The world went dark.
The floor beneath Gabriel's feet was no longer the living room carpet. It was artificial turf, smooth and flawless, like the stage of a professional match. The sky? A black void with faint star-like specks, where time did not exist.
[Night training initiated... Objective: Create a Shooting Skill.]
That firm voice of the System echoed before he could even gather his thoughts. In the center of the empty field, a single ball awaited.
High above the invisible stands, the silhouette of Jinpachi Ego (AI) appeared from the shadows, his eyes glowing like spotlights in the darkness.
["Every striker needs a way to kill. What will yours be, Gabriel Ângelo?"]
Gabriel stared at the ball. His heart pounded as if he were awake.
— I want to be unpredictable. Have the delicate touch... and the devastating power. Like Nagi. Like Kaiser. But in my own style.
["So you want to create a hybrid skill… Something that mixes touch and impact, intelligence and instinct. Cold and explosive."]
Gabriel nodded.
— Exactly.
The field lit up. Dozens of balls appeared around him. The goals began to move, as if they had a will of their own. Training had begun.
Attempt 1:He shot softly, like Nagi, but the simulated keeper caught it easily.Attempt 2:He went with brute force, like Kaiser, but mistimed the setup — the ball flew over.Attempt 3:He tried to combine control and power. The motion was too slow.
["You're trying to merge two incompatible worlds... You have to find the fusion point. Copying isn't enough. You have to reinvent it."]
Gabriel took a deep breath.
He stopped. Closed his eyes. He recalled watching Nagi score with an effortless soft touch on an impossible pass. Then remembered Kaiser unleashing a furious shot that left the keeper frozen.
This next kick... was different.
Control on the first touch. Power on the second. Perfect timing. Unpredictable curve.
GOOOOOAL.
[Skill Creation Progress – 90%][Proficiency Level: Creation nearly complete.]
The System's voice returned:
[Skill detected: Hybrid Finishing. Name your technique.]
Gabriel smiled.
— Zero Vortex.
The ball glowed, spinning as if it bent space around it.
[Zero Vortex – Skill in Development.]Rank: ELevel: 1Creation Progress: 90%Status: Inactive (requires real-life application)
["The concept is ready. But a skill isn't truly born… until it's tested in reality. Use it in a match. Prove that it's yours."]
The AI version of Ego faded like mist.
Gabriel looked up at the dark sky and smiled.
He knew the real test would begin when he woke up.