So, Cato went for it. Yuel frowned as he looked at the enemy’s third ban. I see. They rather ban Ninja than Elf.

  Elf was supposed to be a huge threat to the Leopards, given how it was Lars's third-best css. A, it seemed Cato didn't register Elf as banworthy.

  Maybe it’s in part because Merlin py Elf, too. Yuel theorized. Instead of banning Elf, they deny us the css by pig it. Then again, they surely won't go for Elf as their first pick, so they're essentially saying they're fih Lars pying Elf.

  This was unfortunate. If the Leopards feared Lars's Elf as much as they feared Trickshooter and Gunslihen all three of their bans would have been stantly predetermined. In that sario, Stratus wouldn’t have to worry about any other css being banned in the first phase, like Nia’s Ninja.

  Even most iingly, this would’ve put the Leopards in a difficult spot when going sed. They’d be forced to choose between banning Elf and banning Shadow Walker.

  As, Lars's Elf didn't deliver the necessary impact. The enemy probably reized it as "strong", but not banworthy enough. It was a huge missed opportunity.

  But, no use g over spilled milk. Yuel thought. This is our current situation, so we have to deal with it.

  It was time for the third and st ban of this phase. However, Yuel didn't have any solid ideas in mind. He severely cked informatiarding Apprentece's pystyle, so it was impossible to e up with good bans against the biggest threat.

  Acc to Howard's intel, Apprentece pyed Knight and Viking during the pro scrim. These were standard picks that didn’t say much.

  I guess I should focus oher pyers instead. Yuel cluded. But, even that’s difficult. I don't know for sure which roles they'll py.

  Thanks to the Leopards' Mixup strategy, they could adjust the pyers’ roles on the fly. Therefore, it was impossible to guess how they'll choose to py the uping game.

  Merlin is the best target for bans, but do I target him as a Mid or as a Carry? There was insuffit data to reach a clusion.

  After examining various angles, Yuel ultimately settled on banning Warlock. Out of all the csses Merlin exhibited to date, it certainly felt like his most fortable one. As...

  "Bzzzt! Wrong ne!" Cato giggled menagly. “He’s in Bot, not Mid.”

  But, of course, the poor d had no way of dedug this. After all, Yuel had absolutely no idea what he was going up against.

  And, I’d like to keep him in the dark for as long as possible~ Cato enjoyed every moment of this. And, though he disagreed with Jin’s requested pick, he couldn’t deny that it’ll be amusing to see Stratus’ shocked expressions when they see Orc.

  But first, let’s tease them more. No harm in stretg this out for a little longer~ iled impishly. “As I said, I’m fih the Orc pid the fact you don’t want to ban any specific ters. Buuuuuut I don’t want to pick Orc as our first css, if you don’t mind.”

  “Sure.” Jin shrugged. “It’s correct decision. Unnecessary in this match, but correct.”

  “I’m gd we’re on the same page for once.”

  Pig Orc early would give the enemy plenty of opportuo e up with ters. Though, admittedly, a part of Cato wao see that happen.

  One of these days, somebody will have to kick this ‘Emperor’ off the high horse. Cato thought. But, I don’t want it to be Yuel, and I definitely don't want it to happen today. This is one game I don’t pn on losing, no matter what.

  The Leopards had already disgraced themselves enough today. It was time to score a big win aore their reputation back to normal!

  "Let's this game nid , alright?" Cato addressed everybody. "I'm sure some of you may still disapprove of the Orc pick, including myself, but we have to move on and adapt."

  "Well," William started. "If you move past it, then anybody here should be able to. After all, this pick mainly goes against your favorite pystyle."

  "My, is that do? I didn't realize." iled meaningfully. Not sure if he inte, but nice follow-up.

  Ihe Orc pick caused the most trouble for Cato's defensive game pn. Therefore, he had the stro reason to object to this turn of events. So, if he was saying he was fih it, then everybody should be as well, as William cimed.

  "So, with that decided," Cato tinued. "Will, do you mind pig Viking?"

  "Fine by me."

  "Great. I'd like to pick it as our first css."

  "Go ahead."

  And, so the Leopards' first pick was Viking, a misleading pick that was indistinguishable from a legit Top css. On top of that, Viking had plenty of synergy with Orc, so Jin and Will should be able to wreak havoc together... provided they’ll choose to cooperate.

  , it was Startus’ turn to pick.

  Viking, huh. Yuel thought. It’s one of Winner's favorite csses it seems, but it might also be a Top Laner. Hmm. A nid tricky first pick, as usual.

  It was impossible to make any stroions based on this pick, which was exactly what a good first pick should strive to achieve. Yuel would have liked to go for the same effect with his first two picks, as his hands were tied.

  "I'll pick Elf and Drow, is that alright?" Yuel firmed with Lars and Nia.

  "Okey-dokey!"

  "Ok."

  Naturally, there were no objes. After all, these were the best csses they had avaible at the moment.

  And so, Yuel picked the two elves. , it was the Leopards' turn to select two csses.

  Pying it safe, I see. iled impishly. Holy, I don't see Will pying Drow even if I asked him to, but Matt would’ve happily snatched Elf if he had the opportunity.

  Yuel's swift, defensive picks were on point. Now, it was Cato's turn to secure picks.

  "I was thinking Aeromancer."

  "Same," Sonya agreed. "It's very defensive, but it alss enough utility to team fights, so it reinforce aggressive team pys."

  "Indeed, indeed." Cato nodded. I knew she'd like this pick. But, does she realize the hidden bes this pick has for this drafting phase? Let's see how Yuel deals with this~

  "As for the Carry," Cato tinued. "What do you think, Matt? I don't suppose you want Seraph again, do you?"

  "Nah." Matthew shook his head. "Looks like we're going more bahis game."

  "True, that's how the lineup is shaping up."

  "So, Pirate will work better, I feel."

  "Yes, I was thinking the same."

  Uhe Hyper Carry that was Seraph, Pirate was a well-rounded css. It did take its sweet time getting online, but it lenty strong already in the mid-game.

  Well, that’s assuming the mid-game will even be relevant. iled impishly. Jin just might ht destroy them in the early-game~ It sounds unreal, but I wouldn't put it past the Emperor.

  With that, the wo picks were decided: Aeromancer and Pirate. They were two all-rounders who meshed well with a defensive game pn while having the tools to aid Jin’s aggressive shenanigans.

  was Stratus' final pick before the sed banning phase...

  DarkestCymore