The roar of the crowd thundered through the arena, the sheer intensity of the noise shaking the very air. Victory still flashed on the screen in front of Tang Rou, but as the cheers and celebrations erupted around her, she found herself sitting in silence, her heart still racing from the adrenaline of the battle.
She had done it—they had done it. Once again, they had bested Starlight. But despite the triumph, something about the moment felt different from their previous victories. Tang Rou had gone into this match expecting to face a Shade stronger than before, and he had not disappointed. He had pushed her, perhaps even harder than the last time they had met, and now that it was over, the familiar excitement was tinged with something else.
Respect.
The rest of the team celebrated around her, their voices filled with excitement as they exchanged high-fives and congratulatory words. Ye Xiu, as always, gave his quiet nod of approval, his eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and strategy as he reviewed the battle in his mind.
"That was intense," Su Mucheng said, coming up beside Tang Rou and giving her a smile. "You handled Shade perfectly. The way you adapted to his tactics—he didn't stand a chance."
Tang Rou smiled, but it was a soft, subdued smile. "He's improved a lot. That wasn't an easy match."
"True," Zhang Jiale chimed in, clearly buzzing with adrenaline. "Shade's team almost had us in the early game. But you turned it around at the perfect moment. That counterattack was insane."
Tang Rou nodded, her thoughts still drifting toward Shade and the way he had fought. There was no denying that he had become stronger, his tactics more refined, his execution sharper. But in the end, Tang Rou had come out on top. This time, she had been the better player. But for how long?
As the rest of the team began to wind down and gather their things, Tang Rou found her eyes wandering across the stage to where Starlight was seated. Shade still had his mask on, his posture calm and composed even in defeat. His team members were talking quietly among themselves, their disappointment evident, but they held their heads high. Starlight had come a long way, and this wasn't the end of their story.
Tang Rou stood slowly, feeling the need to do something she hadn't done before. She made her way across the stage, weaving through the crowd of players and officials, until she was standing directly in front of Starlight's team.
Shade looked up as she approached, his masked face tilting slightly in acknowledgment. The rest of his team fell silent, watching the two rivals with a mixture of curiosity and respect.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them. Tang Rou could feel the weight of their rivalry, the unspoken understanding that had grown between them through every battle. She wasn't here to gloat or revel in the victory. Instead, she felt compelled to offer something else—recognition.
"You've gotten a lot better," Tang Rou said, her voice calm but filled with genuine admiration. "That was a tough match."
Shade's mask shifted ever so slightly, and though she couldn't see his face, Tang Rou sensed the faint smile behind it. He stood up slowly, his posture relaxed but confident, and gave her a small nod of acknowledgment.
"You pushed me to get better," Shade replied, his voice low but steady. "Every time we face off, I learn something new. Today was no different."
Tang Rou smiled, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over her. It was rare to find someone who understood the drive to improve, to constantly push beyond one's limits. In Shade, she had found a rival who not only respected her, but who also shared that same unyielding determination.
"I look forward to our next match," Tang Rou said, offering her hand.
Shade hesitated for a moment, then took her hand, shaking it firmly. "So do I. But next time, I won't let you win."
Tang Rou chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and challenge. "You can try."
With that, the moment passed, and Tang Rou turned to rejoin her team. But as she walked away, she couldn't help but feel that something had shifted between them. The rivalry was still there, but now, there was something more—an understanding that transcended mere competition. They were pushing each other to be the best, and in doing so, they were both growing stronger.
Back in the locker room, the atmosphere was light, the tension from the match replaced by the buzz of victory. The team talked excitedly about the match, recounting key moments and sharing laughs over close calls. But Tang Rou was quieter than usual, her thoughts still lingering on the conversation she had just had with Shade.
Ye Xiu, ever perceptive, noticed her quiet demeanor and approached her with a curious smile. "Something on your mind?"
Tang Rou looked up at him, her expression thoughtful. "I talked to Shade after the match."
Ye Xiu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And how did that go?"
Tang Rou hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "It was… different. I've always seen him as this rival I had to beat, but after today, I realized that we're not just competing against each other. We're pushing each other to be better. It's like… we're both growing because of this rivalry."
Ye Xiu nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "That's how it is with the best rivals. It's not just about winning or losing. It's about pushing each other to new heights. You've both been growing because of this rivalry, and I think that's what makes it special."
Tang Rou smiled, feeling a sense of clarity settle over her. "Yeah. I guess I didn't see it that way before."
Ye Xiu chuckled, patting her on the shoulder. "You're getting it now. Rivalries aren't just about competition—they're about growth. And you've both got a long way to go. There will be more battles, more challenges, and you'll both keep getting stronger because of it."
Tang Rou nodded, feeling a weight lift off her chest. The pressure of constantly facing Shade, of always having to prove herself, didn't feel as heavy anymore. Instead, it felt like part of the journey—a journey that they were both on, and one that wasn't over yet.
"I'm looking forward to the next match," Tang Rou said softly, more to herself than to Ye Xiu.
"So am I," Ye Xiu replied with a smile. "It'll be another great battle."
The tournament continued over the next few days, with the Chinese team advancing to the final rounds. Each match was intense, the competition fierce, but Tang Rou felt more centered than ever. Her rivalry with Shade had helped her grow, and now, she approached every battle with a sense of calm confidence.
When the final day of the National Championship arrived, the atmosphere in the arena was electric. The Chinese team had made it to the grand finals, and their opponents were one of the strongest teams in the country—Thunderstrike, a veteran team known for their unpredictable strategies.
As Tang Rou and her team took the stage, the noise of the crowd faded into the background. Her hands hovered over the keyboard, her focus sharp and steady. This was the moment they had been preparing for, and she was ready.
The countdown began.
Three seconds.
Tang Rou's heart raced, but her mind was clear.
Two seconds.
The map loaded, every detail already burned into her memory.
One second.
The match began.
This chapter focuses on the deepening of the rivalry between Tang Rou and Shade, as they come to understand that their competition is not just about winning but about mutual growth. Tang Rou's recognition of Shade as more than just a rival sets the stage for a more complex relationship, one built on respect and shared ambition. The chapter also sets up the grand finals of the National Championship, preparing for the next major challenge for Tang Rou and her team.