The King's Avatar: The Starting

Chapter 1: Banishment of the Battle God Click, click, tap, tap A pair of nimble hands fluttered across the keyboard and mouse. The rhythm of the clicking and tapping sounds produced were like a beautiful symphony. The screen flashed with a bright light as the opponent fell to the ground in a spray of blood and flames gathered around. "Ha ha ha." Natsu laughed as he lifted his hand to take the lollipop that was in the corner of his mouth. As the sweet scent of candies and cola's surrounded the room. And Natsu just continued with his gaming, brandishing his mouse and striking his keyboard, not in the least bit shaken. The removed lollipop was removed and placed in an eccentrically- shaped platter on the table. As his hand quickly flew back to the keyboard. Right as he was about to say a few words to his opponent, the door to his room was suddenly pushed with a 'big bang'. Natsu didn't even need to turn his head to know who it was. He was expecting this. As Mira went in, he merely asked "Arrived?" "Arrived!" Mira Jane simply replied. "Then let's go!" Natsu once again declined his opponent's request for another duel. He gently removed the card from Honor's dedicated log-in device. He then stood up and slowly headed to the door to grab a jacket on his way out. The night had already darkened considerably, but Excellent Era's lights were still shining brightly. As Natsu and Mira Jane walked out the room and slowly walked all the way to the end of the corridor. Located there was a spacious conference room; and at the entrance, digital display screens almost completely covered the walls. They showed the rankings of the "Honor Professional Alliance" and some skill statistics. Ranking Excellent Era's Battle Team number 19 - second to the last place. Once a trump card team with three consecutive titles as Champions in the league, their former achievements were exceptionally dazzling. Nowadays it hung brightly on the wall asif it were heartlessly mocking everyone in their team. The atmosphere in the room wasn't heavy. On the contrary, it was somewhat kind. The members were all gathered around one person as if they were stars surrounding the moon. They ignored Natsu's arrival and the ones that did notice him, quickly glanced over at him with expressions of coldness and mockery. And as the Club Manager saw Natsu's arrival he went closer. Then said "Natsu, the club has already decided that the new transfer member Laxus will take over your position as team captain. Laxus will be in control of your account One Summer." Without saying anything in advance or even conveying it tactfully, he just heartlessly notified him in an ice-cold manner as if he were throwing away a ball of already used toilet paper. Mira Jane opened her mouth wanting to speak, but Natsu lightly tugged at her sleeve. He smiled and nodded his head at her indicating that he wasn't surprised. “Natsu, I’m sorry, on arriving, I just took your position.” On the left-hand side of the conference table —— the exclusive seat for the Excellent Era’s team captain should have been Natsu’s seat. But Laxus casually sat there as he said those few words. However, his eyes didn’t even glance at Natsu. This was already no longer ignorance, rather it was a type of disrespect. His gaze fell upon Mira Jane’s body, who had arrived with Natsu. To be fair, Mira Jane was indeed more attractive to the eye than Natsu. She was known as the Honor Professional Alliance’s number one beauty. Even if she was thrown into modeling or show business, she would still be considered a rare beauty. Even for those Excellent Era members who saw her everyday, they were still somewhat stunned when they saw Mira Jane enter. But they quickly recovered because there was another important person that deserved their attention. “Ha ha ha, Brother Laxus, with those words, this position definitely suits you.” Everyone that had recovered promptly scrambled for their lines after he said this. “Right, some people are already old and out-of-date!” “One Summer really should follow Brother Laxus’s commands so that our team’s abilities can truly be displayed as true battle strength!” This was the person that everyone paid attention to at this moment — Laxus, Honor Professional Alliance generation’s genius level player. In the league last season, Laxus won the Most Outstanding Rookie title with his MVP-like stats that led his mediocre Over the Clouds Team to eighth place. His advance to the playoffs was hopeful, but midway, he transferred to the collapsing Excellent Era Club. Although Excellent Era’s accomplishments were terrible, they possessed a player who was regarded as a Battle God in Honor: Battle Mage One Summer. These Excellent Era members actually shamelessly approached Laxus, who hadn’t even been a part of the Alliance for two years. It was clear that Laxus would be the future leader of the team. Laxus comfortably accepted their flattery and was unwilling to part with it so much so that he wouldn’t glance at Natsu; feeling that such an action was beneath him. “Natsu, hand over your account card for One Summer to Laxus!” the team manager said. Even if Natsu was unfazed before, at this moment, his heart couldn’t help but feel somewhat hurt. Natsu, One Summer, the relationship between these two names was obvious. This was the name he had created when he entered the online game world of Honor. This account had accompanied Natsu for a full ten years. Originally, the newbie that became known as a textbook level expert. The not so insignificant battle mage also turned into the famed “Battle God” in Honor. But seven years ago when he entered the professional circle, he signed a business contract with the club and all the rights of One Summer transferred to the club. Natsu had known that there would be a day they would separate and this day finally arrived. Natsu’s fingers slightly trembled. To a pro-player, steady hands were a must. This inner quality could not be ingrained any further into the old veteran’s body but right now, Natsu’s hands were trembling. Mira Jane twisted her head. She did not want to see this scene, but was powerless to help. Everyone took delight in his misfortune as One Summer, that silver white account card, was handed over to Laxus. Laxus’s eyes lit up with greed and happiness. He had willingly transferred and joined the inferior Excellent Era Club in order to get One Summer’s account. One Summer’s former owner Natsu’s achievements were not so good in the last few years and he often broke out in arguments with the club. Laxus had 100% confidence in replacing him. “Mine!” In the instant he retrieved the card, Laxus felt a burst of excitement but felt a trace of resistance from the card. Laxus felt Natsu’s reluctance and proudly chortled: “Let go Brother Natsu. Your hands are unexpectedly shaking to this degree. With these hands how are you going to display your power as a Battle God? Better to let me do it! I’ll let the title Battle God once again echo throughout Honor. You? Retire!” After saying this, Laxus saw that silent Natsu, who just only handed over One Summer’s card, had a hint of pain flash across his eyes. He discovered in shock that Natsu’s trembling hands suddenly steadied. “Do you like this game?” Natsu suddenly asked, looking straight at Laxus. “What?” Laxus startled. “If you like it, then treat everything as honor and not pride.” “What did you say? What does this have to do with you?” Laxus suddenly lost control. At the moment, he didn’t know why he felt that he was weaker than Natsu by a mile. He didn’t think that he would lose to his opponent in loftiness. He came here in order to replace Natsu. He came here to take the Battle God One Summer. “Let it go.” Just when Laxus wanted to summon up his courage, Natsu already let go of the account card faintly saying the phrase. He turned around ready to leave. “Natsu!” At this moment, the manager suddenly called out. Natsu stopped and tilted his head slightly to the side hearing that the manager was already behind him saying: “The club currently doesn’t have any suitable competitive cards to give you. First find a team member to serve as a training partner!” Training partner… A person who built a dynasty in the Alliance and an expert known by all in Honor had actually fallen to be a training partner. Laxus was very interested in this arrangement and immediately laughed out loud: “With Brother Natsu’s level, training together won’t be a problem. Only you deserve to be Honor Professional Alliance’s number one training partner!” “Ha ha ha.” Accepting the insult, Natsu unexpectedly laughed. He turned his body towards the manager: “Training partner? It looks like I don’t have to. I choose to cancel the contract!” “Cancel the contract? Are you actively seeking to cancel the contract?” The manager’s expression looked as if she were in deep thought. “Right. I request to cancel the contract.” “Dont be rash!” Mira Jane immediately came charging over to stop Natsu. An Alliance had an Alliance’s rules. Terminating a contract during the contract period required a special reason. Actively seeking to cancel the contract required a penalty fee. Natsu and Excellent Era still had another half a year for the contract. If he were to forcefully request a termination of the contract, then the loss would be huge. As for Mira Jane, she feared for Natsu’s departure. “The boss isn’t here yet, wait for him to come before you continue speaking!” Mira Jane hoped Natsu would calm down. Natsu had noticed the trace of ridicule at the corners of the manager’s mouth long ago. He shook his head towards Mira Jane and laughed bitterly: “Mira Jane, do you not understand? My departure is the boss’s goal. I no longer have any value to this club. I’m only a money sink.” “No way. How could you be a money sink? Your strength wouldn’t be lost to anyone.” Mira Jane said. “Strength isn’t the issue. This is a business. And me? I’ve never had any business value.” Natsu said. “You originally did have value, but you chose to give it up yourself.” The manager coldly interjected at this moment. “Right, this is my choice.” Natsu said. The current Honor Professional Alliance was flourishing, sponsors flocked over left and right. Celebrity players in Honor were natural advertisers as spokespeople for popular goods. But even though Natsu was viewed as a top-tier level player, he rejected any offer to be in advertisements. He even refused to take part in interviews. He was like an ancient netizen, carefully concealing his true identity in virtual reality. The club was extremely dissatisfied with this matter. They looked at him as if he were a gold mountain but were unable to dig out even the slightest amount of gold. They were only able to put up with him because his strength was tyrannical, helping the Club gain fame and glory. But as their achievements declined, everything had already become a thing of the past. “The Alliance’s commercialization allowed us to survive, but now… ” Natsu couldn’t say anything further. He also didn’t know whether this development was good or bad. The current Alliance was full of greed. Every Alliance boss’s first consideration was how to exploit the team to make a profit. Harboring with a love for gaming and tirelessly struggling in Honor, Natsu cherished his memories for the Alliance when it had just been made. But now, the Alliance only strived for money. Mira Jane did not say another word. She had originally come with Natsu here and witnessed everything about this old veteran. Her eyes were filled with tears. She knew that Natsu truly wanted to leave. Blocking him would only make it more painful for him. “Since it’s like this, I…” “No need.” Natsu smiled, interrupting Mira Jane. He knew what she wanted to say: “Don’t worry, I haven’t given up all hope yet. I’ll be back.” “Right. Now that is the ambitious Natsu I remember. Then first, let’s talk about the penalty fee! Honestly speaking, you’ve been with us for so many years and your achievements are a lot so we won’t push it. If you want to still leave, then let’s all sit down and talk about the details of cancelling the contract. How about it?” “Tell it to me straight. What are the conditions?” Natsu asked. “Okay. The conditions are simple: announce your retirement.” the manager said. “Retirement! This condition can’t be avoided?” Mira Jane was very angry. Natsu was 25 years old this year. With regards to pro-gamers in electronic gaming tournaments, this age was already considered old. Retiring at this age was not at all strange. But Natsu already stated clearly that he did not want to retire. The Excellent Era manager’s condition of retirement was clearly directed against him. Retired pro-players naturally did not have the qualifications to participate in a tournament again. Although retired pro-players could come back, the Honor Professional Alliance had a rule stating that a retired pro-player could only return after a year. This was to prevent people from transferring to another team and then returning the next day. Natsu was already in the declining years of this profession. Every day was precious, but now they wanted him to waste a whole year. After one year, even if he wanted to return again, for the elderly, without a year of intense competition to maintain his skills and even by relying on former fame, whether the team would still want him would be another issue. In addition, Natsu had a fatal flaw: he refused to do anything related to business. It looked as if it were an impossible condition, but Natsu simply nodded his head: “I accept.” “Are you crazy?” Mira Jane was shocked. “I’ve worked so hard for so many years, can’t I rest for a year?” Natsu smiled. “What… what are you thinking of doing?” Mira Jane didn’t understand. “Nothing much.” Natsu turned his head. The manager had already handed over the documents. Natsu took a glance at them and laughed a bit. The other party really had prepared for this long ago! Thinking of this, Natsu put the pen to the paper and quickly signed his name. Just as he was about to leave… Natsu glanced back at this place he had stayed for seven years. He didn’t even say any farewells and silently turned ready to leave. “I’ll send you off.” Mira Jane was the only one to follow behind him.