My system allows me to copy talents

"You must love her a lot," Hiro commented.

He could tell that Pablo must adore his daughter. He could palpably feel his enthusiasm when he mentioned her.

"Yeah, she means the world to me."

"What about your wife, Pablo?" Hiro couldn't help but ask.

Pablo turned grim the moment he heard about his wife. Perhaps their relationship was truly strained. Hiro only wanted to test the water, but the reaction was more than enough for him to confirm his doubts.

Pablo looked as if he wanted to avoid talking on this topic. Thus, Hiro was about to change the subject. However, before he could, Pablo let out a dejected sigh.

"Sigh~" Pablo relaxed his shoulders, his expression turning solemn. "I'd rather avoid talking about this. But since you asked, I'll tell you. We divorced the previous year."

This much was enough for Hiro. He didn't want to make Pablo even more uncomfortable. Thus, he stopped asking about this subject.

"I see," Hiro nodded. "It must have been a tough decision."

Though he didn't want to pester him further on this matter, he had to provide some words of consolation. It was the least he could do.

"Yeah, it was tough," Pablo nodded. "But I don't have any regrets. Though I wish I could get the custody of my daughter. But the law favors women."

Pablo couldn't help but frown. It looked like he truly wanted to take custody of his daughter.

"Yeah, I can't agree more," Hiro said.

For a while, the two steered off the topic and conversed about law. Their conversation grew even more intense as time passed. Occasionally, Pablo had to stop talking to focus on the road. Well, he was driving after all. So, he couldn't afford to be careless.

However, from the way he operated the vehicle, it seemed like Pablo knew what he had to do. He truly was a master driver.

Hiro could tell that he had years of experience driving and escorting.

At this moment, Pablo's talent was shining the brightest.

Before long, the two arrived at the training facility. The car swerved inside the huge gate and Pablo skillfully parked the car in the parking lot.

The parking lot was mostly vacant, hinting at their early arrival.

"Seems like we are the first to arrive," Pablo couldn't help but remark.

"Early bird gets the worm," Hiro responded.

"I've heard that one," Pablo stepped on the break and the car came to a pause. "But I've also heard something more."

"What?"

"Early bird gets the worm but early worm gets eaten, hahaha...." Pablo burst into laughter.

Today, he had seen more expression from him than he ever had until now. Those expressions really made him feel alive and human.

Honestly, since he got here, it was his first time talking to someone so deeply in person. He hadn't even talked this much with others.

For some reason, Hiro felt like he could bond with this old man.

"So, what am I? The bird or the worm?"

Upon hearing Hiro's inquiry, Pablo's expression became complacent. He pondered for a while before answering.

"Neither," Pablo turned to look at him. "You're the magician."

Hiro was slightly taken aback by Pablo's response.

"Magician, huh?" Hiro mumbled. He couldn't help but muse at it. He had been called Magician before too.

"Yeah, the way you performed on the field, it wasn't nothing sort of what sorcery could do. It was like, I was watching a Magician on the field performing magic with the ball."

"Thank you for the compliment," Hiro politely accepted the compliment.

Then he left the car and headed to the training ground. On his way, he greeted the people he met. The people here all looked elated to see him.

There was a certain charm in their faces. Hiro could see their bright faces glowing with happiness.

Everybody he passed complimented him for the performance against Real Madrid.

The entire atmosphere at the facility was different than the first time he arrived there. It was lively and exciting. The air around the facility was light and warm, filled with an amazing sense of lightness.

Wearing a wide grin, Hiro got changed and headed to the training ground.

"They all remind me of the people back home," Hiro mumbled with a wide grin plastered on his face. His face was all read and lively.

He couldn't get enough of this home-like atmosphere.

Everybody was so nice to him.

Smiling, he trod to the training ground. He had already changed into his training gear and he could start training right away.

However, as he entered the pitch, he noticed somebody on the pitch.

"Huh? Somebody arrived earlier than me?" Hiro felt perplexed, his eyes widening in surprise.

From the day he had arrived, he had rarely encountered someone else arriving before him. So, he couldn't help but feel curious about this individual who had arrived earlier than him.

Hiro's surprise quickly turned into curiosity as he approached the pitch.

The figure practicing ahead of him was none other than Federico, Atletico's talented and fiery young midfielder. Known for his explosive playing style and equally volatile temper, Federico had been a regular starter before Hiro's arrival.

Hiro was well aware of his hostility toward him. But even so, he didn't want to stir some trouble. His expression sank the moment he noticed him.

But then again, he cheered himself up.

'Let's just avoid causing trouble. But I should probably go and greet him.' Hiro thought, his expression solemn.

But before he could greet him, Federico also noticed him and stopped mid-drill. His sharp eyes locked onto Hiro, and for a moment, the air felt heavier.

'What's this?' Hiro couldn't help but notice the ongoing tension between them.

Yet still, he remained calm.

"You're early," Hiro said, his voice light and friendly as he stepped onto the pitch.

Federico's response was less warm. "Thought I'd get some practice in before the golden boy decided to show up," he said, his tone laced with sarcasm.

'He's being openly hostile?' Hiro could tell from the tone he heard.

Thinking about it, Hiro couldn't help but sigh, 'There are players like this everywhere you go. I thought Europe would be different. But I guess I was wrong. Well, be it in Japan or anywhere else in the world, the players are human after all.'

'And where there's human, there are bound to be a few people who can't contain their jealousy. But rather than pointing their jealousy, can't they work on themselves, instead?'

Hiro smiled, "Who? Me? If so, thank you for the compliment."

He didn't want to stir trouble. So, he thought that calmly accepting his response would be the best thing he could do.

Federico, on the other hand, didn't seem to like his response. Perhaps, he found Hiro's attitude rather haughty.

He let out a dry laugh, dropping the ball he had been juggling with his knees. "Who else? You're all anyone talks about now. The Japanese wonderkid who's going to save the team. Must feel great, huh?"

Clearly, he was annoyed by his response.

Hiro could tell that he was annoyed. Yet still, he didn't want to stir any trouble. So, he didn't give in to his provocation.

"I'm just here to help the team," he said cheerfully, maintaining his cool. "It's not about me."

Federico scoffed, pacing a few steps away before turning back to face Hiro. "Help the team? Funny... I didn't ask for help, and I don't need it."

Hiro could tell that no matter what he said, Federico would make an issue out of it. However, he couldn't also leave. It felt as if no matter what he did, he wouldn't be able to satisfy him.

Wait... Why was he even trying to please him?

He wasn't here to please anyone. He was here for himself. And it would apply to Federico as well. He's here for himself too.

Yet still, it would be immature of him if he were to get into an argument.

Well, he wasn't afraid of angering him. But it would do more harm than good. Thus, he was trying to avoid escalating the situation.

Hiro studied Federico, noting the frustration in his posture and the bitterness in his voice. He realized this wasn't just about him—it was about Federico's fear of losing his place, his identity within the team.

He could see it in his eyes. Federico was just afraid of losing his position. Well, if it were the previous him, he would be like that as well.

Previously, it was he who was uncomfortable position. But now, it was he who made others uncomfortable.

He could see the previous him in Federico.

That's why he couldn't help but pity him. Even though he had been trying to stir some trouble with him from the beginning, Hiro didn't blame him.

Federico was just afraid of losing his position.

"You're a great player," Hiro said earnestly. "I watched some of your games before I came here. You're fast, creative, and have amazing vision. There's no reason for us to compete. We can both contribute." Read latest stories on empire