A television played in a quiet household. A woman in a red dress was addressing the whole nation.
"...Today, the America’s Esports Federation has announced the Talent Draft to solve the current issue of underperforming in the World Tournament.
"...Children between ages of 16 and 18 will be eligible to participate in the draft. You can find the draft on the official website of the America’s Esports Federation.
"...The citizens of the country are wondering—is this really a fix, or will the federation just ruin the lives of many children in process?
"...The president of the New America has given his full support, and today, in his press release, he promised to prioritize the safety and well-being of all young players involved."
Adele stood behind the couch—looking at the television—and then she looked towards the bathroom.
A sound of shower running could be heard—Devon was taking a shower—because he was heading to work after this.
He had quit school in order to work because his mother couldn’t anymore—because of her grave illness.
’A draft...’
She took out her phone, went to the America’s Esports Federation website, and pressed on the draft.
It was an application.
She looked towards the bathroom, then she heard the shower stop, and she quickly hid her phone in her pocket.
In that moment, Devon stepped out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist, and he saw his mother standing in the living room.
"You’re up already?"
Devon asked with a look of surprise.
"Nn, you’re heading off to work?"
Adele asked with a sweet smile.
"Yes."
Devon said, and at that moment, saw that the television was still playing the same news that it had been showing for a few hours already.
"They are still rambling about the same thing."
Devon grabbed the TV remote and just changed channels to show a cooking competition instead.
"Son... What if you take part in that draft?"
Adele asked.
"Mother, you’re still going about that? I told you I am not interested. I’d rather be here with you."
Devon said, and then ran upstairs to get a change of clothes, and his mother watched him go with a sad look.
’You’re afraid that I won’t be here by the time you return... My son... I know that, deep inside you, you’d love to join the draft.’
Adele thought.
She then took out her phone again and started filling up the draft application, and at the name, she put "Devon Levi."
’You will do great. I know you will.’
Adele smiled gently, and then she pressed "send" on the application and then tucked the phone back in her pocket.
At that moment, Devon ran down the stairs, grabbed his house keys, and slung the backpack over his shoulder.
"I made you some breakfast. It’s in the refrigerator. I’ll be heading off now. See you at six!"
Devon said, and then rushed out of the door.
...
[Game Center]
Devon walked through the front door—at the front desk, there was a sleepy-looking young man—almost falling asleep.
"Hello, Nebula."
"Hi..."
Nebula waved his hand, and then Devon knocked on the desk, which shook him awake, and he rubbed his eyes.
"Stay awake or the boss will fire you on the spot."
Devon said with a chuckle, and Nebula just saluted, but it really wasn’t clear whether he was taking it seriously.
He then walked to the game floor—there were dozens of computers set up—but nobody was using them currently.
Most customers were over at the "Game Booths," which they could use to rent Virtual Reality Helmets, and play Innerworld instead.
"Hey, Kylie, why don’t you go out with me? I know you want to. You’re just playing hard to get, I know it!"
A blond-haired James said with a smirk.
While sweeping the floor, Kylie glanced at him briefly and then rolled her eyes, as she felt more annoyed than anything.
"I am working, James. Don’t you have work to do?"
"Don’t be like that, Kylie. Why don’t you come to my place after work? We could watch a movie and relax."
James winked.
"Is there something in your eye?"
Kylie asked, unamused.
"Just blinded by your beauty, that’s all."
James smiled, and at that moment, he saw Devon walk over, and he waved his hand to get his attention.
"Yo, Devon!"
"Hello, James. Kylie."
Devon greeted the two, and Kylie also nodded at him—still wearing that cold ice-princess look of hers—she was also wearing black eyeliner.
If it wasn’t for the work uniform that she was wearing, she could easily pass for a goth.
"Is the boss here yet?"
Devon asked.
"Not yet. I bet he is helping his children to write their draft applications for the Talent Draft. I did it this morning.
"I am pumped!"
James said with a smirk.
"You’re really trying for that?"
Devon asked.
"Why the hell not? Even if I don’t become the one they’re looking for, I, for sure, would get invaluable experience over there.
"My group chat is going crazy. All my friends are trying for it. Kylie, you’re also going for it, right?"
James asked.
"...Yes."
Kylie said, and she kept sweeping the floor and then pushed James’ foot out of the way as his foot was on the way.
"Maybe we both will be accepted, Kylie. If we do, let’s work together, yeah? Friends need to have each other’s back."
James said with a grin, but Kylie just rolled her eyes, as it was obvious that he had other intentions with "working together," and it wasn’t just about being friends.
"Well, have fun."
Devon wryly smiled, and he then went to the locker room and slowly changed into his work clothes—it was a striped shirt and pants in the colors of blue and black.
’The draft...’
Devon sighed and slammed the locker room shut.
Bang~!
’Right, my phone has been off. I need to keep it open in case something happens to my mother...’
Devon turned his phone on, and as soon as he did that, he received a lot of messages from the "Richcord" app.
It was a messaging app.
He opened it.
The messages were all coming from one server—the Einherjar server—there were only twelve people in the server.
’Einherjar.’
Devon thought.