The match began with the sound of the referee's whistle. Right from the start, Ethan Yi took the ball and charged straight toward Capitalview First High School's penalty area. Any player who tried to stop him was left in the dust by his flashy footwork and dazzling skills, drawing waves of cheers from the crowd.
“Stop him!” Mason He shouted at the defenders. He had just been beaten head-on by Ethan Yi, and the humiliation made his blood boil. Meanwhile, Ethan sliced through Capitalview First High School’s defense like a sharp blade—clean and decisive!
“A clown team like this is only worthy of being a stepping stone for my team!”
Outside the penalty area, facing two defenders charging at him, Ethan Yi lifted his leg high and unleashed a powerful shot!
Bang!
The dull thud of his instep striking the ball echoed across the field. Under Ethan Yi’s foot, the soccer ball shot forward like a mad dog, racing straight for the goal!
“Save it!” Liam Liu’s face changed as he shouted.
The goalkeeper, face tense with nerves, tracked the ball’s path and leapt high, trying to intercept it mid-air. But the ball’s speed was beyond his imagination—it shot right through his hands and into the net!
Goal!
One to zero!
“How is that even possible? That guy—he’s a total freak!” Mason He stared wide-eyed at the ball in the net, still in shock.
He’d known Ethan Yi was strong, but figured even the best player was still just human. He never expected Ethan could cut straight through and score solo, relying purely on his skill.
It hadn’t even been five minutes since kickoff!
“Amazing!”
“Ethan Yi really is as incredible as the reports said—a true genius player!”
“With skills like his, joining the National Team is basically a sure thing. Capitalview First High School’s defense looks like it’s made of paper in front of him.”
Luke Lu and the others chimed in, their faces full of admiration as they watched Ethan Yi. But when their eyes shifted to Mason He and his teammates, all that was left was disdain.
“See that? That’s Ethan Yi’s skill! Even with moves like that, Coach Peter still wouldn’t bend the rules to let him straight into the national squad—let alone recommend him to Crisbeal. And you still have the nerve to claim Coach Peter once recommended you to Crisbeal? Get real.” Sharon Shen turned to Evan Lin, but his expression didn’t change at all. She sneered, “After the match, don’t forget to get me his autograph. You’d better pray Ethan Yi even remembers who you are!”
“Sharon, that’s a bit harsh...” Jason Liu felt awkward as he watched Sharon and the others gang up on Evan Lin.
He didn’t want Evan Lin to get dragged into trouble over something so pointless.
“What, Jason Liu, are you trying to lecture me now?” Sharon Shen put her hands on her hips. Jason quickly shook his head.
Seeing him like that, Luke Lu couldn’t help but snicker. “Jason Liu, right? With how spineless you are, who could ever like you? You think you can chase Sharon Shen?”
Luke Lu shook his head, his face full of disdain.
“Lynn, Ethan Yi’s soccer skills are unreal. Looks like Liam Liu, Mason He, and the others have no chance of winning. I just hope they don’t lose too badly.” In the Experimental Class 2 (Honors) section, a girl sitting next to Lynn Chen sighed.
“Just as the match started, Mason He looked over at us. He probably wanted to show off in front of Lynn, but now? He’s getting totally crushed.” Another girl leaned back in her seat, shaking her head.
Lynn Chen nodded and spoke softly, “Back when Ethan Yi was at Brightsea No. 2 High School, he was already the soccer genius of the whole Brightsea City high school scene. He even appeared in newspaper feature columns as a kid—all about his soccer skills.”
“I knew it! With a guy like Ethan Yi, his soccer talent must’ve shown up early.” Another girl agreed, then turned to Lynn Chen as if remembering something. “Hey, was there anyone at your school who could actually outplay Ethan Yi?”
“No way could anyone beat Ethan Yi. If there was, Coach Peter would’ve snatched them up for the national squad long ago. With a few more players like him, maybe China’s soccer team could make the World Cup!” A boy nearby clenched his fist, face full of excitement.
“Someone better than Ethan Yi...” Lynn Chen murmured. “Maybe there was...”
Lynn Chen spoke hesitantly. She hadn’t watched that Brightsea No. 2 High School soccer match herself, but the rumors said a boy had single-handedly torn through Ethan Yi’s whole team.
It really had become a legend in the whole Brightsea high school scene. But Lynn Chen had only heard bits and pieces—she’d never actually seen that guy play.
“Maybe there was? Who was it? Was he from Brightsea too? What’s his name?”
The others were all shocked by Lynn Chen’s words, turning to look at her in surprise.
Lynn Chen shook her head, staying silent. Her gaze wandered across the opposite stands, her gut telling her that guy had to be somewhere among the crowd.
Suddenly, Lynn Chen’s eyes locked onto a familiar figure sitting across the stands—the one with that indifferent, couldn’t-care-less attitude. Lynn was sure it was Evan Lin.
Lynn Chen stared at Evan Lin for a long time, but he never turned to look her way, leaving her with a faint sense of disappointment.
“Alright, let’s give it our best! No matter what, we have to fight to score at least one goal! And don’t let the pressure get to you—losing this match isn’t shameful. If you score, you’re a hero! That’s all that matters!” Liam Liu looked at his dejected teammates, trying to lift their spirits.
Liam Liu had already given up on winning. He fully understood the gap between professionals and amateurs.
As he spoke, Ethan Yi glanced over with a grin. “Sorry, but I’m going to score at least four more goals—five to zero will be the final score. That’s me giving you third-rate players some face.”
Ethan Yi was close to the stands, and his voice was loud. Liam Liu and the others heard him clearly; their faces flushed red with indignation.
The stands erupted in an uproar!