013. Are You Alright Mr Referee?

"We have three spots available. For finishing the last 10 minutes, Solidarity team needs three outside players. But we must tell you first, we won't give any compensation for those who played. Anyone interested?" The captain of Solidarity team said while the referee stood beside him.

There were some people near them, including Cleon and Pete. Most of them looked like wanted to join as outside players, but of course for some compensation. Cleon and Pete also thought like that.

All of them loved battle ball, but they also needed money to pay for their daily lives. Don't look it was just a friendly match. This match would be recorded by the referee and commentator. Each player who played in this kind of match will be recorded. And this record could be seen by other teams, players, and other fans. It wouldn't matter if the team which they substituted its players won or draw, but if it was lost, moreover lost big, their reputation could also be affected.

And giving some compensation for a little bad record was a courtesy in amateur battle ball community. So when the captain said they wouldn't give compensation, everyone was dumbfounded.

An outside player then talked, "Sorry friend, It seems you are new here. It's not that we are greedy. But, it's a courtesy here, if a team needs some help from outside players, they must pay some compensation, moreover, your team was lost pretty bad, it will effect our records."

Other players nodded. For them, it's not all about money. It's a respect that everyone deserved to get.

"But, it's only 10 minutes, well, 11 minutes to be exact. Please, you don't have to play seriously. Let us do ourselves. But, we seriously need some people for filling the numbers," The captain said.

This time, the captain of solidarity team really touched a dragon reverse scale. Hearing that, most of the outside players left from that place without any words.

"You have done it, bro. Although, we are not professional players, but we also have dignity. For saying we don't have to play seriously, are you out of your mind?" The player then left immediately.

The captain surprised his words would anger all of outside players. He regretted said something rude. He didn't know how to solve it.

Cleon and Pete also left, they were pretty angry like the other outside players. When they walked, they saw Adam walked to them," What's wrong? Don't you get selected? Why the match hasn't started yet?"

Pete explained everything, "He is such an idiot. By saying rude like that, their team will be marginalized in this city. They are finished."

"And if they are finished, that will be a pity, right?" Eve who sat at Adam's shoulder said.

Everyone's attention focused on Eve, waiting for her to say more.

"You must admit that Gavin is a real deal. It's a pity he has to buried there," Eve said in regret.

'What are you planning?' Adam asked by his mind.

'Just do the right thing,' Eva answered.

"Look, your team still needs some players, right? And it's your chance to make a good impression on him. And if, once again if he doesn't have a team. Isn't your team will be his first choice if you help them?" Eve said it slowly but persuasively.

Eve's words woke them up, that they still didn't have enough teammates. They contemplated all of Eve has said. They had to admit, Gavin was a pretty good goal keeper. If they could recruit him, it would be awesome.

"Okay, let's help them. But we still need one more player. I'll try to talk with someone I know," Pete said.

"That's not needed. Adam could also play, although not good enough. He said he played with the ball when he was still a child," Eve said innocently.

'What are you doing?' Adam jolted.

'The sooner the better,' Eve said.

'...,' Adam wanted to cry.

Pete was dumbfounded. Pete wanted to rebuked Eve, but with her innocent eyes were looking at him, he couldn't open his mouth.

He thought, letting Adam play was impossible. Adam had just awakened a few hours ago. It was uncertain if he had already adapted with his body. And playing battle ball was so much different than playing ball as a kid. It would be dangerous, as many skills were used to disturb the opponent.

He also didn't want to offend Adam, so he was at a loss. Pete then looked at Cleon, but with 'what's the matter' expression that he wore, he was hopeless.

"Si- Adam, would you like to play with us?" With a pleading expression, Pete asked. He just hoped he would refuse.

Honestly, Adam was not sure. He thought he would need some practices before playing for real. But after listening and seeing Pete's pleading expression, he went soft.

Adam sighed, "Alright, I will play. But please don't expect too much."

"...," Pete wanted to cry.

Looking Adam agreed, Cleon just said, "But, be careful Adam. It's a little hurt if you get hit by something like fireball."

"Don't worry, Eve is a healer."

"So, let's go!" Cleon said excitedly.

"...," Pete stayed rooted for a while.

***

"Mr, if in 2 minutes, there's nobody who wanted to fill the position, I'm sorry, we can only declare that your team is lost," The referee said besides the captain of Solidarity team.

"I understand Mr referee. It's all my fault. I shouldn't be a miser. I hope some players will change their minds," the captain felt miserable. Then he saw three people who came to them.

"I'm sorry for my previous remarks. I will make compensation 1 silver. No! 2 silver per player as an apology. Would you like to help us?" He asked miserably.

"Okay, but you should apologize to all outside players that you offended. Or your team will be marginalized after this," Pete said flatly.

"Of course, I will do that before the game starts," The captain said.

"Alright, please follow me to register," the referee said to the trio.

Adam and friends then follow the referee to the referee desk. Two other referees waited for them. The three referees then shared the task to register the trio.

In front of Adam was a middle-aged referee who wrote something on a paper while asked, "Name?"

"Adam Elbaz," Adam said truthfully but softly because everything would be recorded and his statistics would be published. He wanted to play as a professional player someday, so he had to tell his information truthfully.

The referee was shocked, but he could hide it almost perfectly, "Don't worry Sir, your last name wouldn't be published if you asked. We are neutral and impartial, you can be sure about that."

"Then please," Adam said softly.

"Alright, from now on, I will treat you like other players, what is your age?"

"15."

He was shocked again, he knew what this means.

*Gulp*

He must handle it carefully, so he didn't get into trouble, he then put a ball-like device in front of Adam, "P-please put your palm on the ball. I-I will check your level," he said nervously.

Adam felt something unusual from the referee's reaction, but he still put his palm on the ball.

The referee checked the result. Then his expression changed dignified, he looked at Adam's face and then shook his head, he said softly, " You are truly amazing Sir, our Kingdom's future seems will be bright. It's my honor to be a person who recorded your file."

"Thank you?" Unprepared with the referee's reaction, Adam didn't know how to answer.

The referee's expression came back to normal, "Class?"

"Summoner," Adam said.

The referee looked disappointed, but only for a second, and then he came back to normal, " I need to mention special rules for Summoner's summoned creatures.

First, there are no more than five summoned creatures that can be registered in one match.

Second, there are no more than two summoned creatures that can play at the same time.

The last, Every summoned creature is also bound by the rules of battle ball. Any questions?"

Looking at the referee's reaction, Adam didn't feel offended, he had already learned from Professor Nadine event, even he felt fired up because of it.

Adam didn't realize, this was the first time he wanted so much to prove himself, to show anyone who doubted him, that he could do what they thought he couldn't. Someday, he would remember, how this match changed him.

"So, if I want to participate in a match, I can still make two summoned creatures to play too, right?"

The referee was dumbfounded, he had never imagined would be asked about it by a summoner, he thought Adam would only sit on the bench and coordinate his summoned creatures, "Technically it was possible, would you want to play?"

"Of course, if I don't want to play, what I came here for?" Adam smiled and said.

"If you want to play, I have to ask about the skills which you want to use in the game. This is to make sure if your skills are qualified to be used in the match or not."

This is something Adam didn't anticipate. But he thought it was reasonable. If every skill were allowed, and a player used a skill that can restrict every opponent's movement, the match would be a one-sided slaughter.

"The skill that I want to use when I play is named Golden Aura. It can negate all skills that can cause harm to me," Adam explained it lightly.

*Tak tak takk*

Adam then saw the referee froze with his jaw dropped while his pen was dropped on the floor.

This time, Adam was caught off guard. He shouted, "Are you alright Mr referee?"