The pale September sunlight filtered through the dormitory window as Mateo sat cross-legged on his bed at 9:47 AM on September 2013, his laptop balanced precariously on his knees while he replayed the same sequence from the Nurnberg FC match for the seventh time in the past hour.
His eyes were fixed on the screen with the intensity of a scholar studying ancient texts, analyzing every movement, every decision, every fraction of a second where he could have done something different.
"Behavioral analysis: subject exhibiting obsessive review patterns of recent performances," the System observed as Mateo rewound the footage once again. "Neural pathway reinforcement through repetitive visual analysis. Warning: excessive self-analysis may lead to creative paralysis and performance anxiety."
Lukas was still asleep in the adjacent bed, his gentle snoring providing a rhythmic soundtrack to Mateo's solitary film session.
