Rise

“For our first match in the Semifinals of the Shanghai 16 School Tournament, we have Tonji Affiliated High versus Shanghai High School!”

The first Shanghai 16 School Tournament Semifinal was about to begin. Both teams stepped up onto stage, while the host announced the individual players. Shouts and cheers came from a quarter of the crowd, while the rest were booing. It was a fun contest to see which school had brought with them the biggest crowd. The players from both teams sat down behind their computers, waving at the crowd and preparing for the upcoming best of five series. They were only three games from making it to the Finals!

The esports team from High School 13 was backstage, looking out onto the crowd. Ren Rou scanned over the students from High School 13 who’d come to watch and smiled. “That’s a nice crowd,” she said. “I recognize some people from our school. I think more will come after this first series is finished. There should be more room then.”

Yang Fan adjusted his glasses and said, “Tonji and Shanghai High School are both really strong teams. They should both be able to take this series. I’m thinking this will be a very close match-up. I wonder who’ll win it.”

“Probably Shanghai High School,” Ouyang answered, almost bored. “They won last year and their individual members are just better. Watch them destroy Tonji.”

Wei Dong nodded and added, “Yeah. Shanghai High School has Zeng Rui. A top 10 Challenger who specializes in strategies and shotcalling. It’s almost unfair that he’s allowed to participate. I wish I could be anywhere near as good…” He’d been there last year, watching the Finals between Shanghai High School and Shanghai International. More specifically, he watched the two Supports. As a Support himself, he hoped to learn a thing or two from them and improve his own game. But he wasn’t prepared for what came to pass. Zeng Rui carried his team with perfect strategies and even better shotcalling. Every ward placed by him proved useful. Every play initiated by him ended in a win. Everything he did helped his team get closer to victory, until they won.

Lin Feng waved his hand dismissively and said, “Oh, that’s fine. BunBun is a way better strategist than that Zeng Rui! And she’s also a better shotcaller! BunBun is better in every way!”

Perhaps for the first time, An Xin didn’t glare at Lin Feng. She didn’t hit him on the head with a book or pulled him by the ear. She smiled, kindly, and brushed her hair behind her ear. “Yup! I’m better than whoever that guy is. Our strategy will be a lot better. You guys don’t have to worry about that. Just play your best!”

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