The Obsidian Throne's training grounds hummed with restrained energy as Ibukun stood before the Mirror of Shattered Souls—the final test before unlocking **Celestial Reflexes**. The air smelled of freshly cut celestial grass and polished steel, the walls lined with holographic replays of legendary matches.
The System's golden text pulsed:
***CELESTIAL TRIAL PARAMETERS***
**Test:** 45-minute training match (11v11, full rules)
**Primary Objective:** Complete 5 Celestial-Grade Plays
- 1 Qi-Infused Dribble (beat 3+ defenders)
- 1 Qi-Infused Through Ball (40+ yards, perfect weight)
- 1 Qi-Infused Long Shot (outside box, top corner)
- 1 Qi-Infused Cross (bend around defender)
- 1 Qi-Infused Free Kick (clear defensive wall)
**Reward:** "Celestial Reflexes" (Permanent) + 5,000 SP
**Failure Penalty:** -15% Qi Efficiency (1 Month)
Valentina leaned against the railing, her obsidian-clad fingers tapping a tablet. *"Adidas-Draconis is offering double if you score with their new boots today."*
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### **The Training Match**
**Starting XI (Celestial Academy Trialists - 4-3-3):**
1. Gorath (GK)
2. Rurik (LB)
3. Thalgrim (CB)
4. Varek (CB)
5. Dain (RB)
6. Kaelis (CDM)
7. Bryndal (CM)
8. Ibukun (AMF)
9. Dravik (LW)
10. Harkon (RW)
11. Mordrek (CF)
**Opponents (Obsidian Elite - 4-2-3-1):**
1. Korvath (GK)
2. Maldrek (LB)
3. Tharok (CB)
4. Ulfr (CB)
5. Svard (RB)
6. Voryn (CDM)
7. Zyrax (AMF)
8. Krogan (LW)
9. Gorruk (RW)
10. Draksis (CAM)
11. Azrik (CF)
Referee Orm the Unbiased checked his chrono-whistle. *"Standard rules. No intentional injuries. Qi is for football only."*
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### **First Half: The Grind**
**12' - Qi-Infused Dribble (Attempt 1)**
Ibukun received from Kaelis, immediately facing Voryn and Tharok. A double stepover made Voryn bite—**Qi-Infused Step** carried him past. But Ulfr's last-ditch tackle disrupted the play.
***SYSTEM FEEDBACK***
**Success Rate:** 68%
**Adjustment Needed:** Faster transition between feints
**27' - Qi-Infused Through Ball (Completed!)**
Spotting Harkon's run, Ibukun channeled Qi into a 45-yard diagonal. The ball bent around Svard like a homing missile, landing perfectly at Harkon's feet—**assist logged.**
***1/5 CELESTIAL PLAYS COMPLETE***
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### **Second Half: Mastery Display**
**53' - Qi-Infused Long Shot**
A cleared corner fell to Ibukun at 25 yards. He loaded **Gerrard's Thunder Strike** with Qi—the ball screamed into the top bins before Korvath could blink.
***2/5 COMPLETE***
**68' - Qi-Infused Cross**
Dravik overlapped as Ibukun carved an outside-foot cross that bent around Maldrek like a boomerang. Mordrek's header rattled the crossbar.
***3/5 COMPLETE***
**82' - Free Kick Opportunity**
Draksis fouled Bryndal 22 yards out. The wall lined up—Zyrax, Tharok, Ulfr all 6'5"+.
Ibukun exhaled, channeling Qi into his plant foot. The strike curled up and over, dipping violently to kiss the underside of the bar.
***4/5 COMPLETE***
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### **The Decisive Moment**
**89' - Final Test**
Needing one last Celestial Play, Ibukun:
1. **Qi-Stepped** past Voryn
2. **Velvet Touch** controlled Bryndal's pass
3. **Thunder Strike** from 30 yards—
—Korvath's fingertip save denied the hat trick, but Dravik buried the rebound.
***5/5 CELESTIAL PLAYS ACHIEVED***
***TRIAL COMPLETE***
---
### **The Aftermath**
Referee Orm nodded approvingly. *"Clean. Precise. Worthy of Celestial rank."*
The System's rewards flooded Ibukun's vision:
***CELESTIAL REFLEXES UNLOCKED***
→ **Reaction Time:** 0.08s (Human Limit: 0.15s)
→ **First Touch Control:** +20% in traffic
**New SP Balance:** 8,000
Valentina smirked, waving the Adidas-Draconis contract. *"They just tripled their offer."*
Jay-Jay's hologram appeared, now threaded with celestial energy. *"Now the real training begins."*
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