The day of the derby dawned grey and heavy, as if Lisbon itself understood the gravity of the match. The tension in the Sporting Academy dorms was thick, the halls unusually quiet, the typical banter of boys replaced by silent rituals—laces tied, music played low, prayers whispered into the walls.
Tobi stood by the locker room mirror, jersey already on—Sporting CP's green and white clinging to his chest like armor.
His phone buzzed. A video call from home.
He answered instantly.
"Tobi!" came the high-pitched voice of his little sister, Leonor, her curls bouncing as she leaned into the camera. "You better score today or I'll tell Mama you've been eating chocolate again!"
He smiled, tension momentarily fading. "No pressure, huh?"
"Leonor, let him breathe," came his mother's voice, calm but firm. She stepped into view, wearing a modest blouse, eyes tired but proud. "We're watching, filho. There are scouts from England, Spain—don't let them walk past you."
"I won't," Tobi said softly, his voice catching. "I promise."
She gave him that look only mothers could give—where love met expectation, and behind it, the silent prayer of a woman who had raised two children alone in a cramped Madeira apartment.
"And listen," she added. "If you play well, I'll push them to offer the professional contract early. You know what that means, right?"
Tobi did. Money. Stability. A future for his mother, for Leonor.
He couldn't afford to fail.
---
System Activation
Tobi blinked, calling on it with practiced thought.
> [FOOTBALL SYSTEM – PLAYER PROFILE]
Name: Tobi Oliveira
Age: 16
Position: CM / CAM
Club: Sporting CP U19
STATS
Dribbling: 78
Passing: 82
Vision: 85
First Touch: 79
Stamina: 74
Strength: 68
Acceleration: 81
Sprint Speed: 76
Composure: 84
Decision Making: 88
Mental
Confidence: 73
Ambition: 92
Resilience: 89
Emotional Control: 67
Traits Unlocked:
Snap Vision (Enhanced turning under pressure)
Calm Core (Bonus to composure in tight spaces)
Reputation: Regional (Portugal – Youth)
Market Value Estimate: €45,000
Next Milestone (Pro Contract): Estimated salary offer: €3,000/month + bonuses
Tobi inhaled deeply.
Today could change his entire life.
---
The Derby Begins
The game was held at Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, but the stands were full—families, scouts, and journalists from the youth football scene. Sporting vs Benfica was more than a game; it was war in cleats.
The Sporting squad jogged out to a wall of cheers. Benfica's red shirts filed out next, like shadows ready to pounce.
Tobi was slotted in central midfield beside Eduardo "Rayo" Costa. Ahead of them was João Dias. The pressure was immense. But Tobi's heart was quiet.
He'd already died once. What was a football match compared to that?
---
First Half: Controlled Chaos
Benfica played aggressively from the whistle. Their midfield three pressed like wolves, their center-back barked orders like a military sergeant. Every touch, every mistake, was punished.
By the 20th minute, the score was 0–1. Benfica's winger had curled in a screamer after dispossessing Rayo near the halfway line.
Mendes paced the sidelines. "Settle, dammit!"
Tobi didn't panic. He watched. Measured.
Then minute 28 came.
He intercepted a Benfica pass, skipped past a sliding challenge, and immediately opened the system mid-play:
> Live Tactical Suggestion Activated:
— "Right Wing Overload: João making diagonal run"
Execute One-Touch Switch? Y/N
Tobi tapped Y mentally and sent a lofted outside-foot pass that landed in stride for João.
The crowd gasped.
João feinted left, cut inside, and scored.
1–1.
Tobi clenched his fists, heart pounding.
---
Flashback: The Night Before Suicide
As the players jogged back to their half, Tobi's mind betrayed him—flashing back to his past life, the night he ended it all. Sitting on the edge of the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge, watching the world below glow like it didn't care.
He'd failed. Washed out in Belgium. No agent. No club. No hope.
And his mother, crying over rent and broken dreams.
That version of him had jumped.
But this version, here and now, was still alive. Stronger. Sharper.
Tobi Oliveira would not fall again.
---
Second Half: The Proving Ground
Coach Mendes' voice echoed in his mind: "They want ballers. Show them."
Minute 53: Pressed by two players—he used "Snap Vision", turned on his back heel, and drove upfield.
Minute 67: Benfica's playmaker went down under his slide tackle. Clean. Ball only. The referee gave a foul anyway.
Boos from the crowd.
Tobi stayed calm.
Minute 74: João was brought down in the box. Penalty.
"Tobi," Mendes called. "You take it."
His heart skipped.
The entire pitch faded.
Only the ball, the keeper, and the goal remained.
> Emotion Surge Detected
— "Emotional Control Modifier: -5"
Do you want to activate Calm Core? Y/N
Yes.
He stepped up. Breathed. Visualized Leonor's teasing face. His mother's tired smile.
And slotted the ball low left.
2–1. Sporting led.
The crowd erupted.
---
Full-Time Whistle
Sporting held on for the win. Benfica pressed till the last second, but Tobi remained a wall—calm, intelligent, untouchable.
As players hugged and collapsed in relief, Mendes pulled him aside.
"You've got scouts buzzing," he said. "And your mother's already calling to ask if she can see the offer in writing."
Tobi laughed through the sweat.
"Let her call."
---
> System Update
— Weekly Goals: ✅
— Bonus Achievements Unlocked
Trait Unlocked: "Derby Mindset" – Boosts mental stats during rival matches
Reputation Upgraded: Youth Star – Portugal
Market Value Estimate: €120,000
Incoming Offer: Sporting CP Pro Youth Contract
Monthly Salary: €3,200
Signing Bonus: €10,000
Agent Contact: Mrs. Marta Oliveira
---
Back at the Dorm
That night, as Lisbon slept, Tobi sat alone on his bed.
A knock.
A letter.
The official contract.
He stared at it for a long time, his hand trembling.
Leonor's voice played in his head:
"Do it, Tobi! Then you can buy me my unicorn pajamas!"
He smiled. Then cried.
And signed.
---