Chapter 623 - 619: He Flexed Again

Many people came to see the maple leaves in late autumn. At the spot on Mount Emberglow with the best view, there was a spacious, man-made platform where crowds were taking pictures.

Emeric Grant was also taking lots of beautiful photos of Cecilia Sterling with his phone. She had dressed up especially for their date, so she looked stunning in every shot. The sea of red maple trees behind her framed her like a figure in a painting—ethereal and gorgeous.

As Emeric Grant watched Cecilia Sterling through the lens, a smile spread across his face, and his eyes filled with pure joy.

"You’re actually a pretty good photographer!" Cecilia Sterling said with a satisfied smile as she scrolled through the beautiful photos Emeric Grant had taken.

"That’s because you’re beautiful. It’s impossible to take a bad photo of you."

Cecilia Sterling smiled and glanced at a photographer in the distance. A prime photo spot like this was bound to attract many freelance photographers looking to make some extra money.

"We should get a photo together!" Cecilia Sterling said, looking at Emeric Grant.

Emeric Grant, of course, agreed and took the lead, guiding Cecilia Sterling toward the photographer.

They stopped by the railing. Emeric Grant draped his arm over Cecilia Sterling’s shoulder, and she instinctively wrapped her arm around his waist. Tilting her head up, she met his downward gaze, which was deep, gentle, and brimming with adoration.

"Kiss me!"

Cecilia Sterling demanded, looking up at him.

A smile bloomed on Emeric Grant’s face. He leaned down and pressed his lips to Cecilia’s.

The photographer pressed the shutter, capturing the moment forever.

*

The National Collegiate Esports Tournament’s Autumn Season was held on November 26 at the Lorcain City Gymnasium.

On the Lorcain University Team bus, the members were going over their strategies under the direction of their captain, Gideon Kent.

"Gideon, we’ve been practicing these strategies for a long time. Let’s not rehash them now; it’s just making everyone tense."

Riley Kent, the president of the Esports Club, cut their discussion short. "Just relax, everyone," she said. "We were pretty lucky in the first round draw. We got SNU, so we should be able to advance to the second round."

"SNU’s Support player is a girl, right?" Owen Lawson asked, trying to recall.

Scouting opponents was typically the Esports Club’s job, so Riley Kent nodded. "She is, but she’s also really good. She has six Support heroes on the national server leaderboard. You can’t underestimate her just because she’s a girl."

"We know. Don’t worry."

Riley Kent scanned the bus and finally noticed someone was missing. "Where’s Ethan?"

"He said he’d be here on time. He didn’t ride with us," Owen Lawson said. He hesitated, glancing at Gideon Kent before turning back to Riley. "President, was it your idea to have Ethan form another university team?"

Riley Kent nodded.

Seeing her nonchalant confirmation, Owen Lawson and the other team members exchanged looks of disbelief and annoyance.

Owen Lawson voiced his displeasure. "We already have a team. What’s this supposed to mean? You think we’re not good enough?"

"My decision wasn’t about you," Riley Kent explained calmly, unfazed by their hostility. "I simply saw Ethan’s skill and potential, and I believe he can bring glory to the Lorcain U Esports Club. You all know it’s been years since Lorcain U has had any notable achievements in the esports league. As president, it’s my duty to change that."

"But..."

"Enough!" Gideon Kent cut off Owen Lawson’s complaint, his tone harsh. "He’s already bought a training facility and started renovations. There’s no point in arguing about it now."

He looked at Riley. "So, how’s he progressing? Has he found any suitable candidates from the club?"

Gideon Kent was asking deliberately. They had already put the word out in the Esports Club, making sure Ethan wouldn’t be able to find anyone.

Sure enough, Riley shook her head. "No. Right now, it’s just him and Jameson Stone."

This answer clearly satisfied Gideon Kent and the others. They exchanged glances, unable to hide their smug delight.

Only Chandler Wright pursed his lips. ’He can’t believe that for someone as wealthy and skilled as Ethan, finding teammates is proving so difficult. It’s been two weeks, and he hasn’t recruited a single person.’

The bus slowly pulled to a stop in the outdoor parking lot of the gymnasium.

Riley Kent stepped off the bus first, holding the Lorcain University Team’s banner. The others followed. In addition to the players, about twenty or thirty members of the Esports Club who didn’t have classes had come along to cheer them on.

The parking lot was bustling as teams from various universities arrived one after another, the air filled with the vibrant energy of college students.

"Let’s wait for Ethan here for a bit. We can’t go into the waiting area until the whole team is present," Riley Kent announced.

The crisp autumn air was pleasant, but the team members, who were already hostile toward Ethan, started to grumble. "He’s just a sub. Bad enough he’s late, but now we all have to wait for him?"

Riley Kent knew they were disgruntled, so without another word, she pulled out her phone to call Ethan.

But in the next moment, a flash of bright orange caught everyone’s eye as a car expertly slid into a nearby parking spot and came to a smooth stop.

The guys on the team stared, their eyes lighting up and their mouths hanging slightly open in awe.

Before they could even let out a gasp of admiration, the car’s flashy scissor doors swung open, and out stepped Ethan Sterling and Jameson Stone.

"Ethan?"

Owen Lawson blurted out, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Ethan merely glanced at Owen Lawson before walking straight to Riley Kent and Brandon Marshall. "President. Brandon. Sorry I’m late."

"You’re not late, you’re right on time," Riley said.

Brandon Marshall was the one who had recruited Ethan to the Esports Club, and the two were on good terms. He immediately threw an arm around Ethan’s shoulders, his face a mask of shock. "Ethan, this car is insane! What is it?"

"An Aston Martin."

"Holy crap, that must’ve been expensive, huh?"

Ethan just smiled. "I don’t know the exact price. My sister bought it, drove it once, complained it was too loud, and just gave it to me."

Brandon Marshall’s jaw just about hit the floor.

’What kind of family was this?’

’Complaining that an Aston Martin is too loud?’

’The roar of a top-tier supercar is music to the ears!’

Owen Lawson and the others listened with a mixture of envy and jealousy. They’d already seen how capable Ethan’s sister was, but they still couldn’t believe he’d managed to flex on them so hard again.

Gideon Kent cut the moment short. "Let’s head inside."

At the gymnasium entrance, the group split up. The players, led by Gideon Kent, headed for the team waiting area, while the cheering squad, led by Riley, went to the spectator stands.

Inside the waiting area, Lorcain U’s ready room was filled with Wa-Cha-Cha products. A sponsor representative was also present, and the Lorcain U members’ jerseys were emblazoned with the sponsor’s name and logo.

This was the whole point of sponsorship: the players were walking advertisements. Even if the Lorcain U team’s performance was lacking, the university’s prestigious name always drew an audience. For the sponsor, that was more than enough.

The five starters took the comfortable sofa seats in the room, while Ethan Sterling and Chandler Wright, as substitutes, were relegated to the chairs in the corner.