Chapter One: The Verdict Before the Game

The practice room is on top of a warehouse and the AC dies half the time. But we want to play the Major qualifiers. We want to climb. Our manager asked if you’d come trial.” Caleb stared at the message like it was a door he had thought was welded shut. “Why me?” Jordan laughed once. “Because everyone says you’re finished.” Caleb stayed quiet. Jordan pocketed the phone and stood up. “Listen, this isn’t pretty. But we don’t need pretty. We need a mid who can win lane, set tempo, and not disappear when the game gets ugly. If the internet’s right about you, then at least we’ll know not to dream too hard.” When he left, Caleb reopened the replay.