They certainly had no idea. For Ethan Brooks and his son, who were unfamiliar with Russian football, it was only natural to seek out whoever was the most famous...

CSKA Moscow is a top club in Russia, with a resounding reputation, making it even more attractive to Ethan Brooks and Owen Brooks.

It was the decision of the team’s assistant coach, Nikolai Latysh (Nikolay_Latysh), to teach Ethan Brooks a lesson. Some coaches couldn’t bear to watch and wanted to remind Latysh whether it was time to end this meaningless “contest” early.

The purpose of teaching the other side a lesson had already been achieved; continuing any further would just be a waste of time.

※※※

On the field, Ethan Brooks fell to the ground again, this time knocked over by two people working together.

The July sun was blazing, the sunlight dazzling, and the turf was so hot it almost burned. There wasn’t a breath of wind; the air seemed to be on fire, burning painfully with every breath, but he didn’t notice at all. Lying on the ground, his whole body was soaked in sweat.

Sweat trickled down his cheeks to his chin, then dripped onto the turf, quickly evaporating.

Maybe that annoying old man was right—he really wasn’t qualified to join CSKA... But I just can’t accept it! You insulted my father like that and got away with it, and I just can’t accept it!

Why did Dad and I come all this way? Just to be turned away? To be laughed at and ridiculed? To be looked down on and scorned?

Maybe I don’t meet your standards, but I have my pride too!

“Sorry... your son doesn’t meet our requirements...”

“Go, go! We don’t need any newcomers here!”

“I think your son might be better suited for basketball? Uh, no, basketball isn’t for you either. You’d better just go home. Chinese people, football isn’t as simple as you think...”

“Average ability, doesn’t meet our requirements, that’s it, thank you. Goodbye.”

“Why not train your son to be a table tennis star? Aren’t all you Chinese great at table tennis? Ha!”

“We are a professional football club. Do you know what that means?”

“Your son is a genius? Ha... Sorry for my rudeness, but that’s honestly the funniest joke I’ve ever heard! Hahahaha...”

※※※

Latysh also felt that continuing was pointless, and he planned to end the trial. Then he would ask the father and son to leave. After all, he had given them a chance, but they hadn’t shown the ability expected of them. That couldn’t be blamed on us for not giving them an opportunity—he didn’t feel at all that sending out an entire defensive line against one person was inappropriate.

On the sidelines, Owen Brooks watched his son fall to the ground again, feeling anxious, but he didn’t want his son to get up again. Because that would mean he’d have to endure more of this “humiliation.”

But things didn’t go as he wished. His son, Ethan Brooks, got up from the ground once more, without the slightest hesitation!

※※※

CSKA coach Oleg Mayukov (Oleg_Malyukov), acting as a temporary referee, glanced off the field, seeking the opinion of assistant coach Latysh—should they end this “trial”?

At that moment, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Chinese player lying on the ground slowly getting up...

Unexpectedly, the Chinese player stood up again, and Latysh changed his mind—if he wants to keep being humiliated like this, then I’ll grant his wish. I’m always happy to oblige others...

This is what happens when you underestimate CSKA, kid. I hope you remember this well, and never do something so foolish again!

He waved at Mayukov.

Continue, continue.

Chapter Two: Foul for Colliding

Oleg Savelyev (Oleg_Saveljev) was originally quite annoyed, feeling that his precious time was being wasted. This was a crucial period for him and his teammates to compete for a spot on the first team, yet the coach had called him out to play with some kid who’d come out of nowhere.

He vented his frustration fully during the match, defeating Ethan Brooks again and again.

But now, he didn’t feel that way anymore.

At first, when he saw this big guy, he thought he might be tough—maybe the coach wanted him to test the kid’s skills, and who knows, maybe the kid would become his teammate in the future.

But in their very first encounter, he headed the ball away right in front of Ethan Brooks, who was half a head taller than him.

What did that feel like? It was as if a lightweight boxer knocked out a heavyweight with a single punch...

After the initial surprise, Savelyev realized this big guy from the East was all show and no substance.

He could bully him however he wanted. He easily held his position, used proper technique to block his opponent’s jump, then leapt high at the right moment, judged the landing spot, and headed the ball away.

For a center-back, this was a basic skill.