Crimson Phoenix Guardian- Aspiration to the Heavens: Becoming the Supreme Mage 4

Episode 100: Eight vs. One

*Ling*

Carter and I followed Shuai and his blue-haired friend into one of the many rooms in the stadium. This one was pretty big.

"Looking forward to seeing your match," a voice called out. I gasped. Renshu stood in the not far from the door, leaning against one of the seats. Sir Zhuang, Lady Adela, Lei, Nyima, and a few other first years were also here.

"Did you invite him?" I asked, glaring at my cousin.

He chuckled as he stepped forward. "Of course. What is a battle without spectators? It would be like dancing alone!"

"You'll be surprised by how relaxing that can be," Lady Adela said, looking over the rail at us.

Shuai bowed and curtsied. "Ahh, Your Holiness. I am so glad you could make it!"

Lady Adela turned away. "No need to thank me. As second years, we have to look out for you first years."

He gave her a phony smile. "I see. Well, I hope you learn how much my peers have to grow and how strong I've gotten since we last met." My cousin walked toward the ring with confidence.

Adela sighed. "That boy hasn't changed a bit."

"He reminds me of someone," Nyima said. Her gaze shifted downward. Was she referring to the Prince of Flirts, Iah?

"I'm gonna go beat up that flirt!" Carter said, grinning.

"Don't rush!" Lei yelled. He leaned on his seat and sighed. "He didn't hear, did he?"

"Oh, ready to start? Only Li and you are here. Wouldn't it be wise to listen to our seniors and not rush things?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. Acting ever the wise man, huh? He really loved playing the sensible one.

"You don't get along with Shua, do you?" Enkai asked as we stood side by side.

"He irks me with that attitude of his. I can't ever figure out who the real Shuai is."

"He's a complex guy. I don't think it's fair to think of only one part as being the true him. People are more complicated than that."

I sighed. "You sound just like him." But that was to be expected. He was my cousin's best friend after all.

My eyes widened as Carter blocked a kick from Shuai with one of his own.

"Not bad. Maybe you can tango with me after all, Pinky," Shuai said, jumping back.

"Pinky?! I'm Cart!" He formed an arch of flames with his fingers and charged at him.

Idiot! He was being lured into Shuai's trap! My cousin smirked as he shifted his gaze toward me.

I slammed the ground, causing a wall of roots to cover Cart's path.

"Huh?" Carter said, turning to look at me. "I thought we were fighting together." He chuckled. "Although, I wouldn't mind fighting both you cousins."

"I'm protecting you, fool!" I snapped as I got closer. "You should've listened to Lei's warning!"

"What are you scared about?" Carter jumped as something rumbled underground. "What's that?"

"Leap!" I yelled, jumping back.

Carter's eyes widened as three fox tails shot up into the air, bypassing my wall's roots.

"Fox tails? He's a kitsune!"

"Yeah, like Ms. Zettai and Mr. Obi," I said as I landed. "This is a classic attack of the kitsune branch."