'Is it my limit?' Adam punched the ground, 'Can't I last until the end? No, maybe I can't last before the first half ended.'
He then saw the celebration of Windart players. He felt being humiliated. 'It shouldn't be like this.'
'I don't want it.'
But, on another hand, he felt powerless. 'This is just the first half, and it hasn't been over yet. And then there will be a second half. It is because I'm weak. It's all my fault.'
'That's lame. You still had to play this first half for 10 minutes, get up and get ready!' Eve's voice entered his mind.
'Can't you at least comfort me? So cold,' Adam said while sulking.
'Huh?! Do you deserve to get depressed? You are just an amateur. What you need to do is to play and get something from this friendly match. Remember! You are just an amateur. You are not even a real battle ball player yet. Don't joke with me.' Eve said flatly.
Adam stunned. He then remembered something that Gero said a few days ago, when Adam was surprised for getting a handshake and felt Gero didn't really mind losing to him. As he said,
"Thanks for the lesson. Next time I will be better."
"What do you mean?" Adam asked back then, as he had never thought that Gero would shake his hand. he confused with Gero's reaction. He thought Gero would say something rude.
Listening to Adam's question, Gero tried to understand his meaning. Then he smiled, "Do you think I will hate you for sealing me at the last 15 minutes?"
Adam nodded. He thought it was a normal way the competitors would treat each other.
"Your name Adam right?"
"Yes."
"So Adam, who are we? We are just amateur players. We don't have time to hate players who beat us because our time is limited.
When someone beats me, it means he was better than me at the moment. And I thank you because you taught me what I'm lacking. I'm too reliant on my illusion. When someone like you who can see my tricks appears, I can't do much. I will fix it, so the next time we have a match, I will beat you." After leaving those words, Gero left.
At the moment he truly knew what Gero meant by then. He then smiled and l stood up, 'You are right Eve. I am such a fool.'
***
As Adam stood up, he saw all of the players of the Hellcat got depressed, except Pete. He was just looking at the still celebrating players of Windart and then sighed. Adam even saw Ural was going to explode. The silent Haldir even clenched his fist.
Adam then smiled. He then ran slowly to the goal. His action drew the attention of people around the field. He then nodded at Pete as he ran past him. Pete nodded unconsciously.
As he had arrived at the goal, he picked the ball, he then said to the confused Gavin while smiling, "My bad, I got slipped. Let's start again."
Gavin just smiled while looking at Adam who was running slowly to the middle line.
Cleon and Logan who were in the middle line saw Adam was coming. As Adam came, he gave the ball to Cleon, "Sorry, this goal is my fault. It made us even with them. Let's start again."
Cleon grinned, "Okay, I will score the next goal," He then looked toward Logan, "Bro, give me a good pass next time in front of the penalty area. I will show you a good goal."
Logan nodded while smiling.
***
Not long after Adam gave the ball to Cleon, the match was continued.
After the kickoff was done, the game started. Windart that just got a score wanted to use the momentum to pressure Hellcat. But It didn't work, as Hellcat players resisted stubbornly.
Some opportunities were created by Fox, but Gavin and Pete could clear it cleanly.
Adam had already worked hard to limit Fox's movement, but his physical condition was gotten worse. His stamina was nearly at the bottom.
Then to close the gap that Adam couldn't cover, Cleon, Logan, and Haldir had to go back to Hellcat's area. Even if every player of Hellcat went back to their area, Don the CB of Windart didn't dare to move forward.
Being disadvantaged in number, Windart players couldn't make any attack that could endanger Hellcat's goal.
Finally, as the referee blew the whistle to announce the end of the first half, Hellcat players finally could sigh a relief.
***
"1:1 the score between Hellcat and Windart, in the first 45 minutes. It is an interesting match if I have to say. The Hellcat although was only a new team, they have the capital to enter the middle team category if we talked about strength. Look Haldir, a teleporter was always the darling of the battle ball team. He can become a good defender and an attacker, as he can go everywhere immediately except for the penalty box," Andy said.
"True, but Haldir only used his skill once. As a level 3 creature, he should have at least two skills just like a normal level 3 mage. I don't believe, he can only teleport once. So, my conclusion is, he keeps it for the second half. He just wants to maintain his best condition," Frank said.
"Well, that's the case. But with Adam's exhausted conditions, Hellcat maybe has to hire outside players to substitute him. Look, many players seem to want to get a chance, as they are waiting near the Hellcat benches," Andy said.
***
"Are you okay Adam?" Ruby asked Adam with a concerned expression, as she gave him a towel.
Actually, not only Adam and the other players in the field that were pressured. Ruby and Alba were also on the edge. When they saw Adam fell and then a Windart player scored, they felt awful. Only Eve wore a flat expression, looking the game seriously.
"Thanks. It's okay. I'm cool," Adam said while he received the towel and then started to wipe his sweat that wet his face and hair. As for his wet clothes. He can't help it. They only had limited jerseys.
Ruby was staring at Adam who was wiping his sweat absentmindedly and then said in low voice, "Yes, you are cool."
"Huh?" Adam then turned his head to Ruby with a dumbfounded expression. Then he smiled naughtily, "Of course I'm cool."
Ruby's face reddened, she pouted and said again in a slow voice, "Rascal!"
As she wanted to leave Adam, and then checked the other players that took turns to get the drink from the water container that they brought. She then realized, Adam hadn't drunk any water.
"Do you want to drink? I will get one glass for you," Ruby said.
"Thanks, but I have my way," Adam grinned, and then a water bag appeared on his hand. He drank from it.
Ruby was shocked, and then with a curious expression, she asked, "Is it a space item?"
Adam glanced at her, and then said, "Secret."
"Hump... If you are so secretive, why did you show me?" Ruby pouted.
Adam smirked, but he didn't answer her, "...."
"Stupid Adam," Ruby then left him, with a sulky expression.
Adam smirked for seeing it.
"Hey Casanova, It looked like you are fine. I just wanted to tell you about a way to restore your stamina, but it seemed unnecessary now," As usual, Eve appeared and sat on Adam's shoulder.
Adam frowned, "It's not like doping right? If it is, then I don't want to use it."
"Fool! This game is not soccer. It is battle ball. stuff like potions or medicine pills is allowed to be used by players. As for fairness, it was fair if everyone can use it. Please, read the rules.
You always jump to a conclusion before checking the information. Isn't it just like when you confronted Mario in the hotel and then when you rejected Sir Torres's opinion? Please, don't speak irresponsibly, before understanding the whole story or information," Eve scolded him mercilessly.
"Ugh, I am wrong okay. I will try to change this habit, but of course, it will take time. So tell me, how can I restore my stamina?" Adam said in shame.
"Hump, Buy stamina pill in the Glory Shop. It was pretty cheap," Eve said with a disgruntled tone.
Adam sighed, he then bought the pill. Its price only 5 GP. I looked cheap, but if it was compared to the fine weapon that Adam bought for his summoned creatures that were 10 GP. It was actually pretty expensive. How could a consumable have half of the price of a military standard weapon?
As if know Adam's thinking, Eve said, "Well it was pretty cheap if you consider it can save your life in an emergency."
Adam was forced to nod. Indeed it was the case. Potion or pill can change the situation instantly in an emergency, "If you knew something like this, why don't you tell me immediately?"
"The rules said that any recovery action except injury treatment can only be done in the period after the first half and before the second half. I can't understand, how can a silly person like you can be smart sometimes? You are indeed a contradictory person," Eve said.
"Thank you?" Adam said smilingly.
"Don't thank. It was an insult," Eve said with a disgruntled expression.
***