1 Day left before Rivermark's trial Day 2 commences.
At Rivermark Academy, Kelly Mercer walks down to the Dean, Mr. Damocles' office to request he has a word with Coach Joe.
She goes to the front door of Mr Damocles' office and knocks on the door.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in, come in", Mr Damocles said, while seated comfortably by his desk, signing some papers.
"Good afternoon Mr. Damocles", Kelly said, as she sat on the chair in front of Mr. Damocles' desk.
"Ms. Kelly, hope all is well" he asked.
"Well yes, I just came around to remind you of our agreement, seeing that the trial Day 2 is around the corner" Kelly responds.
"Oh yes, I won't forget. I will speak to Coach Joe later today, after school, and let him know". Mr. Damocles said.
Kelly Mercer stood up, ready to go out of the office after hearing what she wanted to hear.
"Alright sir, that's all I came here for", Kelly said.
"But Kelly, tell me... why do you care so much about this anyway" Mr. Damocles asked.
Kelly stopped and turned around. "I want the best for Rivermark, we haven't won anything in years, at least-"
Mr. Damocles interrupted. "Well, your brother was a shining light for the team. Perhaps you should have convinced him to stay a little longer"
Kelly didn't want to respond. She turned around and walked towards the door.
"Dad convinced him to go, there was nothing I could do" she said and walked out the door.
Mr. Damocles smiled.
"If we come against your brother's team during the tournament... we might as well just forfeit to avoid a loss we all would never want to witness" he said to himself, while continuing to sign his papers.
Later that afternoon.
Coach Joe, in his office, was dusting some awards and medals, which were won by Rivermark students more than 10 years ago.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in" Coach Joe said.
Mr. Damocles opened the door, stepped in and closed the door behind him.
"Damocles, nice seeing you here. Is there anything I could help you with?" Coach Joe asked.
Mr. Damocles sat down, looked at the awards which Coach Joe was cleaning and nodded his head in disapproval.
"It's been way too long, the golden age of Rivermark might be gone. I mean You're getting old, and I'm getting older" Mr. Damocles said.
"What do you mean by that? it doesn't mean we can't make a comeback" Coach Joe asked.
"I didn't say we couldn't make a comeback... I'm saying, if you really want this team to move forward and actually challenge for trophies...
Maybe you should reconsider some students whom you gave automatic passes, one of which is that traitless boy" Mr. Damocles said, while looking at an old photo of the Rivermark team which won the National college championship 15 years before.
"I see what you mean... but I'm afraid, I can't cancel out his name. He has potential" Coach Joe said before being interrupted.
"Oh let's not talk about potential now Joe... we both know 'potential' at this point is just a fancy word, it dosent carry much meaning anymore " Mr. Damocles said muttered.
He stood up, "20 years ago is different from today, make the right choice... or I will" Mr. Damocles said and walked towards the door to leave.
Coach Joe chuckled, "You've always been cocky Damocles, too bad you never got to win an actual professional trophy...
your ego was your downfall, and that will never change" Coach Joe muttered, while putting down the last medal on the shelf.
Damocles didn't respond, he left the office and shut the door.
Trial Day.
Sonny, woke up bright and early. He took his bath and brushed his teeth. After he brushed his teeth, he wore his clothes and packed his school jersey into his bag.
He stood at the mirror and admired how confident he was. "You can do this!" He said to himself, with a grin on his face.
He came out of his room, his mom, Julian and took a quick snack from the fridge.
"Good luck Sonny, don't hurt yourself" Julian blurted.
"Yeah... make sure you score some goals" his sister Kora exclaimed.
Sonny reached the school side. They had quick classes that day, which was a Wednesday and by afternoon school was over and they got ready to head to the field for the trial Day 2 match.
In the locker room, the remaining 38 players which made it through to Day 2, were getting dressed.
Some were praying, and some were joking and laughing with one another.
Most were just happy to be there and weren't too concerned if they would pass or not.
Sonny was seated on the bench, thinking about his odds of going through. He hoped to be in a strong team but wanted tough opponents.
"I have to have tough opponents so I can show what I can do and hopefully show my trait. There isn't any room for error or relaxation today" he thought to himself.
"What's up Sonny" Yagami Noah blurted, and sat on the bench.
"Oh, Yagami, what's up" Sonny replied.
"You seem ready for this trial, don't get too worked up now" Yagami chuckled.
"I guess you're right.. I just have to show coach that I'm good enough for the team. I've been training for this pretty much all my life" Sonny muttered and tightened his fist.
"Ohhh, I see. Don't worry too much, this match is gonna be epic. Just fight till the end, never give up, aiit?!" Yagami said.
"Yeah, you're right" Sonny replied.
The candidates were called to start going to the field to begin the selection of the two teams and substitutes to play.
Coach Joe and his assistants came up and spoke to the candidates.
He told them what the activity would be and how it was going to be held.
He explained that what he wants to see is the players' ability to thrive under pressure. He wanted them to show their skill, intelligence, athleticism and all other quirks of a great player.
The pressure was immense, some students stayed back from going home to watch the match unfold.
Only the best 18 players would pass this trial, there was no room for mistake, only brilliance