The final whistle had already blown. EOS Team 2 stood on the field, exhausted, breathing heavily after a hard-fought battle. The Old Legends had won, but it was a narrow victory.
Yet, there was no celebration from the EOS players.
Defeat stung deep.
The top-ranked EOS players, who had been watching from the sidelines, observed in silence. Even though they weren't playing, they knew the importance of this match.
Then, a slow clap echoed through the stadium.
Shunji Kaizen, the mastermind behind EOS, walked onto the field, his usual smirk plastered across his face.
"Now you understand," Kaizen spoke, his voice calm yet sharp. "This is why you weren't chosen to face the World 11."
The words hit like a dagger.
The EOS Team 2 players clenched their fists.
"You all fought well, but let me make one thing clear—'well' is not enough. You lost. And if this were the world stage, you'd be forgotten the very next day."
Silence.
Kaizen's eyes scanned the players. "You had one job—to prove that you deserve the best. But instead, you proved why you weren't given the opportunity."
Jin Kazama, the goalkeeper, gritted his teeth. "We only lost by a penalty. We played just as well as them!"
Kaizen chuckled. "And yet, in the end, the result remains the same. Whether it's by one goal or ten, a loss is still a loss. The world doesn't care about how close you were—it only remembers the winners."
The EOS Team 2 players lowered their heads.
Kaizen sighed. "That's reality. If you can't handle it, leave football."
Kaizen turned away from them and looked at the entire EOS program.
"Now, let's talk about what's next."
The air tensed.
"The next stage is the ultimate battlefield—the 'World Stage League'."
The moment he said those words, everyone's eyes widened.
"The World Stage League?" Renji muttered under his breath.
Kaizen nodded. "The WSL is the most prestigious and ruthless league in football. It's what the world truly watches. The real proving ground for the best of the best. Unlike national leagues, the WSL is a global tournament featuring only the top players from every country. It is the most cutthroat, competitive, and lucrative league in existence."
A league beyond imagination.
A tournament where only the best footballers in the world competed.
Kaizen smirked. "If you make it in, you don't just become a pro—you become a global superstar."
The EOS players felt their hearts race.
This was it.
The ultimate goal.
Kaizen crossed his arms. "Now, for the important part—selection begins today."
A sharp breath ran through the players.
"The scouts from the world's top clubs have been watching both matches—the World 11 match and the Old Legends match. They have already started evaluating you."
Everyone felt the weight of the moment.
Kaizen's grin widened. "Tomorrow, you'll know if you've been selected or not. You'll also find out how much your contract is worth."
The entire stadium went silent.
Contracts.
Salaries.
The real professional world was now at their doorstep.
Some players clenched their fists in determination.
Some looked nervous.
Some, like Renji, only felt excitement.
The real game was about to begin.
Kaizen took one last look at them. "Welcome to one of final step before reaching the world's best. If you're not chosen, you're done. If you are… then prepare yourselves for war."
The EOS program had entered its final and most brutal phase.
Tomorrow, their futures would be decided.
To Be Continued…