Chapter 144: The Beginning of a New Era

The awards ceremony was still being prepared, and after getting excited, the commentators began to chat casually.

PiraTechnics looked at the scene on the stage and couldn't help but sigh:

"I have a feeling that right now, FNC's dynasty has officially collapsed, and the new dynasty called G2 has officially opened its curtains; Europe will enter a stronger era."

The two commentators beside them fell silent for a moment, then one of them picked up the topic:

"Speaking of that, I suddenly recalled that during the semifinals, Quickshot said UOL and G2 had a 50-50 win rate; I wonder what he's feeling now."

"It's hard to break, the host of the championship interview later will still be him—how awkward."

"It's not that bad; who here hasn't missed a prediction? You have, and I have too."

"The main issue is that the 50-50 prediction is absurd; normally, no matter how you look at it, it shouldn't be 50-50. Even if G2 were just sightseeing, let alone they're not—fact has proven everything: they truly learned something from the LPL."

"Indeed, what G2 displayed in the playoffs is completely different from our understanding of other teams we've seen, showing they didn't simply copy the LPL's understanding, but integrated the experience they gained in the LPL into their own playstyle, thereby forming a style unique to them."

"Agreed! I'm very optimistic about G2's performance in the World Championship!"

"Wow. That's perfect—G2 has already been confirmed as our first seed. Predict what kind of result they can achieve in this year's World Championship."

"Huh? This..."

"Isn't it a bit early to start talking about this now? The version to be used in the World Championship hasn't even been decided yet."

"Just make a casual prediction."

In the official livestream, the vast majority of barrage comments were spamming 【8】.

Even among G2's fans, most only dared to spam a single 【4】.

The fun-loving fans, however, were spamming 【G28】.

The haters started spouting sarcastic nonsense: "No way, no way, you guys think G2 is invincible, but their ceiling is just the semifinals? Don't you dare predict a championship?"

Then the fans and the haters started arguing.

On the commentator desk, the commentator who was questioned hesitated for a long time, then finally said:

"Well... eight uh... semifinals!"

What they really had in mind was the quarterfinals, but they gave the newly crowned G2 some face, barely raising it to the semifinals; in fact, this was also the genuine opinion of the other commentators.

"Alright, thanks for your prediction. Let's cut the small talk and first vote for the MVP of the previous game."

"Who are you two voting for MVP?"

"Perkz."

"I also think it's Perkz; in this game he played the Enchantress extremely well."

"Yeah, it's been like that in the regular season too—Perkz only shows his true skill when Firrrrrre isn't on stage, and netizens say that's a father complex."

"Huh? Wh... what?"

"It's not pleasant to hear, but I think it's right: a child can only learn independence by leaving their parent's side; G2 can't always rely on one person, and I'm glad they haven't forgotten how they played in the Spring Season."

"Speaking of which, I recall those who have left the team for over three months."

"Ah—"

"What's wrong?"

"Kikis has probably already fainted from crying in FNC's restroom."

"Why the restroom?"

"Because G2 definitely won't want him back, and he can't leave FNC, so he can only hide and cry."

"Ahahaha, but I actually want to know more about how those two reacted."

"I know, you're talking about the two LCK imports."

"Yeah, Trick and Emperor."

"I heard they've already returned to Han Guo, but they haven't found a team; they haven't retired, though, and are now free agents."

"That's a bit tragic..."

"Getting back to it, who are you two planning to give your FMVP votes to?"

The two commentators exchanged a smile:

"Is there really any doubt about this?"

"Alright, indeed there isn't."

PiraTechnics suddenly raised the volume:

"Alright! The stage ahead is ready—let's together officially welcome the champion's return—what's coming up is the coronation segment!"

The camera cut back to the live stage.

The wave-like cheers gradually subsided, but the lively atmosphere did not cool down.

The locals at the venue began singing the Bo Lan national anthem in unison, and the Bo Lan twin stars on the commentator bench—Jankos and VandeR—joined in loudly.

On stage, colorful paper scraps were scattered everywhere.

G2 Zhong Ren stood in a row facing the camera, each with hands behind their backs, heads held high, chests out, radiating vigor.

Host Quickshot raised the microphone, his tone solemn and full of glory:

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

"We have just witnessed the highest level of competition in Europe, saw the dark horse SPY's tenacity, and G2's undisputed dominance......"

The audience loudly booed.

Saying they were tenacious after a 3-0 loss is a bit like speaking nonsense with eyes wide open.

Quickshot smiled helplessly:

"No matter what, we must first thank the two teams for giving us this wonderful match; they made tonight's Kelakefu boil over!"

"The battle has ceased, and now is the moment to crown glory!"

"Please allow me to proudly announce!"

The champion of the 2016 EULCS Summer Season belongs to ——!

Quickshot gestured strongly, indicating the G2 people beside him:

「G2Esports！！！」

The audience cheered loudly again, the award presenter walked up from the side of the stage, and behind them two masters of ceremonies in long dresses that trailed the ground lifted a replica check with the prize amount written on it.

Liang Yan quietly pulled Perkz, pulling Perkz to the side near the host, so that Perkz and Ka Lao Si stood together.

Before Perkz could react, the award presenter walked up to Ka Lao Si with a big check in both hands, and handed it to him.

Then, under the host's indication, Ka Lao Si and Perkz each held one side of the big check, facing the camera and began taking a photo.

Perkz held the championship trophy with one hand and grabbed the check with the other, laughing like an idiot.

The award presenter said some encouraging words, looking forward to G2 growing bigger and stronger, creating brilliance again at the World Championships, etc.

Next was the champion interview, and everyone respectively expressed their championship feelings.

Finally everyone left the stage, only Liang Yan remained standing beside the host.

But the crowd didn't go back to the resting room directly, instead they crowded at the backstage passageway entrance, together watching the upcoming historic moment.

The audience of course also knew what segment was coming next; the venue gradually became noisy, the entire Taolong Tiyuguan was like a boiling kettle, the noisy sound grew louder, and finally, under the lead of some fans, this sound gathered into a unified shout:

Fire!!!

Fire!!!

Fire!!!