Not a lot of people had been paying attention to Olivier and Isaac's match because they were relatively unknown players when compared to others. So not many people noticed the speed at which they killed the other team's summoner.
Once the assassin had been left alone on the map, there was not much he could do. Assassins were glass cannons after all and they required backup to be able to perform well.
"Y-You people are monsters. How did you kill me that fast?"
The summoner on the other team was not able to hold back his frustration once the match was over. He was trying hard not to cry at his loss.
"Sorry kid. You win some and you lose some. Maybe next time, you will have a better match-up."
Isaac could only say this to the opposite team after he had won. There was not much a winner could say to the loser to make them feel better.
"I would prefer it if you did not try to comfort me right now. I do not want to hear you speak."
The summoner snapped back with a weak voice. Tears finally hit his eyes and his teammates quickly surrounded him.
Everyone else could only watch awkwardly as this took place in front of their eyes.
In the end, the organizing committee had to step in and ask the losing team to clear the space. They needed the PC for their other matches.
"So, what do you think? I think that kid's playstyle looked familiar, but I cannot say anything right now. The fight did not last long. But from what I saw, the battle mage was the superior player out of the two."
Lucas's manager asked Lucas. The manager was not one to be well-versed in players' playing styles. And he could barely tell what one attack was from another.
But he had still worked in this industry for a bit so he could tell when a player was decent or not.
"You are right. This fight was too short. I would like to see more of this team. Besides, the real stage where my master shined was the team stage. So, I will not know until they play a team match."
Lucas finally spoke up. Unlike his manager, he was well-versed in the mane and knew what to look for.
And his well-trained eye had not failed to notice the absence of some key skills in the shooter's kit.
It seemed like someone had brought an under-leveled account in this tournament and still managed to get by all these rounds.
This kid who looked like his master was an interesting one for sure and Lucas was getting more and more interested in this kid's gameplay. Maybe he would have a student of his own soon.
His manager shook his head as he watched Lucas get lost in his thoughts. He wanted to snap Lucas out but it was the first time he had seen the player relaxed after his teacher died.
So, he was reluctant to snap Lucas Lee out of his comfort zone.
But all his decisions came to a halt when his phone rang. He picked it up, only for the person on the other side to tell him that he needed to bring Lucas back.
There was an urgent shoot that required Lucas Lee's assistance and the photographer had specifically asked for the pro player to step up.
'Ugh. Lucas is not going to like this one bit. I would not be surprised if he raged after hearing that he must go back.'
The manager flinched once he realized what he had to do. His assigned player was finally starting to feel better and now the manager had to take him away from there.
But in the end, work was work. People sacrificed their physical and mental health for it all the time. And the manager was no exception. He needed to accept this face and move on.
"Hey Lucas, I know that you are excited to see the next set of matches. But you have been scheduled for a sudden photo shoot so you need to head back."
As expected, Lucas did not look happy to hear that.
"H-Hey, if you hurry up then you can come back before this event ends. Besides, if the kid is truly gifted, he would survive until the later rounds. And I promise I will help you look him up later as well. So can we leave now?"
Lucas thought over his manager's words.
Being gifted was not a problem here. This was a team tournament and having one good player was not enough to win.
Besides, the kid also had an under-leveled account and it was a major handicap. So, Lucas did not want to leave.
But in the end, he knew he needed to leave. The management would not leave him alone if he did not follow their words. And it would impact the chances of him having his pupil in the future.
"Fine, let us leave. The sooner we finish this shoot, the better."
That was what Lucas decided to do. But little did he know that he would be unable to come back in time that day. And he would also miss one of the biggest highlights of this competition - an official trainee losing to an unnamed rookie.
....
"Alright, you are free until the next round starts. Your opponent is not finished with their match. But I hope you will stay alert for the time being."
The organizers quickly arranged for the table to be cleared. They needed to start the next match at the venue.
Both Olivier and Isaac walked off the stage with calm hearts. Their team managed to retain their calm before they broke out into a cheer.
"Yes, finally. We managed to get past the first hurdle. We just need to keep it up until we hit the top ranks."
Terry sounded happy at their win. It was a well-deserved one as well.
"Hey, it is too early to celebrate. We still have a lot of rounds to clear. And we also need to have a strategy here. I went around and looked at what our next team was like. And they were good."
Mirai did not want to be the one to dash their happy thoughts, but she had to say what needed to be said.
She had taken a good look at their opponent and she knew that it would be tough to win against them.
Especially the team leader.
There had been gossip about him being an official trainee in one of the big guilds. But Mirai had not been able to get any more information. She quickly told all this to her team and Terry had a frown on his face.
"Hmm, so he is an official trainee? Well, that makes this match tough. But maybe we can throw them off, guard. We will need to paint a target on someone who is back in the next match."
Terry's plan was simple - to make it seem like their team's weakest player was their strongest. And then, while the other team was focused on their weakest link, the others would start to pick them off.
But that would be only possible if they won at least one game beforehand.
"I am sure they will send the trainee in the solo match. So, we need to focus on the team match. Terry, you, and Isaac are our best duo so you take the team match. As for the solo one, maybe I should take it. We cannot send in a healer."
Mirai planned it all out but Olivier decided to interfere in her planning.
He raised his hand which caused everyone to look at him.
"Excuse me, but I think I should be the decoy. My account is still under-leveled and I would be at a disadvantage in a long-drawn-out fight. Besides, Mirai plays an assassin and her HP is the lowest in the game."
Olivier was just stating the facts, but no one liked his words. Mirai especially had a bone to pick with him.
"Hey kid, do not underestimate me. I can outlast you any day."
"But you also hit harder than my shooter right now. It would be foolish for you to give up your DPS and become a decoy. Believe me when I say that I can act as a decoy. I did play as a tank before."
Olivier's words pulled a sullen look out of Ezra. She was not participating in this conversation because she was not playing.
But she could see the logic in what Olivier was saying. It would be better for him to play the decoy than Mirai.
"I think you should go with Olivier as the first-round choice as well. If nothing else the opponent would think that we are weak and that would put us at an advantage."
Anyone could see that Terry did not like this idea but he also did not have a better one now.
"Alright kid, you won. I will allow you to take up the front role. But make sure you give it your all."
Terry sounded worried but Olivier was excited. He was not planning on losing the first round. He would be aiming to win this fight at all costs.
They waited for about 5 more minutes before a representative walked over to them to inform them that their next-round opponent was finished.
It was the team with that official trainee in it. The trainee had a different presence when compared to everyone else. He was much more confident and stood taller than anyone else.
He also looked at Olivier with disdain in his eyes.
"Hey, aren't you underage to participate in this tournament? The minimum age was 11 after all."
Olivier took that taunt very well. He had heard worse shit-talk in the games and even dealt with frustrated players before. A kid's taunt was nothing in comparison to it all.
But his teammates did not take kindly to him being taunted. It was a matter of pride for them.
"This *kid* is 14 years old. If you cannot even see that, then maybe you should get your eyes checked."
Mirai snapped and the trainee flinched in anger.
Maybe it was because Mirai was a girl or maybe because the trainee had been warned to behave, he decided to calm down and not taunt Mirai back.
Both teams took their booth before the first two players stepped ahead.
Olivier looked up at the official trainee in front of him and the man was startled at seeing him approach.
"The kid? Really? Do they not have anyone better than you they could send out to face me? Or, is your team too afraid of me to continue fighting me themselves?"
The trainee taunted Olivier. But Olivier proved once more that he had the patience of a saint and decided to ignore the trainee.
The obvious ignoring got the trainee and he almost yelled out loud. But in the end, he held himself back because it was time for both teams to lead up their avatars.
The basic map had been chosen for them and the two avatars loaded into the screen.
Oliver looked up at his avatar, the shooter, and then looked at his opponent. It was a sword master and Olivier had an instant advantage.
Still, he decided not to let his guard down. Anything could happen in an online match of Echoes.
[MATCH READY IN 3…2…1…GO]
The text on the screen shined brightly before both players were allowed to begin their match.
Everyone watched in anticipation as the sword master flew through the level and toward the opposite side. He knew very well what he needed to do to secure the advantage.
But Olivier was not going to allow the sword master to approach him so easily. He quickly created the distance he had lost once more and took out his gun and shot at the sword master's foot.
It was not a tactic experienced payers would fall for. The but the trainee was still fresh so he was not able to suppress his instincts of stopping.
And with that, Olivier shot the other avatar and the first blood had been drawn.