The city got up early. Outside the school, vendors sold fried buns, candied hawthorn, and steaming noodles. Kids stood on their toes and pulled on their parents' sleeves to see the tournament square.
The Final Match, which City H would remember for years, was about to start.
The Excitement
Chen Ho got up before dawn. The small Phoenix chick, now sleek with red feathers that glowed faintly, sat on his windowsill and looked out at the horizon. The sun's rays hit its golden eyes.
Chen Ho whispered, "You feel it too." He gave it a piece of roasted boar jerky that he had won the night before. Sparks flew through the air as the chick ate it.
Fatty Lin waited downstairs with a basket that looked like it had been stolen. "Breakfast for winners!" He took out buns filled with pork and vegetables. "Eat now, or I'll eat for you."
Chen Ho shook his head in disbelief and took one.
Lin said, "Everyone's talking," even though his mouth was full. "They're saying Tian Ruo will break you in half. Some people say you're chosen by God. Me? I say you're sneaky, and sneaky wins.
Chen Ho had a small smile on his face. "Being sneaky isn't enough."
"Then sneaky and fire!" That works.
The Arena
The square was full by mid-morning. Banners waved, bets were shouted, and coins changed hands.
Dean Mu Qing spoke louder from the dais. "Today's last match will decide who goes on to the Beast Tamer Academy of Magic City. There are still two people in the running: Chen Ho and Tian Ruo from the Tian clan.
First, Tian Ruo got into the ring. His spear shone silver, and a light breeze wrapped around its tip. He stood tall and calm, as if he had already won.
Chen Ho came in second. Pionix sat proudly on his shoulder, with its tail feathers glowing ember-red. The crowd murmured.
"That firebird seems to be stronger than it was yesterday..."
"No, it's not a firebird." It feels different.
"Don't be silly. There is no such thing as a phoenix.
He raised his flag. "Rules: No killing blows." Win by giving up or ringing out. Animals are allowed. "Start when the flag goes down."
The First Exchanges
The flag fell.
Tian Ruo moved right away, and the spear shot forward like a bolt of lightning. Wind hissed around the shaft, making the thrust feel like a small storm.
Chen Ho moved to the side, but the air pressure still scraped his cheek. Pionix yelled and threw a Flame Peck at the spear, which made sparks fly.
Wind and fire hit each other. The smoke curled. The crowd yelled.
Tian Ruo smiled. "So it can bite." Let's check to see if it can fly.
He swung the spear in a big circle. A gust of wind blew out and kicked up dust. Pionix had a hard time, with its wings flapping in the wind. Chen Ho got ready by stepping back a step.
"Wind breaks fire," Tian Ruo said with a laugh. "That girl will burn out."
Chen Ho's eyes got sharper. "Wind doesn't scare fire." It eats it.
He put his arm up. Pionix opened its wings, and sparks turned into a fiery burst that rode the wind instead of fighting it. The flames twisted up, wrapping around the wind like a torch in a storm.
The crowd gasped.
But Tian Ruo didn't move. His spear made a new circle, and the wind made it sharp like blades.
The first real fight was about to start.