Kelvin and his group began to leave the stadium, chatting among themselves about the anxiety building up for the final. For some, it was nerve-wracking. For others, like Kelvin and Kazana, it was pure excitement — finally, they'd face a truly strong team.

Meanwhile, Erick was heading back to the locker room when Lian, the captain of Héra's team, stood waiting for him with arms crossed, deadly serious.

"You really played a good game, Erick"

Erick gave him a serious look.

"Thanks", he said, continuing toward the locker room.

"But I need you to understand something", Lian paused, turning toward Erick. "I want you to start respecting the Héra team. Your behavior is unacceptable"

Erick stopped and turned around at those words.

"My behavior? I literally scored the damn three goals that won this match"

Lian started walking toward him.

"The match could've been way better if you had played from the beginning. With Saiko injured and Otávio sick, we're out of defenders — and you're our only forward. This team already has enough problems; we don't need another one inside the squad", He sighed. "Now, Erick, do me a favor and show up early for tonight's game"

Erick let out a dry, humorless chuckle and stopped walking, turning fully toward Lian. The locker room was only a few meters away, but the tension between the two was thick — like the air had gotten heavier.

"So that's it?", Erick said, staring the captain straight in the eye. "I save the match, score three goals in under nine minutes, and I still get a lecture?"

"It's not just about goals", Lian replied firmly. "It's about responsibility. About wearing this jersey as part of a team — not treating it like your personal playground"

Erick let out a bored sigh and looked away, as if he'd heard this before — and didn't care.

"Doesn't matter what time I show up. You know damn well that as long as I'm in the game, we're gonna win", he replied, without raising his voice. "No one controls me, Lian. I do what I want, when I want. Now leave me alone"

Erick began walking out of the stadium, while Lian said something else — but Erick didn't hear it.

He left the stadium without looking back. Lian's muffled shouts were swallowed by the afternoon breeze that blew through the sports complex. Erick passed through side corridors, ignoring greetings, curious glances, even staff members who were still talking about his insane performance in the semifinal.

But Erick didn't want to hear any of it.

He climbed a side staircase and walked to the rooftop of one of the administrative buildings in the complex. It was high, isolated — a place almost no one went to. From there, he could see parts of the auxiliary fields, the stadium roofs, and the sky, already painted with the colors of late afternoon.

He sat down with his back against the wall and tossed his backpack to the side. The wind gently rustled his hair, and the silence of that height seemed to numb his thoughts — or at least tried to.

He pulled his knees up, crossed his arms over them, and rested his chin, staring at the sky for a few quiet minutes.

His body was heavy from the game. His mind, tired from constant pressure. His ego — proud and strong — was slowly giving way to a void. And in that moment of exhaustion… Erick closed his eyes.

***

Meanwhile...

Kelvin and the others were leaving the stadium at a relaxed pace, chatting and laughing. The semifinal was over, but the excitement of the final approached fast.

"Did you guys see that kid from Héra?", Felipe said, still catching his breath. "That dude looked like he was on another level. It was surreal"

"Three goals in under ten minutes…", Rodrigo shook his head, in disbelief. "I didn't even know you could run like that without an engine in your legs"

Kazana laughed, but unlike the others, his face showed no fear — only excitement.

"That's the best part!", he said, fired up. "Finally, someone who'll push us to play at our absolute best! I was getting bored of winning so easily"

Kelvin just listened, a slight smirk at the corner of his mouth. But inside, his blood boiled. Not with anger — but with challenge. He had watched part of Héra's match from afar, and yes, Erick was a beast. A striker with rhythm control, explosive speed, and a coldness that bordered on contempt for others.

But that only made the final feel even more special.

"It's gonna be one hell of a match", Kelvin finally said. "And that's why we can't slip up. Not even for a second"

"I agree", said Dante, walking just behind with Ian. "If we mark him right from the start, we might be able to shut the game down"

"If he shows up, that is…", Ian muttered, remembering Erick's absence at the beginning of the last semifinal.

The group kept walking toward the dorms, backpacks slung over their shoulders and a bright spark of anticipation in their eyes. As they passed by other athletes, spectators, and coaches, all anyone could talk about was the big final that night.

Kelvin looked up at the sky. The sun was hiding behind the clouds, as if the world itself was holding its breath for what was about to come.

"I need to be at my best", he thought. "He's coming. And when he does... I want to beat him with everything I've got"

***

The stadium lights blazed at full intensity. The crowd in the stands roared. Names were shouted, flags waved, and the echoes of the stadium carried everyone's energy.

"Now entering the field: the Sanu school team!", announced the announcer, as Kelvin and the others stepped onto the pitch

Every heart beat faster in their chests.

From the opposite tunnel, Héra's team emerged. Dressed in dark uniforms, walking with a serious posture. But among them… no sign of Erick.

Kelvin frowned for a moment, scanning the players. The number 10 of Héra was missing.

"Think he didn't come?", Felipe muttered.

Kelvin didn't answer. Deep down, he knew… Erick would come.

The kick-off was in Sanu's favor, and Kazana was already set to start the match, just waiting for the referee's signal.

But as the match hadn't started yet, Kelvin noticed something strange... The system hadn't given him any mission related to the final. He took a deep breath, finding the silence from the interface oddly suspicious.

The referee then blew the whistle, signaling the start of the match.

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