356 -349- It's definitely your fault!

In the afternoon at around four o'clock, with Linwin's help, athletes from various countries returned to Twin Cities. Each person's face was filled with a serious expression—they already knew about the rewards after winning.

The rewards were so generous that even Little Stone, who only got second place in the race, turned the tables for Stone Wall Town in just one day.

Two hundred Hextech phones, a free Hextech station, and Hextech gems—if bought from Twin Cities, these would cost no less than two thousand gold coins.

Hextech phones weren't valuable; it was the Hextech gems. Currently, Twin Cities were the only place capable of producing such items. Others had attempted to replicate them, but after several explosions, no one dared to try again blindly.

It was truly a matter of life and death.

As a result, athletes who had worked hard in Twin Cities for half a year just to win and prove themselves were now even more fired up.

The cafeteria was crowded with people having their meals.

Linwin glanced at the cafeteria, scanned around, but didn't find the person he was looking for. So, he left the cafeteria.

A few minutes later, Linwin entered a room.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Upon entering, Linwin spoke, "There are still two hours left. Have a good meal and get ready to go on stage."

"I'll eat later." With a thud, Vi, who was punching the sandbag with linen wrapped around her fists, replied to Linwin.

Looking at Vi's fists wrapped in linen and punching the sandbag, Linwin thought for a moment before saying, "You've been training in boxing for over a decade. You don't need to push yourself these two days."

"Relax a bit, Vi. With a bit of luck in the draw, I believe you can easily make it to the top three."

"Ha!" Vi kicked up, using the force of her thigh muscles like a whip, sending the sandbag flying almost parallel, making the iron chains produce a constant clanging sound.

Facing the returning sandbag, Vi landed another punch with force. If she had her Atlas Gauntlets on, this punch would be devastating.

"But my goal is not just the top three."

Stepping back and shaking her wrist, Vi turned to look at Linwin, somewhat annoyed.

Losing the race, Vi wasn't actually that upset.

There was indeed a slight dissatisfaction, but Vi knew she couldn't outrun others.

She wasn't punching the sandbag now because she was upset, but because she was nervous. She had tried fighting Sejuani up close and personal in Freljord; she couldn't win.

In close combat, she would die at Sejuani's hands.

But boxing had rules, and some of Sejuani's attacks were against the rules. So, Vi wasn't without hope.

That's why Vi was nervous, or rather, excited. Boxing required a calm mind; Vander had told her that.

Her punches were taught by Vander and Linwin.

Especially the defensive knowledge; when Vi defended, she was just like Vander.

"But..." Linwin coughed, stumbling over his words.

In some cases, Powder was more troublesome than Vi. Powder was a real stickler for details.

But sometimes, Vi was more troublesome than Powder because of her stubbornness. Once Vi set her mind on something, it was impossible to change.

So, while she said she was prepared to lose now.

She was really ready to give it her all.

"I'm an adult now, boss."

Hearing Linwin's words, Vi rolled her eyes dramatically, sniffed, and bumped fists, saying, "Do you still think you're facing the girl who used to follow you around like a little puppy a few years ago? That's Powder, not me."

Saying that, Vi jumped forcefully, performing a 360° spinning kick, and the poor sandbag once again emitted a mournful sound.

"I've already told Sejuani. No throwing the match. Otherwise, I'll cut ties with her."

"Anything else, I can let go, but this, I won't."

Linwin looked at Vi. "..."

Staring at each other for a moment, Linwin shrugged, and Vi immediately shrugged too.

Copying Linwin's movements exactly.

"Well, I understand."

"But besides Sejuani, there are a few other people you should watch out for."

"Who?"

"Darius, and someone named Sett."

"Uh, are you talking about the half-beast guy who plays football with me?" Vi said with a strange expression.

Linwin: ...

Oh right, Sett is also a member of Zeri's Lightning team.

"Anyway, Sejuani, Darius, and Sett, they are all strong opponents for you."

Vi nodded. "I understand."

"Alright, go have your meal early. I'll cheer you on tonight," Linwin said.

In the first match, Vi fought against a nobody, and winning was easy.

"Hmph, you're the head referee, are you going to favor me?" Vi asked.

Just as Linwin was about to walk away, he instantly turned back and swiftly appeared in front of Vi.

Raising his right hand and forming a fist skillfully, he then knocked Vi on the head with the back of his fist.

"Ow!" Vi winced in pain, her eyes widening, and tears welled up in them.

That hurts!

It was an instinctive reaction, like shedding tears when the nose is hit.

"Nonsense, if I don't favor you, then who will?" Linwin said impatiently. "I may be the head referee, but I'm also your brother!"

"Don't help me cheat...," Vi said through gritted teeth, holding her head.

If Linwin were to cheat for her, no one would be able to tell.

Even the person involved, Vi's opponent, definitely wouldn't notice.

For example, suddenly speeding up or increasing punching power, Vi knew that doing such things would be too easy for Linwin.

"We don't cheat in our own tournament, you idiot."

"Dong!" Linwin knocked Vi's head again forcefully.

"You....!" Vi cursed while holding her head.

"It's definitely your fault that I'm not tall!"

"What's that got to do with me? Your genes are the same as Powder's." Linwin clicked his tongue.

With that said, Linwin disappeared in front of Vi's eyes.

Well, he couldn't stop Vi.

Since he couldn't stop her, he might as well support her.