Disrespecting the Victors

The second game between StormBlitz and Valkyries began.

Following the insightful discussion with Pip, Howard decided to ban both Lionfolk and Werewolf this time around. The two classes were supposedly Rosemary's best, so it was imperative to shut them down.

Alas, doing so came with a price. The Leopards were going second in this game, so they were also obligated to ban Shadow Walker.

Well, nowadays it's not a mandatory ban per se. Howard thought. But, I have the feeling it's a must-ban against this team, at least.

Rosemary was the most dangerous player on that team and she was the Jungler. So, just how overwhelming would she become if she got her hands on Shadow Walker?

I don't even want to know. And so, Howard banned Shadow Walker. In other words, Rosemary dictated all three bans for the team.

I don't like it, but it is what it is. Howard shrugged and accepted this fate. It didn't take long for the consequences to hit.

『The enemy team selected Knight.』

Yes, of course they did... Howard sighed. I pretty much gave them the pick on a silver platter, so why wouldn't they?

In response, Howard picked Viking for Roi and Aeormancer for Gilbert. Both were neutral picks that complemented the two players' strengths.

Next, the turn passed to the enemy team. They took their sweet time with this one.

"Sis, gimme Impaler again," Karen requested.

"Do you really wish to try it again?" Fiona asked. "I believe the previous game should have provided sufficient evidence to prove impaler does not work on Aegis and Athena."

"Yeaaah, it was a little rough, not gonna lie," Karen admitted. "But, it's totally doable! This time, we'll get that lane advantage for sure! Right, Lua?"

"Um, I'll do my best..."

"C'mon, what kinda weak-ass answer is that!?"

"Karen, language," Fiona scolded. "Anyway, I have to say I am against this pick, personally. StormBlitz's defense is ironclad, and they play extra safe against your Impaler to make sure you cannot gain the early advantage you need."

"Yeaaah, these bastards were stalling against me." Karen made a face. "But, that just means they're hella scared of my Impaler, right? So, I say let's keep them scared! They won't dare to pull anything wild so long as they're quaking in their boots!"

"Hmm. That is also true." Fiona gave it some more thought. Perhaps using Impaler as a pressuring tool was not such a bad idea.

There was no question that the Bot duo of Aegis and Athena was formidable. Those two were a league above the rest of StormBlitz, especially Aegis.

I also remember Esmeralda mentioning that Athena was one of her pupils. Fiona recalled. I can definitely see the influence.

Esmeralda had an extremely quirky playstyle, to put it lightly. As such, the lessons she taught her students were equally unorthodox.

There was much to learn from an eccentric's tips. In fact, the early invade Fiona employed in the first game was one of Esmeralda's teachings.

Unfortunately, the majority of Esmeralda's ideas did not suit Fiona's playstyle. On the other hand, it seemed Athena embraced them in full.

That makes her an unpredictable opponent. Fiona thought. So, if I have the option to force her to lie low, perhaps I should utilize it.

"Alright, you can play Impaler again this time."

"Hell yeah, let's go!" Karen pumped a fist. "You're the best, sis!" 

"In light of that," Fiona continued. "Lua, I believe it is best for you to support Karen with Cryomancer, just as last game."

"I think so too." Lua nodded.

And so, the two picks were decided: Impaler and Cryomancer. This was essentially a rerun of the previous game. Likewise, the enemy planned to go forward with a similar Bot duo.

"My, my, it looks like some naughty children haven't learned their lesson~" Ellen smiled. "Are you seeing this, Wardy?" 

"Yes, I happen to have eyes, so of course I see it."

"It looks like we didn't school them hard enough last time. So, I say we go with the same comp again~"

"You want Seraph again? After how the previous game went down?" 

"Mhm." Ellen nodded. "Or, could it be that you're scared of them now? We already established that their victory was a fluke, remember?"

"Yes, we did. But, that doesn't mean we have to play this risky matchup again."

"I beg to differ," Ellen said. "In fact, I claim the opposite. We HAVE to play this risky matchup."

"How you mean?" 

"Well, if we suddenly pick a safer comp, the audience will think we're scaredy-cats, right?"

"Yeah, they might," Howard agreed. "But, since when do you care about such things?" 

"Actually, I don't care at all~ But, on the other hand, you seem a little too preoccupied with the team's image right now."

"Can you blame me? We just blew a game against amateurs," Howard said. "Utopia's scouts aren't going to like this. I have to show them a convincing performance." 

"In that case, isn't the most 'convincing performance' would be a rerun of the previous game?" Ellen asked. "Let's go for the same setup and crush the Valkyries like bugs~ That should prove the previous game was a fluke."

"Hmm. I suppose you're right," Howard conceded. "But, what's your agenda in all of this?"

"Little old me?" Ellen tilted her head. "I'm just making sure my husband's ambitions are coming to fruition~" 

"Huh, I didn't know you were married. The unlucky guy must be suffering on a daily basis."

"Oh c'mon now." Ellen pouted and pinched Howard's cheek in protest. How dare he.

"Anyway," Howard continued. "That's not the whole story, is it? I bet something else gave you this idea."

"Weeeeell, I may or may not have considered the bait potential as well," Ellen explained. "I'm sure these girls are on the high horse right now, so they expect us to be scared and play safer. You know, to 'respect' how good they are and all that."

"And, you want to do the complete opposite?"

"Yep~" Ellen smiled mischievously. "I mean, you saw how Lavender is, right? Unlike her innocent flowery name, she is actually quite the wild beastie~" 

"Yeah, that's true." 

"So, how do you think is she going to react to a Seraph pick?" 

"Hmm. Considering how the previous game went, she isn't going to like it."

Despite the fact the Valkyries won the previous game, the duo of Lavender and Nike didn't actually achieve much of anything there. After all, their lane opponents were Howard and Ellen, the strongest duo in the region.

With that said, Lavender tried very hard to gain lane advantage throughout the game. She played an aggressive early-game and constantly searched for opportunities to push.

Of course, Howard and Ellen didn't give her any chances. That surely made her blood boil.

You'd think that experience would discourage her from trying this again, at least for a while. Howard reasoned. But, I see she wants a rerun.

The enemy picked Impaler and Cryomancer, clearly hellbent on giving early aggression another try. A big part of it must be the Valkyries' victory, which made Lavender forget how her failures.

As Ellen theorized, it was very likely Lavender was expecting StormBlitz to "respect" the Valkyries' victory and pick something safer for the Bot matchup. Therefore, picking Seraph again will make a clear declaration that no, they weren't afraid of her at all.

That'll ruffle some feathers for sure, just like Ellen likes. Howard nodded. And, if Lavender gets triggered enough, she might try to push too hard and overextend. Basically, this is the classic emotional bait scenario.

It was one of Esmeralda's favorite teachings. She was the kind of player who always paid careful attention to her opponent's emotional meter in order to find ways to manipulate it.

Howard only adopted some ideas from these lessons, but Ellen embraced the whole thing. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the vast majority of Ellen's playstyle was fueled by such emotional considerations.

She's pretty much Esmeralda Jr. at this point. Howard shook his head. I just hope that if she becomes a pro, her career will be more successful...

After some more thinking, Howard finally made up his mind regarding the next pick...