That morning, the air in Bradford brought a biting chill, but it was also fresh. The bck car driven by Reinhart stopped in front of the Bradford FC training center gate. Lucien and Duvant got out without saying much, their eyes scanning the wide green field before them.

  The main pyers were warming up, most of them seemed half-hearted. Some were ughing, others compining loudly, and a couple of coaches appeared uninterested. Reinhart stood for a moment, watching them as though he were reading a sequence of numbers and patterns in his mind.

  After observing them, Reinhart didn’t feel anything special, just as when he looked at the five key pyers that Cassandra had told him about.

  Bradford FC Key Pyer Statistics

  Jeremie CordellPosition: Right WingerAge: 26Potential: 70Speed: 81/81Physical: 65/65Technique: 72/72Talent: 68/68Skills: Quick dribbling, fake shot, long crossSary: ￡20,000/weekNotes: The fastest pyer on the team, but often pys selfishly. Low assist and crossing stats, focused only on dribbling and showboating. Reinhart noted: "A winger who doesn’t know when to stop dribbling."

  Dominique HalvorsPosition: StrikerAge: 25Potential: 70Speed: 75/76Physical: 78/78Technique: 69/70Talent: 66/68Skills: Strong heading, good first touchSary: ￡14,500/weekNotes: The main striker with poor goal stats (5 goals st season). Slow movement, cking mobility, often loses duels. Reinhart noted: "Paid to score goals, but mostly stands around waiting for a miracle."

  Milo VanzPosition: Attacking MidfielderAge: 24Potential: 72Speed: 70/70Physical: 68/74Technique: 76/77Talent: 71/73Skills: Through pass, visionSary: ￡10,500/weekNotes: A pymaker, but inconsistent. In 10 matches, only created 2 golden opportunities. Reinhart noted: "Too much style, too little result."

  Luis DeMarcoPosition: Left BackAge: 27Potential: 74Speed: 77Physical: 72Technique: 70Talent: 65Skills: Sliding tackle, overpping runSary: ￡10,000/weekNotes: An offensive fullback but often leaves gaps at the back. Lacks discipline in defense. Reinhart noted: "Running aimlessly isn’t a tactic."

  Conrad Walsh (Retained by Reinhart)Position: Centre BackAge: 37Potential: 78 (but high experience)Speed: 81/81Physical: 83/83Technique: 68/68Talent: 75/75Skills: Interception, positioning, leadershipSary: ￡5,000/weekNotes: Bradford’s captain, the oldest pyer but the most stable. Leads the defense and has solid communication. Reinhart noted: "He doesn’t need to run fast, because he already knows where the ball will go. We need brains, not just muscle."

  "Take a good look," Reinhart said quietly to the two teenagers beside him. "This is the team you’ll face. Not opponents, but a challenge."

  Lucien swallowed nervously. Duvant just gave a small grin.

  Before the training began, Reinhart spent an hour in the club’s data room, going over the complete statistics of every pyer. Bradford FC had a total of 20 active pyers, excluding the two new recruits, Lucien and Duvant.

  But what was surprising wasn’t the number, but the quality. Many pyers had high saries, but their contributions on the field were minimal. Some were called "key pyers" in the local media, but the stats showed they were more of a burden than the backbone of the team. This was evident from the statistics Reinhart had just seen with his new abilities.

  Reinhart shook his head slightly. "Lies wrapped in popurity," he murmured.

  Then the interim coach McNeil approached and greeted Reinhart. (A middle-aged man with a sturdy build, anyone who looked at him would be sure that he paid great attention to his physique).

  After the introductions, the training began.

  Duvant pyed with wild energy, boldly challenging older pyers. Lucien, as usual, remained understated. But Reinhart observed. Off-the-ball movement. Eyes constantly scanning for gaps. He didn’t attack like a striker. He moved like an artist looking for space to create something.

  What surprised everyone was when Lucien and Duvant were pced in the same small team for a match simution. Somehow, they seemed to have pyed together for years. Duvant with aggressive penetration and physical strength, while Lucien filled the gaps and created opportunities with clever one-two touches.

  Even Reinhart was momentarily stunned when he saw one of their brilliant combinations result in a goal into the top corner of the net.

  "Since when could they create synergy like that?" Reinhart murmured.

  Coach McNeil stood in disbelief. "These two kids..."

  "...have something," Reinhart replied quietly. "Natural synergy."

  After the training, Reinhart wasted no time. He immediately went to the management office and handed a file to Cassandra.

  "This is the list of pyers who need to be released," he said bluntly.

  Cassandra raised an eyebrow. "Twelve people? Wait, is this really what you want, Reinhart? Aren’t we almost selling the entire squad?"

  "Some of them are indeed called key pyers. But they suck up saries without giving the team direction. We don’t need empty popurity."

  "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure we get all the pyers we need."

  Cassandra opened the file. Names like the fmboyant midfielder who appeared more on social media than on the field, and the club’s main striker who scored only five goals from twenty matches st season, were all clearly listed. Reinhart had left only one key pyer.

  "So only Captain Conrad is retained?"

  "Yes, because he’s the only one who truly leads on the field. He’s not fast, but he reads the game better than all our young pyers. We need the backbone. Lastly, he has the lowest sary of all the five key pyers."

  Cassandra nodded slowly, then looked at Reinhart with a thoughtful expression. "You’re going to make a lot of people angry."

  "I’m not here to make everyone happy," Reinhart said as he stood up. "I’m here to change this club."

  And as the day began to darken in Bradford, a new light started to shine, not in the sky, but on the small green field that began to come alive again by the hands of a mad genius.