"TRYOUT: KELANA WARRIORS FC"
One week after I became captain of the school football club…
(Yep, they finally acknowledged my talent.)
One day, Coach from FLORA Secondary's Football Club handed us — Mika, Daniel, and me — a letter.
"What's this, Coach?" I asked, raising a brow.
"A tryout invitation. Kelana Warriors FC is looking for new youth players."
"WHAT?!? KELANA WARRIORS FC?!"
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Kelana Warriors Training Field | Saturday Morning | Cold winds, high hopes
The following week…
"This is the place…" I whispered, standing at the edge of the prestigious training ground. Kelana Warriors FC — the top youth team in the country.
Daniel and Mika stood beside me, eyes gleaming like warriors marching into battle.
Hundreds of students from all over had shown up. Everyone was fighting for a spot in this dream team.
Daniel slapped my back. "You ready, Captain?"
"Don't call me that," I muttered, but… my chest felt weird. Proud, maybe?
TRYOUT BEGINS.
A strict, sharp-eyed coach yelled, "SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!"
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First Session — Dribbling Obstacle Challenge
Players had to weave through cones in tight zigzags — fast, clean, no mistakes.
Daniel? Insanely fast, but his ball control slipped here and there.
Mika? Steady, focused — but his speed held him back.
Me? I visualized my last match with Daniel.
"Cheetah Claw…"
I dashed forward — not full speed, but controlled, precise. Each cone I danced around like it was part of a routine. Sharp turns, soft touches. Almost like a performance.
"Time: 12.4 seconds," said the assistant coach.
People stared, jaws dropped.
Coach gave a small nod. "This kid's… something else."
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Second Session — 1v1 Sparring
"Raphael vs Sham."
Sham — tall, sharp-eyed, a beast from the State Sports School. Everyone expected him to win.
I just smiled. "Wanna see my new move?"
He smirked. "Try me."
I sprinted forward — then slammed to a sudden stop. He lunged too far. I stepped over once, twice, then unleashed a powerful shot straight into the small goalpost.
"GOAL!!"
The crowd roared.
In that moment, something sparked in me —
The thirst to win. The hunger to become the best.
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AFTER THE TRYOUT
Coach stood before us all.
"Only five players will be chosen today."
Names were called. Some smiled. Some walked away in silence.
"…Daniel."
"…Sham."
"…Mika."
"…and… Raphael."
I froze for a moment.
Mika shouted, "WE MADE IT!!"
Daniel grinned, throwing an arm over my shoulder. "This is our new beginning."
I looked up at the sky, feeling the breeze, and deep down, I knew—
"Maybe… I really love this game."
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AFTERMATH
From that day on, we trained like maniacs.
Day in, day out. Non-stop.
We eventually beat the seniors in our team.
I invented more techniques over time — sharper, faster, deadlier.
I kept improving.
Until one day… Coach Shin made it official.
"Raphael, you're the new Captain."
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WITH GREAT POWER…
Came insane challenges.
Stubborn teammates. Clashing egos. Heavy pressure.
But with Daniel and Mika by my side, I held everything together.
I began to truly enjoy being captain.
I got challenged, pushed to my limits, even doubted myself sometimes…
But I grew stronger. Mentally. Physically. As a leader.
In the end, one thing was clear:
I won't just be great.
I'll be the greatest.
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— END OF SPECIAL CHAPTER: CAPTAIN RAPHAEL (3)