Days passed quickly, and before he knew it, Kay found himself just three days away from his first class at the coaching school. In the evening, as they were having dinner, Max spoke up.

"Kay, we need to start preparing for your stay in the city. Tomorrow, we'll go and look for a house to rent near your school," Max said.

Kay nodded, appreciating his father's support. "Thanks, Dad. I think that's a great idea. It'll give me some time to settle in before classes start."

Max smiled. "We'll find a place that's comfortable and convenient for you."

The day after, Kay, Max, and Reina began their journey to the city where Kay's coaching school was located.

After about two hours of driving, they arrived at their destination, a bustling city filled with energy and promise.

They wasted no time and immediately started their search for a house to rent. Their first stop was a quaint neighborhood not far from the school.

The streets were lined with trees, and there was a park nearby, which Kay found appealing.

They visited several houses, each with its unique charm, but none seemed quite right.

After a few hours of searching, they came across a cozy, two-bedroom house within walking distance of the school.

The house was well-maintained, with a bright living room and a compact but functional kitchen. The bedroom had a large window that let in plenty of natural light, and there was a small backyard where Kay could relax.

Max turned to Kay. "What do you think of this one?" Kay looked around, envisioning himself living there. "I like it. It's close to the school, and the neighborhood seems quiet and friendly, but I think that it's too big for me to live here alone, we could find another house smaller so we can reduce the price of the rent."

Here, Max and Reina exchanged a glance before Reina spoke up. "Actually, Kay, we wanted to talk to you about that. We've decided to move with you to this new home. We don't want you to live alone."

Kay looked at his parents, surprise and gratitude mingling on his face. "You both would move here with me? But what about your job, Dad, and the house?"

Max smiled. "We've thought it through. My job gave us an option to work remotely three days a week, and for the two days left, I can drive. It's just two hours by car. As for the house, we decided to rent it out. With that income, we can pay the rent here. Our furniture will arrive tomorrow."

Reina added, "This way, you won't have to worry about being alone, and we can support you as you start your coaching program."

Kay felt a wave of relief and happiness. "Thank you, Mom and Dad. That means a lot to me."

With their decision finalized, they completed the rental agreement with the landlord and passed this first night in their new house.

After two days, the morning sun cast a warm glow over the city as Kay and his father, Max, made their way to the coaching school.

Today marked the beginning of Kay's first class, and the anticipation was palpable.

They arrived at the school with plenty of time to spare. The impressive building stood before them, filled with the promise of new knowledge and opportunities.

Kay adjusted his backpack and turned to his father. "Thanks for coming with me, Dad."

Max smiled, giving his son a reassuring pat on the back. "Of course, Kay. I wouldn't miss this for the world. You're starting a new chapter today."

Inside, the atmosphere was buzzing with activity. Aspiring managers filled the hallways, all eager to begin their journey.

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Kay noticed a few familiar faces from the orientation, their expressions ranging from excitement to determination.

Kay made his way to the administration office with the help of his stick. Now he had just one instead of two, and his dependence on the stick had reduced significantly.

A lady at the administration desk greeted him warmly. "Good morning. May I have your name, please?"

"Kay Marik," he replied.

The lady checked her records and nodded. "Welcome, Kay. Please follow me."

Kay followed her through the corridors. They arrived at a room where a few other students were already gathered, waiting for further instructions. The lady gestured for Kay to take a seat.

A man wearing a suit entered the room, holding a stack of papers. He began distributing them to everyone inside the room.

Once everyone had a paper, he stood at the front of the room and addressed the group.

"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to our coaching program. Here at our school, you have the opportunity to specialize in one of three distinct styles of play during your studies," he began. "Each option represents a unique approach to the game."

He pointed to the first option on the paper. "First, we have the Attack Style. In this style, you'll learn that the best method to defend is to attack. It's an aggressive approach focusing on offensive strategies and constant pressure on the opponent."

He moved on to the second option. "Next, we have the Defense Style. Here, the emphasis is on the belief that to win trophies, you must focus on a solid and impenetrable defense. You'll learn various defensive tactics, positioning, and how to build a resilient backline."

Finally, he addressed the third option. "Lastly, we have the General Style. This comprehensive approach covers both offensive and defensive strategies, providing a balanced education in all aspects of the game. This option takes a bit longer to complete—one year, compared to the six months required for the Attack and Defense styles."

He paused, allowing the students to absorb the information. "Take a moment to review the details on the papers in front of you. Think about your goals and the type of manager you want to become. Choose the option that aligns best with your vision and aspirations. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

Kay noticed that most of the people in the room were already filling out their papers, quickly deciding on their preferred style.

He, however, felt a pang of hesitation. Each option had its own merits, and the choice wasn't easy.

He pondered over the Attack Style and Defense Style, weighing their advantages. Both paths promised valuable skills, but they seemed too focused on one aspect of the game for Kay's liking.

He wanted a well-rounded education that would prepare him for any situation on the field.

After some contemplation, Kay made his decision. He chose the General Style. It was the longest program, requiring a full year, but it offered the comprehensive training he desired.

Kay didn't want to become a manager as quickly as possible; he wanted to become the best manager ever.

After a period, the same man began picking up the completed papers. When he finished, he stood at the front of the room and began reading out the names and the styles each person had chosen to confirm their choices.

"Alex Thompson, Attack Style."

"Mark Rodriguez, Attack Style."

"James Anderson, Defense Style."

The majority had chosen the Attack Style, with a few opting for the Defense Style. As the man reached the General Style, he paused for a moment.

"Kay Marik, General Style," he announced.

Kay felt anxiety as the eyes of the room turned towards him. Then, the man continued,"Gil Rodriguez, General Style."

Kay looked towards the rear chairs where Gil was sitting. Gil was a tall, lean guy with short-cropped dark hair and a determined look in his eyes.

He had an air of quiet confidence about him, and his posture suggested he was used to standing his ground.

The murmurs and mockery began almost immediately. "Who wastes a whole year just to get a soccer license?" someone jeered.

Kay quickly realized that for the former players in the room, who already had extensive experience and reputation, obtaining the soccer license was merely a formality to begin their coaching careers.

For them, a shorter program was sufficient.

But for Kay, this wasn't just about getting a license; it was about becoming the best manager he could be.

Then the man continued, "Classes will begin in one hour. Each style has its own class, so please proceed to your respective classrooms to begin."

Kay left the room with his stick, navigating the hallways. He soon spotted Gil and called out to him. "Hey, Gil! Want to find the class together?"

Gil turned and nodded, his expression neutral. "Yeah."

As they walked together, Kay couldn't help but recognize Gil. He had played for some of the top teams in the Spanish and Italian leagues, a fact that intrigued Kay.

Most of the former players chose the shorter courses, but Gil had opted for the longer, more comprehensive program.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Kay decided to ask. "Gil, you played for some big teams, right? Why did you choose the General Style? I mean, you have so much experience already."

Gil glanced at him, his face unreadable. "I want to learn everything," he said simply.

Kay waited for more, but it was clear that was all Gil had to say on the matter. Despite his cold demeanor and succinct responses, Gil didn't seem unfriendly, just reserved.

They continued walking in silence, each lost in their own thoughts until they found the classroom designated for the General Style.

See you in the next chapter ...