THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

"System," Zachary called out in his mind after going through the mental conditioning procedure to learn Steven Gerrard's Rocket-Launcher skill. "Bring up my current GOAT Skills data on the interface."

"DING"

"Command received," the system AI responded immediately. "The user's G.O.A.T Skills data coming up on the interface right away."

"Excellent." Zachary rubbed his hands together in anticipation. Without further ado, he focused his eyes on the contents of the translucent crystal-like display before him.

****

->G.O.A.T Skills: 11

(i) ZINEDINE-PIRLO MENTAL JUJU

[1st-level: Progress: 100%]

(ii) ZACHARY-ARROW-SHOT

[Progress: 1st level mastered beyond 100% completion]

(iii) BEND-IT LIKE BECKHAM JUJU

[Progress: 100%, Mastered beyond 100% completion]

(iv) CRUYFF-TURN

[Progress: 100%, Mastered beyond 100% completion]

(v) RONALDINHO ELASTICO DRIBBLE

[Progress: 100%, Mastered beyond 100% completion]

(vi) DEAD-BALL SPECIALIST JUJU (Quasi-Passive skill

[Progress: 100%, Mastered beyond 100% completion]

(vii) MARSEILLE TURN

[Progress: 100%, Mastered beyond 100% completion]

(viii) ROBINHO STEP-OVER JUJU

[Progress: 100%, Mastered beyond 100% completion]

(ix) ZINEDINE TOUCH MAGIC

[Progress: 100%, Mastered beyond 100% completion]

(x) CR7 AERIAL FINISHING JUJU

[Progress: 10%, Initial mastery achieved]

(xi) ROCKET-LAUNCHER STEVEN GERRARD

[Progress: 10%, Initial mastery achieved]

****

"DING!"

The system notification resounded within Zachary's mind as he was still perusing through the skills.

"The system has detected that the Zachary-Arrow-Shot and Rocket-Launcher Steven Gerrard skills match in usability and learning requirements," the AI's voice soon followed. "The system can help the user merge them into one at the cost of 2500 Juju points."

"Does the user wish to merge the two skills?"

"Yes, of course," Zachary readily agreed. "Proceed with the merging of the two skills."

He had learned Steven Gerrard's Rocket-Launcher skill in order to enhance his outside-of-the-box shooting ability. And the best way to achieve that was by merging the new technique into his already potent arrow shot.

After combining the two skills, he would have more versatility when unleashing long shots towards the goal. Be it curling shots, knuckleballs, or straight missiles -- he would be able to launch them all from anywhere within the final third.

"User's command received," the AI intoned after a moment. "The system has deducted 2500 Juju points from the user's stock. Merging of the Zachary-Arrow-Shot and Rocket-Launcher Steven Gerrard skills commencing in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0."

When the countdown reached the zero mark, an explosion went off within Zachary's mind. His thoughts turned into one jumbled mess as he experienced a splitting headache. For the next few seconds, it was as if someone was slicing his brain into pieces, and he gradually lost his senses. Fortunately, the abnormal state didn't last long, and he regained his regular faculties after a short while. He breathed in deeply to calm himself down as he listened to the system's notifications.

"Zachary-Arrow-Shot and Rocket-Launcher Steven Gerrard skill merging complete," the system AI intoned. "The user can go ahead and name the new skill."

"Just name it Zachary-Missile-Launcher," he replied.

"Command received," the AI said.

"Naming the new skill as Zachary-Missile-Launcher."

"DING"

"Skill data now updated within the system."

No sooner had the system notification resounded in Zachary's mind than the contents of the interface experienced changes. The number of G.O.A.T skills on the list reduced from eleven to ten as the Zachary-Arrow-Shot and Rocket-Launcher Steven Gerrard skills faded from the panel. In their place was a single skill, which was the Zachary-Missile-Launcher. It was already at the 80% mastery mark.

"This is great."

Zachary was delighted by the results. He only had to train the skill on a daily basis for less than a month, and he would achieve 100% mastery. He would then make the skill his own and use it in competitive matches without facing any challenges.

"I'm really looking forward to the future."

Zachary smiled as he turned his focus away from the skill list. He navigated through the system menu until he reached the gift pack page showing his most-recent rewards from the system. They included a dosage of the S-grade vitality-enhancing elixir and another of an S-grade mental-conditioning elixir. They were his prizes for completing the 2013/14 Europa League serial mission.

On glancing at the list of the rewards, Zachary could hardly contain his excitement. His heart was already racing with anticipation as the two elixirs were the perfect cheats to enhance his abilities in the shortest time possible. As long as he consumed them, his attributes, including game intelligence and physical fitness, would rise to incredible levels. Then, he would be able to amaze the world right after transferring out of Rosenborg and joining another team.

"Should I consume them right away?" Zachary mused. "No. I can't consume the vitality-enhancing elixir now as it will negatively affect my match fitness. But the mental-conditioning elixir is another story..."

Zachary had already consumed the A-graded version of the vitality-enhancing elixir and understood its side effects well. As long as he ingested it, all his fitness attributes, including his balance and coordination, agility, strength, and stamina, would experience marked improvements. But in the short run, such rapid and almost instantaneous progress would destabilize his skill mastery and cause him to experience a dip in form. As a result, he would start putting up mediocre performances in Rosenborg's next few matches and then lose his halo as a world-class young talent. Then, what would follow would be a depreciation of his value on the transfer market as big teams like Juventus lost interest in acquiring his services.

Zachary, of course, couldn't allow such a scenario to transpire. He had already resolved not to consume the elixirs unless they had no immediate side effects on his short-term match fitness. He would wait until his schedule opened up -- when he didn't have to play competitive football for about a month before ingesting the elixirs.

"System," Zachary mumbled, leaning back into the sofa. "What are the side effects of the mental-conditioning elixir? Will it negatively affect my fitness and skills in the short run after consuming it?"

"DING"

"Consuming the mental-conditioning elixir will not affect the user's match fitness and ball skills in a negative way," the AI replied. "Instead, it will boost the user's mental capabilities and allow the user a higher mastery over his body and capabilities. As such, it will allow the user to experience an all-round development of football capabilities without any negative side effects."

"Excellent," Zachary said as a soft smile outlined his face. If the mental conditioning elixir had no side effects, he would consume it first. As for the vitality-enhancing potion, he would keep it for later when he had the time to undergo targeted training to handle its adverse influence on his fitness.

"Bzzt Bzzzt! Bzzt Bzzzt!"

Zachary's phone started vibrating on a nearby table when he was planning to consume the elixir. He extended his arm and picked it up before glancing at the screen. The next moment, his eyes flickered with a trace of excitement when he realized that the call was from Emily, his agent.

"Hello, Emily," he said after pressing the accept button and placing the phone against his ear. "How's your morning?"

"My morning is fine, Zachary," Emily replied from the other end of the line. "But first things first: Let me start by congratulating you upon winning the Europa League. And also, congratulations upon winning the Europa League golden boot."

"Thank you," Zachary replied, his heart brimming with pride. "The final against Sevilla wasn't easy. But luck was on our side, and we managed to beat them."

Emily chuckled. "I see you're as modest as ever. But honestly, how do you feel after winning the Europa League?"

Zachary laughed. "I feel great. I feel like I'm on top of the world. Every time I close my eyes, I keep on picturing various moments of the final before visualizing myself holding the Europa League trophy. It's the best feeling in the world."

"That's good to hear," Emily said. "I'm really happy for you. Let's hope you'll have more trophy moments that will light up your world in the future."

"That's also my wish," Zachary said. "And I really feel like I'll have more of such incredible moments if I continue working hard both on and off the pitch."

"You surely will," Emily agreed. "Anyways: Now that the Europa League is over, it's time to put most of our plans into motion. First, we need to submit an official request to the Rosenborg management, showing your intent to transfer out of the club. It should officially notify the club to start listening to offers from other clubs during the upcoming transfer window. What are your thoughts on this, Zachary?"

"I'm with you on this issue," Zachary replied. "I also wish to complete my transfer as soon as possible. That way, I'll be able to say my goodbyes to Rosenborg early enough and rest for a month or two before joining my new club. So, you can go ahead and submit the request immediately. But make sure that the Rosenborg management understands that I would like to be the one that chooses the club where I'll be going. I don't want them to force me to go to an undesirable club just because they wish to make some extra profit."

"Great proposition," Emily said from the other end of the line. "I'll submit the request to management today. If all goes well, Rosenborg should start official talks with the clubs interested in your services as early as next week."

"Excellent," Zachary said. "I really hope that this transfer business concludes quickly. I can then focus on honing my skills and preparing for the new season in my new club in a new city, wherever that will be."

"Don't worry," Emily said from the other end of the line. "We already have offers from many clubs. Among those, your first choice destinations - Tottenham and Juventus have already tabled money that Rosenborg can't refuse. It's now only a matter of handling a few more negotiations and agreeing on personal terms with either club before sealing the deal. So, you can even complete your transfer before the World Cup in June."

"That would be for the best," Zachary said. "I really hope that everything works out quickly. By the way, how far with my grandma's Schengen identity card?"

"Oh," Emily said. "I almost forgot about that. The ID is already out. I'll pick it up tomorrow."

"That's great then," Zachary said. "My grandma is undergoing her last check-ups this week. With the valid Schengen ID, I can easily move her to any city I'll be heading to after completing my transfer out of Rosenborg."