Chapter 609 - 605: In Need of a Sponsor

They were all at that hot-blooded age, a time when young men were full of pride and quick to fight.

Ethan Sterling’s words instantly ignited their anger, a merciless blow to their pride.

As the captain, Gideon Kent felt it most keenly. ’A freshman, on his very first day as a sub, wants to challenge the entire team?’

"You’ve got some nerve, kid," Gideon Kent said, a smirk playing on his lips that didn’t reach his eyes.

The others were all gritting their teeth. If they weren’t in the team’s facility, someone probably would have thrown a punch by now.

But Ethan Sterling wasn’t afraid. As far as he was concerned, he was raising a very real and serious issue.

He wasn’t trying to cause trouble on purpose.

"Gaming is about skill, not arrogance," Ethan replied calmly. "You can see for yourselves whether I’m being realistic or just full of myself."

"Fine! I’ll challenge you to a one-on-one!" Owen Lawson stepped forward, glaring at Ethan indignantly.

Ethan glanced at the others. Seeing that the captain, Gideon Kent, didn’t object, he nodded.

They walked into the training room. Owen Lawson sat down at his station, and Ethan went to the spare computer opposite him and powered it on.

The other team members all stood behind Owen, immediately ratcheting up the pressure.

Chandler Wright glanced at the solitary Ethan, his heart pounding with anxiety. But in the end, he gritted his teeth and walked over to stand behind him.

No matter what, Ethan had just taken the fall for him. He couldn’t just abandon him now.

A one-on-one wasn’t a team battle. Each person picked their best hero and fought. The first to kill their opponent won.

With Ethan’s pro-league experience, Owen was like a bot in comparison. Ethan solo-killed him before he even unlocked his ultimate ability.

Chandler Wright was dumbfounded. ’Were those mechanics for real?’

Gideon Kent and the others watched with furrowed brows. How was it over just as it began?

"My hands were sweaty! The mouse slipped!" Owen Lawson blustered, still trying to make a lame excuse.

Ethan said, "Then let’s play another round."

Owen, still defiant, nodded. "Bring it on!"

But Gideon Kent stopped Owen. He looked at Ethan and said, "There’s no need for another match. You won, fair and square."

As much as they hated to admit it, they had all seen Ethan’s play with their own eyes. Seeing was believing, and those mechanics were clearly on a different level from theirs.

But Gideon wouldn’t concede. He looked at Ethan, his expression dark. "This is a team game. Your individual skill being better than his doesn’t mean anything. Competitions are won through teamwork and strategy."

A silent smile touched Ethan’s lips. He knew they would say that.

"If you insist on deluding yourselves, then I have nothing more to say." Ethan stood up with a sigh. He looked at the five of them, his expression placid. "I wish you luck."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Seeing this, Chandler Wright cried out, "He can’t leave! If he leaves, the team can’t compete!"

He used that as an excuse to run after him.

The faces of the remaining team members were grim, especially Gideon Kent. As the captain, he had lost the most face.

Did he not know the team’s true strength? Of course he did. But to have someone publicly point out their "Emperor’s New Clothes" filled him with a shame so profound he wished the ground would swallow him whole.

And for most young men facing this kind of humiliation, the final result is impotent rage.

Which was exactly what they were experiencing now.

"Captain, tell Riley Kent to find us another sub," someone couldn’t help but say.

The others all looked over, clearly in agreement. None of them wanted Ethan Sterling to stay.

But Gideon Kent could only shake his head. "It’s too late. The final roster has already been submitted."

"Fuck!" Owen Lawson couldn’t help but curse. "Riley Kent sent him here on purpose, didn’t she? She knows the five of us are a set package and that the sub is just for show. What’s she trying to pull?"

Gideon was furious too, but he was powerless to change anything. They would just have to wait until after the fall tournament to replace Ethan.

Chandler caught up with Ethan by the elevators. "Hey, are you really leaving?"

"What would I stay for?" Ethan asked with a smile. "You saw them. They’re trash, but they talk big. A lost cause, don’t you think?"

"It’s mainly that you’re just too good," Chandler couldn’t help but say. "With your skill level, you could have gone easy on him so he didn’t lose so badly!"

Ethan’s smile widened at his words. "He was still salty after a loss like that, and you wanted me to go easy on him?"

Chandler sighed, blaming himself. "It’s my fault for running my mouth. I shouldn’t have said that where they could hear. Why’d you take the blame for me? I’m familiar enough with them. They would have chewed me out for a bit, and that would’ve been the end of it."

"Why should you get chewed out for telling the truth?" Ethan said, shaking his head. "Don’t worry about it. I’m just... a little disappointed."

"I know. You came here wanting to take the competition seriously."

Ethan nodded.

Chandler hesitated before asking, "But if you leave, Lorcain U won’t be eligible to compete this year."

"I’m not leaving," Ethan said, giving Chandler a reassuring look. "But I’m not staying here, either. You can keep my name on the substitute roster. It’s not like I’ll ever get to play, so it doesn’t matter if I show up or not. All they need is a name to fill the sub slot."

"But if you don’t clock in, you won’t get paid—" Chandler stopped mid-sentence and swallowed his words. "Oh, right. You don’t need the money."

Ethan smiled. "I might put together a new school team later on. I don’t know how good you are, but if you’re interested, you can contact me. If your skills are up to par, I’ll make you a starting member."

"Really?" Chandler exclaimed in surprise. "You’re going to form another school team?"

"That’s right."

The elevator arrived just then. Ethan stepped inside and said to Chandler again, "If you’re interested, come give it a shot. It’s not like you’re doing much here anyway."

Chandler smiled and nodded at his words. The smile only faded from his face after the elevator doors closed.

He’d first come here with the same fire and ambition as Ethan. But a year on this team had long since worn that spirit down to nothing.

It had been a long time since he’d played a game with any real focus. He didn’t even know what his skill level was anymore.

’But one thing is for sure,’ he thought. ’No matter how much I’ve fallen off, I’m still better than the current players on this team!’

After witnessing how pathetic the current school team was, Ethan’s desire to form a new one became even more urgent. While still in the elevator, he sent a message to his sister: "Sis, I want to form a professional team. I need a sponsor."

This trip hadn’t been a complete waste. At least now he understood the basic requirements for a school team.

The most important thing was a training facility. He’d need to rent a space, get the best computers, and pay salaries to the team members.

For all that, he needed a backer. And the first person who came to mind was, of course, his sister.

His sister’s reply was simple and blunt, just three words: "Give me a number."