The sun was just beginning to rise over Munich when Mateo stepped back onto the training grounds of Bayern Munich.
The cool morning air carried the scent of freshly cut grass.
The fields stretched before him, vibrant and alive —just like the fire burning in his chest.
It had been a long month.
A hard month.
A month of frustration, of patience, of silent battles fought inside his own mind.
But he was back.
And he wasn't the same boy who had limped off the field weeks ago.
He was stronger.
The first drills were simple:Ball control.Short passes.Agility work.
Coach Dietrich watched closely, arms crossed, his sharp eyes missing nothing.
Mateo moved cautiously at first, testing his ankle.
A slight twinge here.A little stiffness there.
But no pain.
No hesitation.
With every passing minute, his confidence grew.
The ball obeyed his touch.His movements became more fluid.The old rhythm returned — and with it, something new.
A sharper focus.A deeper hunger.
By the time they moved into small-sided games, Mateo was fully unleashed.
His touches were crisp.His passes sharp.His positioning — intelligent, dangerous.
Several times, he darted into open spaces, leaving defenders flat-footed.
When he scored a slick goal after a one-two combination with Lukas Müller, the entire field seemed to take notice.
Even Coach Dietrich allowed himself a small, approving nod.
Later, as the players cooled down, stretching and laughing among themselves,a familiar chime echoed softly in Mateo's mind.
[System Notification:]
Quest Completed: "The Athlete's Journey – Recovery"
You have successfully recovered from your injury with discipline and care.
Rewards Unlocked:
1x Basic Mystery Box
Mateo's heart raced.
Without hesitation, he mentally opened the reward.
A small, shining box appeared before his mind's eye, opening with a flash of golden light.
[Congratulations!]
New Passive Skill Acquired:"Minor Injury Resistance (Lv.1)"
Your body has adapted to better endure minor injuries. Slight sprains, bruises, and muscle fatigue are less likely to affect performance.
Effect:
+10% resistance to minor injuries
+5% faster recovery from light strains and knocks
Mateo smiled faintly.
It wasn't flashy.It wasn't dramatic.
But it was real.
Another step forward.
Another invisible armor added to his body.
He would need it —because the journey ahead would only grow harsher.
As he left the field that day, exhausted but triumphant, he glanced up at the blue Bavarian sky.