Adam knew they were disappointed, but he couldn't help it. It would be his land, he couldn't promise many things that he couldn't fulfill. He thought, someday they would understand that he had already been very lenient. When the land usage rights of other areas started to be auctioned, they would see, how lucky they were.
Adam then inquired about all aspects of the people around his would-be resident, such as their jobs, their incomes, the local products, etc. After getting all the information, he understood what he should do. But he needed to discuss it with Eve, Walker, Traze, Roman, and Zeen.
The meeting was ended, as Adam told them he wanted to look at the area. Tristan offered to take him around. Adam accepted it with a thank. As for Harris, Adam suggested him to take a rest, as he must be tired of helping Roman to persuade the other right holders these two days. Adam actually wanted to reward him for his contributions, but he didn't know what.
After that, Tristan took him and Victor to look around the area. Adam met the others when he was loitering. They then walked together to every corner of the area.
Adam met several locals. They greeted Adam's group with too polite manners, and maybe a little fear. Seeing that, Adam felt normal. It was normal for commoners to behave like that in front of nobles. In the former Adam's memories, almost every townsman in the fief behaved like that.
***
As Adam's group was passing a garden, they heard children's voices behind the bushes.
"Pass here!"
"Stop him!"
"Damn, he is really fast."
"I stopped him. Counterattack!"
The group stopped, they were curious about what was happening on the other side of the bushes.
"Is there a field behind the bushes?" Adam asked.
"It can be said a field, as the owner hasn't planted the seeds yet. The children are playing battle ball apparently. Of course, they only used a leather ball. Do you want to see them playing?" Tristan asked.
"Yes," Adam answered.
***
Adam's group then entered the garden, but they didn't want to disturb the kids that were playing battle ball.
They were standing among some trees pretty far from the kids. Adam saw eight boys were playing battle ball, four boys on each team.
Something made Adam smiled, a boy with oversized clothes was casing a bigger boy who had the ball. Adam was a little bit surprised at first when seeing the kid. He had joked before that they would meet, but he had never thought to see him like this.
It was crystal clear the kid was at disadvantage in build and speed, as the bigger boy left him pretty far.
Another boy then tried to block the bigger boy. But with a feint, he could deceive the other boy. As he was face to face with the goalkeeper, he didn't hurry to shoot, he baited the goalkeeper to approach him by dribbling the ball aside.
The goalkeeper was baited, he approached the bigger boy trying to block the ball.
"What a mischievous kid!" Pete said with a smile.
Adam and the others also smiled. But something astonishing happened. The kid that Adan knew did a sliding tackle from the side. It was a dangerous action, but the bigger kid seemed to have a sharp intuition, as he jumped hurriedly when he saw the kid's attempt.
The kid successfully drove the ball out of bounds. Everyone then froze. They never imagined the bigger boy's attack would be ended like this.
"Hahaha, seems like my son got a lesson. He is always cheeky. It's refreshing to look he was defeated by Salah, hahaha...," Tristan laughed.
"Salah, Is the short kid's name Salah? And the bigger one is your son?" Adam asked. He was pleased to know the kid's name.
"Yes, although he is short, he loves battle ball very much. Every now and then I often see him go to the city to watch a match. Really, Mr. Harris really spoiled him. but I will do the same if I just got a son when I am in my 50th.
As for the cheeky boy, he is my son, Diego. He makes my wife has a headache every day with his mischief. But I had to say he had a talent for battle ball," Tristan said proudly.
"I have to agree with you, Mr. Tristan. He will become a flashy striker when he grows up. Sorry, I don't mean it in a bad way but in a good way. By the way, how old are they?" Pete asked.
"Hahaha, don't worry. I agree with you. They are about 10 years to 12 years old. As for my son, he is 10 years old last Winter. As for Salah, he should be 10 years old this Spring."
Adam didn't talk much after that. As Pete and Tristan were talking about the children, He was watching the children playing.
He never thought the rude kid was Harris's son. Harris should be in 60th. To have a kid when he was already old, he must have many concerns about his son's future. Adam couldn't help to sympathize with him.
He then remembered his father on earth. Although his father kept many secrets from him and his mother. But from his attitude when he was with them, Adam always knew his father loved him and his mother very much. He hoped he was well on the earth.
The mini-match continued. It was clear, Diego was a prodigy. His one-man show overwhelmed Salah's team. The ball looked like having a consciousness, it was as if dancing with Diego.
At another hand, Salah as if didn't have a 'tired' word in his library. He always chased Diego whenever Diego had the ball.
His teammate as if understood they couldn't contend with Diego. So they just tried to delay him as long as possible, until Salah came and helped them to defeat Diego.
As the match continued, Adam began to understand the two sides' traits.
Diegos team that was dominant in ball possession couldn't score many points. Since Adam's group arrived, only one goal was created by Diego.
It was because of Salah's stubbornness. He never gave up confronting the superior Diego. He was just like a honey badger that wouldn't back down even if facing a lion.
Actually, the longer Adam watched, the more respect he had for Salah. The kid that had never had a fixed position was really interesting. When his team was attacking, he followed them to help the offense. When Diego attacked, he ran without any doubt to chase the big kid. When looked at him, Adam was inspired. As if he opened a new door for his development.
***
The sun was moving slowly to the West, unexpectedly they had already watched the match for more than 40 minutes. Adam felt it was time for them to go back to the city. As Ruby and Alba had already said, they should go back before the evening.
"Let's go back," Adam said.
No one expressed their disagreement, as they just realized that it was almost evening. They then left the kids, went back to Harris's house, as their carriages were waiting there.
***
The kids had never been aware that their match was watched by many people. 10 minutes later, the kids ended their match. No more goal was created since Adam went back. Diego's team won with one point.
"What was wrong with you. I have never seen you so stubborn when playing," Diego said after drinking from a water bag.
Salah who was sitting beside him was still gasping for air. With an arrogant look, he said, "Ha... What is it? I almost defeated you today. Do you feel being threatened?"
Diego said in a mocking tone, "Say again when you can defeat me, genius. It is 100 years too earlier for you to say that remark to me. Come on, tell me! It is an honor for you, The future star asked you a question."
"You! Just wait. It will be soon," Salah shouted while pointing at Diego.
"Alright, so, what happened?" Diego just smiled.
"Nothing really, but there was a team. They were so cool. There was a player who can teleport. Also, a big monster who could always stop his opponent," Salah explained what he saw.
Diego and other kids could just listen to his story enthusiastically. Looking at his interested friends, he continued to tell them about the game.
"But, they were lucky that their opponents had a dispute. What is the team's name?" Diego asked.
"Luck is a part of greatness. Listen and remember. They are Hellcat team. I believe they will become a professional team soon. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, it is princess Ruby's team. She herself becomes the manager of the team."
"Really?!" All kids including Diego shouted simultaneously.
"Yes, I told you the truth," Salah said.
"I hope I can go to the city," a kid said.
"Me too. But father won't give me money. Haaah...," another kid responded.
Diego could also smile bitterly, as he knew he was the same with his two friends. He then tried to distract himself by asking the rich kid in front of him, "So, you surely have a favorite player in the team. Come on, tell us."
Salah then tried to recall his memory as he was closing his eyes. He then said, "Yeah, there is this player. He was not as strong as Ural the monster, or cooler than Haldir that could teleport. But, he never gave up. I have already told you about a player who guarded Fox right. He always stood up after falling down. I want to be like him.
I have already told you his name. He is Adam Elbaz."
***