Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Arcane War Finals: Electrifying Climax
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The third and final set of the Arcane War championship match to determine the victor.
The heat from the last game had been incredible.
"Looks like Lightning Tower's gonna take the win here. The growth gap with Ashe is just too big. Nuckturn didn't snag many kills."
"Even in this situation, Jax is just shoving the top lane. That mage has gotta be the top god-carry of this Arcane War."
"Weirdly enough, Nuckturn's pushing top too."
"Right? If you wanna win, you gotta pressure Ashe!"
Based on the previous two sets, the game's outcome came down to which team's Tower Master could carry harder.
But in this final third set, Lightning Tower's Master had a clear edge in carrying potential.
On the Illusion Tower side, Jax had picked up some kills, sure.
But it was hard to expect big plays from Jax in teamfights.
Plus, their top god-carry, Medea, had consistently underperformed in skirmishes.
-Jax! He's just barreling straight for the twin towers! Lightning Tower's forced to recall!
-Hoo... Even after winning the teamfight, they didn't gain much from it.
Rye and Galliard's commentary.
A teamfight had broken out mid, and Jax had opened up the top lane highway.
-Lightning Tower defends their base. The game's entering a lull for now.
-Lightning Tower needs to end it quick. If Illusion Tower catches up in growth from here, it'll be dangerous.
-Exactly. They should push their advantage while they have it... And right as I say that! Lightning Tower starts on Baron!
Ooooooh-!
Lightning Tower going all-in.
The crowd gasped as Baron's health bar plummeted.
"No way...! Illusion Tower Master, you gotta win this!"
"If they take Baron, we're done for!"
A fandom had even formed by now.
Unlike her cute, fidgety real-life self, her in-game carry prowess was a total twist.
Lots of people had fallen for Hina because of that.
"Lightning Tower Master, you're so cool!"
"Eyes dying heuuung..."
"Ah... I just wanna get stomped by Lightning Tower Master once."
"What kinda face will she make when she wins Arcane War? Imagining it is already heuuung..."
Lightning Tower Master had her fans too, of course.
Electra's breathtaking beauty that could stop breath in its tracks. Her sharp eyes and gaze that looked down on everyone.
Her stiff personality and scary speech. Contrasted by the occasional glimpses of her warm leader side.
That drew cheers from folks with particular tastes.
-Illusion Tower! All five are gathering to stop Baron. It's do-or-die!
That's when Illusion Tower moved.
All five dove in to block Baron.
-Volibear clears the wave and teleports in!
Volibear joined via teleport as well.
A 5v5 clash erupted at Baron.
-Oh! Lightning Tower takes Baron! They follow up on Illusion Tower's ADC! Ashe's damage is insane!
-Her kiting is no joke!
-Double kill! Triple! Quadra! Jax slips away, but Ashe! She's carrying this game too!
"Aaaah...! No! Hina!"
"Go! Finish 'em!"
"Eyes gonna die-!"
Lightning Tower fans roaring in joy, Illusion Tower fans in despair.
Lightning Tower took the Baron buff and shoved mid hard.
-Aaaah-! If this keeps up, Lightning Tower wins! Can Jax even hold?
-Honestly, even Jax can't 1v3 that. At this rate...
Illusion Tower's champs needed nearly 40 seconds to respawn.
Victory was as good as Lightning Tower's.
As Lightning Tower fans cheered...
Sudden roars from Illusion Tower fans.
-And right as I speak! Jax teleports top! Drops minions! He just tanks and smashes the twin towers!!!
Woooooo-!!!
Jax, abandoning base, teleporting to smash Lightning Tower's twins.
He aimed to destroy the Nexus first.
-Jax! Tower's melting fast! Super fast! He might shove faster than Lightning Tower! They aren't recalling either—they're shoving too! Deciding to race instead!
"Whoa, damn... Jax might beat 'em to it."
"Jax's tower-taking speed is unreal."
"How'd it come to this?"
"No! Electra, push faster!"
The noisiest moment across all Arcane War matches.
Every spectator on their feet, hyped for the final tower race.
As Jax hammered towers, the crowd realized he was pulling ahead.
This meant Illusion Tower's win.
"Yes! We're winning!"
"Go Jax! Finally useful!"
-Jax smashes Nexus at insane speed! Lightning Tower's a step behind! If this holds...
Just as everyone was convinced of Illusion Tower's victory.
A massive crystal arrow streaked across the map.
-Aaaaaah! Right as I say it! Ashe fires! Ultimate: Enchanted Crystal Arrow! No wayyyy-!!
-Hitting at that range is insanely hard. But if this last arrow lands on Jax... then...
"Please hit! Please!"
"Jax doesn't even notice?"
"Please...!"
The ultra-brief moment as the crystal arrow crossed the map.
Every spectator watching the match held their breath.
All eyes followed the arrow.
-Jax! Just two hits from destroying Nexus...!
Jax barreling toward Nexus destruction at breakneck speed.
Then, the crystal arrow appeared on Jax's map awareness.
"Please...!"
"Hit him!"
"No way he dodges that?"
"Dodge it!"
"Jax has no flash!"
Spectators praying for or against the hit.
Ashe's crystal arrow flew razor-close to Jax's path,
-Crystal Arrow lands! Jax spots it! But it's already right there...
Rye commentating with veins bulging.
Everyone zeroed in on that final instant.
And then, the outcome was decided—
Pang-
-Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah-! It hits! Enchanted Crystal Arrow connects! Jax stunned and down!
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah-!!
Trinity shook with deafening cheers.
Rye and Galliard leaped from the booth, screaming their lungs out.
The epic final scene had everyone kicking chairs in ecstasy.
-Jax! Victory in sight, but he can't do a thing! Stunned! So long! Lightning Tower pounds Nexus in the meantime! Health vanishing!
The ultra-long stun from max range.
Lightning Tower demolished Nexus in seconds.
-Lightning Tower! While Jax is stunned! Lightning Tower! Finally...! Nexus destroyed!
-GG-!!
The game ended as Lightning Tower razed the Nexus first.
The crowd erupted even louder.
"Electra—!"
"Eyes so cool!!!!"
"Look this way just once!!!"
Lightning Tower fans in bliss, Illusion Tower fans crushed.
This was Lightning Tower's moment.
As the game ended, each tower's reps logged out.
"Tower Master-!!"
"Tower Master crushed it!"
"Kyaaaa-!"
Lightning Tower teammates mobbed Electra.
Electra, smile lingering from the thrill, opened her arms to her disciples.
"Hoo, haa... You all did great."
"All thanks to you, Tower Master! That last ult... I didn't think it'd hit me either!"
"I trusted you, Tower Master! You're the absolute best!"
Disciples hugging Electra tight, refusing to let go.
Normally disrespectful for disciples, but Electra said nothing now.
She just embraced them with a relaxed smile, basking in Trinity's cheers.
"Hey, Medea, what the hell?!"
"Wh-what? I didn't expect Ashe's ult from there. I thought... we had it won."
"You should've focused till Nexus was gone! Why park and auto only?!"
"You didn't even move when the arrow was incoming, senior!"
"I-I said Ashe's ult was coming...!"
"No, I thought we won! Was prepping to log out for the victory dance..."
"Nooooo!!!"
Illusion Tower's mood soured.
Medea, who froze autos thinking victory secure, faced a barrage of blame.
She could've dodged with focus to the end.
But overconfidence did her in.
"T-Tower Master..."
"M-Medea, no more games...!"
Even Hina turned on her.
"I-It happens. Not that it should, but... second place ain't bad. Good work, everyone!"
Rain tried lightening the mood late.
Knowing all had tried hard, it ended amicably.
"Good game, Hina."
"Y-Yeah. You too, Electra."
The two towers shook hands post-game.
Hina was surprised shaking Electra's hand.
Electra smiling like this? It'd been ages.
Even in defeat, Hina could accept it graciously.
"St-Still, rematch next time. Without Medea, we'd have won..."
"Sure. Let's do it, Hina."
Hina and Electra smiled at each other.
Thus, the heated epic match—and Arcane War—concluded.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Truly a great match, Tower Master."
"Illusion Tower was solid, but we edged them out."
"...If I'd played, we'd have won."
"We know your COL skills suck. Making the game doesn't mean you're good at it."
"..."
Rye and Electra chatting post-finals.
Electra beamed happily at Rye.
Lea waited, looking grumpy.
"You smile so nicely now."
"...?"
"Lightning Tower Master. First time we met, your face was so stiff I thought you had no facial muscles. But smiling like that? You're beautiful."
"...Oh. Was I like that?"
Rye grinning as he spoke.
Electra realized her lips had been upturned the whole time.
A bit undignified, sure.
But she left it be.
Like how she hadn't pushed away her hugging disciples.
"...Yeah. Thanks to COL. It reminded me what really matters."
"What really matters?"
"Yeah. Even if it passes... the happiness that moment brings never fades."
"...?"
Electra mumbled cryptically.
Rye looked puzzled, but she didn't explain.
Instead, she patted his head.
"The young mage did something huge. Let's duo COL next time."
"Sure. Ranked soon?"
"Ranked?"
"Yeah. It'll launch with official release... Spoilers ruin it. Try it then."
"Alright. Deal."
Rye bowed to Electra.
She returned it and headed to her Lightning mages.
"Time to head back. To Lightning Tower."
Victors grinning ear-to-ear as they walked.
Except pouty Lea, somehow.
She lagged, steps slowing.
"...Lea? Leg hurt?"
"N-No, Tower Master."
She said that, but her face stayed sour.
Staring at the ground, slow-walking.
"If something's wrong, tell me. I won't budge till you do."
"It's..."
Not a big deal, really.
They'd won Arcane War; Lea was happy.
But that lingering hurt from before the War, toward Electra.
"You seem to... like Rye a lot..."
Lea had poured effort to impress Lightning Tower Master.
A-rank, yet she studied magic like mad for successor quals.
She admired Electra, wanted to be a beloved disciple.
But Electra was always cold.
No sense of approval or love.
Then Rye shows up, getting all that attention.
Jealousy was inevitable.
"Not really. Just grateful for COL."
"B-But... I..."
Lea's throat tightened mid-sentence.
Silly, childish thoughts. She wasn't a kid.
It was all natural.
Lea tried burying it, lifting her head. But.
Swish-
Electra, somehow beside her, took Lea's hand.
Lea looked up: Electra smiled warmly.
"You've done more than enough, Lea. It's all my fault."
"...Huh?"
"Good day today—let's party back home. I'll join. Load up on tasty stuff."
"Y-You too, Tower Master?"
"Yes."
Electra, who always ate alone.
Stunned Lea gaped.
But Electra tugged her hand, no time to speak.
"Let's go."
"Y-Yes..."
Electra kept holding Lea's hand.
Whatever it was, Lea's hurt needed no more words.
Thus, Electra's Arcane War truly ended.
Soon after, COL officially launched.