Chapter 181 - School Recruitments (1)

Ms. Yen anxiously placed her phone on the desk. She then massaged the side of her head and felt a little exhausted.

"I should have not pushed this brand deal. Why did I even try to control that teen?" she reflected on her reckless decision. 

Boss Wang's shoulder was stiff as a board and he did not bother to comment anymore. But, he also shared the same thought.

"This teen is too hard to deal with! She did not understand what a good income is! What an ignorant kid!" Ms. Yen spoke absentmindedly while thinking Sofia's words again.

"Leave it be. Don't offend those teen gamers. Just told the swimwear company about the reason I made up. And if those teens have their request, then, agree to them." Boss Wang finally instructed her with a secret glare on his face.

"I will follow your instructions, cousin. I will maintain my distance from that team!" Ms. Yen agreed and released another sigh.

-

On the other side, Sofia was in the school library. Her teacher requested for them to meet so she could prepare for the essay contest.

Even if Sofia was already adept at writing essays, she still complied and went to the library. However, it had been 30 mins since her arrival yet the teacher was nowhere to be seen.

She propped her elbows on the desk and leaned her head on it. Every now and then, she would glance at her phone to see if the teacher would contact her again.

Out of a sudden, she caught a glimpse of Claire entering the vicinity. Her eyes followed at Claire's movement before the girl choose a desk a few feet away from her.

"Claire!" she called in a whisper. But then, she realized that there was an earphone on Claire's ears that she had not noticed earlier.

Sofia decided not to disturb Claire and just wait for the teacher. As time passed by, she felt that her teacher had really forgotten about her. So, she started to open the game on her phone and study the summoner character.

"Is it possible to integrate micro gaming in an overall macro strategy using the summoner?" she quietly asked herself.

Micro gaming relies on individual performance while macro gaming is mostly for teamwork.

Sofia started to analyze the 5 v 5 map and how she would maximize the gameplay for a summoner character.

Meanwhile...

While Sofia immersed herself in thinking about game strategies, Joey was also surrounded by other gamer groups in the field.

"Bro! You are the fighter and support user of that champion squad last tournament right? Do you plan on joining the regionals?" one of the male students asked Joey.

He was just enjoying flirting with some campus girls when this group cornered him.

"We haven't decided yet," Joey answered. This was exactly what Sofia had instructed them.

"That's nice! Bro, we will recruit you to play on our squad!" another male spoke with full of enthusiasm.

"Do you know, the Blue Lance Squad? Play with us and we will guarantee you a stable career in esports!" the leader of the group offered.

"HAHA, no thanks! I won't leave the Chronos squad," Joey easily refused.

"EH? But the resources of your Chronos squad, we made a research and found out that you don't even have an official training room or a place for the members to live. In Blue Lance Squad, we will give you free accommodations and a stable career! You will be paid every month," the leader emphasized.

Joey stared at the man for a long time. He was aware of the benefits that some clubs have for their pro players. But, he could not see himself playing with other teams anymore.

"Thanks for the invitation but, I have to decline. Even if your compensation for your members is good, the goal of our Chronos squad is far more greater than just having a stable career in esports," Joey stated.

"Well, don't regret it. The regional tournament is not the same as the district tournament. All participants come from different districts and it means that the opponents are also tough to face on the battlefield. Hehe, if your Chronos squad cannot pass the elimination round, then, it will be a waste of your talent!" the leader spoke before they left Joey alone.

"Please don't say that. The winning squad can only be decided after the championship match," Joey coldly said while looking at the retreating backs of the group.

"Loser!" the leader yelled but did not spare a glance a Joey.

"Tsk," Joey clicked his tongue and formed a fist on his hand. But then, he also calms himself and composed a message to their group chat.

Joey: I am recruited by this squad called Blue Lance Squad. Did some group also recruit you?

Joey resumed his flirting with a girl who passed by and did not bother to think about the group that approached them.

-

-

Claire was the first to notice the message, Joey. In just a matter of seconds, she quickly responded the chat.

Claire: I did not know that I am this popular. There are three groups already that wanted to speak to me in private!

Joey: Hahaha, you are indeed famous, Claire. Assassin users are very in demand! Only one group had approached me so far!

Claire: What did they offer to you?

Joey: Free accommodation and stable career in gaming. How about yours?

Claire: The same as you. They seemed to look down on our squad because we have no office or appropriate place that gamers sleep.

Joey: That also happened to me!

Claire: I told them that we don't have those sleeping quarters but we will soon have an accommodation business. Oh boy, when I told them about it, they went wild and cheer for me but in a sarcastic way!

"Hahaha, what the heck!" Joey suddenly chuckled and put his phone away. He brushed his hair using his hands and then scanned the school ground. His eyes were sharp as if he was looking for some prey.

"What are you doing?" the voice of Stephen suddenly sounded from his back. Joey almost jumped like a girl as this really startled him.

"You almost killed me from shock, bro!" Joey said in anger. His heart really leaped out of shock but he manage to calm down himself so that it would bo be embarrassing for him.

"Are you hiding from some random students? Hehe, perhaps, one of the girls in your many dates that somehow hoped that you would notice them," Stephen joked.

"I am not hiding! I was asked to play for a team in the upcoming regional tournament," Joey expressed.

"Did you agree to play for a different team? Should we say goodbye and find a new member?" Stephen asked in a playful tone.

"I am not crazy enough to leave the Chronos squad! You don't have a reason to say goodbye to me!" Joey scolded.

"Good! I think today had become a recruitment day in our school. These pro players are so eager to register their squad in the tournament and find a good member to play with," Stephen spoke and moved his feet to walk away from Joey

"I think so. By the way, where are you going?"  Joey called and joined him.

"I'll go to the library. I texted Sofia and she told me that she is there right now," Stephen casually said.

"But, our class will resume in less than 10 minutes! Why would you go to the library and meet Sofia? Did you miss her badly?" Joey playfully commented.

"Haha, that could be true. If you don't want to go with me then go back to the classroom," Stephen shrugged.

Another group of students tried to approach them but Stephen raised his arm and signaled them not to go near him.

"Wow! You effortlessly rejected them!" Joey stated.

"It's fine. I save their time from explaining to me their recruitment process. There's no way I will change squad," Stephen muttered and turned inside the library.

"There's Sofia!" Joey said and Stephen followed his line of vision. Indeed, they saw Sofia reading something on her mobile phone.

"She seems busy. Let's go back to our classroom," Stephen said and started to walk again.

"Wait, wait, wait... you only came here to take a glimpse at Sofia?" Joey said with a suspicious expression on his face.

"I am. Now that I already see her, let's go back to our classroom!" Stephen easily said and walked again. 

Joey paused for several breaths and mentally cursed, 'What the f*ck! This man had gone insane!'

"It must be crazy to fall deeper in love! Why don't you go and join her there?" Joey continued.

"No, she will scold me for not attending our classes. I am serious about my studies now so I can graduate this year," Stephen replied.

"Damn right, let's go! I have a feeling that we will be scolded if Sofia saw us loitering around here," Joey agreed.. But at the back of his mind, he could not believe that Stephen just went to the library to take a quick look at Sofia. Unbelievable!