Chapter 4

Lazy Genius Striker - Chapter 4 (4/202)

< Chapter 003 – Tryout >

May 1, 2027.

Today is the day of the tryout to select new players for the West Ham Academy's U18 team.

“Huff, huff!”

“Okay, I feel good today. I think I can pass!”

At the training ground where the tryout was being held, many children were actively warming up.

There were easily over fifty of them.

However,

Only five will ultimately be selected to join the academy.

Even if the club's standards are not met, it's possible that not even one of the five will be selected.

The maximum is five, not a minimum of five.

That's why the West Ham Academy's tryout is not an easy hurdle to be taken lightly.

The training ground was filled with tension.

On one side of the stands,

Johan and Ban Seokho sat side by side, looking out onto the field.

Johan was here because his brother had asked him to come to the training ground.

His brother thought that having his younger brother there would be a big encouragement.

He couldn't refuse his brother's request, so he came.

“...”

“...”

An awkward silence hung between father and son.

Like most fathers and sons, they weren't the type to have much conversation.

Most of the time, it was one-sided nagging rather than actual dialogue.

While Ban Seokho had a lot to talk about with Rohan due to their shared interest in soccer, Johan disliked talking about soccer, so there was little to discuss.

However,

Even just sitting there awkwardly made Ban Seokho secretly happy.

Being at the soccer field with Johan.

Even though he knew it was only because of his brother's request.

Still, just by sitting there and feeling the passion the kids were exuding,

Maybe his son's thoughts would change.

It's a common story, after all.

Like when a friend goes to an audition and ends up becoming a top star.

‘What am I thinking.’

Ban Seokho realized he was getting ahead of himself.

What was he thinking with Rohan's tryout just around the corner?

He should be praying for Rohan's success after all the hard work and sweat he had put in.

“Johan.”

“...Yes?”

“Let's cheer for your brother.”

“Okay.”

Ban Seokho's attempt to break the awkward silence.

Johan responded briefly.

Though their thoughts differed, their hope for Rohan's success was the same.

Please, let all the hard work pay off today.

“Everyone, pay attention! Come up one by one and get your jerseys. We'll start soon!”

The tryout was about to begin,

And Ban Seokho and Johan started watching the field with nervous expressions.

*

The tryout process was simple.

Starting with basic physical tests, they would be evaluated on dribbling, passing, and kicking, and then show their tactical movements in given situations.

Finally, they would play an 11v11 match.

During this entire process, the candidates had to showcase their skills and potential, and if they failed to impress the coaches, they would have to go home.

“Candidates, line up in the order of the letters and numbers on your jerseys. If you're A1, stand at the front of this row. We'll start with the physical tests.”

The physical tests began.

Starting with a simple straight-line course, they moved on to a course where they had to change direction at high speed, and a course where they had to move in all directions between cones arranged in a square.

The tests evaluated speed, stamina, agility, quickness, and balance.

“Beep! Number 13, come forward.”

“I, I want to try again!”

“No, that's fine. Come forward.”

“A, no way!”

As soon as the tests began, candidates started being eliminated one after another.

The eliminated candidates all pleaded for one more chance, but the coaches were ruthless.

The tryout was, after all, for additional selections.

The club had already recruited promising players through scouting,

So the expectations for the candidates at the tryout were not high.

Therefore, the tryout was like walking on thin ice; any mistake could lead to elimination.

That's why Ban Seokho and Johan, watching Rohan's turn approach, couldn't help but feel anxious.

‘But he always scored well in physical tests.’

Still, the physical tests weren't a major concern.

After all, the family had a natural talent for physical attributes.

Every male in the family, including the brothers, was over 180 cm tall, and they had good physical conditions.

Being tall didn't mean they lacked agility or balance.

And stamina was a given.

Rohan, who trained every day, naturally had good stamina.

Even in previous tests where he was eliminated, Rohan always scored high in physical tests.

However, there was one concern.

His ankle injury, which he wasn't sure had fully recovered.

“Next, Number 15.”

“It's Rohan's turn.”

Ban Seokho and Johan swallowed hard as Rohan's turn came.

As they watched anxiously, Rohan started running.

Tap, tap, tap!

However,

“Ugh...”

Ban Seokho's brow furrowed as he watched Rohan run.

The first test was a 10-meter shuttle run.

Rohan had always done well in this test during training.

However,

Today, his body seemed heavy.

His running form looked a bit off, different from usual.

‘It’s not fully recovered, is it...’

It seemed his right ankle was bothering him.

He had certainly done his best to recover,

But since the injury was recent, it was bound to cause some discomfort.

Ban Seokho was worried that if he got injured again at this crucial moment, it would be disastrous.

As a result,

It seemed to Ban Seokho that Rohan wasn't giving his all.

His fears were becoming reality.

‘This isn’t good.’

It was a serious issue.

Still, it probably wouldn't be enough to eliminate him.

But Rohan's goal wasn't just to make it to the end; it was to be one of the final five selected.

Scores were given in real-time, and candidates who didn't meet the standards were immediately eliminated.

Among the remaining candidates, the final selections were based on total scores.

So, it was crucial to score as high as possible in areas of strength.

“Beep! Okay, next!”

From Rohan's less-than-pleased expression after the first test,

It didn't seem like he would score very high.

‘Ah, what a cruel twist...’

It was a heartbreaking situation.

Rohan was desperate.

So desperate that he had injured himself while training.

But now, that desperation was holding him back.

What a cruel irony.

“Now comes the real challenge...”

But the real problem was yet to come.

Rohan had passed the physical tests,

But the upcoming sessions would reveal his weaknesses.

The next test was dribbling.

A course where candidates had to zigzag through poles set in a row.

It required both speed and precise control.

Rohan had been eliminated three times out of five in this course.

It was his weakest point.

‘Dribbling is a talent that can't be perfected through training alone...’

Dribbling, in particular, was a true test of talent.

Why would dribblers be so highly valued if anyone could do it with enough training?

It couldn't be achieved through training alone.

If it could,

There would be no players who couldn't dribble.

Rohan had spent the most time preparing for this dribbling test,

But he was still worried.

Moreover, his failure in the physical tests might make him more anxious.

He just hoped Rohan could perform at 200% without being affected.

“Beep!”

Rohan's dribbling test began.

He slowly brought the ball to the first pole,

Tap, tap!

Then, he quickly increased his speed from the first pole where the time measurement started.

The start was not bad.

However, while speed was important, it was crucial not to rush.

The more anxious one became, the more likely mistakes would happen.

He just had to follow his training and let his body move naturally.

However,

The concerns were already showing.

His speed was faster than during training, but as expected,

Mistakes started to happen.

“Tsk...”

Ban Seokho bit his lip.

It was a minor mistake.

The ball had just bounced a bit too far.

But once a mistake happened, the rhythm was broken.

Trying to cover it up in a hurry often led to more mistakes.

Tap, tap!

Tap, tap!

The dribbling became more erratic.

The rhythm for zigzagging through the poles became irregular, and his speed naturally slowed down.

From the stands, it was clear how precarious the situation was.

‘Damn...’

The desperation of it possibly being his last chance.

The lingering effects of the injury.

The growing anxiety.

Ban Seokho couldn't help but feel heartbroken watching Rohan struggle to perform.

In fact, this had been the pattern every time.

Rohan did well during training.

He was certainly not at a level where he couldn't pass the academy tryout.

But he was weak in real situations.

As always, it was due to his weak mental fortitude.

Just like now, his anxiety was leading to a series of mistakes.

Rohan often crumbled under pressure.

‘If only he hadn’t been injured...’

Johan felt both heartbreak and anger.

He knew his brother's usual capabilities.

Rohan was capable of much more than this.

When in good condition, he was competitive with the other kids taking the test.

But due to the recent injury, he couldn't show his true potential.

The coaches wouldn't consider his personal circumstances.

So, it was only natural for him to feel wronged.

‘No...!’

The coach in charge of the dribbling test already had the whistle in his mouth.

He hadn't blown it yet, but one more mistake and he would.

Johan and Ban Seokho desperately hoped there would be no more mistakes.

However,

Rohan's body was no longer under his control.

Thud!

“Beep! Number 15, come forward.”

“Ah...”

“...”

In the end,

The coach's whistle blew.

Rohan stopped dribbling with a defeated look.

But he didn't have time to despair.

He had to clear the space for the next candidate.

It was a cruel game.

‘He worked so hard...’

Johan clutched his head.

He knew better than anyone how hard his brother had worked.

If effort could be measured, his brother would undoubtedly be number one.

But due to a series of unfortunate events, he couldn't show his true potential.

It was heartbreaking and infuriating to watch.

At that moment,

“Wow, he failed again?”

“Who?”

“That guy, Number 15. Don't you know him?”

“No, who is he?”

“Well, he's the son of Banny, who was famous. But he's become even more famous for failing every time. This is his fifth or sixth try, I think.”

“Wow, Banny's son? And he hasn't passed even after six tries?”

“Yeah, he was there when I took the test. I'm in my second year as a trainee now, and he's still taking the test.”

From behind, some kids were talking.

Banny was the nickname British fans gave Ban Seokho.

Unaware that Banny was sitting right in front of them, they were gossiping about Rohan.

“Wow, how can he be so bad despite inheriting that blood? It's ridiculous.”

“Really ridiculous. His dad was such a famous soccer player.”

“He's a disgrace to the family, a disgrace.”

“Or maybe the family just doesn't have much talent?”

“Could be. Haha!”

Crunch!

Johan's teeth ground together.

He couldn't just sit there and listen.

They didn't know.

They didn't know how hard his brother had worked.

What? A disgrace to the family?

To Johan, who cherished his brother more than anyone, their insults were unbearable.

“Johan, Johan, sit down.”

Johan stood up, and Ban Seokho quickly grabbed his hand.

Even though Johan found fights tedious, it was clear that a physical confrontation with him would be disastrous.

“Let go.”

“Johan!”

But Johan was already too angry for his father's words to have any effect.

However,

“Johan...?”

Johan had no intention of fighting in front of his father.

Instead,

Johan started walking confidently onto the field.