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

Episode 118: Fierce Rivals

*Tahoma*

Yuzu and I stared each other down as we stood in the center of the ring. 

She flicked her wrist, forming a small distortion.

I stepped to the side, avoiding her fist from behind. My eyes widened as a hand grasped my leg. If I had not realized and stretched out my arms on time, I would've faceplanted.

I rolled, avoiding her attack, although her grip on my leg remained. It grew warmer and warmer. Was she contemplating hitting me with a direct fire spell?

Gritting my teeth, I hardened my skin into dragon scales.

Yuzuki smirked. "Ignis Avis!"

Flaming wings struck my leg.

"Ouch," I hissed as my scales got burned. I turned a couple of my scales into spikes, but Yuzu managed to let go of me on time.

'How did she know what I was thinking?'

I had heard of telepathic mages, but there were rarely any. Was she a telepath? I narrowed my eyes. She didn't look like the type. Plus, I've known her for years. I should've known if that were the case.

Yuzuki smiled, not bothering to hide her joy.

I frowned and gathered my prana.

I threw myself forward and unleashed a flurry of strikes.

Her eyes widened. Did she really believe I would give her an easy fight?

Yuzu vanished into the ground as a portal formed beneath her feet.

I gritted my teeth as my fists hit the ground. She was using her prana to phase into the earth.

My ears perked up. She stood behind me.

I jumped up as she tried to hit my back with another flaming bird.

"Lux Volans!" I chanted.

A beam of light flew out of my hands and exploded against the ground.

Yuzuki gasped as she was sent flying. Had she not expected such a flashy attack from me? Well, I did have a tendency to prefer brute force.

"I didn't see that coming," she muttered as she wiped the dust off her pants.

"Neither did I," Renshu shouted, standing beside Ning.

I rushed at her and threw a kick at her, but she managed to open up a vortex, making me kick myself in the stomach.

"You okay?" Yuzu asked, smirking.

I gritted my teeth. She was mocking me, wasn't she? I would show her who was boss.

I gathered prana and launched another beam of light at her.

Yuzuki jumped to the side, dodging it.

I grinned. 'Gotcha!'

My light beam curved, slamming into her back.

She managed to smile as she stood up. It looked like she wanted to hide a wince. "Not bad."

I snapped my fingers. "Who said I was done?"

Her blue eyes darted upward as multiple beams flew at her. A portal opened in front of them.

Shivers ran down my spine. I rolled out of the way of my own attacks as they dropped down from the portal.

"Ignis Vultur!" Yuzu chanted.

My eyes widened as a large fire condor flew out of the portal, heading straight at me.

I summoned my wand and transformed it into its shield form.