I Have a Reason to Hate Streamers

Evaluating objectively, Luce’s skills are not yet at a world-class level.

In the domestic league, she stands at the very top without a doubt, but when you broaden your view to a global scale, the story changes.

Of course, I believe Luce can grow to much greater heights than she is now.

However, it’s purely a matter of potential. To speak of it coldly, she is a mid-level player at best.

If she faces Kelberos in the semifinals, her winning odds might be around 20 to 30 percent, don’t you think?

But that’s not why I liked Luce; it’s not because she’s the strongest player.

Not long ago, I had the courage to ask her a question at a restaurant.

– I’m curious, why did you want to become a pro gamer?

– Well, I don’t really remember the specifics. I think I vaguely knew there was such a world even before the accident.

– …?

– Is that surprising? But it’s true. You don’t need a grand reason to have a dream. Once you start dreaming, what can you do?

Only after hearing her response did I realize I had asked a foolish question.

It really is true; you don’t need a grand reason for dreaming.

What got me started with kendo back then? If I had to say, maybe it was when I watched historical dramas with my parents?

Back then, I was just a young boy who instinctively felt the ‘coolness’ of a sword.

Later on, I realized that kendo wasn’t the martial art of swinging a real sword that I thought it was.

But it didn’t matter.

I was already so deeply enthralled that I could not stop.

– People say that when you fall in love, everything changes. It comes suddenly and unbidden, and this emotion changes a person completely.

– I don’t really understand it yet. After all, I haven’t experienced it. How could I know feelings I’ve never felt?

– Still, the more I hear about love, the more something comes to mind. Such an illogical and destructive emotion.

– Isn’t it the same with dreams?

As she said that, her radiant smile seemed to shine so brightly.

As someone who had once soaked in a dream. And as someone who had just begun to dream again.

She was someone impossible not to admire.

…Anyway, Blink was a good practice opponent to prepare for Kelberos.

A first-string pro from the Japanese league. You can’t mention Mage Knights in Asia without including this name.

If Luce wanted a chance against Kelberos, preparations against Mage Knights were crucial.

[Infinity Arena Main Event Round Of 16 – Match 12]

[Battlefield: Lava Zone]

[Sigma Luce (Paladin) vs JWM Blink (Mage Knight)]

Luce wasn’t favored by the odds of the battlefield.

The ‘Lava Zone’ is a battlefield where hot heat pervades the entire map.

In keeping with its name, boiling lava flows, and all flame-type skills receive a slight enhancement.

It’s a more favorable environment for a Mage Knight who can wield elemental magic.

Additionally, the periodically overflowing lava presented a problem.

Maneuvering elements force movement, so it’s obvious that agile characters can deal with it more easily.

There are ways for a Paladin to make use of the situation, but the number of cards in hand was different.

《 The match has started. Both players are beginning their search. 》

《 Oh, Luce has changed her weapon. She usually prefers swords or maces, but is using a flail for the first time? 》

《 That’s worth noting. The flail has the advantage of a longer attack range due to its chain connection compared to a mace. Holy spells also tend to receive a nice bonus. 》

《 However, it’s still a difficult weapon to handle. It has a longer time to hit, making it somewhat sluggish. Since this is the first time Luce is using it, it’s worth paying attention. 》

As the commentators said, it was indeed her first time using the flail.

I can say for sure because I’ve watched every video of the matches Luce participated in.

In her personal streams, Luce is quite experimental.

She practices builds that people usually don’t use, as well as weapons and skills.

Therefore, Luce’s adaptability to the meta is notably high.

However, she tends not to bring those learned skills into official matches until they are fully proven.

So, surprisingly, the variety of weapons she used isn’t that diverse.

《 It seems Luce is trying to maneuver through the canyon terrain. She is likely trying to secure safety from the rear or side while wary of the Mage Knight’s mobility. 》

《 The Mage Knight’s ‘Blink’ is a powerful skill, after all, especially since this opponent is highly proficient in using Blink! 》

《 Ha ha, right? You can see the confidence straight from their nickname. 》

The two found each other and quickly engaged in battle.

Of course, the initiative was the Mage Knight’s, who had excellent long-range harassments.

As the fiercely blazing spear of flame flew towards her, Luce boldly charged forward with her shield.

The spear that collided with her shield burst and vanished.

Three spears flew in next, and then another three.

Finally, several fire arrows rained down from the sky.

All the magic was blocked out by Luce’s well-placed shield.

However, the Paladin’s guard gauge is not infinite, and Blink is a Mage Knight, not a Mage.

《 The moment of impact and then dives in, Blink! 》

《 I don’t think the guard is going to hold! 》

“I’ll stop it.”

It’s an attack method that is quite in line with the Mage Knight’s basic tactics.

When the firepower is concentrated, striking at the right moment makes it hard for any regular defense to hold.

However, Luce wouldn’t fall for such a simple tactic.

Of course, the Mage Knight would have prepared for what came next.

A bright holy light descends upon Luce.

A brief moment of invincibility. The incoming strike was blocked without much effort, but the time was calculated precisely as a counter-magic followed.

The counter was a rising holy wall. A thick barrier clashed with the magic, creating an opening.

She slammed her shield down, spreading the holy energy.

With her opponent slowed, she swung the flail.

The trajectory was accurate, but the speed of the weapon impeded her.

“Hmm, I think a mace would’ve been better.”

For that last attack, had it been a mace, maybe I could’ve connected.

Not a critical hit, but better than missing altogether.

On the blazing ground, sacred and magical forces collided.

The result was obvious. The holy spells specialized in defense or support. And the flame magic specializes in destruction.

With the battlefield bonus, there was no way it would be a fair fight.

Fortunately, the one good thing was the Paladin’s magical resistance was excellent.

Compared to the damage taken, Luce’s health bar didn’t drop significantly.

Though it wasn’t necessarily a good sign.

《 Blink’s attacks are quite flashy. It looks like it’s difficult to secure visibility, given the priority on flame magic. 》

《 It seems Luce needs an opportunity to turn the situation around. 》

《 Guard break! The once sturdy shield is finally revealing its limits. 》

The tide of the battle gradually tilted.

Yet Luce’s gaze seemed unwavering.

The chat and the commentators were all discussing Luce’s unfavorable position.

Luce always blocks her opponent’s attacks in the most optimal way.

But just being good at blocking doesn’t equate to fighting well.

Specifically, she was at a disadvantage in numerical battles.

She was gradually improving, but Luce’s fighting style was not yet complete.

Especially when the opponent had more means, this scene of gradually withering away often appeared.

Well, that’s a common trait found in sluggish warrior classes.

With her Paladin’s unique skill, she recovers her guard gauge.

However, the Mage Knight still had ample mana left.

Holding up the shield, she would just need to bring it down again.

With the cross of magic and sword strikes, the shield quickly lost its strength.

As if intent on sealing the deal, the Mage Knight targeted Luce’s abdomen.

“Eh?”

I couldn’t help but feel like I had received a gift again.

The moment the flame-imbued blade pierced through her armor.

Luce’s flail wrapped around the Mage Knight’s arm in a spiral.

It was a way I was quite familiar with. A trick I had used against Ripper in the group stage.

The Mage Knight doesn’t have an immediate survival skill like the Mist Mage’s ‘Mist Form.’

No class has only advantages without drawbacks.

Magic requires chanting, and chanting gets interrupted when taking significant damage.

That’s why the Mage Knight has to be a thorough out-fighter.

Being bound like this is the worst-case scenario.

《 Luce has caught her opponent! 》

《 Conclusively struck! This is big! 》

《 No way, Luce! Is this the reason she brought out the flail? She’s showing it thoroughly! 》

《 This reminds us of Gawol’s match from last week, doesn’t it? 》

A heavy shield slammed down against the fallen Mage Knight.

The mass of the tower shield combined with the strength of a Paladin.

It was a force difficult for a Mage Knight to endure, causing Blink’s health bar to plummet.

However, the setup wasn’t entirely the same.

I could never untangle the Chain Scythe multiple times, but Luce’s flail had its limit with a single wrap.

The released Blink attempted to create distance again.

But Luce did not allow that.

“Let there be light,” and light descended upon the battlefield.

Amidst the blinding rays, the Mage Knight could not escape.

If the light was ‘Divine Punishment,’ then the flail was ‘Sine Punishment.’

The Mage Knight couldn’t withstand a hit from a heavy piece of metal.

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