After years of grinding through the minor ERLs and LFL Division 2, ADC Nicolas "Axelent" Petrusev sat down with RFT.GG right before playoffs in the LFL Spring Split — his very first in the league. He revisits the long mental struggle that came before this breakthrough, life inside the young TLN Pirates organization and his ambitions of reaching the LEC by 2027 or 2028.
You've been on the scene for six or seven years now, grinding through the minor ERLs and Division 2. This season was expected to be just another year in Div 2 for you. How does it feel to now be in the LFL, and especially to be fighting for a playoff spot in your very first split?
I mean, it feels amazing to start off with that. The initial fact is: I didn't join this team to be in Div 2. I knew that we could make it to the LFL. Otherwise, I was just gonna head to America, you know, and just hit the colleges. So it feels amazing. Feels like I finally have the chance to play where I belong. And I think I'm a lot better than most of ERL ADCs, so hopefully soon we'll reach the LEC part as well.
You're reaching what could be your peak in the LFL—what does that say about your dedication and perseverance to finally make it here?
Honestly, a big part of it has to do with Djoko. But it was a very long mental struggle, let's say, kind of pushing through everything, like the RNG of ERLs. You don't know where you are, don't know what chances you'll have. After a very long time, Joko gave me another chance here, and I think he's very happy with it.
