The question hung in the cool English air, heavier than any weight in the club gym.
Are you ready for that?
Leon looked at the three men standing before him. Virgil van Dijk, the colossal, unflappable captain, the best defender of his generation.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, the hometown hero, the creative genius with a right foot that could unlock any defense in the world. Alisson Becker, the last line of defense, a man whose calm presence was a psychological weapon. They were the pillars of Liverpool. And they were asking him, an eighteen-year-old kid with a ridiculous haircut and a secret, magical football brain, to stand with them.
He felt a profound, humbling sense of awe. But underneath it, a quiet, steady flame of determination was burning. The 'Unshakeable Heart' skill, a gift from Sofia, was more than just a system alert; it was a part of him now. He met his captain's gaze, his own eyes clear and firm.
