Chapter 699
Esports was a booming industry, attracting everyone from seasoned professionals to wealthy dilettantes. Too often, Ritchie had seen rich kids treat it like a hobby—forming teams on a whim, only to abandon them when the novelty wore off.
Fernanda’s ambition struck him as similarly fleeting.
He’d heard of her during last year’s school beauty pageant. Rumor had it she was not only stunning but also came from a well-off family, excelled academically, and had a knack for gaming. Allegedly, she’d earned her spot at Esaham University’s Esports Academy on merit alone.
Ritchie didn’t buy it. He’d never seen her name on the leaderboard. He figured it was just a publicity stunt by Esaham University, a clever ploy to promote their Esports Academy.
And to him, Fernanda was just another pretty face with lofty but hollow dreams.
Fernanda wasn’t ruffled by his jab. Instead, she smiled. “Fair question,” she admitted. “Because, like you, I love this game.”
Ritchie burst out laughing. “Love? You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s rich, coming from someone like you!”
“I’ve got the skills to back it up,” she shot back.
“Skills?” Ritchie raised an eyebrow, scoffing. “Please don’t tell me your crowning achievement is getting into Esaham University’s Esports Academy. Honestly, I could get in with one hand tied behind my back.”
Fernanda didn’t flinch, pulling out…
She pulled out her phone, tapped a few times, and handed it to him. “Take a look. Once you do, you’ll see whether or not I’m qualified.”
Ritchie waved it off dismissively. “Yawn! Not interested.”
“Just look at my account,” she insisted. “Then tell me what you think.”
Ritchie took Fernanda’s phone with a raised brow, skepticism practically dripping from his expression. He couldn’t wrap his head around the idea that her account could be anything out of the ordinary.
He glanced at the screen casually at first, but then his eyes grew wide as if he’d just seen a ghost.
“No way!” he blurted out, jerking upright from the sofa, his voice betraying his shock. “This… this is Nimbus’s account? How—how do you have it?”
His fingers flew over the screen, tapping frantically as if trying to confirm his suspicions. He was almost certain: this wasn’t some sort of prank. Nimbus’ account was indeed logged into Fernanda’s phone, and that couldn’t be faked.
Fernanda smirked. “Well, of course, it’s my account. Do you still think I’m not qualified?”
Nimbus—the very name was a legend in the game Apex Arena. He was at the top of the leaderboard, had an unmatched solo win streak, and was the creator of numerous unique playstyles. Anyone who had spent time playing this game knew the name Nimbus.
And now, standing before Ritchie, was the enigma herself?
He felt as though reality had flipped upside down.
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