Tactical’s PoV

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"Hold onto your seats, ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer's voice boomed. "We'll be pausing for a brief intermission, but don't go away. We've got more thrilling matches lined up for you right after the break!"

The caster announced after the match. From my analysis of the match, that boy, Gilligan, he seems to have his opponent under the palm of his hands the whole time. If given the opportunity, I would love to recruit him to my team. However, considering his evident talent and famous background, it will likely result in a high demand from professional teams to poach him. I couldn't help but feel that my chances of successfully recruiting him were slim given my circumstances. The competition for his contract would undoubtedly be fierce if he wants to ever go pro.

As the crowd settled, he continued, "In the meantime, let us take this moment to appreciate and acknowledge the sponsors that helped make this tournament possible."

His voice filled with a dramatic flair, he announced, "First up, we have CyberLyte, the leading manufacturer of state-of-the-art VR gaming systems that allow players like our competitors to experience the game as if they were truly in it. Remember, with CyberLyte, you aren't just playing a game, you're living it!"

The screen displayed a swirl of lights and colors, forming the logo of CyberLyte.

"Our next sponsor is Aero Energy," the announcer continued, "The premier brand in providing clean, efficient, and high-powered energy solutions. There's a reason why Aero Energy powers all our equipment here. They’re reliable, have unmatched service, and most importantly they believe in a greener future."

The emblem of Aero Energy illuminated the screen.

"Not forgetting our official apparel sponsor, Éternelle. Whether you're a gamer or a spectator, you'll undoubtedly love Éternelle's innovative blend of comfort, style, and design. Éternelle — wear elegance!"

The screen shifted to display a mesmerizing image of Éterneller's apparel, captivating the attention of the viewers. This transition continued, featuring various other sponsors showcasing their products and services.

"They certainly have a tremendous amount of sponsors," I murmured to myself, noting the extensive support for the event.

How many sponsors does this tournament have?! Being in the position of a spectator was quite unfamiliar to me, as I was typically the one actively participating in these types of events. This new perspective felt somewhat foreign and not particularly enjoyable to be quite honest.

Well, I don’t blame them though for filling up the time. They still have a break after the first round of preliminaries to accommodate the participants In preparation for the second round where only four players remain. Feeling a bit hungry, I decided it was a good time to grab something to eat.

As I got up from my seat and made my way towards the exit of the stadium, a staff member looking about a bit younger than me approached. His position and timing indicated that he had been waiting for this opportunity for a while. I couldn't help but wonder if he was about to lecture me about my discreet appearance. While I didn't want to completely hide my face, I also wanted to avoid any potential distractions or requests for autographs while I was analyzing the matches as a spectator.

"Excuse me, sir. May I have a moment of your time?" the staff asked in a friendly tone, opposed to what I expected.

“What is it?” I ask, wondering what he wants from me.

“Are you perhaps Mr. Miller?”

I was taken aback by the staff's sudden question, wondering how he knew my identity. The thought occurred to me that the event organizers might have discovered it through the ticket, which was registered under my name. They might have been monitoring me throughout the tournament, keeping an eye on my movements. For what purpose, though? Good thing we are far away from most of the spectators, probably why he chose this opportunity to finally speak to me.

I responded cautiously, skepticism evident in my tone, "That depends on the reason you're asking. What is it that you need?"

Seeing my guarded response, the staff quickly attempted to reassure me. "O-oh, please don't be too wary. I am simply here to inquire if you would like to be accommodated in a special room reserved for high-profile guests, so you can continue watching the tournament in comfort."

"A special room?" I echoed, curious about the offer.

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The staff nodded animatedly, evidently happy that I was even considering his offer. “Yes, sir! In the special room, you would have exclusive access to a comfortable seating area with a perfect view of the tournament. There will be complimentary refreshments and snacks provided, along with dedicated staff to cater to your needs."

I considered his explanation, imagining the comfort and convenience of enjoying the tournament in such a setting. The allure of a prime viewing spot and the idea of being pampered certainly appealed to me. Not gonna lie though, considering how I want to eat something right now, he mostly got me at the complementary refreshments and snacks part.

"What's the catch?" I inquired, cautiously questioning the staff's offer.

I’m sure they want me to do something for them in return if they want to appeal to me this much.

The staff seemed flustered and quickly replied, "Oh, I'm not privy to the intentions of the higher-ups. They simply tasked me with informing you about the offer. I apologize if I can't provide further details."

“…I see, lead the way then,” after thinking for a bit, I accepted the offer.

I believe their goal is to have me appear as a special guest, and since there is no contract or obligation involved, it's unlikely they can force me to do anything if I refuse outright. Therefore, I don't see any disadvantages in accepting their offer.

As I accepted the offer, I followed the staff who led the way toward the special room. There was a sense of anticipation as we made our way through the corridors of the stadium, wondering what awaited me in this exclusive space.

During our walk, I couldn't help but notice the staff's sheepish expression and his attempts to discreetly catch my attention. Eventually, he gathered the courage to make a request, his voice filled with excitement and admiration.

"Um, excuse me," he began somewhat nervously, "I hope this isn't too forward, but I am a huge fan of yours. Would it be possible to get your autograph?"

I hesitated for a moment, uncertain of whether I wanted to give away my autograph. Being in the public eye came with its challenges, and I preferred to enjoy the event without any distractions or interruptions. However, looking at him, he seems genuinely excited at the thought of getting my autograph. I don't have it in me to refuse such expecting eyes.

I sighed softly and replied, "All right, I suppose I can give you an autograph."

His face lit up instantly with excitement as he handed me a pen and a photograph featuring the first-generation Paragons. The picture depicted the in-game characters that our team used during our tournament run. All four of us were captured in a pose, displaying smiles and a genuine sense of joy while raising the trophy, Andartha’s Cup, proudly.

While it's true that we didn't specifically strike the pose with our in-game characters, as Yuusha, in particular, would never engage in such flashy poses due to her introverted nature, the picture was skillfully edited to incorporate our avatars, creating a memorable and stylistic group image.

As I looked at the photograph carefully, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, transporting me back to the past. Those were truly enjoyable times, filled with fond memories. It was a period that I will always cherish, for it held some of the most remarkable moments of my gaming experience.

During that time, our team trained relentlessly, united by a common goal: to become the best in the world. The camaraderie we built, the shared determination, and the countless hours spent honing our skills created a bond that went beyond the virtual realm. It was a journey filled with challenges, but the sense of achievement we felt when we finally reached our goal and raised the trophy was immeasurable.

Remembering those times brought a smile to my face as I reflected on the camaraderie, the shared victories, and the moments of pure joy we experienced together.

With a mixture of melancholy and longing, I signed my name on the photograph, attempting to conceal any trace of my hesitation.

“There you go, remember to take good care of it…” I handed back the photo.

"O-of course! I'll cherish it like a precious family heirloom!" he exclaimed with genuine giddiness.

Hearing that, I couldn't help but interject, "You don't have to go that far! It's just a simple autograph."

He paused for a moment, sheepishly realizing his overzealous response. With a slight chuckle, he replied, "You're right, I may have gotten a bit carried away. But thank you so much for this. It means a lot to me…"

His genuine happiness made me pause. I guess it's not bad to give autographs from time to time.

After our conversation, he continued to lead me to the special room with an excited demeanor. Arriving at the door, he stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter.

"Here we are! This would be the special room for high-profile guests," he said, his voice filled with anticipation.

Thanking him for his guidance, I stepped into the room, immediately struck by its luxurious ambiance. Comfortable seating, exquisite decorations, and a captivating atmosphere greeted me at a glance. Above all, there was a person already inside the room that captured my undivided attention. The individual in question had the physique of a bodybuilder, radiating confidence and positivity with an infectious smile. The person’s presence created an uplifting and welcoming atmosphere, especially since I had known this individual for a very long time. My former teammate, Celeste.

"Why are you even here, Caleb?" I said, my tone unamused.

"Is that the proper way to greet your former teammate?" he… she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "And FYI, it's Calah now. The name change was successful! And to answer your question, when I entered the venue earlier, I caused quite a commotion, so the staff decided to place me here!"

"Of course, you would cause a commotion," I retorted, my voice tinged with sarcasm. "You didn't even try to hide your face!"

She let out a laugh, her voice filled with confidence. "Why would I be ashamed of who I am? I want the world to see the real me!"

"I'm not talking about your sexual identity," I clarified, frustration evident in my voice. "I'm talking about how famous you are, especially in a CoA tournament. Your face was even on the news when we first won the AC."

She let out a dismissive snort. “Hmph! It's all solved now, and I even have a special room so the commotion earlier was for the better!”

“You have a good time arriving here. I was getting lonely in this huge place. Good thing you are here, now I have company!”

“I’m not here for your amusement..." I murmured to myself. " Although, I didn’t expect you to watch the tournament in person,” I asked curiously.

“I’m here to support our protégés of course! But also for one other thing, which I’m keeping a secret.”

She gave me a condescending look as if she knew something I didn’t. It's honestly quite annoying how smug she looks right now.

"Fine, I don't really care about your secrets. Just let me watch the whole tournament in peace," I responded, a hint of annoyance creeping into my voice.

She chuckled and replied, "Ah, so I heard you're trying to recruit members for the team you're coaching, right? Seer told me all about it!"

I frowned, slightly frustrated that Seer had shared our plans without my consent. "I'll remember to reprimand that boy when I see him," I muttered under my breath, mentally noting to address this matter later.

"Don’t blame the kid too much, I pestered him to tell me. Also, I'm sure you will find someone to recruit here, someone as gifted as Yuusha even," she said, accompanied by that irritating 'I know something you don't' look.

I couldn't help but feel a tinge of annoyance at her haughty smile.

"I doubt it," I replied casually, disregarding her condescension. "However, I'm confident that I can discover some hidden talents, individuals who may have the potential to be trained and improved."

Keeping my expectations realistic was crucial. While the tournament attracted many skilled players, expecting to find another Yuusha would only lead to potential disappointments. Instead, I opt to remain open-minded, to seek out those rough diamonds with potential, ready to invest time and effort into nurturing their skills.

As the conversation concluded, I refocused my attention on the tournament panelist announcing the upcoming matches, eager to witness the emerging talents and perhaps find hidden gems among the participants.