The semifinals were just a day away, but for now, the air around the team was deceptively calm. Tang Rou, though outwardly composed, still felt the lingering effects of her encounter with Shade, yet she had buried those emotions deep down, locking them away for when she would need them again. Shade would come back—that much was certain—but her focus had to remain on the present. The World Invitational was far from over.
She sat with her team in the hotel's lounge area, the morning sunlight streaming through the windows. The city of Zurich, quiet and picturesque, felt like the calm before the storm. Tomorrow, they would be back in the thick of the competition, battling for a spot in the finals. But today, they were given a moment of reprieve—a chance to prepare mentally as much as physically.
"Everyone's feeling the pressure, huh?" Bao Rongxing said, stretching his arms overhead. "Can't remember the last time we got this far in a tournament."
"Not like this," Zhang Jiale chimed in, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "The stakes are higher, the competition's tougher. But we're ready."
Tang Rou leaned back in her chair, glancing at Ye Xiu, who was unusually silent this morning. His calm demeanor was always steadying for the team, but even he seemed deep in thought today. She could tell he was already thinking ahead—formulating strategies, mapping out every potential scenario. He had been through this before, countless times, and his experience was invaluable.
"You're awfully quiet, Ye Xiu," Su Mucheng said with a teasing grin, breaking the silence. "Aren't you supposed to be giving us a big motivational speech right about now?"
Ye Xiu smiled faintly, glancing up from the tablet he had been staring at. "You don't need me to tell you what's at stake. You already know."
Tang Rou chuckled softly. He wasn't wrong. They were all keenly aware of what tomorrow would bring. The semifinals would pit them against one of the strongest teams in the tournament—Germany's Dragon Knights, a team known for their meticulous strategy and brutal efficiency. While they didn't have the same flair for aggression as Starlight, their methodical approach made them one of the most feared opponents.
"You've been watching their replays, right?" Su Mucheng asked, turning toward Ye Xiu. "What's the plan?"
Ye Xiu leaned forward, placing the tablet on the table where everyone could see. The screen displayed a series of matches involving the Dragon Knights, their precise formations and tactics highlighted in detail.
"The Dragon Knights are a lot like us," Ye Xiu explained. "They don't rely on flashy plays or overwhelming offense. Instead, they focus on controlling the pace of the match. They break down their opponents slowly, chipping away at defenses until they find an opening."
Tang Rou watched the replay closely. The German team was disciplined, almost robotic in their execution. Every move was calculated, every action part of a larger strategy. There were no wasted movements, no moments of hesitation. They were patient—almost eerily so.
"They're like a fortress," Zhang Jiale said, frowning slightly. "How do we break that down without running out of steam?"
Ye Xiu tapped the screen, highlighting a few key moments from the match. "They're disciplined, but not invincible. If we can disrupt their rhythm early, we can force them into mistakes. They rely on a steady pace—if we can speed things up and take them out of their comfort zone, they'll start to lose control."
Tang Rou nodded, her mind already racing through potential strategies. "So we hit them fast, don't give them time to set up their defense."
"Exactly," Ye Xiu confirmed. "They'll try to slow us down, but we need to keep the pressure on. If we let them dictate the pace, we're finished. They excel in long, drawn-out matches, but they struggle when forced to adapt quickly."
It was a solid plan, but Tang Rou knew that execution was everything. The Dragon Knights were no strangers to high-pressure situations, and their captain, Andreas, was known for his ability to remain calm under the most intense circumstances. Disrupting their strategy would be no easy feat.
As they continued discussing the match, Tang Rou found herself slipping into a familiar state of focus. The world around her seemed to fade, leaving only the game in front of her—the map, the strategies, the flow of the match. It was a feeling she knew well, one that had driven her through countless hours of practice and competition. It was the drive to win, to prove herself on the biggest stage.
After about an hour of discussion, Ye Xiu stood up, stretching his arms. "Alright, let's take a break. We'll run some drills later this afternoon. For now, relax and clear your heads. We've still got some time before things get serious."
Tang Rou nodded, standing and grabbing her water bottle. The rest of the team dispersed, each player heading off to their own corner of the hotel to unwind. But Tang Rou wasn't ready to relax just yet. The conversation had only made her more eager to practice.
As she made her way back to her hotel room, she couldn't shake the thoughts of tomorrow's match. She knew the Dragon Knights would be their toughest opponent yet, and their slow, methodical style was the polar opposite of the aggressive teams they had faced so far. But she was determined to be ready for them, no matter what.
The sun had begun to set by the time Tang Rou found herself in the hotel's training room. It was quiet—most of the team had taken Ye Xiu's advice and were resting, but Tang Rou couldn't sit still. She set up her gear, the familiar glow of the screen washing over her as she logged into Glory.
Her fingers danced across the keyboard as she ran solo drills, focusing on precision and reaction time. Each movement was deliberate, every action calculated. She needed to be faster, sharper. The Dragon Knights would punish any mistake, no matter how small.
As she trained, her thoughts drifted back to Shade. The message he had sent the previous night still lingered in her mind, a reminder that their rivalry was far from over. But for now, she had to push those thoughts aside. The semifinals were her priority.
Suddenly, her practice was interrupted by a message notification. She glanced at the screen, half-expecting another message from Shade. But this time, the name on the screen wasn't unfamiliar.
Ye Xiu: "Still practicing?"
Tang Rou smirked and typed a quick reply.
Tang Rou: "Couldn't sleep. I need to be ready for tomorrow."
Within moments, Ye Xiu's reply appeared.
Ye Xiu: "You're always ready. Just don't burn yourself out before the match."
Tang Rou smiled faintly, appreciating the advice. Ye Xiu was right, of course. There was no point in overdoing it, but she couldn't help it. She always felt the need to push herself harder.
Tang Rou: "I'm fine. I just want to be sharp."
Ye Xiu: "I get it. But take care of yourself. Tomorrow will be intense."
Tang Rou's fingers hovered over the keys for a moment before she typed her next response.
Tang Rou: "Do you think we can beat them?"
There was a long pause, and for a moment, she wondered if Ye Xiu had left the chat. But then his response came through.
Ye Xiu: "I know we can. We've faced tougher odds. Just trust the plan and keep playing your game. You're one of the best players I've seen, Tang Rou. Don't forget that."
Tang Rou's heart swelled slightly at the compliment. Coming from Ye Xiu, it meant more than words from anyone else. He wasn't the type to hand out praise lightly.
Tang Rou: "Thanks. I'll do my best."
Ye Xiu: "You always do."
With that, the chat ended, and Tang Rou sat back, her mind clearer than it had been all day. Ye Xiu was right—she had prepared for this. All the training, all the hours spent practicing, had brought her to this moment. There was nothing left to doubt. The time for second-guessing was over.
She closed the game, feeling a sense of calm settle over her. Tomorrow was another day, another match, and she would be ready for it.
The night passed quickly, and before Tang Rou knew it, the morning of the semifinals had arrived. The team gathered in the lobby, dressed in their team uniforms, their expressions a mix of determination and focus. The journey to the arena was quiet, each player lost in their own thoughts, mentally preparing for the battle ahead.
As they entered the stadium, the roar of the crowd greeted them. The energy in the air was palpable, the fans eager for the day's matches. The tension was thick, but Tang Rou felt an odd sense of peace. The pressure that had weighed on her the previous day had lifted, replaced by a calm confidence. She was ready.
They were led to their designated waiting area, where they had a few moments to settle in before the match. Tang Rou glanced at the tournament brackets displayed on the massive screen overhead. The Dragon Knights were waiting for them, just as planned.
"Remember the strategy," Ye Xiu said, gathering the team around. "Keep the pressure on, don't let them settle into their rhythm. This match is ours if we play it right."
Tang Rou nodded along with the others, feeling a renewed sense of focus. The weight of the tournament