The tower rang nine over London as the postboy raced down the road on his small weighed down bike. It was an unusually cool morning for spring. Turning corners, dodging cars, he made his was down the streets stopping periodically to deliver the mail. It was around ten when he pulled his brakes stopping at a tall red bricked house. He got off his bike and went threw his mail box taking out a purple enveloped letter. The wax seal on it was made of dark red wax.
Walking up the stairs to the door, he saw a small intercom on the wall. Pressing the button, a voice came over it.
“Who is it?”
The boy cleared his throat. “Mail, sir!”
“I’ll be right down”
The man slipped on his slippers and walked downstairs to the door. The postboy held up the letter.
“I have a letter for you, Mr. Layton.”
“Morton, my boy, how have you been?” Layton smiled taking the letter. Layton’s hair was not yet fully combed and he still wore his orange sleeping shirt.
“I’ve been delivery letters for my dad.”
“Ho, ho, good for you. Let me give you something to show my gratitude.” Layton dug around in his pocket taking out a small coin, Layton placed it in Morton’s hand.
“Wow! Thanks Mr. Layton!”

Layton smile grew bigger, “Remember Morton, a pound saved is a pound earned.”

Running up to his bike and waving goodbye, Morton raced down the street out of site. Layton closed the door and looked at the letter. He examined the wax seal. It was small but very decorative, a large “V” placed in the middle. Flipping it over, the return address read “Vivian Strife, Paris, France.” He broke the seal and began to read.

“Dear Professor Hershel Layton,
I am in need of your Expertise. My husband has gone missing and the only clue that was left behind was this symbol. Later, after finding it my husband’s journal, I found that the entire journal is written in obscure symbols such as this one. My entire fortune is at your disposal… Please find my husband and quickly.

Sincerely, Vivian Strife. P.S. you will be paid handsomely for your service.”

The Professor looked over the symbol unable to recognize it. He read the letter one more time and sighed. I’m not a detective… Thought Hershel.
“Good news, then?” The Professor looked behind him to find Ms. Jane, the owner of the house.
“Oh, Ms. Jane, it seems someone needs my assistance.”
Ms. Jane had let the Professor rent out the top floor of her house since she was left it and had no way to pay for it. She was always seen in a sky blue dress, her light brown hair kept up in a neat bun. She smiled.
“Luke will be happy to hear that.”
Layton smiled but soon remembered Luke. He bid Ms. Jane good day and walked back to his room. Combing his hair and changing shirts, he grabbed his belt, jacket and top hat. Walking downstairs and out the door, Layton made his way down the street.

A small group of boys played in an open field kicking around a blue ball. Kicking the ball to each other, a boy with glasses called out.
“Get ready Luke!” He stopped and kicked to ball to a boy in green shorts. Luke kicked the ball and hit a tree that another boy was trying to guard. Luke’s team ran up to him and cheered.
“We made a goal! Way to go Luke!”
“We’re winning!”

Luke smiled. “I was born to play football, no question about it.”  He took off his blue wool hat and sweater. He looked around and saw the Professor walking down towards the field waving to Luke. Luke smiled and ran up to the Professor, along with the other boys.
“That was an amazing kick Luke, well played.” Said the Professor.
Luke blushed. “That was nothing! You should see me on my good days.”
Before the Professor could reply, a large boy from the other team called out.
“Oi, Luke! You think you’re so great! We’ll beat you next turn!”
Luke ignored them looking up at the Professor but he had a smile on his face.
“Really Professor?” Luke asked.
“A gentleman must never turn down a challenge.” Layton patted him on the shoulder. Luke turned to the other team and smiled. The Professor put his hands in his pockets and stepped off the field.
The boy threw Luke the ball and they lined up. Luke immediately kicked the ball to one of his team mates and ran for the goal. The large boy from the other team intercepted the ball, tripping Luke’s teammate. He ran past Luke and the others and headed for his goal. The Professor watched as Luke ran up to the boy and took the ball from him doing a swift turn in the opposite direction. The Professor wanted to clap but stopped himself knowing the match wasn’t over.
Luke went for a goal and kicked it towards a boy with black hair. Not measuring the power of his own kick, the black haired boy put all of his force in it. The ball spun down the field towards the Professor.
“Professor!” Luke cried out. Layton saw the ball hurling towards him. With his hands still in his pockets, he swayed to the left dodging ball but he did it so quickly, he lost balance and nearly fell. Putting his leg up in the air to keep himself from falling, he caught the ball on his shoe and spun back around balancing it on the tip of his shoe. He bounced the ball on his shoe as the boys looked in awe.

The Professor fixed his hat and spoke. “Be more careful with those kicks, the field isn’t long enough for them.” Layton bounced the ball a few more times then launched it into the air; he swung his leg back and kicked it towards them, thinking Luke would catch it. Instead, Luke stood there letting the ball roll pass him. He was still in awe by the Professor’s skills. He grabbed the ball and called a timeout. Luke and his teammates ran up to the Professor.
“Where did you learn that?”  Luke asked.  Layton took his hands out of his pockets. “I’ve just always had a knack for football. I used to play it with the children when I went to Cairo.”
Luke nodded his head and two boys took his coat while the black haired boy took his hat. The Professor was confused when Luke threw him the ball.
“I found the replacement for Jeffrey.”
Confused, the Professor wanted to speak but the boys began to push him out onto the field. The large boy from the other team walked up to Luke.
“Oi! What are you doing Luke? You can’t get players.”
Luke smiled. “I’ve been short one since Jeffery left, I think it’s far now.”
The large boy grunted and walked over to his team. They lined up.
“Luke I don’t think this is a good idea, I haven’t played in a long time.” Said the Professor.
“Luke smiled. “Don’t worry Professor; just kick the ball to our goal.” Layton gulped and nodded.

The match started with the large boy kicking the ball past Luke and the Professor. He raced towards the goal but saw the Professor was already in front of him. He stopped and tried to pass the ball to one of his teammates but didn’t see any. The Professor took the ball from the boy and ran down the field.
“Sorry!”
Layton ran so fast that not even his own teammates could keep up with him. He stopped and stared down the goalie. Layton stretched his leg back and kicked the ball with unimaginable force. It spun towards the goal and was too fast for anyone to catch. The boy jumped out of the way, the ball digging into the tree.
His team cheered as they ran up to Layton, hugging him and singing.
“That was the fastest kick I’ve ever seen! You have to teach me how you did it.” Asked the black haired boy.
The other team walked off cursing under there breath. Luke picked up the ball surprised at how hot it was. He looked over at the tree and saw a wear mark on the tree. He examined in for a few more seconds when the bark suddenly popped causing cracks to form on the tree. Luke stepped back and ran over to the Professor.
The boys handed the Professor his coat and top hat and waved bye to Luke and the Professor.
“That was a lot more fun than I thought it would be.” Said the Professor patting Luke on the shoulder.