When They Beg, I Rise!

She couldn't help but blurt out, "Honestly, SkyBlaze splurging on a new gunner wouldn't have been an issue. Why push Evelina into this? It's like heading straight for disaster. Everyone saw Evelina's dismal performance in the last match." Lemira's lips curled slightly, "Because they're thicker than water, that's why."

Lucian choked on her words, equally puzzled about Alaric's reasoning. To spite Lemira, maybe?

The match kicked off shortly after.

Watching the game unfold, Lemira knew SkyBlaze was headed for a brutal loss. As expected, Alaric's patience snapped, gearing up for an offensive play.

But Evelina was just not keeping up, even risking their hideout. Every attempt at targeting the enemy missed by a mile.

Alaric exploded, "Evelina, what the heck is going on? Weren't you supposed to hit them? Are you blind? They're right there and you still miss!"

"I'm doing my best here. They've got me pinned."

Evelina grew frantic, wondering why no one was covering for her.

Soon enough, the opposition closed in.

moved, Alaric fumed, "Evelina, I told you to

am trying! They're well-guarded, and you guys aren't covering

Lemira were here, she'd have nailed it!" the words slipped out before Alaric could stop

silence fell over the team, all privately agreeing that with Lemira,

broke down,

but I've been trying so hard. What more do you want from me, Alaric? It's not like you haven't been ambushed

could break

the

it not

of efforts these days and for her recent promising match records, he might have believed she'd improved

filled with regret. Tears streamed down Evelina's face as she followed

this badly and still claim you've improved a lot? This is a competition,

about having Lemira around, Alaric realized the team never had to worry about these

much Lemira used to handle for him. He had