THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Life In Academy II

Zachary let himself off the treadmill as sweat stuck to his skin like freshly melted snow crystals. His legs were empty—and there was a growing nausea feeling from his stomach.

It never ceases to amaze him how the muscles that had worked so hard just a few seconds ago then struggled to hold his weight. He relaxed for a few seconds before jumping into the exercise machine once again to restart the high-intensity routine.

Zachary has only one exercise left to complete the system mission he has been working on for over a year.

He was pleased with the training plan designed by the system. High-intensity interval training mimics the rhythm of a real-— football match where a player can quickly switch between walking around the field and running into the box.

He has been going through the routine for more than six months to condition his body to adapt to an efficient way of using oxygen and prepare for a sudden change in pace in the game.

That system gradually increased the frequency or number of repetitions in his running routine on the treadmill.

For example, the system had assigned him a 30-second weekly task of repeating high-speed sprints on a treadmill, spaced out with 1-minute rest intervals during the first three months of the mission. The following months, the mission consisted of shorter and shorter rest intervals to increase the intensity of the exercise.

Zachary continues to increase the pressure on his musculoskeletal system to gain muscle size, strength, and endurance. And his efforts have paid off during the training years. He is physically stronger than he was the year before.

Zachary is confident he can survive a physical fight against the strongest U-19 Rosenborg. He was itching for an official match to test his skills.

Zachary is in a good mood as his body gets stronger as the moon goes on. On the treadmill, he always felt fast up there, excited. To feel its power, feeling its own body fly at such speed before slowing down, it gave immediate feedback to the soul and kept its inner flame healthy and bright.

"DING"

The system notification reads when he is in the eighteenth routine of a high-intensity workout. It was music to Zachary's ears because it showed that he had completed the final task of an exaggerated one-year progressive fitness training mission.

Before he knew it, Zachary smiled a small, twisted smile, like a little boy's smile determined not to cry. He felt the agony of intensive training coupled with the happiness of completing the mission of the system. The two combined to give him a sadistic euphoria.

However, he did not stop to open the system interface. He kept running on the treadmill— until he completed twenty high-intensity exercise routines for the day.

"OK, kids. First, come here" shouted Coach Johansen from the gym's stretch and mobility area. She was wearing her usual unique style outfit— in a loose black Nike sportswear.

"It's rare" Paul commented. "The coach gives a lecture in the morning. Maybe something important is coming."

"Like a match? Or more like cutting a certain player!" Kasongo frowned.

"Stop speculating" cut Kendrick. "Let's see what he says." He turned towards Zachary—who had just gotten off the treadmill before asking: "Have you come?"

"Of course." Zakaria smile. He reached out his hand and took out a bottle of water from his backpack before downing the water. "Oh, that's refreshing." He sighed on the sidelines of his gasping breath.

"Let's go and hear what the coach has to say this time," he told friends of his flat after he set his breath.

"Is everyone here?" coach Johansen asked, his gaze exploring the sixteen players sitting in the middle of the gym.

"Master," said Coach Bjorn Peters. "I've received a call—and everyone is here." He was a man of medium height with a firm face and deep eyes. His regular gym workouts made his chest, arms, and shoulders loaded with muscle made him resemble a bodybuilder instead of a soccer coach.

"Big." Coach Johansen nodded. "I'm glad you're now taking your physical training seriously. Had anyone not been present for no reason, they would have faced an axe today."

"I hope it's a good morning for everyone here!" Coach continued. "Moving. You will undergo many annual reviews in the next two weeks. We want to assess your progress over the past twelve months. So, we have hosted two matches where you can show off your training results over the past year. "

"Next Friday, you play against a Rosenborg U-19 team that is combined with a reserve team. The Friday after that, you will face the senior Rosenborg team. Are you not excited?" The coach grinned, looking around the gym.

"Play against the senior Rosenborg team for our review! How should we play against experienced players? Academy officials aren't serious..." The muttering of the players strengthened the already tense atmosphere in the gym.

"Shut up," cried Coach Johansen, furrowing an eyebrow. "This is an opportunity for you. Rosenborg officials will be watching. You have the opportunity to get into the Reserve team or even be seen by the head coach. What are you afraid of?"

"As long as you've improved, you don't have to be afraid to play against the reserves or the senior Rosenborg team" the coach said. "We don't expect you to win, but to perform at your best even when facing players above your level. It will be a valuable experience for your budding football career."

The players around the gym calmed down after hearing his ordeal. Although they seemed worried, they could not force the coach to change the annual review. They just had to swallow their anger and anxiety.

But Zacharias are different. He wanted to test his abilities against high level players. Only then will Zachary measure his progress and determine if his skills are good enough to join a professional league. Moreover, he is hungry for games because he does not play one official game in a year.

"Coach!" One of the players raised his hand after the coach finished making the announcement.

"Yes. You can ask your questions, Martin." Coach Johansen nodded at the player.

"How many U-17 players should be removed from the team after this review?" The skinny and skinny boy asked.

"You know I can't tell you that." Coach Johansen grinned. "But we need very few players from your team to join the U-19 group. However, if you all play a bad game, then you will all be kicked out of the team. So, do your best."

"There's another question?"

All players remain silent.

"Okay, great." The coach smiled. "Let's meet at the NF training ground at 15:30 today. We'll start pre-match practice then—so don't be late."