Today was the opening day of the 2026 Premier League season.
"Boss... my heart is beating so fast I think it's going to crack my ribs," Arthur Milton whispered. The assistant manager was aggressively chewing on a handful of red jelly babies, his clipboard pressed tightly against his chest.
"Relax, Arthur," Michael said, his voice as flat and calm as a frozen lake. "The system is perfectly calibrated. The variables have been accounted for."
[Ding!]
A translucent blue screen flashed in Michael's field of vision.
[Football Empire System]
[Quest Active: The Empire Strikes First!]
[Description: The Premier League doubts your newly assembled squad. They think last season was a fluke. Prove them wrong on Opening Day against Chelsea FC.]
[Objective: Win the match with a clean sheet. Assert total physical dominance.]
[Reward: 15,000 System Points, +20% Global Fear Factor, 'Ruthless Dynasty' Team Aura.]
