World football system
Chapter 36: Weight of the Crest

Chapter 36: Weight of the Crest

Tobi’s assist against Betis had silenced the critics — for now. But football had no rearview mirror. The moment he stepped off the plane back in Valencia, the grind resumed.

His phone buzzed constantly.Clara had just renegotiated his contract—new image rights clause, improved salary, stricter performance bonuses. It made headlines.

"Tobi Oliveira becomes one of Valencia’s highest-paid under-20s."

That should’ve felt like a victory.

But to Tobi, it felt like an invisible crown — shiny, heavy, and sharp-edged.

Monday morning, Coach Moreno gathered the squad in the film room. The lights dimmed. A grainy clip played: Valencia’s last Champions League group match. Mistakes highlighted. Positional errors circled. And one moment replayed four times — Tobi giving away possession in the midfield, leading to a counterattack.

No commentary. Just the pause on his face right after the turnover.

"That," Moreno said quietly, "cannot happen against Bayern."

Tobi clenched his jaw. Not because the criticism was unfair. It wasn’t. But because everyone looked at him like he was still a kid learning the ropes.

[SYSTEM ALERT]Psychological Pressure Spike DetectedConfidence Modifier: -5Fan Expectation: HIGHClub Tolerance: MEDIUM-HIGH

After the session, Miguel walked beside him to the training pitch. "He was hard on you," he said.

Tobi shrugged. "Comes with the salary."

"Still. We’re teammates."

"You say that like it changes the pressure."

Miguel smiled. "It doesn’t. But it reminds you that you’re not the only one under it."

Tobi didn’t reply, but he appreciated the words.

Training was brutal. Coach Moreno introduced a new 4-1-2-1-2 diamond system, pairing Tobi and Miguel as dual attacking midfielders. The system emphasized constant movement, vertical passing, and tactical fluidity.

[SYSTEM INTERFACE – FORMATION ANALYSIS]Diamond CAM x2 Compatibility: ActiveDual Creativity Bonus: +8%Off-Ball Movement Rating: 78Tactical Chemistry: 68% (Developing)

At first, the rhythm was off. Tobi and Miguel occupied the same spaces, made redundant runs, and lacked defensive support.

Rodrigo pulled them aside. "One of you needs to drop when the other rises. Think balance, not brilliance."

It was sound advice. By Thursday, their movements began to click — one drifting wide, the other sliding into the half-spaces. Short passes. Third-man runs. Diagonal interchanges.

It was starting to feel like jazz.

Saturday came fast.

Valencia hosted Real Sociedad in a must-win match to stay in the top four. The Mestalla was packed. Fans wore scarves, waving flags, chanting louder for Tobi than they had in months.

He lined up beside Miguel in the tunnel. Their eyes met. A small nod passed between them.

Then they stepped onto the pitch.

The first half was chaos.

Sociedad pressed relentlessly. Rodrigo struggled to hold the midfield. Valencia’s backline cracked under pressure. Tobi found little room to breathe. Every touch felt rushed.

In the 30th minute, Sociedad scored.

The crowd quieted. Tobi stared at the scoreboard, the weight of the crest on his chest doubling.

But in the 44th minute, he intercepted a loose pass. One touch. Then a slick reverse ball to Miguel. Miguel returned it instantly.

Tobi darted forward, feinted once, and slipped a through ball between three defenders.

Valencia scored.

1–1.

The stadium erupted.

[SYSTEM COMBO ACTIVATED]Synergy Assist: Oliveira → Ferrán → Oliveira → GoalMatch Flow Control: +6%Coach Trust: +9%

In the locker room at halftime, Coach Moreno only said, "Do that again."

Second half.

Tobi came alive.

He dictated tempo, slowed the game when needed, accelerated it when Sociedad grew complacent. In the 71st minute, he drew two defenders, chipped a perfect cross, and Miguel volleyed it in.

2–1.

The crowd chanted their names together.

"Oliveira! Ferrán!"

He didn’t smile — not yet.

In the final moments, Sociedad pushed forward desperately. Tobi dropped deeper, cleared a dangerous ball in the 88th minute, and held his ground.

Final whistle.

Victory.

Post-match, cameras surrounded him. One reporter asked, "Are you and Miguel competing or complementing?"

Tobi wiped sweat from his brow. "Depends who we’re playing. But today? We were brothers on the pitch."

Clara’s voice was already waiting on voicemail.

"Proud doesn’t begin to cover it, baby."

And a second voice — Leonor’s.

"Mamá screamed louder than I did. You were insane, Tobi. Like... Messi insane!"

He laughed for the first time that day.

That night, he returned home late. Leonor waited with snacks and a Valencia scarf wrapped around her head like a crown.

She jumped up and tackled him with a hug. "That chip pass? Chef’s kiss!"

"Why are you awake?"

"Too hyped to sleep. And I wanted to tell you... I got picked for the U17 La Liga Futures Cup squad!"

Tobi froze. Then hugged her again, tighter.

[SYSTEM UPDATE]Emotional Boost: +12Family Bonding Modifier: ActiveSister Development Tree: Tier II UnlockedNew Trait: Protective Sibling (+5 Focus in Matches After Contact with Leonor)

Before he went to bed, he sat quietly at his desk. Pulled out the system interface. Watched the post-match footage. Listened to the crowd again.

He saw something he hadn’t seen in a while:

Joy in his eyes. Not just focus. Not just pressure.

Joy.

Maybe, just maybe, the crest wasn’t weighing him down anymore.

Maybe he was starting to carry it.

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