Gridiron Genesis: Jamaica's Revolution

Zidane Still Sits on Stage

Almost half the recruits had already quit.

Natalya, "Almost half of them have already vanished."

Zidane smiled unperturbed. "Yes, and? Football passion, drive, and impulse. If they do not have all of that, then they are not for us. Trust me, we do not need such players."

He leaped off the stage with a dismissive word, landing softly.

Natalya cocked her head. "Oh, yeah. Since you're the head coach, the other coaches would prefer to speak with you."

Zidane barely glanced at her. "Fire them."

Natalya blinked in astonishment. "Wait, what?"

Zidane's voice was cold and unyielding. "I only require three coaches, and I will be the one who is going to hire them. Until then, I am by myself."

He looked over at Zalika, who was about several feet away. "Zalika, free this summer?"

She hesitated. "Yes… kinda."

Zidane smiled. "How'd you like a summer job? I'm a bad boss, but I pay good."

Zalika shrugged. "Oh… okay."

"Good." Zidane headed off towards the locker room. "Come on, Zalika. Let's go interview the so-called 'revolutionaries'."

[Inside the Locker Room]

The room was gigantic, built to accommodate an elite team. Row upon row of lockers stretched from wall to wall, and the scent of fresh paint mingled with faint traces of sweat.

One of the recruits gasped. "Damn… this room is huge. We could fit an entire team in here."

Another player's eyes went wide as he saw someone. "Wait. you're Kyren Locke! The star QB! We attend the same school and now we're gonna be teammates together?"

The majority of players swarmed around Kyren, ready to make introductions. But as soon as they did, they caught themselves, holding back as if the fact that he stood before them was enough to command their respect.

In the corner of the room, alone, Elijah looked on with indifferent mildness. He snorted. "What's so wonderful about it? Aren't they all football players?"

No one had time to answer before the doors to the locker room opened. Zidane entered with Zalika at his side, his sharp eyes scanning the room like a predator pacing his territory.

"Hold up, now," Zidane ordered. The entire room fell silent. "As of today, your real training starts. From now on, you're going to eat like a human being, sleep like a human being, and train like a human being. I haven't the foggiest idea who's playing what position yet, but until I do, you all do the same regimen."

He switched to Elijah. "Except you."

Elijah blinked. "Huh?"

A player frowned. "Wait… who's Elijah?"

Zidane smiled. "Elijah is a football newbie."

A wave of murmurs went around the locker room. The entire team turned, their gazes homing in on Elijah like sharks surrounding blood.

"He's never played before?"

"Why in the world would the Coach hire someone like him?"

"Isn't it past the time to train him?"

Zidane's cut through the tension like a blade. "For your information, that's between Elijah and me."

The murmurs ended.

Zidane stepped forward, his own face set in a hard look. "Now listen up this is your first lesson: you are all trash."

Mute. Then there was a confused voice raised. *

"Wait… what?"

Another voice recoiled. "Even Kyren?"

Zidane stepped forward to Kyren and faced the star quarterback. His voice was even but biting. "You, too. You're trash. That's why I'm here to tear all of you apart and build you stronger."

The weight of his words loomed over the players like a thunderstorm cloud.

Zidane took a step back. "That is why we start with the basics your body. Strength, endurance, discipline. When your body is strongest, no one can stop you."

He gestured towards Zalika. "This is Zalika. She will be working with us this summer."

Zalika nodded slightly.

"First things first," Zidane went on. "Height, weight, and strength tests. Zalika, see to that for me."

"Right."

All the players passed through the measurements, some complaining, others seriously. Once they had finished, Zidane sent them away.

"That's for now. You'll all receive a message from me shortly. Keep your wits about you."

The players began to leave, some muttering to each other, some appearing thoughtful.

Elijah followed with the group, but Kyren stayed back. He inhaled deeply before going up to Zidane.

"Coach, I just wanted to say that I'm very honored to meet you. I'm Kyren Locke."

Zidane barely even glanced at him. "Yeah, yeah. Nice meeting you. I have to run. Goodbye."

Kyren stared, amazed. Zidane was already walking away.