The half-month freshman orientation training flew by in the blink of an eye. Finally free from those grueling days, the students returned to their normal school lives.
Pass One Charm: @Pigeon, hasn’t Pigeon’s computer arrived yet?
Pass One Charm: Everyone’s waiting for you to play Hungry Panic together.
Pigeon: Still haven’t decided what computer to buy.
Bai Bai: Didn’t you say you were going to buy one before?
Pigeon: Yeah, but I’m thinking of building a desktop setup myself. After all, desktops have better performance and cooling, but they’re a bit inconvenient in the dorm.
Pigeon: For one thing, the dorm power cuts out sometimes. For another, it just doesn’t feel right in this dorm.
Pigeon: A laptop would be better for that situation, but personally, I prefer desktops. It’s more comfortable for gaming with everyone.
Don’t Play Holy Slash: What’s wrong? Bad roommates?
Human-Dragon Unity: Why? College roommates are all adults—they should be pretty reasonable.
Human-Dragon Unity: Worst case, just live and let live. Do your own thing.
Pigeon: That’s a bit harsh. My roommates are actually pretty good; I’m just not great at getting along with people.
Bai Bai: Really? I think Pigeon’s social skills are way better than mine.
Pigeon: Ahaha… really? Strong? Strong?
Pigeon: As for minding our own business, the vibe just feels off. Not very comfortable.
Don’t Play Holy Slash: Should you talk to the counselor about switching dorms?
Pigeon: My situation isn’t one where switching dorms is easy.
Pigeon: And even if I switched, it’d probably end up the same.
Pigeon: The problem’s with me, not them.
Pass One Charm: Alright, then we won’t play for now. We’ll wait for you.
Pigeon: It’s fine. There’ll always be another online game. We can play together then.
Bai Bai: It won’t be fun without Pigeon.
Pigeon: Wuu wuu, as expected of Bai Bai—you’re the most conscientious one in the group.
Pigeon: Though I thought you’d only say stuff like that about Xiao Yi.
Bai Bai: If Xiao Yi isn’t playing, then neither am I.
Pigeon: Looks like my trust was misplaced after all.
Don’t Play Holy Slash: We’ll wait then. No rush—let us know when you’ve got the computer.
Pigeon: Sure.
Don’t Play Holy Slash: @Human-Dragon Unity Oh right, watch out—club recruitment starts after Friday afternoon classes.
Don’t Play Holy Slash: It lasts several days, but the first day is usually the busiest.
Don’t Play Holy Slash: Don’t hole up in your dorm gaming and forget.
Pass One Charm: Come hang out at the Anime Club. I’ll be there helping out, so if you show up, I won’t be so bored.
Human-Dragon Unity: Go out in this heat during the afternoon?
Human-Dragon Unity: Let me check my schedule first.
He said that, but Human-Dragon Unity had no intention of looking at the class schedule posted on the dorm wall. Instead, he called out loudly to his roommate.
Everyone knew that roommates were basically walking class schedules.
“Lao Qin, do we have class Friday afternoon?”
“No.” Qin Yongfeng, lying on his bed, replied, “But we do this afternoon.”
Realizing the voice came from the wrong direction, Mo Xiangwen leaned back and saw that Qin Yongfeng’s spot next door was empty.
“You’re just lying there playing? You haven’t even eaten yet.”
Qin Yongfeng said, “Playing an eroge. You expect me to play it down here for everyone to watch?”
“Quit it and come play a match.” Zhong Taihong shouted, “Lao Xi and I keep losing streak after streak.”
“I’ll come if you can get Lao Mo.” Qin Yongfeng sighed helplessly. “I can’t carry you solo.”
Zhong Taihong grumbled, “That’s harsh—what do you mean you can’t carry me?”
“You calling or not?”
“Lao Mo!”
Zhong Taihong glanced at his row of red losses and gave in to his thirst for victory.
“Fine, just wait a sec.”
Mo Xiangwen responded casually, then quickly replied in the group chat first.
Human-Dragon Unity: Nah, no class in this heat? Staying in the dorm with AC. You’re the crazy one for going out.
Pass One Charm: ? Watch it.
“Lao Mo! How much longer?”
“Coming, coming.”
The four of them skipped lunch entirely and grinded matches all afternoon, but they couldn’t snag even a single first win despite giving it their all.
They figured they’d queue up a brawl mode to salvage something, but even that pitted them against top teams nonstop.
By the time they headed to class, their records were still a solid wall of red.
Mo Xiangwen was fine—his lane hadn’t collapsed, so his experience wasn’t terrible.
The other three emerged from the dorm with grim faces.
“Whatever, Lao Zhong, it really wasn’t your fault this time.” Xi Shaojie patted Zhong Taihong’s shoulder. “I suspect Lao Mo’s rank is too high, so it matched you against opponents way above your level.”
“What’s that if not calling me trash?” Zhong Taihong shot him a look and said listlessly, “I even played Stone Man like you guys told me.”
“We were struggling too.” Xi Shaojie sighed. “Don’t believe me? Ask Lao Qin.”
“Yeah, it was tough.” Qin Yongfeng nodded. “Felt like ranked ladder matches.”
“Damn, that makes me feel a bit better, but we still lost.”
“No worries. Per the ELO system, if you solo queue later, you could win with your eyes closed.” Qin Yongfeng consoled him. “The system throws in some bots for you.”
“You two, enough already.”
“It’s fine—next time I’ll invite someone else.” Mo Xiangwen shook his head helplessly. “She’s got no computer right now, or I’d call her to duo mid-jungle with me. That should carry you.”
“Adding one more person carries it?” Qin Yongfeng asked, puzzled. “Even if she’s as good as you, wouldn’t that bump up the average rank?”
“It’s different. Playing with you three feels like zero teamwork—basically solo queuing.” Mo Xiangwen shook his head as he explained. “With her, it’s a duo. Duos have a huge edge over solo.”
Zhong Taihong nodded thoughtfully. “Got it. You’re calling us trash.”
“Damn it, you’re the trash one—don’t lump me and Lao Qin in.”
Unlike high school, college classes weren’t always in the same rooms.
When he arrived in the classroom, Yan Nuoya’s seat beside her was empty as usual. Since it wasn’t the first time, Mo Xiangwen didn’t hesitate and sat right down.
As soon as he settled in, Yan Nuoya whispered beside him, “The counselor said to come find her in the office together after class.”
“Hm? Why didn’t I get a message from the counselor?” Mo Xiangwen checked his phone—no missed calls or texts. “She only told you?”
“I don’t know either.” Yan Nuoya blinked. “Want me to show you the message?”
“Nah, no need.”
