As the broadcast wrapped up, the atmosphere in Benjamin’s apartnt shifted. The room was filled with the lingering energy of the discussion; speculation, analysis, and the undeniable electricity that ca with a new season’s arrival.
Then, Genevieve turned to the computer screen.
"So," she said, her voice calm but filled with anticipation. "What about us? Our own club?"
Her words settled over the group like a stone dropped into still water.
Benjamin raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Ohhh, now this is the real main course".
Caleb, ever the pragmatist, didn’t waste a second. He pulled out his phone and imdiately dialed Aria on a video call.
"Pick up, you damn lunatic," he muttered.
Benjamin looked at him, slightly surprised.
Caleb looked back at him. "What? You think I don’t curse?" He chuckled. "I’m actually excited too for this mont".
"Damn!" Benjamin said, his eyes flickering mischievously, already thinking up another groan-worthy joke. "The original King Julien on this one, you like to move it, move it?"
Caleb stared at him weirdly. "This is not even dumb, that’s just... la".
"Haha," Benjamin laughed. "You wouldn’t know".
While Caleb called Aria, Genevieve anwhile, took charge on another front, reaching out to Nightingale.
She knew this wasn’t just about them; their ambitions were larger than just a five-man squad. If they were going to step into the pro scene, they needed more firepower and... money.
The phone rang once, twice, then Nightingale’s voice answered. "Genevieve?"
"Let’s et," she said simply. "In London. You, your crew, us".
"We’ve got sothing big to discuss".
A brief pause.
Then, a chuckle. "Interesting. Consider it done".
As the arrangents fell into place, stuck inside the ga, Noah leaned back, listening.
They were actually doing this.
The ti for watching from the sidelines was over.
This wasn’t just so casual conversation. This was the beginning of sothing colossal. And soon, the world would know.
...
An hour later...
Aria was in London, including Genevieve and the others, and a Warstar console that they carried along with them.
They were inside a restaurant.
The restaurant was lavish, dimly lit, and completely empty, except for them.
Nightingale had gone all out, buying out the entire establishnt for the evening. No interruptions, no eavesdroppers, just business.
The waitstaff, dressed in immaculate black and white, moved silently, setting down an extravagant spread of dishes before retreating into the background.
Seated around the long table, Genevieve, Caleb, Benjamin, and Aria faced Nightingale and his crew. Including the Warstar console and a monitor.
The atmosphere was a mix of relaxed confidence and razor-sharp focus. They weren’t here for pleasantries; this was about the future.
But still, Nightingale and his crew could not help but look at the monitor weirdly where a familiar in-ga Avatar currently stood, listening to them.
’What the hell was Lord Doom still doing inside the ga in a eting this important?!’
"Umm..., this...!"
"Ahem," Genevieve cleared her throat, smiling apologetically. "Nightingale, I’m sorry but Noah was tied down by certain family matters and can’t et up".
"So, he’ll be listening in through the ga".
Nightingale stared at the computer screen weirdly again. "Ok..."
About a minute later, leaning back in his chair, Nightingale swirled a glass of wine lazily before smirking. "So, you’re serious about this".
Aria, arms folded, t his gaze without hesitation. "Obviously".
Genevieve took the lead. "We need to know exactly what it takes to create a new club in the Pro Alliance".
She faked a smile, slightly embarrassed. "Though we’ve spent over 10 years in the Pro Alliance, we actually don’t know much about the league, all of our knowledge is about the ga and the competitive scene".
"Outside, we barely know anything".
Nightingale smiled. "I expected this". With a chuckle, he set his glass down. "Alright, here’s what we need".
He raised 3 fingers.
"First, financial backing". He tapped the table. "Running a pro club isn’t cheap. You need sponsors, investors, or soone stupidly rich willing to burn money".
Benjamin imdiately perked up, grinning. "Well, good thing we have you, then. With you funding us, heh..., I guess you could say we’re flying first class".
Aria stared at him flatly. "That was awful".
Caleb groaned. "Read the situation Ben!" He sighed. "We haven’t even signed a contract yet, and I already want to deduct your salary".
Nightingale chuckled, shaking his head. "At least he’s confident".
He continued. "Second, a team". His smirk widened. "Not just five people".
"God Noah, you’re an expert when it cos to the ga but when it cos to creating a team, a lot of things have changed compared to when you first started over 10 years ago".
"In a team, you need subs, analysts, staff, even coaches. A full roster ready to compete at the highest level".
"Don’t worry, we don’t need a coach".
All eyes turned towards the monitor where Noah just spoke for the first ti in this eting. Well, no one objected.
Nightingale continued. "Third, a slot". His tone turned serious. "There are only 20 clubs in the Pro Alliance".
"You can’t just create a new one out of thin air. You either buy an existing club’s slot," he paused. "Or you fight for it in the promotion tournant, taking the place of one of the 3 clubs that are relegated every season".
Silence settled over the table for a mont as the weight of those words sank in.
Benjamin whistled. "Well damn. That escalated quickly".
Caleb adjusted his glasses. "Buying a slot would take an absurd amount of money".
Aria cracked her knuckles. "Then we fight".
In the ga, Noah smirked. "Of course we do".
Nightingale observed them, then leaned forward, intrigued. "You do realize what you’re getting into, right? This isn’t just so ga. This is the pro scene, the real deal".
Silence.
Nightingale realized what he said wrong a little bit too late.
With a smirk outlining her face, amused, Aria leaned forward and looked at Nightingale. "You really just said that to us?"
"Ahem," Nightingale coughed. "My bad". He chuckled awkwardly.
Aria shrugged. "Anyways, we know exactly what we’re getting into".
Nightingale studied them for a long mont. "Also, if you guys are to succeed as a pro club, you need a strong guild in the ga to back you up".
"Ugh!" Benjamin groaned. "Sounds like more work".
"Yeah," Nightingale nodded. "We need to create our own guild".
Noah spoke again. "This is a lot to take in, but Ro was not built in a day". He chuckled. "I read that in a book once".
"Let’s just take it one step at a ti and we’ll arrive at our destination".
"As for now, have you guys not realized the most important thing yet?"
"What important thing?" Genevieve looked at Noah suspiciously.
His Lord Doom Avatar grinned. "The club na of course!" He laughed.
Nightingale was amused. "I take it that you have a na in mind already?"
Noah’s Lord Doom Avatar leaned forward; arms crossed. "Easy".
"Well call it... Doom Legion".
A chorus of groans erupted around the table.
"NO!!!"
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