With Match Day 5 delayed, the OOTP facility felt unusually relaxed.
For the first time since the tournament began, the candidates had time to breathe.
Inside the dorm room, Daniel stretched lazily on his bed.
Tunde suddenly sat up.
"Alright, I'm bored."
Ayo looked over from his chair.
"It's been two hours."
"You can't be bored already."
Tunde groaned dramatically.
"We finally get a break and we're just sitting here?"
Chinedu leaned against the wall thoughtfully.
"I heard the facility has recreational areas."
Daniel looked up.
"Recreational?"
Chinedu nodded.
"Gym, game rooms… even a pool."
Tunde immediately jumped to his feet.
"POOL?!"
He grabbed his towel instantly.
"Why are we still here?!"
Ayo laughed.
"Alright, alright."
"Let's go check it out."
Daniel smiled and stood up.
"Yeah… a break sounds nice."
The four of them walked through a different wing of the facility they hadn't explored before.
Large glass windows revealed training courts, lounges, and recreation halls.
Tunde whistled.
"Man… this place is huge."
As they turned a corner, they nearly bumped into someone.
"Oh!"
A girl stepped back slightly.
Daniel recognized her immediately.
Adisa.
One of the candidates in the tournament.
Currently ranked near the bottom of Daniel group(E).
Adisa blinked in surprise.
"Oh… the Daniel."
Tunde's eyes widened.
"Wait… THE Daniel?"
Adisa laughed softly.
"Well, I guess that's one way to introduce someone."
Daniel rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"Sorry about that."
"We're just exploring the place."
Adisa nodded.
"Same here."
Ayo crossed his arms.
"You heading to the recreation area too?"
She smiled.
"Yeah."
Tunde clapped his hands together.
"Perfect!"
"Then you're coming with us!"
Adisa laughed.
"Well… I guess I can."
Soon the group found themselves inside the recreation hall.
Arcade machines buzzed.
Music played softly in the background.
And beyond a large glass wall—
The pool shimmered under bright lights.
Tunde stared at it like a child seeing treasure.
"This place is heaven."
Before long, they were laughing, playing games, and relaxing.
Even Daniel seemed more carefree than usual.
Adisa watched him quietly for a moment.
"You don't seem like someone ranked near the top."
Daniel blinked.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
She smiled.
"You're too relaxed."
Daniel chuckled.
"Maybe."
"But stressing about matches all the time doesn't help either."
Adisa nodded slowly.
"Fair point."
The group continued joking and playing around.
For a moment…
The tension of the tournament disappeared.
But not everyone was relaxing.
From the upper balcony overlooking the recreation hall…
Fatima and her friends were watching.
One of the girls nudged her playfully.
"Well well."
"Looks like someone is having fun."
Fatima crossed her arms casually.
Her eyes were locked on Daniel.
Below them, Daniel laughed at something Adisa said.
Another girl leaned closer to Fatima.
"You better be careful."
Fatima raised an eyebrow.
"Careful?"
The girl smirked.
"Someone might steal your man."
The group giggled.
Fatima simply smiled.
"Let them try."
But her gaze never left Daniel.
Elsewhere in the facility…
Far away from the recreational wing…
Farouk and Mendes walked down a quiet corridor.
The atmosphere here was completely different.
Cold.
Silent.
They stopped in front of a secured door.
Farouk opened it.
Inside was a dimly lit room.
Several mysterious candidates were already seated around a table.
Their faces partially hidden in the shadows.
One of them spoke.
"You heard the announcement."
"Think they'll figure us out?"
The room remained tense.
Then Mendes spoke calmly.
"No."
He leaned casually against the wall.
"Master has us covered."
The others relaxed slightly.
Then—
The large screen behind them suddenly flickered to life.
Static crackled across the display.
A dark silhouette appeared on the screen.
The entire room fell silent.
The figure spoke with a calm, distorted voice.
"Do not worry."
"Everything will be resolved."
The candidates listened carefully.
"But if the situation becomes… complicated…"
The figure paused.
"…certain sacrifices will be made."
The dark figure's gaze seemed to shift.
It stopped on Farouk.
The silence deepened.
Then the voice continued.
"For now, remain quiet."
"Observe."
"Do not attract attention."
The figure leaned slightly forward on the screen.
"Until the time comes."
The image began to fade.
"Good luck."
The screen went dark.
The room remained silent for several seconds.
Farouk slowly exhaled.
Mendes' expression remained calm.
But his eyes glinted slightly in the darkness.
The game behind the tournament had only just begun.