The late December frost sparkled under Willow Creek's streetlights as Ethan Cole dribbled a ball down the quiet road on December 25, 2011, his laughter echoing with a group of local kids. Their boots scuffed the pavement, chasing a makeshift goal of bins, the Christmas spirit alive in their cheers. Ethan's Leicester City hoodie was loose, his number 17 scarf a gift from his mum, Sarah, who watched from the doorstep with a proud smile. The community buzzed with news of his academy's first trial day, set for January, with kids already signing up. "You're our hero, Ethan!" a boy shouted, high-fiving him.
Inside, over Christmas dinner, Ethan's family glowed with warmth, their earlier tensions replaced by unity. His dad, Tom, toasted his success, while Lily teased his growing Instagram fame. Mr. Harris, his old PE teacher, dropped by, his gruff voice carrying a warning: "Fame's a beast, lad. Don't let it swallow you." Ethan nodded, the advice grounding him. His academy dream was taking shape—Jamie was scouting pitches, and Harris offered to coach. The Football System hummed, its sarcasm light: **Christmas heroics? Don't let the turkey slow you down, champ.**
The festive energy carried Ethan toward tomorrow's Championship match against Ipswich Town, a strong side where he'd face Premier League scouts and a chance to cement his legend.
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At Mia Hart's café hangout that evening, the mood was light. Mia, her pink hair in a messy bun, sipped hot chocolate, her influencer vibe softened by a cozy sweater. "You're unstoppable, superstar 🌟," she said, nudging his knee under the table. Ethan grinned, the Ronaldo template's charm smoothing his reply: "Only 'cause you're my spark, #1 😏." Their banter was playful, the heat of Chapter 30's night lingering but kept casual, with another steamy moment due next chapter. Mia's text later—*Smash Ipswich, champ! I'm watching 📺😉*—lit a fire in him.
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The next day, Ethan stood in the tunnel of Portman Road, Ipswich Town's stadium, the roar of 18,000 fans shaking the walls. The system updated, its tone focused:
**Football System Update**
- **Template**: SSS-Class Striker Template (Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting Lisbon 2002–03 Stage)
- Speed: 100/100 (*Blinding blitz.*)
- Dribbling: 101/100 (*God-tier flair.*)
- Finishing: 98/100 (*Lethal sniper.*)
- Vision: 91/100 (*Playmaker sharp.*)
- Stamina: 100/100 (*Unstoppable machine.*)
- Assimilation Progress: 95% (*Ronaldo's fire is nearly yours.*)
- **Task**: Score in the Ipswich match to lock Premier League interest.
- **Reward**: Unlock Lisbon Vision III milestone (Vision +3).
- **Advisory**: Use a skill card and shop item to crush Ipswich's defense. Slack off, and you're their meme.
- **Penalty**: Attribute deductions only for match losses or training slacking.
- **Points**: 86 (*Ready to spend, champ.*)
Ethan adjusted his number 17 jersey, activating the **Messi's La Croqueta Card** (one-use, from Chapter 30): **Messi's La Croqueta active: Shift past one defender with Leo's finesse (*One play, make it count.*).** He also used a **Focus Enhancer** bought for 20 points: **Focus Enhancer active: Mental Focus +10 for Ipswich (*Laser-sharp, mate.*).** The Ronaldo template's Lisbon stage was perfect for Ipswich's strong defense. The system stayed quiet, its sarcasm minimal.
Leicester's 2011–12 Championship season was a crucible, with Ethan's Portsmouth rout making him a fan idol. The Premier League spotlight—Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea scouts here today—demanded a masterclass.
The tunnel roared, Leicester's blue kits gleaming beside Ipswich's blue and white. Danny Drinkwater nudged Ethan. "Ipswich wants blood, Cole. Break 'em, and those scouts'll be begging." Ethan nodded, locked in.
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The match kicked off under Portman Road's floodlights, Ipswich's defense pressing hard. Ethan's vision and focus carved through gaps. In the 10th minute, he used **Messi's La Croqueta**, shifting past a defender with a silky hip swivel, then fired a shot the keeper parried. The crowd gasped, and the system noted: **Match Impact +10 (*Leo would nod. Card's done.*).**
Ipswich scored in the 15th minute, a header slipping past Schmeichel. The system warned: **Down 1–0. Don't lose, or you're kissing stats goodbye.** Ethan pushed harder. In the 25th minute, Gallagher crossed. Ethan outjumped a defender, but Ipswich's center-back clipped him, a missed foul. His header went wide, the system silent.
In the 38th minute, Ethan struck. He intercepted a pass, weaved through two defenders with Ronaldo's flair, and rifled a curling shot past the keeper. The net rippled, Leicester fans erupting.
**Goal! Lisbon Vision III Progress: 50%. Match Impact +30%. Fan Appeal +20 (*Scouts are buzzing.*).**
Halftime came at 1–1, Nigel Pearson nodding. "You're their nightmare, Cole." The system updated: **Task Progress: 90%. One more goal or assist (*Keep it tight.*).**
The second half was a grind, Ipswich's defense tightening. Ethan's stamina and focus kept him relentless. In the 85th minute, he latched onto a through ball, his focus enhancer sharpening his read, and fired a low shot that the keeper spilled over the line. The stadium roared, Leicester fans chanting "Cole! Cole!"
**Goal! Task Complete: Score in Ipswich match. Reward: Lisbon Vision III Unlocked. Vision: 94/100 (*You're a vision god.*).**
The match ended 2–1, Leicester victorious with a one-goal difference, fitting the strong team rule. Ethan's brace earned him man of the match. A staffer whispered: "United's pushing for a January deal. Liverpool and Chelsea are matching bids." The system quipped: **Bidding war's on. Don't buy a yacht yet, hotshot.**
The system glowed: **Points Earned: 50 (25 for win, 25 for two goals). New Task: Score in the next match to lock Premier League interest. Reward: Lisbon Flair III milestone (Dribbling +1). Side Quest: Score in three consecutive matches (Reward: One-Use Skill Card – Neymar's Rainbow Flick).**
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Post-match, Ethan crashed at his flat, scrolling Instagram. His follower count hit 80,000, fans hyping his Ipswich brace. He posted a match clip, captioned: *Ipswich ignited, let's keep climbing 🦁⚽ #LeicesterLad*. Fans commented: *You're our king, Cole! 🌟* Ethan replied: *Cheers, fam! More to come 😏🔥*. Mia commented: *My champ's a legend! Coffee tomorrow? ☕😉*. He replied: *You're on, #1 😎💕*. He swiped to Hollywood gossip: "Rihanna's New Single Drops 🎵🔥" and "Leonardo DiCaprio's Yacht Party Buzz 🛥️👀." The system stayed quiet.
The Premier League buzz had skeptics. A teammate forwarded a tweet: *Cole's unreal, but can he handle Premier League intensity? #LCFC*. The system noted: **Doubters are lurking. Next match is Doncaster—they're relegation fodder. Smash 'em.**
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The next morning, Ethan hit the park, the system's new drill pushing his Ronaldo template:
**Lisbon Flair III Drill: Perform 300 dribbles under pressure with 95% accuracy. Reward: Dribbling +1 (*Ronaldo made 'em cry.*).**
He danced past local kids, his flair lethal. By the 290th dribble, he was untouchable, the system updating: **Drill Progress: 95% (*Flair's elite.*).**
At training, Drinkwater said: "Doncaster's desperate, Cole. They'll fight dirty. Scouts are coming—United, Liverpool, Chelsea." The system warned: **Spotlight's blazing. Doncaster's a trap. Win big, or you'll dim it.**
Ethan scrolled Instagram post-training, liking a fan's post: *Cole to crush Doncaster! 🦁⚽* He replied: *Bet on it 😎💥*.
As Ethan stood in Leicester's empty training ground, twilight casting long shadows, a strange text buzzed his phone: *Enjoy the spotlight, Cole. It won't last.* No sender, no trace. His jaw tightened, the Premier League's fire and his quest for the Golden Boot burning hotter. Doncaster loomed, a chance to crush relegation fodder, but the anonymous threat lingered, a shadow on his rise.
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