Chapter 148: Teamfight Tactics [2]

"Dad."

Seated on the couch of her apartment, she greeted the familiar sight of her Father who had just arrived.

Though he looked more like Amy, as his hair was blonde, the resemblance was still there.

Adorning a business suit, Rafael glanced around first before eventually, his gaze landed on his daughter.

"Rachel, I thought there was an emergency?"

"There is."

She solemnly spoke. At the moment, the lively demeanor of Rachel Asami was nowhere to be seen.

"Can you sit down? This will take a while."

Noticing the seriousness in his daughter's tone, Rafael resigned himself and sat beside her on the couch.

Shortly after, he asked.

"What's all this about?"

"Dad, why did you and Mom divorce?"

"...Is this what all of this is about? I thought I'd already told you. There was a disagreement--"

"Then why didn't you agree?"

"It's my company, Rachel. The Ashfields should've respected that."

She understood that.

However, she was well aware of what her father was hiding.

Clearly, it seemed like he planned on hiding it until the end.

But she knew she shouldn't blurt out information that she wasn't supposed to know.

Which is why she wanted to hear it from his own mouth.

But leading the conversation to that was the hard part.

"Why did you and Mom divorce?"

"...."

"Tell me the truth, Dad."

The truth was basically what her father had just said, a disagreement.

"Rachel, you're young, so you don't know much about business. But as a businessman, protecting one's company always comes first."

"Even if it meant the family falling apart?"

"...."

"What are you, Dad? A businessman, or a father?"

"...."

"Was the company really that much more important than our family?"

"...."

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

That...

He was utterly speechless.

He seemed to struggle articulating his words as his eyes squinted with an agonizing look.

It was a confrontation.

No, at this point, this was an interrogation.

She wanted to ask him.

Ask him everything, about the truth.

She gritted her teeth.

But shortly after, her father finally spoke as he met her gaze.

"...I did it to protect you, Amy... and Samantha."

Rachel's eyes shot wide open at the sudden revelation.

She didn't see this coming at all.

Did that mean that her father still loved her mother?

The way he spoke, there was a tinge of sorrow in his tone.

Clearly, there was something amiss. Something that deeply held her father amidst everything.

However, she needed to confirm her conjectures.

"...What do you mean?"

Slowly, Rafael stood up.

He would have to wait for her to tell him everything.

In the novel, Rachel's family issues were never resolved, as far as what he could remember.

However, things were now different.

She was now aware of her father's current predicament.

But truth be told, he didn't want to involve himself in others' family matters.

...But Rachel.

She was precious to him.

Even if he had such thoughts, if she asked for his help, he would offer his assistance in a heartbeat.

But for now, he had to wait out.

Clearing his thoughts, he redirected his attention back to Evelyn.

Her instructions were more or less simple.

A typical capture the flag game.

The two opposing groups would work together to defend their flag, and capture the enemy's flag in the process.

However, her next words were what made things seem even more complicated.

"Instead of using actual flags. A person would take that role instead."

"...."

So that meant...

"I can see the visible shocks in your faces. That's right, you will each select a single member of your group to act as a flag. The first one to take down the opposing team's flag wins."

All of a sudden, someone raised their hand.

Nodding, Evelyn called upon the student's name and allowed him to pose a question.

"Are the flags allowed to join the battle?"

"Yes."

Evelyn nodded.

Looking around, it seemed like no one had any other questions left as they all stood in silence.

"Okay, if there are no other questions, I'll give you five minutes to choose who would act as your respective flags."

At her instructions, all the groups present quickly huddled up and began their discussions.

And for Brandon...

There was no need for a discussion.

He didn't even need to meet their gaze, to know that Julie and Cyrus were already looking at him.

Stifling a laugh, he nodded.

"Alright."

At that, five minutes went by in a flash and each group had selected their teammate, to act as their group's corresponding flags.

Shortly after, Evelyn's voice rang in the air as she instructed each flag to step forward.

Students immediately followed suit and Brandon stepped forward.

Looking around, he could see the familiar figure who was already looking at him.

With a smile, Brandon nodded at Raven.

"As expected."

And as he turned his head to the left, another familiar figure was looking back at him.

With the same nod he gave to Raven, Brandon nodded his head at Reinhard.

Shortly after, Evelyn began the draws for the upcoming matchups.

Squinting his eyes, he could definitely see mana slightly pouring out of Evelyn's hand.

It was subtle. But spending time with Evelyn, he could more or less tell when Evelyn would use mana, according to her gestures.

And as expected...

"For the first match..."

A tentative silence lingered as Evelyn paused.

But unknowingly, the corner of Brandon's lips pulled up to a smile.

"Raven Blackheart's team."

And if his conjectures were correct, the next words that Evelyn would utter would undoubtedly be his name--

"Reinhard Van's team."

"...."

Oh.

Guess he was wrong.