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

Episode 125: Living Flame

Iah PoV

I munched on chips as I watched Adela approach the ring from the comfort of my room. They had finally finished fixing it after the massive battle prior.

Sigh. I probably would be no match against Burai if even Lei couldn't defeat him. Hopefully, Adela could defeat her opponent and represent us exchange students.

I frowned a little. 'Us,' there was no 'Us' anymore. I was no longer a student at Nine Petal, and the thought felt strange and hollow. I missed the camaraderie, the sense of belonging, and the thrill of being part of something bigger than myself.

Adela took a deep breath and joined her opponent in the ring. Koharu stood confidently across from her, an expression of determination etched on her face.

“The last match between the second-years for today! Hailing from the hermit kingdom, the phoenix guardian, Xian Adela!” the announcer called out, his voice booming over the crowd.

Adela waved at the audience with a shy smile, though I could see the anxiety in her eyes. She looked like she wanted to dig a hole and hide in it. I wondered how she handled crowds as High Priestess back in her country. Surely, she had faced larger gatherings than this.

Her fingers twitched slightly at her sides, and I wished I could lend her my support.

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable. I leaned forward, my heart pounding. “Come on, Adela! You can do this!” I whispered, even though I knew she couldn’t hear me.

Koharu glanced at Adela, her expression serious. She was ready, and I could sense the tension in the air between them. I had seen Koharu train; she was fierce and skilled, her magic sharp and precise. Adela would have to dig deep to match her.

“Focus on your strengths, Adela,” I muttered to myself. “You’ve got this.”

As the announcer stepped back, signaling the start of the match, I held my breath. Adela squared her shoulders, her posture shifting from anxious to determined. The shy smile faded, replaced by a fierce resolve.

Koharu made the first move, launching a flurry of magical projectiles that whizzed through the air like shooting stars. Adela reacted quickly, summoning a barrier of shimmering light that surrounded her, deflecting the attacks with a graceful fluidity.

“Nice!” I exclaimed, feeling a rush of pride.

The crowd roared, their energy feeding into the match. Adela’s confidence grew with each deflected attack, her movements becoming more assured. She countered with a wave of fire, her magic blooming like a brilliant flower.

Koharu sidestepped, her own magic flaring as she retaliated with a burst of wind that twisted around her, creating a cyclone aimed directly at Adela.

“Watch out!” I shouted, the tension gripping me as I leaned forward in my seat.

Adela didn’t falter. Instead, she dug her heels into the ground, channeling her own magic. Flames swirled around her, merging with the wind, creating a stunning display of fire and air that clashed with Koharu’s cyclone.

“Come on, Adela!” I cheered, my voice lost in the cacophony of the crowd.

Their powers collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the arena. I could see the determination in Adela’s eyes, a fierce glint that reminded me of the stories I had heard about her back in her kingdom. She was more than just a student; she was a guardian, a protector, and she was fighting for more than just herself.

With a final push, Adela broke through the cyclone, racing toward Koharu with a burst of speed. The crowd gasped as she unleashed a torrent of flames, the heat radiating from her like a beacon of hope.