It's a long way to Switzerland Pt. 1

The day for the team to depart for Switzerland had finally arrived. Social media buzzed with blessings and encouragement from all sides. Fans, pro players, Alliance officials, Club management and even the government all had something to say to the heroes who were going on to represent the country at this maiden tournament.

The Alliance Chairman, Feng Xianjun wrote a moving message on his Weibo account, encouraging the national team to do their best, emphasizing the fact that the country is extremely proud of them.

The pro players who were not selected for the team also sent well wishes publicly and privately. Even the retired pros like Lin Jingyan wrote messages of support for the national team.

The fans didn't want to be outdone. Apart from the numerous posts on social media, several fan clubs arranged for huge billboards showcasing their support for the team to be on display all around the country. The hype was so great that even non-Glory and non-esports fans were getting caught up in it.

Contrary to all the excitement going on outside, the atmosphere in the breakfast hall was quiet and tense. These were all experienced players with years of professional play under their belt. Yet, at this moment, they felt the sting of nerves in their guts. In less than an hour's time, they would be boarding a plane that would take them to a whole new realm of Glory.

They had made diligent plans. They didn't slack off in their preparation and their training. Now they were leaving their country to do battle with the best in the Glory world. Everything they worked hard for could be destroyed in one instant by a reckless mistake. Or their opponents may simply be better than they are, crushing their dreams for the ultimate Glory.

It was really overwhelming. The conversations were light and short. Even the arrogant ones like Sun Xiang and Tang Hao and talkative ones like Huang Shaotian were all silent. It was really something to behold. But behind the tense exterior, there was also a sense of anticipation of the events to come.

Yes, anticipation. Glory was a competitive sport and as was the nature of all competitions, there would only be one winner. All the players here were different people. They were gathered from all over the country. They played different classes. They had different habits. They were of different ages and they had different personalities. But they all wanted one thing.

They wanted to win. They wanted Glory.

While noobs and average players may be satisfied with playing the online game for fun and the rewards, these players were of the talent level that made them want for more. That's why despite the tension in the air, there also was the thrill that came from stepping unto a higher level of competition. The eagerness that came with the opportunity to battle against other gods and see who wins.

It was with this ambivalence that the players departed from the hotel and boarded the bus that would take them to the airport. When they arrived, the entire airport was crowded. Fans poured in from all sides trying to get a glimpse of the Gods before they left.

"Wow, that's a lot of people." Seeing the amount of people gathered outside, the pros couldn't help but be wary.

"There's security present, though."

The security had anticipated this and had arranged themselves in strategic positions so the pros had a safe space to pass in the crowd.

"Yeah, but still how did they know we were going to be here now?" Wang Jiexi said, watching the commotion from his window. It was common knowledge that they were leaving today. After all, the ceremony where the fixtures would be revealed was tomorrow. But their exact time of departure shouldn't have been known.

Lu Xuan was sitting right beside him and answered, "They may have reasoned that we would be leaving early in the day."

"But what if we decided to take off in the afternoon. We would still have arrived in Switzerland with time to spare."

"Don't underestimate your fans, Jiexi. They would have waited till afternoon to get a glimpse of you."

Wang Jiexi shook his head at that explanation but prepared to leave the bus all the same. He grabbed his phone and headphones and stood up, leaving his luggage behind. It would be transported to the private aircraft by the airport staff.