Chapter 35:
Sunday night.
Rayn logged in after dinner, still thinking about the scrim from the other night. It wasn't a tournament match, but it had felt... solid. Like he actually belonged in a team.
Tonight was another practice match. But not a custom game — just a Ranked 5-stack. No info about the enemy team, no expectations. Just a chance to test synergy under real pressure.
Aether:
"Everyone in? Let's go ranked, full squad. Treat it like prep."
Flash:
"Love the mystery. Could be Mythic five-stack. Could be clowns."
Riku:
"As long as they don't play cheesy dive comps, we're good."
Kray:
"Watch them run triple dash heroes again. Hate that."
Rayn joined the voice call but stayed muted, as usual.
Queue matched.
[Ranked Draft Mode – Pick & Ban Phase Begins]
They were first pick.
Aether:
"Alright, bans. I say we remove Cyrus. He's annoying mid-game — global stuns screw with rotations."
Flash:
"Yeah, I'll second that. Plus I don't want to lane against him again."
Aether:
"Cyrus banned. Next?"
Riku:
"Selora. If they get her jungle, we won't be able to reach their backline. Too slippery."
Kray:
"Agreed. Ban her. I'll take the trade."
Aether:
"Selora's out. One more — any OP laners to worry about?"
Rayn: (soft but clear)
"Vorn. Too tanky in trades. Wins side lane if left alone."
Aether:
"Solid. Vorn banned."
The enemy team banned three:
Zane (Riku's main)
Bronn (Aether's favorite tank)
And Rae (Kray's safe pick)
Kray:
"Wow. They're either lucky or they know us. Now I'm annoyed."
Pick Phase Begins
Flash:
"I'll go Noxus. Gives us wave clear and early poke."
Aether:
"I'll take Ebron. Less tanky than Bronn, but more crowd control."
Kray:
"Picking Selin. If I can position right, she's still solid."
Riku:
"I'm locking Ziven. Strong clear, good early invade if we get momentum."
Aether:
"Rayn?"
Rayn:
"Kael again. I want to control lane and watch their map pressure."
Flash:
"Same setup as last time. Let's play it clean."
Match Begins:
Rayn loaded into the EXP lane with Kael, already watching the map movement. His opponent — a bruiser named Drax — immediately went for aggressive trades.
Rayn didn't flinch.
He managed the wave, hugged turret when needed, and only stepped out when he knew enemy jungle was bottom side.
Aether:
"Looks like they're focusing bot. Kray, play under tower."
Kray:
"Copy that. I'm not feeding tonight."
By level 4, Drax tried to dive. Rayn flickered backward, absorbed the combo with shield timing, then turned with his second skill.
First Blood.
Flash:
"Okay Kael. Calm killer."
Rayn just recalled silently.
Turtle spawned at minute 4
Riku:
"Mid push, rotate. I'm pulling Turtle."
Aether:
"Rayn, you clear fast or rotate?"
Rayn:
"I'll clear the wave, then cut through river."
His timing was perfect. As Riku pulled Turtle, Rayn collapsed from top bush, zoning their mid and gold laner.
Flash landed his combo. Aether stunned two with a flicker ult.
Turtle secured. Enemy lost 2.
Kray:
"We're actually clean right now."
Aether:
"Let's not jinx it. Focus on map. Play for vision next."
Rayn quietly returned top.
Same calm lane. Same calculating eyes.
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🗡️ Hero Description
Ziven : Role (Assassin Jungler)
Damage: ★★★★☆
Defense: ★★
Skill 1: Leaps to a marked enemy, dealing burst damage
Skill 2: Sets a trap that reveals and slows enemies
Skill 3 (Ultimate): Temporarily gains invisibility and attack speed boost
Passive: Extra lifesteal on isolated targets.