"Bravo! Bravo! I couldn't even blink! This was splendid! I still have goosebumps on my arms!" Kamil stood up from his honor seat and applauded so loud that no one dared to cheer on Jake.
The arena quietly listened to the game master's applause.
Jake turned around and smiled at him. "Thank you."
"Ah, watching your duels live is so much better than through the screen!" Kamil said as he approached Jake.
The lion had turned into particles, so only blood and a battered arena remained.
The crowd was silenced, too.
Kamil added. "Don't think of us as voyeurs, Jake. Seven game masters keep tabs on each other, meaning I couldn't have seen your battles and training. Before this, your duels against players of The Warmonger Empire were my favorite because those were public, and I could watch them again and again with my privileges. This battle and its crescendo topped them all! Bravo!"
Jake grew so awkward and embarrassed that he ended up thanking the game master again.
Odin was forced to disappear soon after that because of his cooldown.
Ender didn't want to stay around the game master as he was too passionate about Jake's skills.
It was two of them now.
There were two stages left of the examination, but it seemed Jake could rest and clear his mind. It was probably the same for others who had passed the third stage.
Jake received a seat and drinks for himself.
Kamil was beside him.
Because there was a pause, Jake wanted to talk about something, as the silence seemed inappropriate and disrespectful.
This was the game master, after all.
Jake asked, "Do you feel like a god in this world?"
Kamil chuckled, "I don't think of myself as a god, as there are still many undiscovered things. So much is beyond our hands that I don't dare to call myself a god. Do you believe in a god?"
Jake nodded.
Kamil nodded. "I feel like I've learned a little about a god's problems."
Jake stared at the man, wanting to hear more.
Even though he had asked the question to kill the silence, he grew interested in Kamil's words.
"This is The Legend Enigma's world—Xaelein," Kamil said as he conjured a mini globe above his palm.
It was so dark to Jake that he couldn't think of it as a globe.
Kamil flicked his fingers.
The globe slightly brightened in colors.
He said, "It's mostly dark for you because players have explored and unlocked only so little. It was previously so dark because it matched your minimap. What you see now is the community's progress as a whole."
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that only twenty percent of the world was unveiled to players.
"How many of those are the starting points?" Jake asked.
Kamil didn't answer this question.
He just smiled at Jake.
"Let's say that I used the game master's privileges and killed Viktor Asta Bow," Kamil said, "It could be a wish of someone whose life has been ruined by him. Think of me as a god responding to that someone's prayer."
Jake nodded.
Kamil asked, "How many consequences would Viktor's death pull?"
"...a lot," Jake replied. Viktor was the head of Asta Bow House, so the imperial family would investigate his death. Many people would lose their standing, and even the entire house could collapse, as only Alice and a few unimportant descendants would remain alive.
Minerva, for sure, would do something big.
There also could be duels and even wars for Asta Bow's territories.
That was as far as Jake could think, as he didn't know more about The Warmonger Empire and its houses.
Kamil, however, told him that the scale would be much bigger.
[Sin Blackberry: Hbu? I've passed, too.]
[Archer: It means 'how about you'.]
[Sin Blackberry: Thanks. I'm bad with those.]
SWalker, Prince, and Shaw texted him soon. They were done with the examination—all passed.
Last Coin and El Boss Queen confirmed they were eligible for the esports tournament!
It meant that everyone could become an esports player!
In the group chat, Shaw asked.
[I Come In Peace: What's our team name?]
[Prince: Prince and His Six Demons!]
[I Come In Peace: Six Dragon Slayers and a black shield!]
[Prince: You could have at least capitalized me! Haha! smh, smh! You don't lack an art, but a common sense!]
[I Come In Peace: From what I've seen so far, you lack common sense!]
[Archer: Any other ideas?]
[SWalker: Each of us should add something. I add The Sword Enemy from myself to the team's name.]
[Last Coin: Won't the name be too long?]
[Prince: That's so plain! No art at all! Simplicity is the worst! SWalker, boy, you surely lack an art!]
[I Come In Peace: Who's the creator of this chat room? Mute him already!]
[Prince: As if a game system would be enough to mute the melody of my soul!]
[Archer: ...]
[I Come In Peace: I pity you, Archer.]
[Prince: Don't pity my dark horse's art! He's a real class, like me!]
[El Boss Queen: Clowns.]
Jake's eyes shone.
[Archer: Clowns not bad, but we need something more!]
Everyone narrowed their eyes. Was Jake... trying to cajole El Boss Queen?
Was he getting her attention?
They agreed.
[Archer: You guys agree, thanks. But where are ideas?]
[El Boss Queen: Casual Clowns... like CC.]
[Archer: Good name! I like it!]
[Prince: Damn, girl! It has an art! Sounds like an art so much! Beautiful! Crowd Control, Casual Clowns—I love it! I'm the best at controlling crowd control out of anyone here, which means I am like the vice-captain!]
[I Come In Peace: You're already a vice-captain because you are rich and the loudest!]
[Prince: My pleasure. What's the color of your car?]
[I Come In Peace: ...I don't have a car.]
[SWalker: Black.]
[Last Coin: Woah.]
[I Come In Peace: ...rich bastards.]
Sitting in the dark alley, all alone and lonely, El Boss Queen faintly curved her lips up.
Jake filled in the remaining team's information.
On that day, Casual Clowns were born.