Glory [e-sports] - Chapter 265

Translated by 🎏 Edited by apricot, @babyybluebear

There might not appear to be much difference between the two statements to outsiders.

After all, what was the difference between giving EVE a championship and Xie He wanting to win the championship?

EVE would still be the champion either way.

But the distinction was extremely clear to EVE and to Xie He as well.

It was no longer a matter of duty or gratitude, neither a responsibility nor a burden. It meant letting go of everything and finally allowing himself to give voice to a longing buried in the deepest corner of his heart, a longing that even he had forgotten.

Echo once asked him, “With a conviction like that, can you win the championship?”

The answer that Xie He gave was this: it was because of his conviction that he could win the championship!

After a brief silence in the internal voice chat, Echo spoke and her limpid voice had never been more enchanting than it was then. “Okay!”

It was merely a single word, just two syllables, yet it managed to rouse all five members.

To be the champions!

A championship that belonged to everyone in EVE!

They had waited too long for this!

It was impossible for the audience to learn of what transpired in EVE’s internal voice chat. All they could see was that EVE was currently defending the match point, and yet the team still managed to pull themselves together in a disadvantageous situation.

Their morale soared, and they were ignited with unprecedented fighting spirit. It appeared as if the team’s resolve had peaked at that very moment.

The livestream chat started discussing the change. “What did Echo say?”

“It couldn’t have been longer than a sentence… but that still managed to fire all of them up?”

“It’s the power of a beautiful coach!”

“No, that’s not right… why do I feel that Xie He also said something?”

“Yeah, I saw that too. God Xie’s mouth moved, then Echo looked as if she was on the verge of tears!”

“???”

“He didn’t propose to her just then, did he hahahahahahahaha.”

“In your dreams. Don’t forget that God Xie and our Goddess treat each other like siblings. Even if there was something going on there, the only response he could get from a confession at this time would be a slap before getting benched.”

That was a fact. It was widely known that Echo was a queen who ruled with an iron fist.

While the audience remained in the dark, there were also those who each saw more clearly than the next.

Such as Teacher Yuan, the proud flower, and their former captain.

Yan Jiang knew better than anyone else. He naturally understood the members on his team. Every single one.

But he had always paid more attention to Xie He by virtue of the fact that they were competing in the same competition zone.

He knew better than anyone else how much Xie He wanted to return, and knew better than anyone else that Xie He could not.

EVE had been regularly in touch with Yan Jiang these two years.

No one knew that it was on Yan Jiang’s suggestion that Echo had gone to the youth training camp that year to select Xie He.

At that time, Yan Jiang could only take care of himself and didn’t have the power to bring Xie He onto his own team. However, that said, the team that Xie He joined was on par with his.

Echo had originally extended an olive branch to God Yan in hopes that he would join EVE.

Are you sure that you want to relinquish this opportunity to save yourself?

Yan Jiang didn’t answer and only fixed his gaze on her evenly. “I am not a good fit for EVE.”

Echo laughed softly. “A team that you are not a good fit for? Does such a team exist?”

Yan Jiang’s response was solemn. “It does.”

Echo’s expression blanked. “I would never have thought that you were so sentimental.”

Yan Jiang shook his head. “I’ve already said. I’m not a good fit for EVE.”

A frosty note entered Echo’s voice. “EVE doesn’t recruit just anyone.”

With that, she spun on her heel and left, annoyed at Yan Jiang’s lack of discernment.

There were many eyes on Yan Jiang and Xie He who were left stranded in the European league.

They were viewed with envy at first, then sympathy.

Esports players were heavily reliant on their hands. Let alone missing an entire competitive season, sometimes even a month without practice was enough for gods to fall from heaven into hell.

Echo had her sights set on Yan Jiang because his unique skill set was extremely strong.

His amazing adaptability and ability to unite a team was not a skill that would diminish with the condition of one’s hands.

On the flip side, she wasn’t as keen on Xie He.

EVE was indeed lacking a strong mid laner capable of establishing control over the entire field.

But she had seen too many that were similar to the likes of Xie He. The more dazzling they were, the more fleeting their professional careers were.

He was someone whose condition would suffer a drastic, unimaginable decline after being pulled away from the intensity of competitive matches.

Echo hadn’t intended to seek out Xie He. She really hadn’t.

But as it were, she still went to have a look and ended up instantly taking a shine to him.

In a sense, Yan Jiang was so perceptive that it was chilling.

Xie He was suitable for EVE. There was nobody who could eclipse him.

There was a saying about EVE two years back – they fought like a man of steel and their kryptonite was their mid lane.

Maybe it was a problem with the team comp, but there was always an issue with EVE’s mid laner.

The other four would perform well in every tournament. It was only the mid laner who would repeatedly slip up, causing frustration to all parties.

Fans verbally flayed the team and no matter how much PR was done, their mid laner remained unstable. The moment his mental state crumbled, his performance would only worsen. It was a vicious cycle. It was almost as if there was a curse on EVE’s mid lane position. It didn’t seem to matter who took the spot; the mid laner was forever doomed.

He didn’t get anyone else killed but would always be the first to die himself.

When FTW originally listed the members, EVE had also tried to snatch up Xie He. Unfortunately, Xie He had left in too much of a hurry, signing to a lousy team without hesitation. The matter had vexed Echo deeply.

She believed that the little runt’s worldview was too narrow and that he had been tempted away by just a little bit of cash to embark on a road to self-destruction.

Of course, when Echo learned of the specifics later on, she could only feel sorry for him.

After a winding journey, Xie He still arrived at EVE in the end.

Echo fretted for a long time about the socially inept child that she had signed on.

She was worried that his skills had declined and would only decline further after getting crushed in competition. She was also worried that he couldn’t overcome the curse of EVE’s mid lane position and dragged the whole team into hell with him. Lastly, she was most worried that it would be difficult for him to gel with his teammates given his broody personality, upsetting the team dynamic.

But there was no point fretting over it now. The paperwork was already done.

However, deep down, Echo trusted her intuition. When she saw Xie He’s Immortal Warlock, it felt like the workings of fate.

The fated Immortal Warlock; a king in the mid lane that belonged to EVE.

Afterwards, Xie He proved his strength for all to see. He not only broke the curse on EVE’s mid lane but also transformed EVE into a team with a mid lane core.

Echo’s greatest fear – that Xie He wouldn’t be able to get along with the team – was also eased. The picture they painted was unexpectedly harmonious.

Smith was loud and big-hearted. Miller was collected and responsible as an experienced pro player, while CC had a mischievous streak and liked to prod Xie He. After one prod, he had Xie He all figured out and only continued with more enthusiasm after that. Dunn was bashful and shy, but he was a die-hard fanboy of Xie He’s – don’t ask, even marksmen could have dreams of being mage kings!

Xie He was taciturn and didn’t proactively initiate conversation. However, he was diligent and hardworking; he rose earlier and went to bed later than anyone else.

He used absolute strength to sway his teammates.

There was no need to fear talented players; only fear talented players that worked harder than anyone else!

Xie He’s determination could only inspire sincere admiration from his peers.

The team respected him and liked him, whilst slowly beginning to understand him.

He was obstinate, a child in a man’s body, and still wore his heart on his sleeve.

He was responsible; he was loyal.

He gave his all for EVE whilst losing sleep over FTW.

Perhaps the biggest regret between EVE and him was that they had not come together sooner.

In truth, they couldn’t win the championship.

The reason was that the team’s motivations weren’t quite right.

Xie He felt that he had a duty to EVE.

On the contrary, his teammates were afraid to hear that was the case.

But it was different now.

With Xie He’s words, the smog had cleared, allowing EVE to welcome the return of the true mage god.

A mage god in the mid lane that belonged to EVE!

The third game started and the drafting phase became even more deadlocked.

Chen Feng was pleasantly surprised by the win in the second game.

Of course, he still had to give a hard knock to the cubs who were swelling with pride. “Don’t underestimate EVE.”

Ning Zhehan replied merrily, “We aren’t, not at all.” He secretly hoped he could play the Immortal Warlock.

Chen Feng considered it. “Go ahead.”

Ning Zhehan happily locked it down. If he had a tail, it would be wagging sky-high now.

Xie He actually lost when playing the Immortal Warlock!

If he, Little Ning, won with the Immortal Warlock, wouldn’t that be…

Ahhhh… Ning Zhehan’s heart rate was accelerating and his face was slightly flushed. He was as excited as a fan who had dethroned his idol (just kidding).

But what made everyone goggle was that Xie He didn’t go for the Soul Mage. He selected the Void Mage instead!

It was a mage talent that Glory newly released for the World Tournament this year, a mid lane hero whose potential had yet to be fully explored!

It was a match point. Was EVE actually going to play around with such high stakes at this critical junction?

The audience was instantly invigorated upon seeing this talent selected.

“Dude, powerhouses sure are different. They actually dare to take out a new talent at this time.”

“I think there’ll be surprises up ahead. God Xie must have a plan to give him the guts to play the Void Mage for a match point!”

“Speaking of which… will we witness history being made today?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like a new Thousand Cloud Layers…”

When this comment popped up, the chat went crazy.

“There’s a chance!”

“The Void Mage’s abilities have a lot of potential. Maybe God Xie has already unlocked a ‘special ability’?”

Glory didn’t inherently have such things as special abilities. Rather, it was because some pro players had such impressive skills that they could dig deep into the talent and find a combo that maximised damage. This would then be crowned with an exclusive name, and like this, a new special ability was born.

The brilliance of the Immortal Warlock began with Xie He.

Would he construct a new legend with the Void Mage two years down the road?

Even FTW was looking forward to it.

Wei Xiao was getting itchy fingers. “Shall we also give it a try?”

Of the new talents released this year, the Soul Warlock had already yielded good results, and Xie He obviously intended to go all in with the Void Mage. There were still three other talents.

Yue Wenle had practised playing the new marksman but hadn’t managed to master it yet due to certain limitations of the character.

The top lane and jungle talents had also yet to make their competitive debut. These were the three talents that Wei Xiao was referring to.

Chen Feng glared at him. “Be serious.”

Wei Xiao: “Look, it just happens to be 2:0 right now…”

Chen Feng smacked him upside the head. “Do you want to let them make a comeback?”

Wei Xiao wised up.

The new top lane and jungle talents were a dysfunctional couple in the official game lore. Wei Xiao and Lu Feng had tried them out together; the mechanics had been easy to pick up.

However, these characters weren’t very useful in team tournaments. But once it was time for the duo tournament… they could show it off then.

There was no rush. Wei Xiao suppressed the itch in his heart.

The team semifinals were nearing the end; the duo tournament was not that far off.

“Bring it on.” Wei Xiao boldly proclaimed, “It’s such a hot day, let’s collect God Xie’s life to help him cool down a little!”

It was the desire to achieve a clean sweep!

Further on, this was turned into a voice clip by the Mic Explosion King. Upon listening to it, Xie He made a beeline to FTW and solo-ed the little lunatic until the latter couldn’t see straight…

Well, that was God Xie for you. Were it anyone else, Close would have blacklisted and eliminated them from the face of the earth!

@babyybluebear: and where’s the sequel where Quiet made a beeline to the Mic Explosion King and solo-ed them in revenge?