12 Chapter 12: The Great Wall (1/2)

Teacher Fielding regarded me for a moment, and then he nodded.

”If you're sure you can still fight.”

”I'll be fine,” I assured him, still sitting on the ground. My injuries were so debilitating that I could hardly stand, so I gave up after a while. Fortunately, it appeared that the bleeding had stopped, so I wasn't in any danger of passing out from massive blood loss.

It would be great if I could join the unconscious (and horribly burned) Hal Gunther in getting treatment from Teacher Cure, but that would disqualify me from further participation. Now that I had finally summoned Vermillion Phoenix, I wasn't going to be satisfied until I had my fill of fighting.

Teacher Fielding gave me one last glance before he jumped off the stage. I suddenly realized that he had been completely unaffected by the flames. Sucking in a deep breath, I glanced at Vermillion Phoenix.

My summoned beast met my gaze with its crimson eyes, and with a flap of its wings, the entire arena reverted back to normal, all the flames extinguished. The heat dissipated slightly, but the surroundings remained warm.

”Thank you.”

The huge, burly guy who was almost two meters tall stepped onto the stage. He bowed his head slightly.

”I am Chang Cheng of Crowley Grand Arcane Academy, and a representative. Right now, I am a second-year student. I specialize in defensive magic.”

At least he had manners, unlike Hal Gunther.

Offering him a frail smile, I returned his polite greeting with an introduction of my own. However, I remained seated, not because I was arrogant but because I currently did not possess the ability to stand. Not with these injuries.

”Richard Huang, Jing Tian Magic Academy. I'm also a second-year student. I'm afraid I'm not a representative, though. I'm merely the bottom-ranked student in my school.”

Fortunately, Chang Cheng didn't seem to mind my lack of manners. He merely smiled good-naturedly.

”That's hard to believe.”

”It's the truth, though.” I shrugged. ”If you don't believe me, you can check the school records, or go online and search for my name. The official school ranking should be available online. You'll see that I'm ranked at the bottom.”

”I'll just take your word for it.”

Chang Cheng didn't elaborate more. Unlike Hal Gunther, he wasn't going to underestimate me, or it would result in another humiliating defeat. Already Hal Gunther's defeat had been broadcasted to the Federation. The holographic screen that displayed our match to the spectators in the main hall also doubled as a recording device, and from what I knew, all matches and recordings were usually broadcasted live to the rest of the Global Federation and made available online through video streaming websites such as YouTube.

Yes, YouTube still existed in the 30th century. I'm not kidding. It evolved and underwent a lot of transformations throughout the years, but it continued to serve as the premier online video streaming or viewing platform for the masses.

In other words, Hal Gunther's shameful match had been screened live to the rest of the Federation, and even those who didn't managed to catch the real-time broadcast could easily view it at a later time because the video was available in YouTube and other viewing platforms. Yay, I guess?

”Are you sure you'll be okay?”

Chang Cheng seemed the type to have a conscience, for he was looking at me in concern. I nodded.

”Yeah. Sorry for not being able to stand up, but as you can see, I am a summoner. So I don't really need to be in peak physical condition to fight.”

”Good point,” Chang Cheng said dryly, and then he turned to Teacher Fielding. The teacher-referee glanced from me to Chang Cheng, and then sighed. He raised his hand.

”Both fighters, take your stances!”

I remained seated, closing my eyes briefly in an attempt to block out the sharp pain that continued to stab my body from all over.

Opposite me, Chang Cheng planted both feet firmly into the ground and raised his hands in a defensive posture. I could feel a mountainous amount of magical energy swirling inside him, threatening to erupt.

Fortunately, I was the same. I could feel the superheated magical energy coiled up within my Vermillion Phoenix above, ready to explode catastrophically at my command.

”Ready…” Teacher Fielding swung his hand down. ”Begin!”

Both Chang Cheng and I began at the same time.

Immediately, the arena burst into flames, the Vermillion Phoenix unleashing a destructive inferno across the stage and bathing it in a sea of fire.

Simultaneously, Chang Cheng cast his ultimate defensive spell. Several translucent layers made out of dense, solid magical energy materialized in front of him, taking the form of a fortress. They resembled thick, armored walls, curling over him and rapidly accumulating one atop another in a protective network.

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