Chapter 58

Chapter 58:

Ector’s lips tightened as his throat bobbed with a hard swallow. His usually calm expression carried an uncharacteristic sharpness, anger burning in his eyes. “I can’t believe this,” he said in a low voice heavy with frustration. The idea that Esaham University—a name synonymous with excellence—could be linked to something as underhanded as grade tampering felt like a betrayal of everything the institution stood for.

Neal scratched his head, brows drawn together in confusion and disbelief. “How does this even happen? How could our school resort to changing grades? We’re one of the best schools in the country, not some sketchy diploma mill. It doesn’t make sense p>

“It could be someone within the system, someone misusing their authority,” Fernanda said, leaning back slightly. “It might not be the university itself p>

Many students might hesitate to believe their grades had been tampered with—a few points could mean the difference between admission and rejection. But Fernanda, having poured everything into her academics and confident she would ace the test, promptly suspected foul play.

Her thoughts sharpened as she replayed the situation. Whoever altered her grades probably didn’t expect her to notice, much less fight back.

“Anyway,” Neal said, “at least Aidan will be happy now. You joining the esports department is going to make him happier than a kid in a candy store p>

Fernanda tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes. “Aidan? Who is he p>

“Aidan Tucker. He’s our department head,” Neal explained with a chuckle.

Fernanda recalled the open, cheerful smile of their department head—the one she had yet to learn by name until now. She’d noticed how effortlessly he connected with the students, his warmth making him blend in as if he were one of them.

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“All right, I’ll let you get some rest. I should get going,” she said, standing.

“It’s fine,” Neal replied, flipping his phone in his hand with a challenging look. “And I’m not tired. How about that one-on-one match? You did promise p>

Fernanda narrowed her eyes playfully, catching the eagerness in his voice. Clearly, he was desperate to shed that embarrassing username.

True to her word, she followed Neal out of the building. They found a quiet bench outside, the dim glow of their phones illuminating their faces as they set up the game.

Neal, ever the showman, recorded the game on his phone. The match didn’t last long—and Neal won decisively.

Fernanda slipped her phone into her bag with a casual shrug. “You won, so change that username already. I’m heading out p>

Neal’s eyes stayed glued to the screen, jaw tightening. The match had lasted just two and a half minutes, yet instead of triumph, he felt a sour knot form in his chest.

“Hey!” he shouted, voice cutting through the quiet as Fernanda walked away. “You didn’t even try! That was way too obvious! I want a rematch! Who told you to let me win p>

“You never said I couldn’t,” Fernanda called back without turning. “A win’s a win, Neal. Quit complaining and enjoy it p>

He watched her silhouette fade under the streetlights, words lodged in his throat. For someone who prided himself on his skills, being handed a victory felt like a slap in the face—especially from Fernanda, a competitor who had beaten him fair and square before. Her casual dismissal stung, leaving him wondering if she even took him seriously. Did she think he couldn’t handle a proper challenge?

Despite his irritation, Neal couldn’t deny the small thrill of triumph. Finally, he could ditch the ridiculous username that had haunted him. He swiped away “True Champion” and opted for “Omega Champion” instead.

Back at the dorm, noise erupted the moment he stepped inside. “Neal’s here!” Levi shouted. “Get over here and lead us, man p>

“Yeah, Neal,” Alex added, practically bouncing. “You’ve got to jump in to turn the tables p>

Neal twisted off the cap of a cola bottle, took a long gulp, and raised an eyebrow at their frantic energy. “Seriously? Who’s giving you guys such a hard time? Aren’t you supposed to be the pros here p>

Gifford, sprawled on the bed with a book in his hands, didn’t even look up. “Some kid,” he said flatly, voice dripping with disinterest.

Alex spun around in his chair to face Gifford. “Come on, man, if he’s really fourteen, he’s only six years younger than me. That’s not a kid p>

Gifford’s lips curled into a faint smirk, a cold laugh escaping him. “Six years younger and wiping the floor with you? That’s embarrassing. And you still have the guts to argue p>

Levi waved a hand dismissively. “Hold on. His username’s Fourteen, but that doesn’t mean it’s his age. He could be a thirty-year-old guy who just enjoys messing with people. No one knows for sure p>

Gifford scoffed, barely glancing up from his book. “If a thirty-year-old is thrashing you like this, he must be a gaming legend.” He leaned back. “Reflexes are sharper in younger players—a biological edge that dulls with age. By twenty, most hit their peak; by thirty, many have already hung up their gear p>

Levi and Alex exchanged looks but said nothing. Arguing with Gifford was like running into a wall—completely pointless.

Neal leaned casually over Levi’s chair, eyes fixed on the screen. Then it happened: a blunder that sealed their fate. The defeat screen flashed, and Levi and Alex let out synchronized groans.

Without a word, Neal reached for Levi’s mouse and navigated through the game menus to Fourteen’s profile. “Not bad,” he said, scanning the stats with an approving nod. “Solid win rate. If this guy really is fourteen, who knows? He might end up at our school someday p>

“Sure, he’s good,” Levi muttered, still sulking, “but he’s got the attitude to match. He was running his mouth in the lobby earlier, calling for challengers. We didn’t bite until he started throwing shade at our school—said even Esaham University’s esports team wouldn’t stand a chance. How could we let that go p>

Alex bobbed his head eagerly. “Yeah, Neal, we were just trying to defend the school p>

“And how did that work out for you?” Neal shot him a sidelong glance, tone sharp. “You ended up embarrassing yourselves p>

Alex shifted uncomfortably, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah… about that p>

Usually, loudmouths like Fourteen didn’t have the skills to back up their trash talk. But this kid? He was the real deal.

“Neal, you’ve got to put this kid in his place,” Levi said, adjusting his black-framed glasses. “He’s too cocky for someone so young. If no one humbles him now, imagine what he’ll be like later. Teach him a lesson—it’ll do him some good p>

Without a word, Neal nudged Levi’s chair with his knee. “Move.” Levi’s eyes lit up as he jumped out of the chair, nearly tripping in his haste.

Neal slid into the seat and used Levi’s account to send an invitation to Fourteen.

Three matches later, the verdict was clear. Neal’s gameplay was fluid and relentless, dismantling his opponent with near-brutal efficiency. The rapid clicks of the keyboard filled the room as Levi watched, his gaze flicking between the screen and Neal’s intense, almost angry, expression.

“Uh, Neal?” Alex ventured cautiously. “Everything okay? Did someone upset you?” Neal didn’t answer. His focus was unbreakable, every ounce of concentration channelled into the match. The skill he had held back against Fernanda was on full display—each move precise and unrelenting.

Fourteen finally conceded defeat. Even in surrender, he refused to let it go, his words sharp and defiant. “Add me as a friend! Just wait—I’ve got a pro lined up. Next time, I’ll talk him into playing with you, and he’ll crush you p>

Levi leaned forward, unbothered by the bravado, and typed back without hesitation. “Bring whoever you want. Esaham University’s esports program is the best, and you can’t change that p>

Turning to Neal with a triumphant grin, Levi puffed out his chest. “Neal, am I right p>

“Yeah,” Neal said with a small nod. “And it’s only going to get better p>

“What do you mean?” Levi’s brow furrowed. “Better how p>

Neal’s eyes gleamed teasingly. “We’ve got a pro joining us soon p>

“What? Who? Tell me!” Levi’s mouth dropped open.

Neal smiled enigmatically. “You’ll find out tomorrow p>