A game of League of Legends wasnt over until one Nexus exploded. It was a simple fact that led to discussions that were still going strong five years after the games release. One side of the argument said that there was always a way back; no game was truly lost until the Nexus exploded. They continued to explain that the biggest reason why it often felt like a game was over before the Nexus exploded was because people gave up. But the loss in someones mind wasnt the same as the loss on the board, and the one on the board wasnt absolute until the Nexus exploded.

The other side of the argument explained that there was a point in the game where the game was still going on, but where there was no way in which the losing side could win unless the winning side made several large mistakes. These mistakes, this side argued, had to be of such magnitude and specificity that they only came to pass in less than 1 percent of all games in which the opportunities presented themselves. This percentage went down the higher the rank of the players on the board. So while the game wasnt truly over, it was over in every other sense of the word.

This same argument broke out on the stands in the Chaoyang Sports Center. A group of people from Beijing refused to see that Team Beijing was losing. They pointed out possibilities they believed were there and argued that if Team Beijing exploited those opportunities, they could still win the game. Everyone else agreed there was a way for Team Beijing to win this first game of the Winter Collegiate Cup Finals against Team Shanghai, and that was by casting a curse on Team Shanghai that forced them to make a large number of mistakes.

Team Beijing hadnt hired a witch and there was no cultivator who exited his closed door cultivation for them. They were forced to rely on their own ability. And their own ability simply wasnt enough in this game.

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Team Shanghai didnt screw up. They played like they had all tournament. Calm and precise. They abused the long range from Varus to besiege the tower. When his arrows that never missed their mark culled the ranks from Team Beijing, Tang Bingyaos Jinx moved in range of the tower and started firing with her minigun. She shredded through the protection of the tower and destroyed it in seconds.

FourEyesChan adjusted his glasses and said into his microphone, My god. This is one of the most one sided games Ive ever had to cast. Team Shanghai could send their Toplaner, Jungler and Support to the loo! Between Varus long ranged arrows that absolutely always smash their mark and Jinx just tearing through the towers I dont know what to say or how to cast this game. Theres really nothing to say, other than that congratulations are in order for Team Shanghai. Theyve dismantled Team Beijing. Well and truly dismantled them.

Mm-mhm! Cherry mumbled, nodding. She looked at her microphone, trying to think of something to say but not coming up with anything. She finally leaned forward and said, Lets hope Team Beijing can put up a better fight next game. But for this one Weve got just a couple more seconds to go I think. Theyve already got two inhibitors.

And they just arent stopping! FourEyesChan said. They just keep going and going and with the blue buff Varus never has to stop and because Team Beijing isnt getting any gold they cant buy the items they need to stop him either. Its hopeless. Its over.

Good game to Team ShanghaiGreat game for a Team Shanghai fan. Not so great for quite literally everybody elseGIVE THE NEUTRAL FAN A BETTER SHOW PLEASE!

VICTORY!

Team Beijings Jungler turned to his teammates and said through gritted teeth, I know you told us to stay calm, Yu Ping. I know this. And I wanted to I was going to! But come on! You saw that game! We were all there, huddling behind our stupid ass towers! You know why it ended up like this? Let me tell you why. Its because Riot didnt fucking nerf Varus! Everyone knew he was op as all fucks! Why didnt they nerf him? Just explain this to me. Why didnt they nerf him?

Yu Ping closed his eyes and replied, Please

I know, I know! Team Beijings Jungler exclaimed. Youre right. You are, Yu Ping. We couldve banned Varus. We probably shouldve! Its on us. I just feel frustrated about it, you know? Its such an obvious overpowered Champion. And that's why they won the game.

Zhang Hongyi ground his teeth and growled, Zeng Rui got so fucking lucky. We had him in bot and then the stupid Varus and his stupid arrows

Dont. Stop this, Yu Ping said. He looked around at his teammates and continued, Listen, guys. Yeah we lost. Yeah Varus was strong and destroyed us. We failed to shut him down early and paid for it. But it wasnt just the Varus. Stop tunneling on him. This was a team effort by Team Shanghai

Yeah right, Team Beijings ad-carry mumbled.

Yu Ping glared at his teammates and said in a louder, more commanding voice, If it wasnt for the Evelynn camping mid, Varus wouldve never gotten strong like he did. If it wasnt for Braum, the Jinx wouldve never gotten as strong as she did. If it wasnt for Braum and Rumble layering their ultimates perfectly, we wouldve never lost the fight at the Dragon pit that badly. If it wasnt for the Jinx getting kills and being far better than the B+ grade people say she is, we wouldve never lost as badly as we did. He briefly paused and looked at his teammates for a bit. He then continued, See how it wasnt just Varus? See how it was a team effort in which each individual player contributed a vital part to Team Shanghais victory in that game? Yes, youre right. By the end of it, it was just Varus harassing us and Jinx shredding towers. But to get to that point, it took a full team effort. Stop tunneling on the outcome and start analysing how they got there. If we want to win this series, we need to get over this Varus and improve together. As a team.

The players from Team Beijing stared at Yu Ping. The anger and frustration they felt towards Lin Fengs Varus slowly dissipated. One by one, they started nodding. And when they were all nodding, faster and faster, Zhang Hongyi was the first to open his mouth and say what they were all thinking, Youre right, Yu Ping. You always are. Thats why youre the best. Yes. Well stop tunneling. It was a team effort. Even He took a deep, long breath and said through gritted teeth, Even Zeng Rui contributed to that victory.

Good, Yu Ping said. He then focused his attention on his screen and added, Then lets get ready for the next game. And time to make that asshole on his Varus pay! How dare that jerk underestimate meME!by picking some weak early game Champion!

FourEyesChan grabbed the microphone from its stand on the caster desk and brought it to his mouth. He said, Both teams have had a couple of minutes to unwind from the the lack of action in game 1 if Im being honest here. Lets hope we get to see some more fireworks in game 2!

And were in Champion Select! Cherry exclaimed. Team Beijing is the Blue Team in this second game of the Finals, which means theyve got the first ban EVELYNN! THEY BANNED EVELYNN!

FourEyesChan adjusted his glasses and analysed, Smart ban. She helped Varus get through the early game. Which makes me wonder if Varus is going to be their next ban.

First up is Team Shanghai though! And theyre banning Thresh! Cherry said into her microphone.

AND VARUS! ITS THE VARUS BAN! FourEyesChan yelled into his microphone.

They really did it! They banned Varus!SCAREDY CATS! MEOW, MEOW!CHICKENS! POCK, POCK, POCK!

In Team Beijings soundproof booth, Yu Ping looked at his screen through narrowed eyes. They got the first choice of Champion and they went with Nidalee for their Jungler. Next up was Team Shanghai with two picks, then them again and then Team Shanghai again. It was in this round that Team Shanghai picked their Midlaner. Twisted Fate. He fucking did it again. This motherfucker. This little piece of shit! Yu Ping glanced across the stage at Team Shanghais soundproof booth. Are you really trying to say Im so bad that you cant even be arsed to take a decent early game Champion? You think Im such a bad player that you can get by playing another weak early game Champion? Well. FUCK YOU! FUCK. YOU! He gritted his teeth in frustration and locked in Ahri. Ill FUCKING SHOW YOU!

Zhang Hongyi glanced at Yu Ping and asked, Wasnt he supposed to play something more aggressive? Like Riven or Fizz?

He. Was, Yu Ping replied, grinding his teeth.

Team Beijings Jungler interjected, Huh? Nocturne? Their last pick is Nocturne?

Winter Collegiate Cup Finals, Game 2

Team Beijing (BLUE) vs. Team Shanghai (RED)

Dr. Mundo vs. IreliaNidalee vs. NocturneAhri vs. Twisted FateEzreal vs. SivirJanna vs. Thresh

Here we have it! The lineup for the second game! FourEyesChan said into his microphone.

Cherry nodded and added, And this is the first time were seeing Nocturne I think! With Twisted Fate and Nocturne, Team Shanghais got two global ultimate skills! Just imagine what they can all do with that!

FourEyesChan grimaced and replied, A whole lotta things. None of which are promising of an enjoyable game for anyone but Team Shanghai. We can only hope that Yu Ping learned his lesson mid and shuts the Twisted Fate down early.

Yep! Cherry agreed. If Twisted Fate and Nocturne are allowed to get going Well, thatd be game, wouldnt it?

It would, FourEyesChan mumbled.

Sun Ruinian from Zhejiang University sat in the stands, listening to the discussion between the casters. He shook his head and said, Yu Ping didnt learn his lesson. If he had, he wouldnt have picked Ahri.

Zou Cheng grinned and chimed in, He looks like a tilting man!

Qiu Yijie from Fudan University glanced at Zou Cheng and replied, Cant blame Yu Ping. Its hard not to tilt against Lin Feng. The way he plays... We both know how it feels to feel so goddamn powerless. Like it doesnt matter what you do, hell stomp you anyway. But yeah Yu Ping looks like a tilting man.