The admin boardroom smelled like disinfectant and old policies. Long wooden table. Plastic flowers in the center. A projector hummed faintly like it was holding its breath.
Principal Navarro sat at the head of the table, fingers steepled. Around him, a few teachers I recognized—some curious, some indifferent, a couple clearly annoyed at having their lunch break interrupted.
I stood at the front with Ana and Maria flanking me. Maria held the remote. Ana held the binder.
I held my breath.
System Prompt: Initiate Presentation?
Options:
– Default Format (Safe, Formal)
– Story-Driven Format (High Risk, High Reward)
– Interactive Format (Requires High Charisma)
I selected: Story-Driven Format
Maria clicked to the first slide: a still of the empty court under dusk. Just concrete and goal posts made from PVC pipes.
"Our school doesn't have a football program," I began. "But it does have footballers."
Click.
Footage rolled: flashes of the underground match—crowd roaring, ball control, the turning point goal, celebrations.
"This isn't just about a game," I said. "It's about kids who stayed after school to build something out of nothing. Who trained without gear. Who organized without coaches. Who played not for a grade—but for belonging."
Click.
A montage of faces—those who signed up, students cheering, a janitor nodding during warmups, even a brief smile from Coach Erwin.
Ana stepped in smoothly. "The proposed club is not a financial liability—it's an opportunity. Zero startup cost. Volunteer-led. We're not asking for a field. Just recognition."
Maria followed. "With recognition comes responsibility. Structure. Standards. This isn't rebellion. It's readiness."
We finished with our logo—rough, designed by one of the freshmen. A phoenix made of tape lines and turf scraps.
System Check: Audience Impact… 73% Positive Engagement
Resistance Remaining: 1 Target (Principal Navarro)
He hadn't moved through the whole thing. No smile. No frown. Just cold analysis.
Then he finally spoke.
"Do you know why there's no football program here?"
Silence.
"Because every time we tried, it fell apart. No funding. No discipline. Fights. Broken windows. Injuries. We shelved it because it became a liability."
I stepped forward.
"With respect, sir—then let us be the reason it doesn't fall apart this time."
That line hung there.
Long enough for Maria to glance at me in alarm. Long enough for Ana's hand to brush mine beneath the table.
Then Navarro leaned back.
"Fine. Provisional status. One term. One advisor. No budget. You'll have to make do with what you already have. You break the rules—club's dead. Understood?"
Quest Complete: "Blueprint to Belong"
Reward: Club Status Achieved – "Campus Phoenix FC"
Stat Boost: +5% School Rep
Trait Gained: Institutional Credibility
Unlock: Official Fixtures Pathway, Custom Kit Design (Tier 0)
The hallway exploded as soon as we stepped out.
The team was waiting. Some kids from lower years. Even a few from the rival basketball squad, curious now instead of combative.
We were official.
The court wasn't just concrete anymore.
It was home turf.
That night, under the mango tree again, Maria sat beside me editing next week's content: the announcement, the behind-the-scenes, the teaser for our first fixture.
"You know," she said, "you've gone from underground hero to school figurehead in like, what, three weeks?"
"Feels more like three years."
She smiled. "Well, I'm not your PR manager. I'm your documentarian. I'll show the truth. Even the messy parts."
I turned to her. "Then keep the camera rolling."
She nodded. "Always."
Ana joined us minutes later, holding an envelope.
"From Coach."
Inside was a note:
Good job. Now prove you belong. Schedule your first scrimmage—outside school. Real opponents. Real pressure. I've got one lined up. Think you're ready?
Below it: a flyer from a local semi-pro youth club.
Tryout Date: Next Saturday
Location: Marikina Field
Status: Invitation Only
Note: "Bring your best. Leave your excuses."
New Quest Unlocked: "Baptism by Grass"
Objective: Compete Against Semi-Pro Youth Squad
Requirements:
– Select Starting 7
– Design Temporary Kits
– Secure Field Transport
– Prepare Tactics (Scouting Info Available)
System Prompt: This Is No Longer Practice
I stood, envelope in hand, eyes on the night sky.
The phoenix had taken flight.
Next stop: the real world.