Inside a white room filled with screens on three of the four walls, a woman chuckles to herself, writing something on a small piece of paper, when a voice coming from behind her interrupts her thoughts.

"Alicia. Are you up for dinner?"

Being called, Alicia cranes her head back. Suddenly, she jumps up from her seat and grabs the newcomer by the scruff of his neck.

"Jordi!" She raises her voice. "How did it go? Did you know who got a spot?"

The man, Jordi, smiles awkwardly at his coworker's sudden action. He replies to her question with a tired but excited tone. "There were a few who weren't sure about it, but…"

"But…?" Alicia's voice rises a few octaves.

"But I convinced them in the end. Mad Rat and his team will be in the DMA tournament in the 4vs4 category."

"Yes!" Alicia pumps her fist, grinning. "And what about… that other team? Did you convince them, too?"

Jordi makes a wry smile, scratching his head.

"Well… They were heavily against the idea."

"What!? Why?" Alicia starts shaking Jordi's body, trying to squeeze an answer out of him even a second sooner.

"S-stop! Alicia, stop this at once." Only after Alicia stops shaking him does Jordi answer. "Although they barely got into the top 100 teams, their skills aren't that high. Furthermore, their mental sanity is… questionable."

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"Oh, yeah. That's right…" Alicia nods. "So… did you convince them or not?"

"I had to change tactics, but in the end, I did. I convinced them by saying they would give this tournament a new perspective. Something never seen before, even if they're the first team to be eliminated. Also, I guaranteed that if both teams met, the match would be unforgettable. Under the condition that both teams are placed in the same group and clash in the first phase, they agreed."

Alicia starts jumping in place, excited.

"This is perfect! Not only will both participate, but they will inevitably clash… I have to spread the news…!"

"Not right now." Jordi stops her. "Let's go dining first."

"Yes, let's go! You and me, alone!" She suddenly turns her head back to him. "Is this a date?"

He sighs. "No, it isn't a date… By the way, what were you doing here, by yourself, alone?"

"Oh, just planning some important stuff for the tournament. You know, things I must remember so I don't regret it later."

"I see…"

Before leaving the room, Jordi peeks at the note left on the table and starts reading it. He has the same job as her, so he's curious what she's planning. Knowing about her notes might help him, too, during the tournament.

Comfy chair. Popcorn, other snacks, and several drinks. A blanket, a neck pillow, an eye mask…

He stops reading, a sudden headache coming to him.

"Hey, are you coming or not? I'm going to eat everything if you don't come soon!" Alicia's voice reaches him, coming from the other end of the corridor.

He sighs, shaking his head. Although Alicia will have to work for as long as the tournament lasts, she might be the happiest worker in the whole company. He decides to forget about the note and pretend he didn't see anything.

"Sigh… I'm coming, I'm coming…!"

Not only were the DMA players and followers excited about the incoming tournament. There were those inside the DMA staff itself who were excited too.

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