The Wills of the Two Founders Part I

"I haven't mentioned this yet, have I, young man? First and foremost, let me congratulate you on winning both the Olympics and Asian Cup tournaments. Both are major-tier events, and there's no doubt that in the upcoming BSA, you'll be one of the stars of the show."

After recalling the last time he had encountered this grandfatherly figure during the Olympics competition six months prior, Joke was trying to sit quietly, eating food that didn’t quite suit his taste. He avoided eye contact and didn’t feel like engaging in conversation. But soon enough, Berim Varys initiated the conversation, aiming to improve the atmosphere by directing his remarks toward Joke.

The compliment, paired with a relaxed sip of tea, made Joke glance up briefly. What he saw was nothing but the warm smile of an elderly man, offering words of praise as though he were talking to a grandchild. The recipient, however, could only muster an awkward smile, feeling uneasy.