Even after Rina’s Jinx-mark over the face, His nose still pumped to the rhythm of his heartbeat, and his eyes could barely see through the swelling. Despite the pain, a head resting on the sorceress’s lap and her fingers stroking his hair felt amazing.

“Your face will go back to normal in no time,” she said. “And a couple more casts on your knee will make it as good as new. That crap they put in there can’t help heal old wounds.”

“I really can’t thank you enough, Rina.” Hiro said.

She picked up the glass resting on the floor and took a short sip of fire smelling liquor. “No problem. What is it, Mira? Your stare is crushing my barrier and making my legs shake.”

Mira’s soft voice came from the outside door’s corner as a subtle whisper. “I sense deviance. Is he a pervert?”

Hiro stood up suddenly, head spinning uncontrollably. “What? No, no!”

“Miranda!” Rina burst into laughter that shook the glass and spilled half of its contents. Recovering her composure, she finished the shot before speaking again. “Can we blame him? I’m still in good shape, and a little drunk. And he’s been hit pretty bad, come on! Give him some slack.”

Mira fretted, hands squishing her skirt. “S-Sorry. I just… I just came to, um, say something to Hiroshi before he tells Testa he’s, uh, quitting.”

Rina swayed as she stood, a new full glass dripping poison all over the place. The elegant presence and well-groomed demeanour she showed days ago, had returned to the initial reality of stained chemises and dishevelled hairs. “Come on, come on. I’m sure Hiroshi will not quit so soon, are you?”

“I’m considering it very seriously,” he said. “Almost convinced.”

“Please don’t!” Mira closed her eyes shut to face Hiro. With her hands wrapped together and a slight bow, she continued with a tone filled with passion. “People suffer when we lose! The Ball Games aren’t just a game! Not…really. I mean, they are a game, but, but… we put up prizes and who wins, wins. And who loses, loses. And, I mean… I mean… the Southgate slums need you!”

“What the lovely Mira is trying to say is this,” Rina cut, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Centuries ago, when the Empire’s Sphere could still summon warriors from distant worlds to fight our endless wars, something unexpected happened. One sole man, versed in the craft of killing but in others arts as well, changed everything. It is said he was one of a kind. Charming, intelligent, passionate. He rose to power and became emperor. He ended wars, tied alliances and, this may sound untrue but, he convinced all nations to solve their disputes using the Game. Thousands of lives saved, maybe millions. All thanks to him. But the cost of deciding the future of nations with a ball is just as high as it is with spears and shields. Lands, fortunes, and even the very freedom of people, are decided with points instead of battles. Nations play for higher gains, but even small regional teams do the same for smaller profits. The Southgate quarter is poor, and if a team from it wins, it would bring a bigger budget from the city: supplies, infrastructure improvements. Maybe that’s not much, but for some, it is worth fighting for.”

Rina deflated as she dropped her weight over the desk chair. “Good gracious! I said all that without babbling or vomiting! Did I miss anything important, sweaty?”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“No, that’s it, I think.” Mira said.

“There,” Rina returned to her bottle and shooed them out. “Now, go, go. Let me drink in peace.”

As Mira reached for the door handle, Hiro stepped to follow, only to hear Rina call out to him. “Testa is garrulous,” she said, lost in the reflections of her glass. “He’s absent-minded, forgetful and a procrastinator. He’s a complete idiot, but in the end, he’s the only idiot I have. Whatever you decide, please don’t be too hard on him.”

As soon as they stepped outside, Mira barely managed a quick, awkward goodbye before she scurried away, bolting up the street like a startled rabbit.

“She’ll be fine.” Testa said from a hidden corner, crouching against the wall seam with a cigarette in hand. ”She takes the route of Hamond street. There are always night guards there. Not that she needs them, anyway. Last time someone tried to assault her, the guy ended up with wet pants, begging to be put in jail.”

Testa stood up, ground his cigarette and scratched the hair over a sheepish look. “Listen, ah. I’m sorry I put you in the game without telling you much. I’m a bit of a fool. Besides, I don’t really know what I’m doing.”

“Is fine. Forget about it.” Hiro said. “So, what does Southgate gain if your team wins?”

“If we qualify for the city cup? Well, for a start, it’d get us a good chunk of the city budget for the slums. If we win the cup, even more so. But that’s daydreaming. Qualify, ha! The guard’s team always qualifies in the south-east district. And it doesn’t matter, I don’t have a team, anyway. Except for Rufus and Miri, everyone has left. Well, Arso might stay if I pay him. And maybe I can convince Serin and Tarth to come back who knows.”

“Let’s walk,” Hiro said, trying to get clearer air to breathe. Testa’s next cigarette was ruining a pleasant breeze and filling his throat with a detestable taste.

At night, the streets were quiet and apart from occasional guard patrols making sure they were mildly heard and the occasional clatter of a late traveller horse, nothing disturbed the night. Lights escaped from the windows and street lanterns, scattering in the darkness. Even without those human shines, it seemed as if the sky, filled with several stars Hiro had never seen in his life, could illuminate the street by itself. “We don’t have that many stars in my world. At least, not where I live.”

“That’s a pity.”

“This Sphere of the Empire… is that why you have books in my language?”

“Yes.” Testa flicked the cigarette butt and rubbed his arms. “Before it broke into a thousand shards, they used it to gather information from many worlds. Most of it is secret because they don’t want “dangerous innovations” to be known. The current state of things is fine for them. We had some writings of unimportant topics leaked now and then, though, like the language translations or tactics of different ball games. Old stuff, mostly.”

“Why would you want me on your team? I don’t even understand your game, and I’m not skilled at the ones I know. Plus, I’m definitely not in great shape either.”

Testa rubbed the back of his neck. “I just know that I have a feeling. You could be my assistant if you don’t feel like playing. Or just come along from time to time and give some advice. I’m sure your world’s ball games have improved since last time we sneaked a peak.”

Filling a chill and noticing Testa rubbed his arms again, Hiro turned around. “I’ll stay in your team, but,” he quickly said, seeing Testa’s expression brimming with explosive joviality. “If you really want my advice, please take what I have to say seriously. And no more drinking before a match and smoking in front of me. Is that too much to ask?”

“Deal!” Testa raised his palm to shake, a gesture Hiro was not used to and which took him a moment to return. After a brief farewell, the new coach walked away and clicked his heels on a silly little jump. “See ya tomorrow, Hiro. We have a lot to learn and a lot to do!”

“It’s not Hiro, it’s Hiroshi.” The mumble came out loud and lacking confidence. “Yoshida Hiroshi.”

A hand raised, and a finger shook from side to side. “Too late, kid! The deal had three conditions. Time’s up.”