“Hmph, go on!”

……

After dinner, Ethan Carter leisurely logged onto the platform. During the meal, he realized he couldn’t even hold his chopsticks properly anymore—this was the result of his strength increasing too quickly. If Alice Green hadn’t already advanced, her face would have been pinched swollen by now. He searched online for the best place in Magic City to adapt to his newfound strength: Nine-Tails - League of Legends Club.

Ethan Carter stroked his chin. He’d have to check it out when he had time. He wondered if it was expensive. He had to master his body before his strength increased again.

Smacking his lips, he thought, I need to make money—ranked games!

“The master is starting ranked!”

“Front row selling sunflower seeds and soda!”

“He’s created new techniques in two consecutive games. If he does it again today, I’ll smash an egg live!”

“Please, master, play Zed!”

“If you create another new technique today, I’ll give you ten crowns!”

Ethan Carter munched on sunflower seeds while waiting for the ranked match to queue. He wondered why it was taking so long, not knowing that the platform was already boiling over. The live stream had surpassed 20 million viewers, and even before the match started, gifts like flowers, crowns, and cars were flooding the screen. If Ethan Carter saw this, he’d be overjoyed—bring it on, bring it on! No tycoons, no connections, life is tough, and he still has girls to support!

Match found! Ethan Carter entered the BAN/pick phase with a calm expression.

But the platform was in an uproar. “Wow, this time the master matched with one of the top three genius teams in Shanghai—As First Sight, Pentakill...”

“First Sight the godly spender, mwah mwah!”

Ethan Carter’s cousin Pentakill was gritting his teeth, ready to crush “No BAN Tryndamere, wife and children gone,” but didn’t expect to meet like this...

Ethan Carter locked in his champion: “When the broken sword is reforged, the knight shall return!” Riven, the Exile!

Chapter 12: My Riven Is a Bit Different

The training room at Magic City’s No.1 High School was brightly lit and luxuriously equipped. The room was divided into four main areas: League of Legends Zone, High-Energy Cafeteria, Rest Center, and Physical Adaptation Center. The functions were clear from the names. Each main area was further divided into smaller sections; for example, the League of Legends Zone included an electronics area and a tiered classroom. If Ethan Carter had ever been here, he’d sigh—if only he could have played esports legally back in school, who the heck would have dropped out?

At this moment, in the electronics area, Alice Green and Ethan Carter’s cousin Henry Thompson had already set up their equipment, while the tiered classroom was packed with students. The projector displayed the upcoming platform livestream, which was delayed by three minutes compared to the actual match.

“Alice Green, Henry Thompson, William Bolton, starting today, we’ll be testing some of the game details we’ve been researching recently. I hope you’ll give it your all in the scrims.” The No.1 High School coach gave steady pre-training instructions. “A genius has suddenly emerged these past few days. You’ve all seen his two matches—one as Lee Sin, one as Yasuo—creating new techniques in both. Not everyone can invent new techniques, but we need to learn from his approach of invading the jungle and suppressing the enemy’s economy.”

“Think back to the first Lee Sin game. The enemy’s Fiddlesticks only got two buffs the whole match. The jungle can snowball too, since monsters level up. If your level and items fall behind, your jungle clear speed will lag further and further behind your opponent!”

“Don’t worry, coach. I’ll try to implement our tactics and dominate the jungle. I already got a feel for the rhythm during ranked today.” At this, Henry Thompson glanced at Alice Green out of the corner of his eye, hoping she’d notice him. But the girl didn’t even look his way; she was searching for an ID called “No BAN Tryndamere, wife and children gone” on the League platform. Henry Thompson almost coughed up blood.

“Good, but don’t get cocky. If we can develop new tactics this quickly, so can others. Don’t get arrogant. Alright, let’s start the game. The students in the tiered classroom are waiting to see your performance.” The coach was very satisfied with Henry Thompson’s attitude. Though his family background was average, he was always proactive—he’d probably be able to attach himself to a good financial group in the future.

“Coa... Coach...”

“How many times have I told you?! No cowardice here! Straighten your tongue when you talk to me! Speak with confidence... Who queued up the match? Did you not wash your hands after using the bathroom?”

What are you looking at (Riven, the Exile)!

……

“The master really is lucky. No wonder it took so long to find a match—this is a once-in-a-lifetime 1v5 queue. The opponents are the No.1 High School’s top team, about to compete for a spot in the US exchange program. This time, the master’s in real danger. He didn’t pick Lee Sin or Yasuo, but Riven, whom he’s never used before. Riven’s damage is so low right now—why would he pick her?”

“Yeah, after all, League of Legends is a five-player game. Let’s see how it goes.”

“You’re talking nonsense—my master is invincible!”

“That’s right, the master is invincible! True fans stay, the rest of you get lost!”

“……”

After entering the game, Ethan Carter also saw Alice Green’s ID, “As First Sight,” who picked Twisted Fate for mid lane—a high-mobility champion chosen for early and mid-game jungle-mid synergy. The enemy jungler, his own cousin Henry Thompson, picked Lee Sin!