After three more hours of personal practice.”
“…Madman.”
Time passed quickly.
And the weekend soon arrived.

“It’s already time to show the results of our training.”
“Indeed.”

Lucas and I exchanged glances with bright smiles.
That’s when it happened.
“Hey, hey, I heard Joan Laporta might come to watch today’s game.”
Someone making a fuss while delivering the news.
‘Who’s that to make such a fuss?’
Lucas seemed to have read my reaction.
“Don’t tell me you don’t know who that is?”