Chapter 1: Chapter 1: A New Dawn at Luton
The sun hung low over Luton, casting a warm glow over Kenilworth Road. It was still quiet in the stadium as Rahmat strode across the pitch, his heart pounding in his chest, not from excitement, but from a heavy mixture of anxiety and anticipation. This was his moment-a thirty-year-old Indonesian, now the manager of a Premier League team. He never imagined this day would come, especially under these circumstances.
After Luton Town's previous manager had been snatched away by a top-tier club, nearly the entire squad had gone with him, leaving Rahmat with little to no resources. The club president, a stern-faced man in his sixties, had greeted Rahmat with a wry smile earlier that morning.
"Mr Rahmat," he'd said, clapping a heavy hand on his shoulder, "this isn't going to be an easy ride. We're barely hanging on financially, so don't expect us to bring in any big names."
"I understand," Rahmat replied, nodding. He wasn't here for fame or money. He wanted to prove himself, but with no budget, no players, and a club president who seemed resigned to failure, he wasn't sure if he could. And yet, he felt a strange thrill. He was going to make this work, somehow.
Late that night, as he was poring over strategy papers in his dimly lit office, something unexpected happened. A glowing screen appeared out of nowhere in front of him, hovering in the air. He jumped back, heart racing, eyes wide.
"What the...?"
A deep, calm voice came from the screen. "Congratulations, Rahmat. You have been chosen to receive the The Dream Manager System."
"The...what?" Rahmat squinted at the screen, half-expecting to wake up any second. But the screen was still there, shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
"The Dream Manager System. Complete missions and challenges, and you will earn spins in the gacha. Each spin grants you the chance to summon footballers from different realms."
"Realms? Are you telling me I can summon players from..." he hesitated, feeling ridiculous, "...anime or something?"
"Correct."
Rahmat slumped into his chair, his mind whirling. "This... this is insane."
"It is real, Rahmat," the voice replied calmly. "As a starter gift, you have been awarded three free spins. Would you like to spin now?"
After a moment's hesitation, he nodded. "Alright. Let's... let's do this."
The screen shimmered, showing a bright, spinning wheel filled with names he vaguely recognized from his youth. His heart pounded as he watched it slow down, finally landing on the first name.
"Congratulations. You have summoned Barou Shoei from Blue Lock."
The image of a tall, muscular young man with a fierce expression filled the screen. Rahmat stared in amazement.
"Barou..." he whispered, feeling a thrill of excitement mixed with disbelief. Barou was known for his ruthless, unyielding playing style. The perfect forward, relentless and hungry.
"Spin again," Rahmat said, barely able to contain himself.
The wheel spun once more, stopping at another name.
"Congratulations. You have summoned Aoyama from Aoyama-kun is a Clean Freak."
This time, the screen showed a quiet, calm young man with a serious expression. Rahmat raised an eyebrow, remembering Aoyama's... unique quirk of being obsessed with cleanliness. But, Rahmat thought, Aoyama was a tactical genius and could be a reliable midfielder, as long as he could adjust to the chaos of real-world football.
"Alright, one more," Rahmat said, his hands trembling.
The wheel spun, finally landing on a name that made Rahmat's jaw drop.
"Congratulations. You have summoned Wakabayashi Genzo from Captain Tsubasa."
Wakabayashi's fierce, determined face filled the screen. One of the most iconic goalkeepers, with reflexes that were unmatched even in the fictional world. Rahmat couldn't believe it. A striker, a midfielder, and now a world-class goalkeeper?
The screen faded, and suddenly, Rahmat was left alone in his office, his mind reeling with what had just happened.
---
The next morning, Rahmat arrived at the training grounds early, his heart racing with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Would they really be here?
As he approached the field, he saw three figures standing in the early morning mist, their forms distinct yet unfamiliar in the real world. He approached them slowly, his mind still struggling to believe what he was seeing.
"Coach Rahmat, I presume?" a deep, confident voice spoke out. It was Barou, standing tall with his arms crossed, his gaze as intense as ever.
Rahmat swallowed, nodding. "Yes... yes, that's me."
Aoyama nodded politely, maintaining a certain distance from Rahmat, while Wakabayashi gave a confident grin, crossing his arms as he surveyed the pitch.
"So," Rahmat began, trying to collect himself. "Welcome... to Luton Town. I, uh, I understand this must be strange for all of us."
Barou scoffed, smirking. "Doesn't matter. Just put me on the field and watch me dominate."
Wakabayashi chuckled. "Looks like someone's fired up already. What about you, Aoyama?"
Aoyama cleared his throat. "I just need to ensure the facilities are... hygienic. A clean environment ensures better performance."
Rahmat watched the three interact, feeling a surreal mix of amusement and awe. Here were three legends, personalities he'd only known from anime, now standing on the pitch in front of him, ready to play real, competitive football.
"Well," Rahmat finally managed, "I know we've got a lot to figure out. Barou, I'll need you as our main forward. You're going to be our aggressive striker, and I expect you to push your limits, but within reason. We have to work as a team."
Barou laughed, flipping his hair back with a smug expression. "Limits? You can't cage a king, coach. But I'll show you what real power looks like."
Rahmat sighed but couldn't help smiling. "Alright, fair enough."
Turning to Aoyama, he said, "I know cleanliness is important to you, Aoyama. Just... dont make it hindrance you during the match"
Rahmat took a deep breath, looking at the three before him. It was time to set the tone for this team.
"Wakabayashi," he began, his voice steady, "I'm appointing you as team captain. You've got the experience, and I know you'll keep everyone steady on the field."
Wakabayashi's confident grin softened for a moment, a gleam of respect in his eyes. "Understood, Coach. I won't let you down."
Barou raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Captain, huh? Let's see if you're up to it."
Rahmat watch their interaction sigh with amusement but knew it was time to introduce his new players to the rest of the team. As they walked into the main training area, the remaining Luton Town players, a mix of local talents and a few less-established transfers, gathered around, curiosity and uncertainty written on their faces. The news about Rahmat's sudden arrival and the rumors of new "players" had created quite a buzz.
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AzizahPutri
AzizahPutri Hey everyone! :3
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