28 Chapter 28: Team Kill (1/2)

”You!”

Tie Quan hollered madly as he tried to punch me. I retreated a few steps, but my Canis Minor and Ursa Minor took over to overwhelm him, pouncing on him and burying him under a pile of bodies. Tie Quan yelped and flailed about, but he was slowly being grinded down by the sheer weight of numbers.

To be honest, I could have won even if I just left Tie Quan to my little Constellation spirits, but as my opponents had learned the hard way before, it never paid to underestimate the enemy. I wasn't going to give Tie Quan the chance to recover or fight back – he might have some hidden trump card or get-out-of-jail spell, like me.

So while Tie Quan was distracted by my Constellation spirits, I completed my summoning spell and called Vermillion Phoenix into being.

”Everyone, retreat!” I ordered. I needn't have to, to be honest, since at my mental command, the whole pack of Canis Minor and Ursa Minor disappeared from existence. Tie Quan got up, dazed but also relieved that the onslaught was over.

I hadn't really done much damage to him, even with my Constellation spirits. His Iron Spirit remained mostly intact, but he was slowly being worn down by the constant attacks. Furthermore, even if the Ursa Minor's claws couldn't cut through his Iron Spirit, the tremendous impact behind their blows were dealing heavy internal damage.

As it was, Tie Quan could barely get up. Not that I was going to let him.

”No way…”

Tie Quan's eyes widened when he caught sight of my Vermillion Phoenix spreading its wings. With a single flap, it unleashed a torrent of flames and incinerated him.

”Okay, stop!” Teacher Fielding shouted. ”The match is over! Student Richard Huang has won!”

I gently pulled my Vermillion Phoenix back with a mental tug, and the gigantic summoned beast responded by ceasing its attack. It proudly soared to the air and remained hovering there, casting its eyes toward the Iron Fist Society members in an intimidating manner.

A few medics had to rush onto the stage and ferry Tie Quan's charred body out of there. Even his Iron Spirit could not withstand the superheated flames…then again, it shouldn't. Metal element was weak against fire element. Never mind that the difference in power was too great, but in fact it was probably overkill because of the elemental interactions.

Fire beats Metal. Metal beats Wood. Wood beats Earth. Earth beats Water. Water beats Fire. This was the elemental interactions that governed the conflicts between types. If the level gap was high enough, you could obviously overcome the elemental weakness against a less skilled opponent, but generally the elemental type would confer upon you an advantage and disadvantage.

Smiling, I turned toward the rest of the Iron Fist Society members.

”Who's next?”

They all glanced at each other in dismay, not knowing how to respond. None of them seemed eager to go up against the majestic Vermillion Phoenix.

”Team kill! Team kill! Team kill!”

Apparently my fans were going wild over the sight of my summoning spell, and they were chanting excitedly. The first year students who worshipped me were anticipating yet another massacre. They were licking their chops as they slavered at the thought of another team-kill moment.

Only now did the Iron Fist Society and the other second and third year students realized that my challenge to their entire team wasn't a boast. I could really do it. Especially since I had the Celestial Guardians on my side.

”Who's next?” Teacher Fielding repeated, turning to the Iron Fist Society. ”If you don't decide soon, I'll consider your decision as forfeiting the matches.”

”You go.”

”No, you go.”

”I…I have a stomachache. I can't fight today.”

”Coward!”

”Then what about you? Why don't you go, since you're so brave?”

”I…well…I'm not at my peak condition today.”

”See? You're also making excuses!”

There seemed to be internal strife in the Iron Fist Society as they tried to pass the buck around.

”I'll give you a minute. If you still haven't decided who will be the next duelist, then I'll consider this as you forfeiting the rest of the matches.” Teacher Fielding was getting impatient at their indecision, infighting and lack of courage.

”Don't forget. This means that your booth space will now belong to Dong Fang Yue Chu's Great Eastern Society!” Alicia reminded them with a smile. I made a mental note to myself to change the name later…assuming that I won, of course.

Even though it seemed like none of the remaining Iron Fist Society members had any confidence of beating a monster like my Vermillion Phoenix, I wasn't going to take anything for granted. Lucky accidents could still happen.

”Cowards!”

”Hurry up and choose!”

”What a pathetic society you are!”

The audience began hurling abuses at the hesitating Iron Fist Society members. A good number of my fans were also taunting them, which made me feel a bit embarrassed. Damn, but I honestly didn't want people to use my name to insult others.

Also, I was beginning to feel sorry for the beleaguered Iron Fist Society members. Plus this was a pretty boring way to end the matches. I didn't want to win by technicality. I wanted to roast them alive, after all the insults they put me through.

”Why don't you draw straws?” I suggested.

”…good idea.”