Rise

The host of the tournament walked up on stage. He looked out at the stands. At the more comfortable, more luxurious section on the field below the stage and at the simpler seats up in the actual stands. He smiled and brought a microphone to his lips. He then started talking, his voice booming from the speakers installed all throughout the venue. “Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! League fans from all ages and genders! We’ve gathered here today for the second day of the first round of the Winter Collegiate Cup! The two teams here behind me have fought for months to secure this spot! They’re excited to play! We’re excited to watch them! So let’s give them a warm welcome! Team Shanghai! Wooo! And Guangzhou Institute of Technology! Woooo!”

The crowd welcomed the two teams and spurred them on to play their best through a cacophony of cheers and clapping! They then all focused their attention on the large LCD screen. It showed Team Shanghai on the left side as the Blue team, and Guangzhou Tech on the right as the Red team.The crowd welcomed the two teams and spurred them on to play their best through a cacophony of cheers and clapping! They then all focused their attention on the large LCD screen. It showed Team Shanghai on the left side as the Blue team, and Guangzhou Tech on the right as the Red team. The first bans were coming through. Team Shanghai chose to take Irelia out and Guangzhou Tech replied by banning LeBlanc. And their second ban took out Fizz.

Lin Feng sat inside the soundproof booth, looking at the League client on his monitor. “Huh!” Lin Feng remarked. He scratched the back of his head and added, “Are they focusing me?”

Zeng Rui glanced at Lin Feng and said over the team’s voice chat. “Then they wasted those two bans.” He turned back to look at his monitor and chuckled. If they knew they’re playing Maple, they wouldn’t waste these bans on Midlaners. Maple was known for his endless champion pool! You can’t ban him out. He’s Maple! Fucking Maple! The thundering dumbass-- He shook his head and glanced at Lin Feng again. He scrunched his nose. There’s that look again. He almost looks happy! His favourite Champions are out but he’s just getting more and more fired up. I guess that’s good for us.

The ban phase concluded and the pick phase began. Team Shanghai got the first choice since they were the Blue team. They picked Lee Sin for An Xin. Guangzhou Tech got the next two picks. They chose Jungle Rengar and Top Gragas. It was Team Shanghai’s turn again. They selected their Toplaner and ad-carry, respectively Jarvan IV and Lucian. Then Guangzhou Tech locked in their next two Champions. Caitlyn for the ad-carry and Twisted Fate for the Midlaner.

Lin Feng rubbed his chin and grinned. He pointed at his screen and said over the team’s voice chat, “TF? That’s so funny! He couldn’t have picked a worse Champion!”

“What Champion are you playing?” Tang Bingyao asked, tilting her head.

Lin Feng clenched his fist and pumped it up into the air. He replied, “Annie!”

Zeng Rui nodded and chimed in, “Since our goal is to win on skill, Annie is a good choice. Like we talked about last night.” He then hovered his mouse over Thresh. I’ll pick Thresh. He goes on Annie. He gets fed. He carries the game. And I’ll support him. I’ll help him do that. He glanced over the rim of his monitor at the crowd in the Tianhe Stadium. People can watch this game all they want. All they’ll learn is that the thundering dumbass is a better Midlaner. We won’t reveal any tactics!