Chapter 22

Bowen unwrapped the cake and set it on the table, then casually picked up a spoon and took bite after bite. He said, "My Odionlandian's pretty good. I studied abroad during college. You can ask me if you need help."

The sweetness melted on his tongue, and even the sharp, slightly devilish Bowen's brows relaxed. He added, "I won't charge you for tutoring."

Aubree stared at Bowen, stunned for a second. In her impression, guys like him were supposed to be totally indifferent to sweets.

Aubree thought, "Wait a sec—isn't that cake meant for me? That doesn't fit the usual script."

Aubree's eyes widened a little. She kind of froze.

Bowen looked like he'd read her mind. He explained, "I was planning to stop by, hear you vent a little, and cheer myself up with something sweet. Life's bitter enough as it is. Gotta balance it out somehow, right?"

"And honestly, it's totally normal for people to like sweets. If you want some, I can recommend the shop."

That kind of relaxed vibe from Bowen actually made Aubree feel lighter—like a good friend messing around with her.

Aubree didn't hold back either. She pointed right at the parts she didn't understand and shamelessly started using Bowen as her temporary tutor.

Once she got into study mode, Aubree quickly forgot about everything that had happened earlier. People she planned to leave behind had no right to ruin her mood.

When the clock hit ten, Bowen checked the time and said, "That's it for tonight. If you don't get something in Odionlandian later on, just come to me. I'm heading out. You should get some rest too—you've got school tomorrow."

Bowen was already at the door when he suddenly turned and asked, "Your birthday's coming up, right?"

Hearing this, Aubree paused for a second. The word "birthday" felt kind of foreign to her.

Back at the orphanage, no one cared about stuff like that. Just getting enough to eat was a blessing. Only Mr. Quinn ever said "happy birthday" to Aubree and gave her a cake.

After Aubree returned to the Wilson family, her birthdays had always been rolled into Carmen's. And she was never the one being celebrated.

"Seems like it," Aubree replied.

Bowen said, "You're turning eighteen this year. That's a big deal. You should celebrate it right. Anything you want?"

Aubree shook her head. "Not really." Right now, she just wanted to study hard and climb higher. Carmen wasn't going to back off easily.

To fight the entire Wilson family, Aubree still had a long way to go. Everything else felt like a luxury she couldn't afford.

Bowen looked thoughtful for a moment. "Then I'll take care of it. I'll give you a birthday you won't forget."

With that, Bowen smiled at her—a really beautiful smile.

Good-looking things always made people pause a little longer, and Aubree was no exception. She caught herself staring.

Quickly, Aubree looked away, ears warming. "It's really no big deal. Don't go out of your way."

Bowen raised a finger to his lips. "If you don't care, then no one else will. And sometimes, saying something like that makes people actually believe it."

'He's serious?' That thought made Aubree's heart skip. She was starting to look forward to her eighteenth birthday.

Holding back the sting in her eyes, Aubree smiled. "Got it. Then, I'll wait for your surprise?"

Only then did Bowen look satisfied. He said softly, "Night, Aubree."

The next day, Aubree went to school like usual.

That morning, Alvin messaged her: [Come with me to the base after school. We need to shoot the finals poster and play a scrim against Apex Squad.]

Everyone knew scrims this close to the finals were all about testing the waters.

During class, Aubree paid attention as usual. Her deskmate, Matilda, slept as usual.

Their "friendship" ended after that one reminder from Aubree at the beginning of the semester. Even though they used to live in the same district and saw each other on the way to and from school every day, they hadn't gotten any closer.

Back then, Matilda's only explanation had been that she didn't like Carmen.

Honestly, Aubree didn't know what beef they had. In her previous life, just making it through school without being bullied had already been a win. There was no room to care about anyone else.

The only thing that caught Aubree's attention now was that it was already senior year, and Matilda still didn't seem interested in studying at all.

The first class that afternoon was Odionlandian. Aubree could barely stay awake—not because she didn't want to listen, but because the material just wouldn't stick.

Half-asleep, Aubree caught a glimpse of Matilda's phone hidden in her desk. It seemed like the match data from Apex Squad vs. GOD's Fury.

Suddenly, Aubree was wide awake.

Matilda had one hand on her desk holding a pen and doodling on scratch paper, while the other hand flipped through her phone.

She was analyzing!

Aubree stared at her scratch paper. Matilda was mapping out the possible lineups and drafting BP simulations for the finals. The more she looked, the more excited she got.

Aubree had lived through all this before, so she recognized the lineups. They matched almost exactly with the finals rosters from her previous life.

But Matilda wasn't reborn! Which meant her predictions were completely accurate.

Aubree had a genius sitting next to her this whole time—and she was only realizing it now!

Aubree held it in until the bell finally rang. The moment class ended, Aubree grabbed Matilda's wrist. "You came up with everything you wrote in class based on the data from both teams this season?"

Matilda was surprised this nerdy classmate of hers was into esports. That gave her a bit of a good impression, and some curiosity to talk. She replied, "Not exactly. I used Apex Squad's full stats, but GOD's Fury is still a dark horse this year. There's not enough data, so it's not totally accurate. A lot can still change."

'She's a genius! In esports, besides the players' skills, a coach's instincts are everything,' Aubree thought.

A while ago, Apex Squad beat veteran team LTC in the spring finals, not because of raw mechanics, but because of smart picks.

Their win hinged on using Aphelios to counter LTC's Aurelion Sol in a clutch matchup.

Aubree leaned in, testing the waters. "Are you planning to work in esports someday?"

Aubree wasn't going to play for much longer. Academics still came first. But if Matilda wanted a pro career, then there was no way Aubree was letting that kind of talent go unnoticed.

Matilda nodded. "I've never been good at studying. Got into Rithol High School by pure luck. My family's poor, and I got one of those special spots. At first, I did try to study hard, but no matter how hard I tried, it just didn't work.

"Then I stumbled into League of Legends. I got into esports fast. I love it. My mechanics are average, so I know I won't be a pro player. But I've been studying the game, tracking every team, learning the meta, breaking down picks and bans—because I want to be a coach in the training department someday."

Aubree couldn't help but laugh. "Well, you don't have to wait anymore. Your shot's here!"

Aubree clapped Matilda's shoulder like it was something huge, and with total sincerity, invited her. "After school, come with me to the GOD's Fury base. Want in?"

Matilda didn't get what she meant at first. But that last part—she heard that loud and clear.

Matilda murmured, 'Does she even need to think about it? Of course I want in!'

"You kidding?" Matilda said, a warm red flush spreading across her face.

'If Aubree is telling the truth, then my dream may be true—today,' Matilda thought.