64 1v1 Preparations (1/2)

Logging into your Classmancers account on any platform was as easy as scanning a QR code with your phone. This ease of use was undoubtedly one of the biggest factors for Classmancers' booming success. As soon as Yuel scanned the QR code displayed on the TV, his account data and settings became accessible from the game console.

The same applied for Ignis, who connected to the console of the other TV. With a simple QR scan, they were both logged in and ready to go. But...

”Isn't that a little problematic?” Yuel referred to the way the TVs were standing almost side by side. It was too easy to peek at Ignis's screen and learn exactly what she was doing. In fact, it's harder to [not] see anything from this position.

”It's fiiiiine,” Ignis waved her hand. ”You can look at my screen allllll day. I'mma still *hic* yo ass anyway.”

[But, what if I'm more concerned about YOU using the information from MY screen]? Yuel grumped.

”My, Yuyu is so serious,” Ellen smirked. ”It's just a friendly 1v1. No need to set up a professional tournament environment.”

”Yeah,” Howard nodded. ”No need for headphones either. You'll hear both games at once, but we tweaked the sound options so things don't sound like shit. So, relax. It's just an innocent friendly 1v1.”

”Sure...” Something about these two was suspicious, but Yuel chose to ignore it. These conditions were far from optimal and it's a 1v1, which wasn't Yuel's forte. However, all of it paled in comparison to the fact he was going to play against a real pro! In the flesh! He'd take this opportunity under any circumstances, even if he had to play blindfolded and with 500ms ping, Well, okay, maybe that's a stretch. But still! A match with a pro!

”Alrighty,” Ignis nodded. ”Made a room. How many levels ya want, kid?”

”Levels?”

”Hmmmmmm, let's make ya Lv.10. That should do.”

”We start at Lv.10? I see,” Normally, both players started at Lv.5 in 1v1. This was to make battles more fast-paced from the beginning and to balance out classes which had underwhelming early game. Starting at Lv.10 will make the matches even faster, but that's fine for a local friendly match.

”Nope,” Ignis said. ”YOU start at Lv.10. I start from 5.”

”Huh?” Yuel wasn't sure he heard that right. This gotta be a joke.

”Just a little tiny handicap. You don't really think ya can *hic* me in a fair 1v1, do ya?”

”A handicap? Of five levels?”

”Oh, I see, I see,” Ignis nodded. ”It's not enough, right? Yeah, of course you're no match to an awesome pro like me! Okay kid, you can start at Lv.12.”

”What, no. That's absurd,” Yuel argued. ”I want a fair match.”

”Ha, haha, hichahaha! This kid is funny! Where did ya find him?” Ignis burst into laughter for some reason, almost falling off the couch. What was so funny? Dammit.

”She may look like this,” Howard said. ”But, don't underestimate her. She's a Grandmaster in 1v1.”

”A Grandmaster...” Yuel's jaw literally fell off. Pros were always ranked at Master or Grandmaster, but that's in 5v5 because it's the only competitive mode that mattered. 1v1 was more of a casual mode which happened to offer a ranked mode as well. It's a mode which pros shouldn't have much business with, yet Ignis was Grandmaster? In other words, she's one of the strongest 1v1 Masters in the entire world!?

”I-I see,” The controller almost slipped through his sweaty palms. Yuel, a mere Gold IV who used 1v1 mostly for experiments and research, was about to challenge a Grandmaster. Yeah, okay, maybe a handicap was in order...

”So,” Yuel said. ”You also play against her with a handicap?”

”Yeah,” Howard nodded. ”She says three levels is good enough for me. She usually beats me, but with four levels I often beat her so she hates that, haha.”

”I see,” Yuel turned to Ignis.” I'd like only four levels then.”

”Huuuuuh?” Ignis brought her face closer, examining Yuel. Ugh, she reeked of alcohol. ”Wardy, is this kid any good?”

”He's alright,” Howard said. ”I don't think he has a fair chance with just four, though.”

”I'll do it,” Yuel insisted. ”Four levels is plenty.”

”Hmm,” Ignis crossed her arms for a moment, then threw them in the air. ”Meh, whatever! Four levels it is. Let's just play already!”

”Yes, let's,” Yuel nodded. As he wished, Ignis changed the match settings to give him only four levels advantage. Arguing over a one level difference might sound silly to some, but it actually had a huge impact, especially in 1v1. A lead of one level could easily allow a player to destroy the opponent even if they were otherwise fairly matched in skill. So, starting at Lv.10 would have given him that advantage five times over. It's inconvincible to overcome such odds, even for a Grandmaster.

With the match settings sorted out, they entered the class selection screen. Since it was a casual game, Ignis didn't bother making it in draft format. A shame, since he would have liked to learn what a Grandmaster normally bans in 1v1.

Before proceeding with the pick, Yuel moved to the edge of the sofa to make it harder to see Ignis's monitor. He wanted to keep the match as fair as possible even in this low effort setup. If he gets any hints about Ignis's pick, his brain will automatically try to come up with a counter even if he doesn't want to.

Without knowing what Ignis may pick, the only thing to do was select a class Yuel was proficient with and which performed well in 1v1 on average. Knight was one such good option. Bruises were generally favored in 1v1 due to boasting a combination of offense and defense. Also, Knight's passive, Chivalry, granted a small defense buff to nearby allied minions, which was a huge advantage for a 1v1.

[Okay, this should do it.] Yuel nodded to himself and locked his pick.

”Knight, huh.” Ignis mumbled with a drunk smile.