Finally, the time that Tanaka awaited for àrrived. There in front of them, stood eleven opponents from the Redbulls. In the middle of the football field, Tanaka stared at Nishida as he passed the ball over to him, but strangely Nishida passed it back.
Tanaka took a deep breath as a rune appeared before him.
[Ball control talent ignited]
[Points awarded]
1. Dribbling - 0
2. Ball juggling - 0
3. First touch - 0
4. Footwork and agility - 0
Tanaka's eyes widened.
'So I can actually increase Ball control Talent points by playing with the ball?'
His eyes flashed.
And it happened again.
"Tanaka, pass the damn ball. Oh good gracious, he's getting us deranked." Isaac shouted angrily.
Now, three opponents from the Redbulls surrounded Tanaka ready to tackle the ball out of his grasp.
Coach Isuryburg was there, his gaze still disapproving. He had even argued with Coach Damien why he allowed Tanaka back into the school. And now, here he is about to flop just like the last time.
"Tanaka!!!" Nishida shouted.
"Tanaka!!" James scowled.
All ten teammates were already upset as it seemed but suddenly, Tanaka's eyes grew sharp and his feet raised slightly against the ball the moment those three Redbulls opponent surrounded him.
"Carl, get that ball."
"Very easy Jax, I heard he's a bad player. The Seagull is finished…"
Tanaka's brows furrowed, however when Carl shot forward with a heavy momentum, Tanaka's feet shot up and around the ball very swiftly. The ball sliding behind his feet, shocking Carl for a moment.
[New technique obtained: Inward cut]
A grin touched Tanaka's lips and he escaped Jax's advancement by turning with the ball under his feet — and shooting the ball behind him with a precise move.
[Dribbling +1 point]
Hamlet, the third Redbull opponent rushed forward and tackled, however Tanaka applied a reverse Tackle.
This one allows him to reverse the movement, taken by the opponent just to steal back the ball.
[New technique obtained: Reverse Tackling]
And Tanaka saw the opening he had created and passed the ball to Nishida, who's eyes widened.
[Very good Tanaka, that was a good start. Now no one would doubt you]
Tanaka looked around him as he prepared himself for the next ordeal with the ball. There, Coach Isuryburg was shocked. Even Coach Damien was startled.
"Those moves… how did he even learn them?" Damien looked at Isuryburg.
"Or did you teach him any such technique before?"
Coach Isuryburg pursed his lips. "If I would teach them any technique, then the rest of them would know that technique. Why would I teach only Tanaka Yào?"
They focused on the match ongoing as they were eager to watch Tanaka play.
[Now Tanaka, create an opportunity to improve your footwork and agility. If that happens, it increases your ball control points to an incredible number. You could even reach a hundred in 90 minutes, if you use the opportunity very well.]
Tanaka did not say anything, however he nodded as he watched the ball arrive.
Technically, Isaac had passed the ball over and now seven of the Redbulls approached with incredible speed.
Tànaka's right foot lifted slightly and touched the ball, instantly bringing it to an abrupt halt.
[First touch +1 point]
Tànaka did not let these opponents get too close, he immediately charged with the ball closing the distance.
Seeing how Tanaka had controlled the ball earlier and bypassed three highly skilled players of Redbulls, these approaching seven felt wary, but they too did not slow down.
"Is he planning to outmaneuver us? He's courting death."
Just as Tanaka neared these opponents, the ball froze slightly under his feet and his body tilted allowing these men to pass him by.
It had been strange that Tanaka would charge into the incoming players, but these same players were rendered useless even with their breakneck speed. They were unable to stop, thereby giving Tanaka an opportunity to score a goal.
It was just him, the goal keeper and the goal post.
[Mission: Effort X Reward
Description: Score this goal with one kick.
Rewards:
Unknown]
Tanaka's eyes focused.
"Aèos, can I really pull it off?"
[You can try. And there is no punishment for failure. It's just you and your talent and hey, even if you don't win, there are other chances to score a goal so don't kill yourself alright.]
Tanaka took a deep breath and then.
He shot the ball.
***
The coach for the Redbulls was very angry at the moment.
"After everything, seven of them still left their position just to maim a certain kid and now look, he's in front of the goal. No defenders or wingers. How saddening!"
Another man turned towards the angry coach.
"But Jamie, I thought the kid could not play? I mean, from the confrontation I've witnessed so far, he's someone recommended to be in the Nationals. Look at him — oh my God."
Jamie and the other guy looked.
"He's about to take a free kick."
"Yeah, it isn't a free kick but since there are no defenders to stop him It's literally a free kick. I just pray Norman can stop the ball."
"The Blackvans gave us false information. He said that Tanaka Yào, the midfielder, is a terrible player. But here he is, the Right forward Striker, ready to score a goal."
And Tanaka kicks the ball with terrifying power.
At this moment, it was as if time had slowed down.
[Impressive shot! +10 attribute points awarded]
And the ball launched itself into the goal post, causing the net to rattle from the impact.
And then, a deafening shout like the sound of a thunderclap erupting from the Seagulls.
Tanaka's eyes widened because he had actually not expected to score a goal.
[Mission: Effort X Reward
Completed.
Rewards:
+50 attribute points distributed
+20 talent points distributed.
+10 Star Points.
+1 Skill book.]
Tanaka's eyes widened yet again. For the first time, Tanaka saw this as a generous reward, the first, given by Aèos that is bountiful.