You actually want me to...

369 is actually okay, but it's not enough for the team.

The version changes and the reshaping of the jungle position during the Spring Split playoffs have indirectly confirmed that this year's game version revolves around the battle for lane control and the jungle. Under this core premise, the importance of the top laner has been elevated once again.

"Thank you, but as you all know, I'm already an old player who's close to retirement. Although LNG's performance has been poor, it's not a bad ending for me. So let's be realistic and get started."

"Row."

For the rest of the time, Roland remained an observer.

The decision to keep or leave a veteran player boils down to three things: money, number of appearances, and whether there is any hope of competing in the World Championship.

The LPL did indeed mention a salary cap, but if Roland remembers correctly, it was officially introduced in October of this year. This means that if Flandre signs an agreement this time, TES can avoid the so-called salary cap rule; it just means they'll have a tighter budget during next year's transfer window.

TES's financial strength goes without saying; this was the most straightforward statement from them.

The second point regarding the importance of the top laner surprised Roland, because LNG also lacked a top laner, so LNG proposed two options.

First, TES traded 369 for Flandre, while also making up for Flandre's transfer fee. In the end, it was almost like giving 369 away for free, except that TES no longer needed to pay 369's salary.

Another option is for TES to buy it directly with money, but the amount is a bit daunting.

After all, he's the team's soul, and LNG isn't stupid enough to let TES pick up a bargain like this.

LNG's real goal was to trade a veteran nearing retirement for 369, who could be a rising star top laner in the LPL (at this time, 369 had a very high reputation due to the victory in the finals).

Seeing Flandre's eyes grow brighter and brighter, Roland understood what had been done.

Merchants are driven by profit; this is a given.

As for whether 369 is willing to leave?

In the past, players were guaranteed a starting position and their income increased; however, if they stayed, they would be relegated to a rotation role and their importance would decrease. This is a transfer tactic that the NBA has almost worn out.

However, even after everything was discussed, Roland and Lao Guo could still see a hint of hesitation and struggle in Flandre's eyes, and he hesitated to put down his pen. After all, he was a player who had guarded the team for so many years. No matter how cold-hearted a person is, they should have developed feelings for this club by now. Not to mention that Flandre is not a cold-blooded animal, so it was inevitable that he would feel reluctant to leave.

At this moment, Roland knew it was time for him to make his appearance.

"Reluctant?"

"Yes, I have mixed feelings." She didn't deny it, because it was obvious to everyone.

"I've watched your previous matches; you were once the top domestic top laner."

"That's all in the past." Flandre chuckled, his expression not showing much emotion. Years of professional career had long since made him indifferent to such empty titles.

"During S5, Snake Esports advanced to LPL as an LSPL team. That year, you were full of vigor and even declared that you were no less than Marin. But in the end, you didn't even make it to the World Championship."

After saying that, Saint Gun suddenly froze and fell silent.

"In S6, Snake Esports acquired Vietnamese jungler Sofm and dominated almost the entire regular season except for EDG. That was almost the year you thought you had the best chance of making it to the World Championship, but that year, you were defeated by AJ and stopped in the quarterfinals."

"From S7 to S9, Snake Esports' performance was not ideal. Their former rivals either quietly retired and disappeared into obscurity, or they achieved success and their efforts were finally rewarded. As an older player, you still maintained your form and remained active on the field. Watching your juniors surpass you and win the championship you dreamed of, I think you must have been very unwilling."

As he reminisced over each memory, Flandre's fists clenched tightly.

Some people become professional players to win championships, some to make money, but there is also a small group whose initial motivation for becoming professional players is simply to pursue their dreams, and that motivation has never changed.

Saint Gunner is even simpler.

He just wanted to lead the team to a World Championship.

He simply wanted to stand on the world stage and face off against every contestant from other regions in a fair and square manner.

He just wants to stand up and tell everyone, whether they know him or not, that he can truly shine as a domestic top laner in international competitions, and that he has the ability.

However, fate never gave him a chance.

A veteran of five leagues, still in top form, yet he is eliminated from the league every year. Only SMLZ can be compared to him.

Money? He does lack it, but it doesn't occupy the biggest place in his heart.

Playing weight? As a veteran, he has absolute confidence that he can win through his strength. Putting it in the contract is just to provide insurance, and it is not actually that important.

What he really cares about is whether his dream can be realized.

How many five-year periods does a player have to compete professionally? He doesn't have that many left. LNG's willingness to let him leave might be due to their own financial problems, but isn't it also partly due to his own will?

"Can you guarantee me what I want?" Raising his head, Flandre stared intently at Roland before him and asked softly. Although both were players, the experienced Flandre understood what it meant to stand before him alongside the team leader in this situation.

"can."

"Why?"

"We have Karsa, the jungle king, and the next patch will be all about the jungle."

"not enough."

"We have the Sailors duo, the best dual carries in the entire LPL."

"That's not enough either."

"With you joining us, the team has a wealth of heroes and can combine tactics at will."

"It's still not enough."

......

......

......

"So, are you going to sign or not?"

"sign."

"why?"

"Because of you."

"I'm not gay."

Me too.

"So, it's still because of me?"

"Of course, it has to be you."

The best players don't necessarily make the strongest team; OMG and EDG have learned this the hard way. But when the best players are paired with the most suitable team leader, everything changes.

Before Roland and JackeyLove joined, it was obvious to anyone what kind of team TES was. But after these two joined, TES underwent a complete transformation, jumping from a second-rate team to the Spring Finals champion.

Atmosphere, cohesion, player potential, player hero pool, team synergy, playstyle, and so on... For a team to become strong, all of these are indispensable. Many of these elements can be achieved through effort.

The atmosphere, however, is something that cannot be forced.

What truly attracted Flandre was the atmosphere emanating from the TES heroes' microphones, which transformed the match into a chaotic free-for-all.

"I'm just a new player."

"When I first started saying I was evenly matched with Marin, I was just as new as you."

"I'm just a support player."

"PYL was once known for his ability to dominate the bot lane even with a dog."

"But I'm not PYL."

"So the team standing in front of me now isn't OMG, but TES."

The two stared at each other for a long time, then laughed out loud at the same time and reached out their hands.

"I want to make it to the World Championship and prove myself."

"I also want to make it to the World Championship and win the title."

"Is that so?"

"Since that's the case!"

"Together, you and I."

"Change the world!"

[TES丶Flandre] is connecting...

. . . . . .

. . . . . .

. . . . . .

PS1: The reinforcement was done on a whim, or you could say it was to ride the wave of popularity.

PS2: Actually, I struggled for a long time before starting this book. I had thought about writing about Xuanjun before starting this book, but it was difficult to poach players from LNG in S10. However, after seeing Xuanjun's experience in EDG over the past six months, I couldn't bear it and finally decided to break my rule.

PS3: As for why 369 was sent away, it's because he didn't fit in with Shy Man and Leg Bro from the previous book, who were one offensive and one defensive character. 369's hero pool highly overlapped with Xuan Jun's, or to be more precise, Xuan Jun could do everything 369 could do, but 369 might not be able to do everything Xuan Jun could do. To avoid marginalizing the character, I simply sent him away. The current team is finally the team I imagined.

PS4: Why am I updating more? Because I realized I still have 4.5 words left before I get my half-year bonus, and I'll be working overtime every day from now on [crying emoji]. I should have opened a bounty.

Metamorphosis: Chapter 57: If you like it, stay; if you don't, leave. Saying more is just a scheme.

Because the transfer procedures were quite complicated, after everyone had a simple meal together, Roland prepared to return to the base alone, while Lao Guo stayed behind to help Saint Gun complete the remaining transfer procedures.

Of course, there was also a bit of an element of avoiding suspicion involved, since 369 also needed to go back to the base to pack his things first.

Both sides benefited from strengthening their rosters and receiving signing bonuses, making a fortune for both. 369 also fared well, retaining his starting position and earning a significantly higher salary. The only downside is that he might miss the World Championship this year, given LNG's rather underwhelming roster for S10.

On the other hand, with the mindset of taking a look around since he was out, Roland also set his destination on one of the provinces on his way back – Anhui.

Anhui, the abstract capital, is a magical province. It boasts three legendary cities: Wuhu, Bengbu, and Kaichong, and is renowned both within and outside the League of Legends esports community. If it also had a place called "Take Off," this place would be truly amazing. Unfortunately, it can't take off.

Roland came here hoping to run into Grand Marshal or something, but it was a bit of a pity that since they had never crossed paths before and he hadn't contacted him online in advance, he didn't see the man who had once dominated the rankings on this trip.

But it doesn't matter. It's tourism, after all. If you can't see people, can't you at least see the place?

So, after Roland spent more than ten minutes carefully planning his trip, his Anqing travel trip officially began.

Day 1: Arrive at your destination, find a hotel, sleep, eat, and then sleep again.

Day 2: Wake up, find food, queue, sleep, continue finding food and queuing in the afternoon, go back to the hotel to play on your phone and sleep in the evening.

Day 3: Woke up, looked for food, queued, spent four hours in the afternoon queuing and taking a bus, only had half an hour to visit a tourist attraction, found it less interesting than playing on my phone, went to a bar hoping for a romantic encounter but failed, instead got scammed out of 1000 yuan by drinking too much, went back home sulking and went back to sleep.

Day 4: ......

It wasn't until the fifth day, when he received a call from the coach urging him to return to the club, that he suddenly realized he had been doing this for almost a week.