บท 12: Determination

Endrick reincarnated on a Sunday, today was Monday.

Early that morning, his mom left to work while his little sister left for school. As for him, having finished basic school already, he was attending personal lectures to keep his brain sharp while waiting for his government job.

His father hoped his son gained a galactic job that took him outside Planet Earth. Afterall, in this era, that was where the big bucks were earned.

None of all these were in Endrick's considerations at the moment though.

2 things lingered in his mind, his first game and first defeat in Unity and the daily system reminder that almost gave him a heart attack the previous night.

"Are you for real?" He was almost going crazy.

"If I don't finish both missions I'll really lose the system?!"

At first, when he viewed both system missions, he never paid attention to the penalty but after his first performance in Unity, his attention was drawn.

The daily system reminder was the cream on top the cherry.

"Tokyo Sexwale, please say something!"

"You can't be so wicked right?"

In the end, after trying to no avail to communicate with the God of Reincarnation, Endrick was resigned to his fate. 'It seems I'm alone in this Afterall'.

Endrick still felt a bit sad but he did not let himself wallow in the despair though. If he had such an attitude in his previous life, he would have never been able to rise above all the challenges to become a successful pro in his previous life.

He would have never won a World Cup with such an attitude.

After accepting the facts, he started analyzing everything.

He took this as a post-game analysis like was done by his coaches in his previous life, he wanted to thoroughly analyze and deduce the problem.

The next moment, he closed his eyes.

Endrick drowned in his mind as he relived all the moments from the previous day. All the highs of the test, blazing through them and the lows of the elite team trials which was capped off by Legion and The Bogeyman's ruthless words.

When his eyes opened, they shone with clarity.

'It is the same problem; I came to this same conclusion yesterday'.

'I am awful at killing, that's my main problem'.

Through the previous Endrick's memories, he already learned a lot about this era. Unlike in the 21st century, in an era of galactic wars, combat talents and leadership talents related to combat were far more valued.

The most talented humans and variants grew to become space warriors who fought against the other races on behalf of the human race.

To most humans, space warriors were heroes of the human race.

This was why every parent wanted their children to become space warriors. If they could not, the next best thing was to work hard to secure a galactic job as one of the assistants to the legendary space warriors.

Gustavo, Endrick's father also had the same dream for his eldest son.

What this meant was that in an era where combat skills was prioritized above everything else, everyone strived to become perfect at it. Those with the talent for combat naturally excelled at this than others.

Legion was an example of this, Endrick had the impression that this 15 year old boy was a warrior that could kill him any moment if he wanted.

The priority on combat skills also explained the reason why violence and combat were mixed with Unity football in this era.

Clearly, without combat, to the people of this era, football was not complete.

'That's my problem'. Endrick's eyes shone. 'It's not my football skills that is the problem. In terms of raw football skills, I'm still miles better than them'.

'The problem is my combat skills and instincts'.

'And clearly, without them, playing Unity football is hard. Without the right skills and instincts to attack and dodge like a warrior, I can't excel here'.

'Without these skills, my hopes of becoming the G.O.A.T are dashed'.

Endrick was finally drenched with a dose of reality, but he was not giving up though. 'I didn't win the World Cup only to settle for this'.

'I didn't reincarnate to settle for less'.

'I must become the G.O.A.T of football in this era!'

'If this means becoming Jackie Chan, then I must become Jackie Chan!'

His determination and passion was channeled as he clenched his fists. When the adrenaline finally died down though, he was left with a question.

'Umm…, how do I even begin to improve my combat skills and instincts?'

'Should I hire a combat teacher?'

'Dad would love it but it's too expensive'. He rubbed his chin.

'Should I engage in self-practice?'

'NO!' He rejected it vehemently. 'That'd be too slow, I won't be able to improve much that way to prepare adequately for the 2nd round battles'.

'If nothing conventional works…' His eyes gleamed. 'Then I need to think of a radical plan that I originally won't do in normal circumstances'.

'I have too much to lose if I don't become the best'.

'Losing the system is the least of my worries'.

'Failing to achieve my dreams in my 2nd life would be my worst nightmare'.

For minutes, Endrick drowned in his thoughts, thinking, then this was when an extremely radical plan drifted into his head.

His eyes shone in epiphany.

"Legion!" He yelled out loud.

"He's the one". He said in a muffled tone excitedly.

If there was one thing that Legolas noticed during his first day playing Unity, it was the combat skills and incredible killing instincts of his teammate.

Anytime that he was around Legion, he felt like he was around a dangerous warrior that would not hesitate to behead him at any moment.

Getting closer to Legion may sound dangerous but if this meant that he would increase his combat skills to become more proficient at the football of this era, Endrick was ready to do far more than this.

"Afterall, football is more than a game of life and death".

He no longer hesitated, rushing to his sitting room, he commanded the A.I.

"Roach, access the Kinternet".

{Yes, Master Endrick!}

{Kinternet Access Restored!}

"Search for a boy with these features". He drew a sketch of Legion that he remembered, now he was grateful for their game avatars being modeled after their real-life bodies, this aided him so much now.

A second later, Roach, the A.I responded as the search narrowed to the thousands. Endrick needed to provide more details before he got what he wanted.

Endrick did as was required, then Roach finally found the target.

{Target Found: Alfredo Luiz!}

{Family: Branch Family of the legendary Baron of Sao Borja, Joao Alfredo.}

{Background: Alfredo Luiz is the last child of the leader of the Branch Family of the legendary Baron of Sao Borja. Like his ancestor, the Baron, Luiz is expected to take in the family line and become the next galactic assassin.}

{Family Compound: 5 kilometers away from here.}

"…" Endrick's eyes widened into saucers, they were almost bursting.

"He's a descendant of the legendary Baron of Sao Borja?!" Endrick was shocked, like very other teenager in Brazil, he knew Joao Alfredo.

Afterall, the legendary Alfredo was the only living Brazilian to overcome all odds, prove his combat power multiple times and finally be awarded the rank of a galactic assassin which comes with a lot of power, status, and influence.

He could finally understand some words that Legion said in the game. Also, using his knowledge, he guessed Legion's motivation for wanting to play football.

He felt intimidated by the weight of this discovery but he did not let it hold him back, he backed his crazy decision with his ever-reliable affirmation.

"Football is more than a game of life and death".

…

5 hours later after he was almost arrested for trespassing, Endrick finally fulfilled his goal as a white-haired boy stood before him.

Looking at him, the boy raised his eyebrows before frowning.

"Are you…" His eyes narrowed. "Endrickdinho?"

"Yes". Endrick forced a nervous smile.

"What are you doing here? How did you know my identity?" Luiz's tone already turned cold and dangerous as he emitted a killer vibe like he would murder someone the next moment.

Endrick wiped off his non-existent sweat then he crossed his mind.

'It is now or never!'

He looked into Luiz's eyes, then he clenched his fists tightly. "After discovering your skills in the game, I respect your ability a lot".

"I want to learn combat skills from you to hone my football skills".

"I don't want us to lose the next game".

"I want us to win".

"I want to win!" His eyes shone with determination.

After his rant, Endrick finally calmed down, he gulped. "So…, will you teach me?"

"…" Luiz silently looked at him.

"Get out".

*****

Discord server link