Dimensional Descent

James grabbed his helmet with both hands, dropping to his knees in despair. At a time like this, Leonel could only sigh.

However, under the silence of the arena, a resounding boom of two clashing bodies sounded.

Leonel grimaced, feeling his already fractured ribs break cleanly as his vision was filled with sights of the moon above.

It was then a loud whistle blew through the silence.

"Unnecessary roughness, roughing the passer, number 21. Half the distance to the goal, still first down."

Leonel landed heavily on the ground, grasping at his chest with his eyes squinting in pain.

The rookie stood over him in shock. At first, he had let his frustration get the best of him. He had never for a moment thought that James would drop such an easy layup of a pass, so he unleashed everything he had on Leonel, knowing they would lose the game. Never did he think that his actions would give the Royal Blues another chance with zero seconds on the clock.

The medics rushed onto the field. Despite the Royal Blues gaining new life, the stadium still remained silent. The sight of Leonel writhing in pain made many send furious gazes toward the rookie and James.

"Bennett, get the hell off the field! Rook, you're in."

Coach Owen coldly benched his Five-Star prospect. He didn't know what was wrong with James today, but he was clearly in his own head too much. It was impossible to use him for this final play.

The medics quickly lifted Leonel's jersey, undoing the bandage wraps from the first half to reveal ghastly purple and green bruises. It was simply impossible for a bruise to spread so quickly. The only explanation was that Leonel had suffered this injury very early on in the game.

"Don't." Leonel grabbed the hand of the middle-aged male medic who tried to take his pads off. "There's just one play left, I got it."

Coach Owen who had rushed onto the field frowned deeply, his arms crossed over his well-built chest and his mustache billowing.

The team stood around Leonel's slowly rising figure, solemn expressions on their faces. They knew that everyone made mistakes, but at the moment, they were having a really hard time forgiving James.

"What are you all pouting for? An injury timeout doesn't last forever, let's do this. Line up!"

Seeing Leonel's resolute attitude, the medics and Coach Owen had no choice but to jog off the field under the silence of the crowd. In those moments, the heavy breathing of the players who stood on their last legs was all that remained hanging in the air.

Leonel's fiery gaze lit a fire under them all, filling them with a strength they didn't know they had.

On the sidelines, Conrad looked on with a gloomy expression. Victory had been in his grasp, yet it slipped away, just like that.

Leonel slapped his hands together, standing behind his offensive line as though he wasn't injured at all.

"Blue 80. BLUE 80. Down set, HUT!"

**

play his handsome features. Who knew how they did it, but the guys managed to get their hands on a few dozen champaign bottles. Their

pain if need be as he did on the final game winning play, it was probably best

groaning, cap. You're not getting out of

O-lineman, Three-Star Center Milan Inga, slapped his shoulder without regard for his grimace. He swung back a flask of vodka, his massive fat covered body somehow appearing ripped of muscle at the same

come. No need

hopping in the showers one after

come, he still had to put his best foot forward just in

have one of the medics re-bandage this for me.'

Leonel turned from his locker to see his coach half dozing

"Coach, you're gonna get yourself fired going around

Owen tipped his flask up as though mockingly

at you, how embarrassing. You

to the bright lights of the NAFL. This

hold back his laugh. "You're the coach of the best Academy football program on Union Continent. Your salary is enough

another witty comeback waiting for Leonel. But this

for choosing Royal Blue,

second ranked Academy. But, he chose Royal Blue because he liked Coach Owen's straight forward personality. As for the first ranked Academy, they didn't have a football program, seeing the entertainment path as

Leonel smiled lightly. "Don't thank me, thank that dead rat on your lip. If not

uproariously, slapping Leonel's back even harder than

vomit your old man

of pain, Coach Owen walked

it

to calm his pain with ice to hear Coach Owen's last words. But, they were never intended for

locker to find his black bag. Pulling a

focused on nutrition and enhanced nutritional supplements. The Ascension Empire believed that

six feet tall. But, after drinking this poison everyday, he superseded that by

only went on to work in this unnamed division after he retired from military service. Then he proceeded to retire once

scorching pain seared Leonel's chest. But, at the very least, his aching ribs dulled

the only one remaining. Though he could have used the 'Refresh' ability of his watch, he preferred taking a shower as did most people. There was just something

walking out with a towel around his waist and one hanging loosely over his head. Slightly obscured with a pattern of

his hair, wincing as

into his locker, he put on a pair of deep blue jeans, a skin-tight white turtle-neck sweater, and draped over a long black

only 8 pm right now, dad won't kill me too much if I'm home

his backpack over his shoulder. But

moping around