Chapter 24
As Aubree walked out of Rithol High School with Matilda, Alvin was leaning against his car. The school’s tailored black-and-white uniform looked sharp on him–broad shoulders, single-strap backpack, every inch the campus heartthrob.
‘Throw on a gaming headset, and Alvin’s straight out of an esports novel,’ Aubree added silently.
Aubree recalled Alvin’s background: his father, a high-ranking politician, all refined authority; his mother, a celebrated painter.
‘What kind of high-society drama family is this? They could dominate every genre of romantic fiction,’ Aubree mused, who was obsessed with various romance novels during her middle school years.
Alvin didn’t know Matilda. He eyed Aubree curiously. Aubree grinned, pulling Matilda forward. “Meet our secret weapon. You’ll see.”
Matilda blushed, her hazel eyes wide. No one had ever called her a ‘secret weapon’ before.
Intrigued, Alvin gave Matilda a longer look. ‘Another hidden genius?’ He ushered them into the car. Aubree sat between them, making introductions.
Matilda seemed bashful. She knew Alvin–technically, she was a fan of his. His clutch jungle plays had saved God’s Fury countless times.
Matilda adored his performance in the game, especially those unexpected ambushes that always brought the team surprising gains.
‘If I had half his talent,’ she thought, ‘I’d want to be a team’s backbone too.’
Alvin knew Aubree’s excellent skill firsthand. Anyone she praised had to be exceptional.
“So,” he asked Matilda eagerly, ‘What’s your peak rank? Any national titles? Main role?”
Matilda’s neck flushed bright red at the questions. Alvin assumed she was shy, clueless that she was dying of embarrassment.
“Do I really have to say?” Matilda reckoned that she had never heard of entering the training team with top-tier skills.
“Come on.” He wondered how insanely good she must be to hesitate to show off in front of a pro like him. Alvin’s eyes lit on Matilda.
“… peaked Diamond. Two stars shy of Master.” Matilda’s words rendered Alvin speechless.
Matilda avoided eye contact, stealing a glance at him. “No national ranks. Got a local badge once… beginner’s luck on a new champion release.”
Alvin was lost for words. He stared at Matilda, then at Aubree, who was grinning like a cat with cream.
‘This was the secret weapon? My friend’s thirteen-year-old cousin ranked higher,’ he mused.
Aubree burst out laughing, clapping Alvin’s shoulder. “Oh, come on, don’t make that face! She’s a strategy genius.”
Matilda nodded earnestly, eager to prove her worth. “I’m pretty good at BP and data analysis.”
“Matilda’s not here to play. She’s our new analyst. We’re scrimming against Apex today, right? What if Matilda leads the session?” Aubree added.
Karl had been planning to retire and settle down, only agreeing to stay after Alvin begged him. In her previous life, after God’s Fury lost the Autumn Finals, Alvin vowed to rebuild the team from scratch.
However, Killian’s betrayal and Karl’s departure frustrated the rest of them–some went back to school as their families demanded. Others joined rival teams, leaving Alvin alone to bury his esports dream.
God’s Fury had become a fleeting spark in the competitive scene. This time, Aubree intended to carve that name into the League of Legends legacy.
Alvin had no reason to doubt Aubree. He trusted Aubree’s judgment. ‘Karl will leave after the Autumn Finals. If Matilda were a genius like Aubree said, it might work,’ he mused.
When they arrived at the base, the team members were already prepared.
Hector shoved a new jersey into Aubree’s hands. “Phoenix, here’s yours. Go change later–team photos for the League, then scrims.”
If jerseys won beauty contests, God’s Fury would dominate. Alvin was the type who either didn’t do things at all or did them perfectly.
When founding the team, regardless of the original motive, he’d spared no expense, hiring a renowned designer to craft their jerseys.
The silver-gray jerseys were embroidered with golden thread, each featuring a unique pattern of their ID on the back.
Aubree unfolded hers: a phoenix, wings outstretched, cradling her ID ‘Phoenix’ like a jewel. It was nothing short of stunning.
Running her fingers over the fabric, Aubree felt a surge of excitement. ‘For this jersey alone, Apex Squad goes down.’
After changing into their jerseys and taking photos, Aubree settled into her chair, gazing at teammates in matching jerseys.
An indescribable emotion surged through her–if she had to name it, maybe “youthful passion.” Strangers united, fighting for one goal.
While they posed for photos, Aubree introduced Matilda to Karl. At first, Karl was skeptical of her abilities. But given Aubree’s unique playstyle, he conceded Matilda’s talent wasn’t entirely implausible.
“Heard we’ve got an old friend in their team,” their ADC, Lucas Garcia, ground out.
Hector slung an arm around him. “Bot lane’s making them cry uncle today!”
Karl hit both of them with his clipboard. “Get your playstyle down first. Matilda, take the lead.”
Once in the game lobby, Aubree realized Lucas had meant Killian.
This diverged from her previous life–Killian joined the Apex Squad after the finals. Now he’d switched teams mid-season and secured a starting role.
Aubree wondered if Apex’s desperation or Emery had lost their minds. Either way, the team would face backlash no matter the outcome.
Aubree smirked silently. Apex was doomed–if not for her past efforts carrying Emery’s team and overhauling management, they’d have been dropped during their losing streak.
Apex Squad’s name had a history. Five years ago, as a pro player and team leader, Emery bought the struggling team with his savings, renaming it Apex Squad.
Aubree remembered that the first year she’d returned to the Wilson family was also the last World Championship match Emery ever played.
He’d held the trophy out to her and said, “Aubree, Apex Squad is for you. Maybe it’ll bring you home after I lead this team to greatness one day.”
Back then, Emery’s in-game ID was Aub. For his words, Aubree stubbornly pushed her already unhealthy body to the limit, working day and night.
Her death in her previous life can be traced back to these relentless efforts. Now, that memory she’d cherished as a treasure had long since been defiled.