Promises
Saturday evening settled gently over Miami.
The sky had turned a soft orange while the warm breeze from the ocean moved through the tall palm trees lining the streets near the Montiero estate.
Adrian had just finished dinner with his family.
The dining room had been lively tonight.
His older sister, Camila Montiero, had returned from her latest media trip covering a European football event. Her phone had not stopped buzzing the entire night as notifications from millions of followers poured in.
Across from her sat Lucas, Adrian's older brother, calm as always.
Lucas had recently returned from his own football media tour as well, appearing in several major sports interviews and training with pro players. Between the two of them, the Montiero siblings practically owned the football side of social media.
But despite the fame and luxury…
Tonight had felt simple.
Family.
After dinner, Adrian stepped outside the mansion gates.
Waiting there…
Was Valentina Rousseau.
She leaned against the gate casually, scrolling through her phone.
The moment she saw him, she smiled.
"You took forever."
Adrian shrugged.
"My sister talks a lot."
Valentina laughed.
"I can believe that."
They started walking slowly down the quiet street together.
This had quietly become a routine.
Evening walks.
Sometimes they talked about school.
Sometimes football.
Sometimes nothing at all.
But tonight…
Valentina seemed curious.
"So," she said, glancing at him sideways, "are you always this good at football?"
Adrian chuckled.
"No."
She raised an eyebrow.
"That street game yesterday says otherwise."
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Because at that exact moment—
The familiar voice echoed again.
[𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗫 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠]
[𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗗𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗦 𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘]
Task 1:
Score 2 goals in the next school match.
Reward:
+2 Shooting
+1 Predator Instinct
Task 2:
Complete 200 ball touches training tonight.
Reward:
+1 Dribbling
+1 Ball Control
Task 3:
Run 5 km endurance training.
Reward:
+2 Stamina
Adrian's eyes flickered slightly.
The system never rested.
Neither could he.
Valentina noticed the small pause.
"What?"
Adrian shook his head.
"Nothing."
They continued walking.
The street lights slowly began turning on around them.
Valentina suddenly spun a football at the tip of her finger.
Adrian blinked.
"Where did you get that?"
She smirked.
"I always carry one."
Of course she did.
She tossed the ball to him.
"Let's see something."
Adrian caught it smoothly.
"What do you want?"
She crossed her arms.
"Show me your control."
Adrian rolled the ball onto his foot.
Then started juggling.
One touch.
Two touches.
Five.
Ten.
Twenty.
The ball moved like it was attached to his body.
Not a single mistake.
Valentina's eyes widened slightly.
"You're insane."
Adrian smiled slightly.
But inside his mind—
[𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗞 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘]
Ball touches completed: 67 / 200
Adrian continued juggling as they walked.
Valentina shook her head in disbelief.
"You're actually training right now?"
Adrian shrugged casually.
"Always."
She watched him carefully.
Then smiled softly.
"I like that."
Meanwhile…
Far away…
Inside a luxury apartment overlooking downtown Miami.
Isabella scrolled through her phone.
Her screen displayed a football highlight clip.
The video showed Adrian scoring during the last school match.
The comments were flooding.
"Who is this guy?"
"Future star?"
"That finishing is crazy."
Isabella stared at the screen quietly.
Then clenched her jaw slightly.
"Adrian…"
Her pride wouldn't let her admit it.
But something inside her…
Was starting to feel uneasy.
Back on the quiet street…
Adrian finally stopped juggling the ball.
Valentina caught it.
"Tomorrow we should train together," she said.
Adrian nodded.
"Sure."
She smiled again.
"Good. Because Crown Meridian Academy's next match…"
Her eyes sparkled.
"Is going to be interesting."
Adrian felt the same.
Something was coming.
Something big.
And deep in his mind—
The Apex Predator System pulsed quietly.
Waiting.
Watching.
Preparing the next hunt.
What do you think will happen in the next chapter?
Will Adrian dominate the next match at Crown Meridian Academy, or will a new rival challenge him?
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