L-LIN FENG! Tian Tian blew his nose on his already wet and sticky sleeve. Then he tried to wipe his eyes dry too. W-what happened to you? His heart was racing and his stomach flew around like he was on a roller coaster. He hated roller coasters. But hearing Lin Fengs voice again was worth more than anything else in the world. W-why did you leave without telling us What did we do wrong? Is it because we lost Worlds? Did I do something wrong? We couldve just tried again next year

Tian Tian stopped mumbling, and he stopped crying. You know, the others all left after you. We were a team. And suddenly, we werent. Everyone lost their motivation. They stuck around for a little while longer, but it just wasnt the same. Until I was all alone. Alone. It was how he felt all the time these days. Ive been hopping from team to team for four years now, but I never really felt like I belongednot like when the five of us were together.

The more Tian Tian spoke, the more he began to reminisce. His throat became dry again and he had to fight hard to keep the tears back. I-i tried to keep in touch, with the others. But everyone had their own lives. I-it became really hard to keep in touch. A-and you even changed your phone number and QQ! I tried to reach out to you, but no one knew where you went. I tried so many times

The only sound coming from the other side of the line was someone breathing, more loudly and irregular the more Tian Tian spoke. Then Lin Feng finally spoke out, Fatty, Im sorry. Im so sorry

Tian Tian shook his head, frantic. Hed forgotten for a moment he was talking over the phone with someone on the other side of the world. The voice sounded so clear and the emotions so pronounced. It was easy to forget. But then he caught himself mid head-shake. His gaze fell back down on the floor. He missed his friend. N-no. Why are you apologizing? Theres nothing you have to say sorry for. I-its just Lin Feng wasnt here. He was still all alone. Tears started flowing down his face again. I-i just really miss you. A-all of you! Its b-been so lonely without you.

Tian Tian loved League of Legends. He loved watching it, he loved talking about it, but most of all he loved playing it. Though his demeanor right now would suggest otherwise, he also loved being a professional player. He loved walking up on stage to a cheering crowd. He loved competing against the best. The only thing holding him back was his personality. He couldnt deal with stress. It all quickly became too much for him. Lin Feng and his other teammates shielded him from this stress back in Season 1. They gave him the strength to compete at the highest stage against the very best. He wasnt scared of anyone!

However, right now, Tian Tian was on a team of individuals. These players only cared about their own branding and were quick to throw anyone else, even their teammates, under the bus if that meant generating more traction for themselves. And after last week, theyd made full use of this. Any hatred directed towards Tian Tian was a little peace of mind for them. All of them had screwed up, but the fans had it out for Tian Tian and that was good for them. Theyd left him all alone to deal with the abuse flung at him. Even the strongest of minds would struggle to deal with this, let alone Fatty who was especially sensitive to these kinds of things.

Tian Tian waited for Lin Feng to say something. Anything! He could hear Lin Feng breathe, so the call was still connected. But his friend didnt say a word. Finally, he broke the silence himself. W-when are you coming back?

There was a slight pause, just enough time to really think about the question. Then Lin Feng promised, Soon. Ill be back soon. Trust me Fatty, just a little bit longer. And when I come back, Ill have you join my team!

Okay! Ill wait for you! Just hit me up when you come back! Ill join your team! Tian Tian just about shouted through the phone. It sounded like a promise between two children. His overwhelming feeling of despair was replaced with excitement. Only for a moment. Then he remembered where he was. He was at Worlds as the Toplaner for KG. Every fan in China hated his guts right now. One more loss and he was out of Worlds. It would only get worse for him if that happened. There wasnt anything to be happy about. Dark thoughts flooded his mind again as he whispered, shivering, B-but please h-hurry! I-i cant hold on, i-its all too much. I-i worry that Ill break.

Dont cry! Lin Feng shouted.

Tian Tian yelped, almost dropping his phone on the ground. He was caught red handed. Lin Feng knew him too well. He quickly wiped a tear from his face, then bit hard on his teeth. I wont cry! I wont! Lin Feng said I cant cry, so I cant! He clenched his fist, digging his nails into his palm. The physical pain numbed his urge to cry. Im not crying! Lin Feng is here!

Youre playing next right? Couple more minutes or so?

The sudden distraction was enough to keep him from crying. Tian Tian replied, Yeah. Should be any minute now.

Ok. Hear me out. Youre going to win every game. Those next three games? Win them all. Carry your team and win. If you win all three, you can still make it out of group stage.

W-what? All of them? Did you really say all?

Yes. Win all of them. If you dont, you're out of Worlds. We cant have that.

Tian Tians eyes went round. He looked beside him at the bathroom stall. But Lin Feng was on the phone, so there was no point in hiding in there. The only thing he could do was argue. No no no! Impossible! I cant do that! Did you see Legend and Flash? Theyre too strong right now. I cant beat them. Its impossible!

Yes you can.

Tian Tian rubbed his nose, sniffling loudly. Then he placed his hand over his mouth. No! Lin Feng said I couldnt cry. I cant cry! I wont! He bit his lip and said, I-i know you think Im good, but B-but theyre really really good. T-theyre way better than me. I-i really cant beat them

Do you trust me?

With my life!

So when I say you can win. What do you say?

Uhh. Tian Tian stared at his hand, searching for an answer. He didnt know how to explain to Lin Feng just how good these teams were. They werent some pushovers. These were two of the best teams at Worlds! Just because he wanted to win, it didnt mean he could. Itd take more than a strong conviction! So he argued, But

No buts. I dont want to hear a single but from you ever again. Listen to me, Fatty. If I say you can win, I say that because I have full confidence that you can actually win. Im not trying to hype you up here. I really believe you can win. No. I know youll win. Now, promise me that youll win. Say that youll win all three games!

Beating Legend and Flash, but Legend has Phoenix When Tian Tian thought of Phoenix, he started trembling. Phoenix wasnt just the best player on Legend, he was one of the best four players in the entire world! An Emperor! Tian Tian didnt think he was bad, but an Emperor was still an Emperor. They were far better players than anyone else. No one can beat them! So he muttered, But Phoenix. Legend has Phoenix. Theyre too strong. I cant beat them. Phoenix is an Emperor.

I know Legend is a strong team. I know Phoenix is a very good player. But I also know you, Fatty. I know how good you are. I wouldnt ask you to get out of the group stage if I didnt think you could. In fact, you know what? If you cant make it out of the group stage, then dont even think about joining my team. I dont need players who cant even get out of the group stage. Youre only welcome in my team if you make it far at Worlds this year!

Tian Tian felt like his heart stopped working for a moment. All his joy and happiness from hearing Lin Fengs voice disappeared. He started trembling and couldnt hold back the tears. Through the sobs, he asked, Y-you dont mean that. Do you? T-tell me you dont

I do mean it. So, promise me youll win? Lin Fengs voice sounded firm, but there was a slight disruption in it that revealed how much pain it caused him to say these words.

Tian Tian missed this. All he heard were the first two words, the rest was a blur. I do. I do. I do. They played in his mind, over and over again, as he let the phone drop to the side. If you dont win, youre not welcome in my team. Not welcome in my team. Not welcome in my team. He started fighting with himself. Lin Fengs words played on repeat, but only those he didnt want to hear. The ones that were most painful. I know youll win. It was one sentence. A single thought now in his mind. But it quickly boomed louder until it was all he could hear. I KNOW YOULL WIN! He breathed out deeply. Lin Feng believes Ill win. Thats the only reason he said those other things! He placed the phone back to his ear. His eyes flashed with determination. O-okay. I promise you. I will win! W-well be teammates again! Ill beat Phoenix!

On the other side of the bathroom, Tian Tians mentor leaned against the wall. Hed acted like he didnt care when he gave his phone to Tian Tian. But he did care. He cared a lot. That was the only reason he was here. Not because a friend had asked him a favour, but because he still cared deeply for Tian Tian. When he saw his menter fired up, he couldnt help but smile. It was a reaction hed been trying to get out of Tian Tian for the past three years, but had always failed to do. Hed even given up. But here he was again. And there was that expression on his mentees face again. He bit his lip as his heart swelled with pride.

When he first discovered Tian Tian on the ranked ladder, he couldnt believe his eyes. Hed never seen anyone that talented before. Tian Tian might be timid and easily scared, but he was so talented that none of that mattered. Well, it didnt matter to compete professionally, at least. But it did stop him at the final hurdle. It stopped him from becoming one of the truly great. When he didnt let his emotions hold him back, he easily had the raw talent to become an Emperor! The only one holding him back was himself. In fact, Tian Tians mentor had only ever seen one player who was more talented than Tian Tian since then. But that person was just something else entirely. Like a freak of nature. Out of this world. Lin Feng. The talent he possessed was one in all of existence. There was, quite literally, no one who could compare.

Lin Feng hung up the phone and put it back in his pocket, when cheers rang out from inside the NetCow Cafe in central Shanghai. He pulled the door open and walked in, then started smiling. At the gaming station of High School 13, his teammates were jumping up and down and celebrating. It looked a lot like theyd just won the game against High School 3. He rubbed his face and took a deep breath, then hurried over to them. Did we win?

WE WON! Ren Rou shouted as she hugged Lin Feng, still jumping up and down in joy.

Yang Fan adjusted his glasses and smiled, One down, one to go! We just have to beat High School 7 or Tonji Aff. High. Just one win and were through to the next round!

Chen Zes expression crumpled when he heard Yang Fan mention their next two opponents. Right. One more win. But we have to play those two schools. Theyre way better than High School 3.

Hes right, Liu Yue mumbled. The others felt the same. Their good mood disappeared and was replaced with worry. They didnt want to admit it, they really didnt, but the other two opponents scared them. After Lin Fengs speech a few days ago, they wouldnt give up. But they hadnt suddenly changed their point of view. High School 7 and Tonji Aff. High were two of the best schools in the entire tournament. It would take more than a little speech to beat them.

Oh, its fine. You guys dont need to worry about that, Lin Feng said, calm as ever. He laughed, Just leave the rest to me guys, I got this.