The plane finally announced its landing after more than a dozen hours of travel. As the wheels touched the runway at Schiphol Airport, Richard's entire body felt as if it had been pulled from a long dream.
The Netherlands.
The country he had only seen on his phone screen and posters of European clubs was now right before his eyes.
He glanced out the window. The Amsterdam sky looked gray—dark, cold, and a little threatening. The wind was strong, a far cry from the bright, hot Surabaya.
Rafi rubbed his hands, clearly cold. "Crazy... I've only just gotten off the plane and it's like I've been in a freezer."
Dhio laughed. "You're complaining before you even notice anything."
Richard just took a deep breath.
Welcome to the new battlefield.
---
When the Plane Door Opens
As soon as the plane door opened, a cold wind pierced his bones. Richard pulled the thin jacket the organizers had given him closer. It wasn't enough.
He'd imagined this... but not this cold.
"Bro... if I can endure this cold every day... my 'cold resistance' skill will definitely improve," Dhio muttered, trembling.
Richard smiled slightly, but his mind was focused.
Before he actually stepped outside, a DING sound suddenly appeared.
---
[Environmental Adjustment Quest Unlocked]
Quest Name: Cold Country Adaptation – Level 1
Objectives:
• Survive outdoor training for at least 60 minutes without giving up
• Not ask other players for a break
Rewards:
+10 Cold Resistance
+5 Stamina
+30 EXP
---
Richard frowned.
"System... you're really trying to kill me on the first day, huh?" he muttered.
But he also realized:
This was a new world. And he was nothing without the system.
---
Immigration & the Crowds of Schiphol
Schiphol Airport was huge—bigger than any airport he had ever seen. People walked quickly, purposefully, speaking a foreign language.
Dutch sounded rough and fast.
"Welkom…"
"Dit is de uitgang…"
"Controle paspoort…"
Rafi looked confused. "I… don't understand a single word."
Dhio replied, "I only caught the word 'kontrol'. The rest is all code."
Richard pretended to be calm, but he was actually nervous about facing immigration. He had heard bad stories: young players from Asia who were denied entry due to incomplete documents.
However, as soon as they showed the official FC Utrecht invitation letter, the immigration officer smiled broadly.
"Oh? FC Utrecht Tour Program? Good luck!" he said, stamping it.
The small print could be clearly heard as their passports were validated.
The stamp… was like a gateway to a new future.
---
An Unexpected Welcome
As soon as they exited the arrivals area, three pairs of eyes greeted Richard.
First, an FC Utrecht staff member holding a sign that read:
"Welcome: Richard Ardiansyah — Rafi Darmono — Dhio Prasetya."
Second, a white man who looked like a coach, around 30, with short blond hair.
Third—
"Richard!"
A familiar voice rang out.
Richard turned his head and saw a figure he recognized from photos, but this time, alive, real, and standing just five meters away.
Aquila Van Den Mer.
Her blonde hair was tied back, and she was wearing a black winter jacket and jeans. Her face was bright, as if the Amsterdam sun was shining on her.
"Eh?" Richard almost froze.
Aquila approached without hesitation and patted him on the shoulder.
"You really came," she said with a small smile.
"I'm proud of you."
Dhio immediately looked at Richard with wide eyes.
"Bro… is that… your girlfriend? Are you sure you're from Lamongan?"
Rafi nodded quickly. "I—I'm jealous."
Richard sighed, his face heating up.
"Aquila… you shouldn't have come all that way…"
Aquila shook his head. "I live in Utrecht. Schiphol is only 30 minutes away. And I wanted to be the first to say welcome."
Richard's stomach dropped 10 meters.
He was truly in a new world.
---
Heading to Utrecht in the Club Car
The comfortable FC Utrecht van took them to the city of Utrecht. The streets were neat, clean, and the scenery was postcard-worthy.
Red brick houses lined the roadside. Water canals flowed clear. Cyclists were everywhere.
Outside the window, the world looked like a European fairytale.
But to Richard, all of that was just background. His main focus:
FC Utrecht Academy.
The foreign coach in front finally introduced himself.
"My name is Coach Willem. I'll be supervising your training here."
Rafi raised his hand. "Coach, does the training program start today?"
Coach Willem glanced at them through the rearview mirror.
"No. Today is just orientation. But starting tomorrow…"
He smiled faintly.
"…you're going to cry."
Dhio shuddered. "Good. It's already cold, so it's even more torture."
Richard swallowed.
This was just the beginning.
---
Utrecht — The Prodigy's New Home
The city of Utrecht greeted them with a cool breeze and the aroma of bakery goods. The buildings were old but well-maintained. The streets were narrow but neat.
They headed towards the academy dormitory.
The building was three stories, simple but clean. There was a modern training field behind it.
Upon entering, they were given room keys.
Richard was assigned room 207—one room per occupant.
When he opened the door, he was stunned.
The room was small, but tidy. There was a single bed, a study desk, a wardrobe, and a large window overlooking the canal.
He touched the desk.
He took a deep breath.
I'm really here.
Then—
"DING."
---
[Main Quest Updated: European Dream]
• Attend first official training (1/3)
• Pass initial physical test
• Attract the attention of at least one European coach
Reward:
+1 All Stats
Skill Unlock (Random)
---
"Having to attract the coach's attention…? Crazy."
But that's the struggle of a player who wants to rise to the top.
---
Evening — Aquila Asks to Meet
Toward evening, while the other kids were taking a break, Richard's phone vibrated.
Aquila:
> "If you're not tired yet, do you want to see downtown Utrecht?"
Richard sat on his bed, confused.
Just come for one day and then get asked out by a foreign boyfriend?
Shit.
But he typed:
> "Okay. I'm ready."
Aquila replied quickly.
> "Wait in front of the hostel in 10 minutes."
---
First Walk in Utrecht
Aquila was wearing a gray coat, a red scarf, and a warm smile.
"Do you usually walk? Or do you want me to rent a bike?"
"Just walk."
They walked along Utrecht's beautiful canals. The lights were starting to come on, making the city look like something out of a European movie.
"I'm proud you came," Aquila said, looking ahead.
Richard swallowed.
"I came for my family. For the future."
Aquila nodded.
"And you will succeed. I'm sure."
Several cyclists passed them. The aroma of bread and coffee from the cafe wafted in.
Richard felt… at peace.
But beneath that peace, there was a looming shadow:
Training tomorrow.
Physical tests.
European coaches.
Stronger Dutch kids.
He squeezed her hand tightly.
---
Chapter Closing
As Aquila escorted Richard back to the dormitory, he gazed at the Utrecht night sky.
Under the chill of the European wind, one sentence surfaced in his mind:
"I didn't come here as a tourist."
Tomorrow, he would enter a real battlefield.
And the world of Dutch football…
would soon learn who Richard Ardiansyah was.