My Football Legends Chat Group-Chapter 53: Wonderkid

"Hey, you must be Ethan. My name is Rio, nice to meet you." Rio stretched out his hand in greeting.

Ethan Ampadu looked at the extended hand and moved his gaze to Rio, looking him up and down. Originally his eyes were dull, almost as if looking through him, weary from another loan spell.

However, the once dull and listless eyes lit up a moment later.

"Likewise." Ethan grasped Rio’s hand in a tight grip, showing tremendous strength despite his lean physique.

Rio couldn’t help but smile as he felt the pressure of the handshake which seemed to be a test. Thanks to his recent gym work he was able to withstand the pressure quite easily.

A hint of respect flashed within Ethan’s eyes before he eventually eased up and took back his hand. Rio didn’t say anything else, grabbing his bib and heading off to the rondo circle.

But inwardly he was pleased. Already their interaction was wildly different from his previous life simulations in his head. Despite being a highly-rated Chelsea prospect, Ethan had scoffed at no-names, usually keeping to himself.

In his youthful mindset, he would have taken offense to this, starting off their relationship on a bad note. However, Rio was now mature enough (mentally 24ish) to move past such things. What use was a petty grudge when he wanted to win the Championship?

It was quite odd though when he thought about it. Why was Ethan’s reaction so different this time around? Could he sense that Rio was different?

Did he have some sort of instinctual ability to tell how talented someone was? Kind of like Rio had his Identify function.

’Ah, I almost forgot.’ As his mind moved to these thoughts, he quickly activated his Identify ability in order to record Ethan’s stats.

TO USE IDENTIFY ON THIS TARGET WILL COST 50 MAJOR POINTS DUE TO THE DISPARITY IN ABILITIES. WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE?

[YES/NO]

Rio’s eyebrow raised in response to the text that appeared in his vision. This had only happened when he tried to use Identify on Mateo. Did that mean Ethan was a monster like his best friend too?

’Nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ Rio mused inwardly before accepting.

NAME: Ethan Ampadu

AGE: 23

TALENT ASSESSMENT: A (S)

POTENTIAL: SS+

USER STATS:

Physical Fitness: A (A+)

Passing: A

Defending: A+

Game Intelligence: S-

Mental: A+

Note: Grades in brackets are before status modifiers.

Additional information: Currently suffering from ’Chelsea Loan Fatigue’ leading to decreased motivation and trust issues. The fatigue is mental, but continued instability could cause permanent stagnation.

ETHAN AMPADU’S DATA HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE COMPENDIUM.

Rio sucked in a cold breath of air, his face turning serious as he read on. Out of habit, he adjusted his shin guards, tapping them gently as he often did when he was anxious.

What the hell was this?

Was this the reason why Ethan had bounced around Europe like a pinball?

Usually, teams would do a full psychological evaluation before signing players. Could it be that the analysts saw the burnout and decided to pass on him until Leeds took the gamble?

More importantly, why did the System know this information?

"Rio, what’s wrong? Is your ankle hurting?" Archie asked with a whisper.

From his vantage point, he saw Rio suddenly turn pale and tap his shin guards so he immediately thought about the injury lie from earlier.

"I-It’s nothing," Rio said, feeling his mind race in response to the new information.

What was he to do with such information? It’s not like he could just walk up to him and say "Cheer up, mate, Chelsea sucks anyway," there’s no way he would be taken seriously.

Rio suddenly felt the immense pressure of someone’s career hanging over his head. If the stagnation became permanent, there was a large possibility that it could end Ethan’s rise to the top, leaving him as a "what if" story.

"Hurry up you lot! We’re burning daylight."

Manager Farke’s voice sang out from the center circle, snapping Rio out of his reverie. He quickly jogged over, now joined by another bunch of senior players in addition to the new signings.

"Alright, listen up. These are the defensive drills for the Southampton game. Today we’ll be running some high-intensity pressing so I can get a good assessment of who is ready to die for the shirt." His eyes moved across all of the players in front of him, evaluating.

"Now, run. Let’s run box-to-box sprints. When I blow my whistle once, you’ll need to increase your pace. If I blow two times I want the person at the back to sprint to the front of the pack."

The new signings in front of him didn’t have much of a reaction upon hearing the exercise, however, the veterans like Ayling and Cooper had a wry smile on their faces. They knew just how punishing Farke’s "Murderball" sessions were going to be and looked forward to the fresh legs failing.

Rio on the other hand had managed to switch gears fast. Perhaps it was because of his Mental ability increasing lately, but when it came time to perform he was able to push any worries aside.

"Let’s go!" Farke blew the whistle prompting the squad to begin the drill.

The veterans waved Rio and Ethan to the front of the pack, lining up behind them as they started their runs. Rio of course knew that by running at the front he would be the last to sprint, however, he was confident enough in his Iron Lungs (unlocked from the diet mission) to do so.

Both Archie and Ethan took positions right behind him as they began to jog across the pitch at a steady pace, followed by the twenty or so others.

FWHEEE

Rio heard the whistle and began to pick up the pace.

FWHEE FWHEE

Just like that, one of the veterans who was at the back of the pack ran leisurely on the outside and took up position in front of Rio, now becoming the front runner.

Another whistle sounded, resulting in them picking up the pace once again. While the others may be finding the exercise easy right now, Rio knew that they would start dropping like flies soon enough.

FWHEE

The pace increased. It was now a solid run, not a jog. The chatter died down. The sound of forty boots hitting the turf filled the air.

Rio glanced back. Ethan was right on his shoulder, breathing steadily through his nose. His face was a mask of concentration.

’He’s good,’ Rio thought. ’His fitness is elite.’

FWHEE FWHEE.

Archie Gray, who had drifted to the back, suddenly burst forward. The kid was fast. He sprinted past the group, gasping slightly, and took the lead.

"Good lad, Archie!" Farke shouted from the sideline.

Rio smirked. The kid had heart.

But now, Rio was in the middle of the pack. The next double whistle meant someone behind him would sprint.

FWHEE

Faster.

Rio felt his legs burn slightly, but the Iron Lungs skill kicked in. A cool sensation spread through his chest, regulating his breathing. It felt like he had an extra gear that no one else knew about.

FWHEE FWHEE

A heavy breathing sound approached from behind. It was Bamford. The striker pumped his arms, overtaking Rio and settling at the front.

"Fuck me," Bamford wheezed. "Farke is trying to kill us."

Rio chuckled, keeping his rhythm. "Save your breath, Pat. We’re only halfway."

Ten minutes passed. The group was thinning. Some players had dropped out, feigning cramps or simply unable to keep up.

Only ten players remained.

Rio, Ethan, Archie, Bamford, Struijk, Rodon, Kamara, James, Summerville, and Piroe.

Farke watched them closely, his arms folded. He wasn’t looking at who was fastest. He was looking at who was suffering but kept going.

He looked at Ethan Ampadu. The Welshman’s face was grim, his eyes fixed on the horizon. He looked like a man running away from something.

Then he looked at Rio. The Spaniard looked... bored? No, focused. His breathing was rhythmic, his stride efficient.

"Interesting," Farke muttered.

FWHEE

Sprint speed.

The group surged forward. Dan James flew to the front, his speed blistering. But Rio stayed with him. Ethan stayed with him.

FWHEE! FWHEE!!

This was it. The breaking point.

Rio was at the back now. He had drifted there deliberately.

The double whistle blew.

Rio exploded.

[Skill: Elastic Limbs Active]

[Skill: Iron Lungs Active]

His legs ate up the ground. He passed Summerville. He passed Piroe. He passed Ethan.

Ethan looked up, startled by the blur of white that just overtook him.

Rio reached the front, not panting, but smiling.

"On your left, Dan," Rio said, winking at the Welsh winger.

The session ended. Players collapsed onto the grass. Bamford was lying on his back, staring at the clouds.

"Water..." someone groaned.

Rio remained standing, hands on his hips. He looked over at Ethan, who was bent over, hands on his knees, dripping with sweat.

Rio walked over and offered a hand.

"Good run," Rio said.

Ethan looked up, sweat stinging his eyes. He took the hand and pulled himself up.

"You’re a machine, mate," Ethan said, shaking his head. "Where did you get those lungs? Real Madrid?"

"Something like that," Rio grinned.

Ethan laughed, a genuine sound that cracked his stoic mask. "Maybe this season won’t be so bad after all."

Rio saw a flicker in the System interface above Ethan’s head.

[Status Update: Ethan Ampadu]

[Condition: ’Chelsea Loan Fatigue’ -> ’Cautious Optimism’]

Rio smiled. It was working.

"Come on," Rio said, slapping Ethan’s shoulder. "Let’s go get some food. I know a place that does terrible pasta."

Ethan chuckled. "Lead the way, Wonderkid."

As they walked off the pitch, Rio felt a vibration in his pocket.

DING

[Hidden Objective Complete: The Leader’s Touch]

[Description: You have inspired a teammate who was losing hope.]

[Reward: Skill ’Captain’s Presence’ (Unlocked Early) + 200 Major Points]

Rio clenched his fist. The Captain’s Presence?