Chapter 13.1 - Tactical

I am currently sitting in a large lobby, with comfortable sofa chairs and plants decorating the room. The brand color of team Nexus Gaming's black and white, the same as the empty void of space and the light of the stars painting the room. The mood of the whole room and its staff occupants was melancholic. After what happened in our last match, it is to be expected. It was so silent that you'll rarely hear anyone utter a single word except for the sound of a TV in the waiting lobby room playing the interview of an all too familiar Japanese beauty. The same player who wiped the floor with us earlier in our match. 

"I will win, I cannot see her dodging my slashes even if she is still in her prime three years ago,".

I snorted at that ridiculous statement. She might be talented, but she never faced a different kind of talent like Yuusha. Though I might be biased since I was once her teammate... And also, probably a little bitter cause she ended our last chance of qualifying for the AC tournament. 

"Bob, Mr. Royce will see you now." The receptionist politely caught my attention. 

"Ohh, right," I replied. 

I stood up immediately, extra careful to not let the team manager wait even by a single second. I walked ahead into an opaque glass door that hides the manager from onlookers outside of his office. I braced myself for the worst as I entered. Inside, I saw a neat-looking room with luxurious paintings and ornamental flowers. Relaxing and pleasing to the eye is what I would define it. Though the current owner of the office is anything but relaxed.  

"You know why I called you here, don't you," The team manager asked intimidatingly. 

Our team manager has always been the serious type, he has brushed-up shiny hair, and a no-nonsense look always plastered on his stoic face. He is clean-shaven and neatly dressed in a luxurious suit that is probably a whole month's worth of my salary.  

"Is it to invite me for a drink later so we can drink our problems away?" I made a joke to lighten the mood. 

He ignored it completely. Looks like he's pretty pissed that it didn't even have any effect. Let's not push our luck then.  

"That was your last chance to qualify at the AC and you blew it! This is the 1st time our organization cannot even attend the tournament. Do you know how humiliating it is for me, a newly appointed team manager!?" he raised his voice, further hammering his resentment. 

"Yeah, sorry bout that, I'll take the blame, I underestimated their ace. I tried to finish it faster by doing a headshot but it backfired." I apologized to calm him down. 

"At least you know when to take responsibility." he said sardonically "Let me be blunt, you will probably get kicked out of the team after the contract expires." he continued. 

"I... I understand" I said bitterly. 

"The only thing you're good at right now is publicity. You can't even qualify for the Andartha Cup. I should've listened to the higher-ups when they warned me that you guys cannot match the current competitive scene." he admonished. 

My pride as a veteran pro CoA player took a big hit in that, but there's nothing I could say as a comeback since the results of our matches say otherwise. I just took it all with grit and a clenched fist. 

"The higher-ups are planning to recruit new young players and rebuild the entire roster from scratch. I'm telling you this now for you to prepare for it when the time your contract expires. You should be grateful." he said condescendingly. 

"Yes sir..."  

After a while of dumping all his frustrations onto me, the 'meeting' with the team manager ended. 

I exited the Nexus gaming building. I don't have any destination in mind. I just walked aimlessly for a while until my feet dragged me into the usual bar I go to when I want time to think by myself. 

As I entered the bar, the smell of ale and wine instantly permeated my nose. The ambiance of this bar suits my taste perfectly with its slow music and relaxing decors. It is charmingly old fashioned and also doesn't have that many customers being that it is out of the way of the main city streets. You could even call it hidden if you are to be perfectly honest. I've been a regular here ever since I became a member of team Nexus Gaming cause it's relatively close to the building, just a few meters away, and also serves some of the best alcohol I have ever tasted. Considering I'm sort of a heavy drinker, that is a pretty high standard. 

I entered the bar and took a seat at the long bar table counter. The bartender Jonas, whom I'm very familiar with given the number of times I've been here gave me an acknowledging nod. He was currently mixing drinks for another customer with astonishingly exaggerated movements, which made it quite entertaining to look at. After serving him the drink, a Long Island Ice tea if I'm not mistaken, he took my orders. 

"The usual," I said before he gave me a shot glass along with the standard bottle of rum I always order when I want to wallow in regrets. 

I spent a couple of minutes in peace, thinking about the events of today and what the future entails when suddenly a familiar voice spoke from behind me. 

"I knew you'd be here, you always go into this pub whenever we have a bad match" a familiar gruff voice came from my back.