Chapter 15 Born in Fire
The CD team’e haer was a four story toenty wills near the river Fire Bony, fiving mom Second, player and coach bedrooms. Third, remodeled training room Fourth, a private gym.
When We brought Azalea over, their support player, Lachlan, came stumbling down the staire with tredhead and sleepy eyes. “Wylie, here to train? And uh, is this girl your girlfriend or something?
Wylie’s eye twitched. The thought of Hubert being weirdly invested in Azalea flashed through his mind Girlfriend? Try another guess.
“She’s not. This is Phoenix, our new mage player.
Lachlan blinked hard, instantly awake. His eyes widened from sleepy slits to full–on circles. “You’re saying she’s replacing Petal!”
The villa, a birthday gift from Wylie’s family when he was a child, hadn’t undergone any serious renovations, so the soundproofing wasn’t great.
Lachlan’s shout roused the rest of the half–asleep team members on the second floor, who soon poked their heads out one by one.
All their gazes turned toward Azalea. Suspicious. Disbelieving. Some are even openly contemptuous.
They didn’t believe a woman could play competitively, let alone deserve to be on their team, a team beaded for the finals.
“Well, well, Captain,” someone sneered. “So this is what you’ve been up to all those days you disappeared?”
“Getting desperate’s one thing, but sleeping your way to a solution?”
A mocking voice came from the doorway. A cocky young man with red–dyed hair leaned lazily against the doorframe, his face sharp and boyish. His gaze swept over Azalea, then returned to Wylie. “Captain, come on. We’ve fought together for so long, from K–League all the way to the autumn finals. Can’t we part ways peacefully? Let me go, and I’ll still show up to help in the finals as a friend. If you don’t, then fine. You can keep your little sparrow and pretend she’s gold.”
Petal’s tone was confident, smug. He clearly believed Wylie had no choice but to pick him.
Azalea looked him over calmly. The news about GOD’s mid–laner being injured and unable to play had only been made public. Internally, anyone with real connections knew what had happened: Petal was approached by Anexis‘ manager before the finals. If he didn’t play in the championship, Anexis‘ current mid–laner would retire after this match.
In her previous life, Petal got his wish and transferred to Anexis. He had real skills, sure, but he played selfishly and let his ego run the show. He clashed with the team constantly. After joining, Anexis suffered a devastating sixteen–match losing streak, falling to Group B and nearly losing their league slot.
In the end, it was Azalea who benched him and saved Anexis.
But Petal had never thought he’d done anything wrong.
Anexis wouldn’t pay the penalty for his contract breach, and he didn’t have that kind of money himself.
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1/4
Chapter 15 Born in Fire
11is only plan was to strong–arm Wylie.
Sure, he’d show up for the finals, but whether GOD won or not? Not his problems.
And let’s be real, given the chance to join a championship team like Anexis, who wouldn’t take it?
Wylie had grown up in the privileged Lennox. Wherever he went, people treated him like a king. He’d poured time, money, and heart into founding this team, only to be treated like dirt now.
Then get the hell out. Wylie said coldly. “You really think you’re that valuable? Or has my patience made you forget who I am?”
Honestly, he hadn’t already picked a lawyer on Petal because he still had a shred of kindness left.
Petal’s expression shifted. A flicker of fear, but more than that, rage. Did Wylie really think this woman could replace him?
“PA.”
Lachlan spoke up hesitantly. “Wylie, maybe everyone could take a step back? I mean, it’s normal to want a better career path.”
Clearly, he didn’t think Azalea had what it took either.
Even the coach weighed in after a pause. “If Petal doesn’t play, we might as well hand the championship to the other side.”
Clap, clap, clap!
A crisp applause echoed through the tense atmosphere. Azalea smiled, her voice dripping with mockery. “Wow, what a touching display of friendship.
“So looking for better opportunities‘ is a fancy way of saying ‘stabbing your old teammates in the back before the finals‘? Guess that’s what you guys call loyalty now.
“How’s that any different from someone wrecking a family and yelling, ‘But we’re in love!“?”
Lachlan turned red at the ears.
Azalea swept her gaze across the room, then locked eyes with Petal. “Since you think I slept my way into the mid–lane, how about we settle this the old–school way–Ivl? If I lose, you walk, no contract fee, no strings attached. But if you lose, you bow down, apologize, and admit you’re washed. And you apologize to every woman you’ve ever disrespected.”
Petal, confident that his skills would crush hers, agreed without hesitation. “Deal.” He was going to clip this Phoenix’s wings today.
At first, Wylie didn’t think much of it. Her terms sounded fair enough. But a wrinkle creased his brow as he glanced at Azalea. Wait, wasn’t the contract buyout supposed to go to him?
Not that anyone else seemed to care. The whole team was laser–focused on the coming match.
And if, just if, this girl could beat Petal.
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2/4
Chapter 15 Born in Fire
Who didn’t wam to win a champlomhip? If a better player joined the team, wher would really be again if
Upstairs, in die third–floor gaming room. Everyone crowned behind the two PCs, eyes fixelf on the screen.
Petal chose his signature hero, Inkblade. Azalea wasn’t surprised. She’d facer! him in her past life and knear his favorite pick inside and out
She chose Miraquell. After a recent rework, Miraquell’s first skill allowed her to freeze herself and become invulnerable, perfect for countering burst damage on a solo map. He’d be like a flightless chicken if she could dodge Petal’s ultimate with her second skill.
They agreed on a First Blood match. Petal clearly picked Inkblade, hoping to snowball with her deadly level–4 burst.
And sure, he looked down on Azalea, but that didn’t mean he was careless. Both sides played safe early. slowly clearing waves and testing each other. No mistakes. No opportunities.
Petal’s playstyle had always been high–risk, high–reward. He looked stable, but he’d go all in as soon as he saw even a sliver of opportunity if it paid off, great. But if it was a trap, it could wreck the entire team.
Azalea knew exactly how to bait that kind of player. Right at level 4, she offered up a tempting misstep.
She already had her skill queued and ready.
Petal took the bait, and the result was instantly.
In his eyes, the kill was guaranteed.
The others watching leaned forward, ready to celebrate. Inkblade’s ulti was infamous for its execution power. One slip and you were gone.
But Azalea remained calm, gently tapping her first skill.
Right at the moment when Inkblade flew into the air and was locked into her animation, Miraquell’s skill made her immune to all damage.
The second Inkblade landed, A blue circle rippled beneath him, and a watery trap detonated at his feet.
“Women are made of water,” came the voice line.
Then the screen went grayscale.
Instant death. One combo. No chance to react.
Petal didn’t even get to struggle.
“No way!” His eyes were bloodshot, refusing to accept the result.
He slammed his headset on the table. “There’s no way I lost!”
Azalea raised her head, looking at him with the same mocking gaze he’d used before. “If you can’t handle losing, don’t play. Practice more instead of whining.”
The color flushed straight up Petal’s neck. Red to the ears. Rage and embarrassment blended into one. 3/4
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Chapter 15 Rorn in Fire
Even the coach was still digesting Azalea’s flawless maneuver.
- 10 Free Caine
Bis silver–rimmed glasses caught the light, eyes blazing behind them. That wasn’t luck. That wasn’t instinct. That was a calculation.
“You!” Petal pointed at her, his hand shaking.
Azalea casually batted it away. “Apologize.”
Petal wasn’t completely spineless. Gritting his teeth, he bowed down before his former teammates. “I’m washed. She’s better. I apologize. I lost to a girl.”
Those last words were practically ripped from his throat.
He turned to leave without another word.
But Azalea’s voice came from behind him.
“My name is Phoenix. Born in fire, not a damn sparrow.
“And by the way, sparrows are protected wildlife now. Maybe show some respect.”
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