Just a pre-match warm-up was enough to impress Eugene Gray and his teammates. While most teams were just wildly shooting at the goal during the warm-up, the History Department, under the leadership of captain Paul Young, started running laps, doing high knees, one-touch passes, and various other warm-up exercises, making the other three teams on the field pale in comparison.

Their “unusual” warm-up also attracted the attention of almost all the spectators, who began discussing the History Department. Even before the match started, the History Department had become the most eye-catching team on the field. Compared to previous years when they were just “background extras,” this year the History Department had already won outside the field.

The referee blew the whistle, signaling both teams to line up. The match was about to begin.

The lineup for the History Department was also set by Paul Young. Based on the characteristics of the main players, he arranged a 3-2-3 formation. The defense was led by Liam; although the other two defenders were average, with Liam’s imposing presence, it should be enough. In midfield, Henry Clark and another player stood parallel, mainly to increase the midfield area. Paul Young didn’t expect the midfield to play a huge role in such a small-sided match; attacks could be launched directly from the back, and there were three excellent forwards to finish the job. Frank Bolton was in the center, with Paul Young and Jason Bolton on the right and left respectively.

This was a highly offensive lineup—just look at who’s up front and you’ll understand. But the History Department’s opponents might not be aware of this.

With a whistle from the referee, the annual Freshman Cup began!

Eugene Harris was dragging a suitcase, having just gotten out of a taxi, when he heard a huge cheer coming from the direction of the stadium. He paused, puzzled. But when he reached the bulletin board, he saw the Freshman Cup poster. He patted his forehead—of course, he’d been on business trips since the start of the semester and had only just returned, so he’d completely forgotten about this. U University’s annual Freshman Cup—a chance for freshmen to showcase themselves, to learn and improve together, to build friendships... Most importantly, it was a chance for the school team to scout new players.

Eugene Harris took a closer look at the poster: today’s matches were History vs. Mathematics, and Mechanical vs. Biochemistry. He remembered that this year, for the first time, U University had recruited students with football talent, and apparently, they’d all been assigned to the History Department.

Eugene Harris turned around and headed back toward the stadium, wanting to see what kind of talent U University had managed to recruit.

As soon as Eugene Harris stepped into the stadium, he was hit by a wave of heat—the atmosphere was at an all-time high. Nearly all the spectators were gathered on the northern field, and everyone, male or female, seemed extremely excited. Cheers and screams never seemed to stop. Most exaggerated of all, even the players on the neighboring field kept glancing over.

Eugene Harris was a bit puzzled. He’d watched the Freshman Cup for years, and even the finals had never had such an atmosphere. What on earth was happening on the field behind that crowd?

After squeezing through with great effort and enduring countless dirty looks, he finally made it in. He glanced at the scoreboard by the field: 4:0! The History Department was in the lead!

Eugene Harris withdrew his doubtful gaze, finally managed to close his gaping mouth, and looked toward the field. The match was ongoing, and the History Department, in light-colored jerseys, had just switched from defense to attack.

Liam easily intercepted the opponent’s ball and passed it forward to Henry Clark.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Henry Clark passed the ball directly to captain Paul Young near midfield. Although Paul Young was a forward, he often dropped back to receive the ball; playing too far up front didn’t allow him to use his speed to full advantage.

The spectators got excited again when they saw the ball going to Paul Young, because his recent speed bursts had thrilled everyone. Everyone hoped he would pull off another lightning-fast run.

The opposing defenders were also on high alert. Before Paul Young even received the ball, they were already marking him closely, trying to prevent him from turning and breaking through. For a speed player, not letting him turn is the best defense.

But Paul Young wasn’t just about speed. He used his back to shield the opponent, then flicked the ball lightly backward with the tip of his left foot. The ball popped up, flying to his left side. Taking advantage of the defender’s delayed reaction, he spun quickly, raised his strong right leg, and unleashed a half-volley shot as he turned!

With a dull thud by the defender’s ear, the ball drew a straight line from midfield, whistling toward the goal!

No one had time to react to this sudden shot, not even the opposing goalkeeper. He stood there dumbfounded until the ball struck the near post. The sharp sound seemed to snap him out of it, and he frantically searched for the ball, hoping the crisis was over.

Only then did the spectators have time to cheer and sigh.

But before the goalkeeper could fully relax, and before the spectators’ sighs had faded, Jason Bolton charged to the ball!

The ball had bounced a bit high—not an ideal position for a shot. If he tried to control it first, the defenders would have already closed in, and the chance would be gone.

Eugene Harris suddenly tensed up: how would he handle it?

He saw Jason Bolton turn sideways to the ball and leap up, then...

He actually spun in the air, his right leg whipping at the ball like a lash! A volley shot!

The goalkeeper stretched out his hand in vain as the ball flew into the net about five meters away from him.

Goal!

A spectacular volley!