Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Foundation for Normalization (2)
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“Ahh...”
Lee Dae-yong forgot he was even on the phone as old memories flooded back.
The days when the entire nation was obsessed with soccer, when everyone united under the beautiful game...
'If you're Korean, root for Man United already!'
That moment sparked a massive overseas soccer boom in Korea, and now it's become the mainstream culture.
But as they say, the sun shines brightest right before it sets.
Korean soccer blazed brilliantly for a time before the decline slowly set in.
“Director Lee Dae-yong. It's impossible with the current association. It needs a complete overhaul. And for the sake of Korean soccer, I'll do whatever it takes.”
“Player Ban Yeager...”
The association president himself stepping up to save hopeless Korean soccer...
A man with both the skill and character had finally appeared.
How many talents had been crushed underfoot by the association up to now?
Yet Ban Yeager shone brighter than any of them, revealing himself to the world without anyone's help—despite the association's interference.
And now, it seemed he was about to extend that brilliant light to Korean soccer.
“I need you for my plan, Director.”
“...”
It was touching, heart-stirring stuff...
But changing the world—especially the soccer association—couldn't be done with words alone.
“Player Ban Yeager.”
“I've got plans and preparations ready. I'll prove it. Help me out.”
“Anyone can say that. It's not enough...”
It was practically impossible.
...
That's exactly why people yearned for it so desperately, wasn't it?
Soccer had always been the sport of miracles.
“So I want to see it for myself. I'll head to Manchester.”
“Pardon?”
Ban Yeager showed a childlike reaction for the first time.
The guy preaching an ideal future, convincing me when I'd given up on the impossible—he was just a 17-year-old kid.
'Born talents show from the first leaves...'
“I'll follow up on the schedule. I'll work around your matches, so no worries.”
“Thank you. I'll have your jersey ready, Director.”
“Haha, appreciate it. Talk soon.”
I'd thought it was just talk, but no.
Ban Yeager's jersey alone was reason enough to head to Manchester.
——
Click—
“It actually worked?”
I'd half-doubted it, but I never expected it to go this smoothly.
I had a whole lineup of episodes blending fierce national pride and heartfelt passion ready, but he folded before I even unpacked the first one.
Of course, the real story was just beginning, but that already meant half the battle won.
The plan I'd prepared was ironclad—any entrepreneur would jump at it, and any soccer fan would find it gloriously romantic.
Lee Dae-yong ticked both boxes. No escape for him.
——
Once things start going right, they just keep rolling, huh?
After laying solid groundwork with Lee Dae-yong, I headed to training the next day and ran into a welcome face.
“Yeager!”
“Oh, you made it?”
The owner of that friendly face: Lucas Cruydt.
Coach Darren Fletcher had said he'd send him right away, but I didn't expect it this quick.
“Finally get to play together! Can't wait to see how good the first-team guys are!”
“Uh... yeah...”
Better not to build expectations, but blurting it out like that felt off.
“Ooh~ Newbie, huh?”
“Kid's got some size on him.”
“Hmm... Takes him three days and four nights to turn around. No match for me.”
Manchster United's infamous chaotic trio sauntered over like they'd spotted something fun.
Whatever—at least with Lucas Cruydt as striker, he'd be syncing with me most after myself. Not a bad setup.
“Hello...! Lucas Cruydt here!”
“Ah, you're the striker Yeager's been hyping?”
“Heard about you...”
“Says you're a generational talent...”
Garnacho, Mount, and Antony chiming in like a third-rate trio.
Did they really wanna say that with the rumor source—me—and Lucas right there?
I wasn't expecting much anyway, but since we'd play together once he settled in, worth testing the chemistry...
Ahh... Shea Leish.
Missing that promising dragon from the U-17 World Cup...
“Uh, Yeager...”
“I'm with you.”
“Huh...?”
“I get what you're saying. Know why I wanted you here?”
“Exactly!...”
“You got kidnapped.”
Anyway, joining first-team training was good, right?
Lucas would just have to deal.
“I'll set you up—show 'em what you got today.”
“Got it..!!”
Thanks to the chaotic trio, maybe?
The rookie fresh to first-team training, Lucas Cruydt, brimmed with confidence.
'These guys are the first-team starters?'
Probably thinking something like that.
“Everyone, gather up!!”
At our captain Harry Maguire's call, players trickled out to the sidelines.
Coach Darren Fletcher then split us into Team 1 and Team 2 for scrimmage.
As usual, Team 1 was the starters, Team 2 the subs.
Just like my first time, Coach gave Lucas the pick.
He chose Team 1, naturally.
Probably because of me, but even without, starters was the right call.
Benjamin Sesko naturally shifted to sub-team striker.
“Yeager, I'll give it my all.”
“Yeah yeah, you got this~”
I ran Template 3: Lucas Pep Talk, then started warming up.
For reference, starters' left winger was Mason Mount, right was Antony.
Finally got a striker, and one winger bails.
“Didn't say it last game since we won, but your passes were too strong.”
“Ah... I'll adjust.”
So Antony's disastrous first touches were my fault...
“Haa...”
'Leish... come back soon...'
Two more weeks till his training return. Worried about the six games in between.
“Take your positions!”
Worrying wouldn't change anything. Just work harder.
I hadn't fully adapted to this playstyle yet either.
No choice but to grind.
That day, even in scrimmage, Lucas Cruydt and I combined for 7 goals, dominating.
Rumors of me parachute-dropping my buddy? Vanished instantly.
——
“Truly impressive.”
Back in Coach Darren Fletcher's office again.
At this point, it'd feel weirder not stopping by post-training.
“Truly impressive...”
Coach kept repeating himself, stunned.
Obviously about Lucas Cruydt's skills.
“Obsession with goals, mental strength—stood out. Turning his body into a weapon for shots from any angle? Remarkable.”
Definitely not a full hexagon striker yet—plenty lacking.
But those gaps would fill over time. I'd seen the completed version myself.
Above all, his innate scoring instinct and grit were elite. More than enough on their own.
“Type who shines closer to real matches. Didn't see this destructiveness in youth team—steady first-team reps look good.”
At this rate, Lucas's debut wasn't far.
Clubs always welcome young talents proving quick—show potential, they'll push.
“Can I head out then?”
“Haha! No need for my say unless it's urgent! Gotta study how to use Cruydt more.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Coach liked Lucas too.
Who wouldn't? Scoring striker unearthed for a hopeless attack line.
I left one worry behind, steps light as I exited the building toward the training grounds.
“Hm?”
Someone at the main entrance—Lucas Cruydt.
First day with the first team, waiting for his closest pal: me.
Typical teen stuff. I'd walk with him.
Mid-chat about his first-team impressions...
“Yeager.”
Lucas turned serious, calling my name.
Paused after, so I waited quietly.
We were heading out anyway—no time wasted.
...
Almost at the exit when he finally spoke.
“Should I naturalize?”
“...What?”
“Is the striker competition in Korea that fierce?”
Jackpot just hit. Insane.