Settling the Score?
Wait… do these street thugs actually know our class president?
“Boss Tao, there’s no score between us.”
Class President Xinyue said, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
Her uniform strained slightly at the bust— her figure, after all, was one of her more prominent assets.
She clearly wasn’t happy, and she started trying to usher him out.
“This is a private gathering for classmates. You should leave.”
“Leave?”
Boss Tao leaned back in his chair, casually lit a cigarette, and grinned.
“When the Chickenfoot Gang ran this neighborhood, you used to fight for them on the underground stage. Broke quite a few of my boys, as I recall~”
Xinyue’s face turned pale.
She darted a quick glance at me and Cluru, then stammered, “I don’t know any Chickenfoot Gang, stop making things up!”
“Oh? You don’t know them, but they sure know you, Miss Xinyue. You wouldn’t want it getting out that you used to fight in illegal underground matches for a gang, would you? What would the school say, huh? Tsk tsk…”
Her teeth clenched. “What do you want?”
“It’s simple~ From today onward, you’ll fight as the Tigerhead Gang’s brawler in the underground league. Win a hundred matches for us, and we’ll call it even. Sounds fair?”
“A hundred?! Those matches are brutal—some even end in death! You’re trying to kill my spirit beast!” she shouted, visibly shaking.
“That depends on your skills. Weren’t you tough once? Back when you were with the Chickenfoot Gang, you crushed a bunch of my guys. What now? A new gang in town and suddenly you’re a coward?”
Gang activity?
I poked Xinyue quietly and whispered, “Are these gangs really dangerous?”
They’d tried to extort our store, even stormed the school to kidnap the Qilin…
“Since the rise of spirit beasts, firearms don’t scare people anymore.”
Xinyue whispered back.
“Everything’s chaotic now—lots of factions grabbing money and turf however they can. None of them are good news.”
“And you… used to be part of that?”
“I was short on cash. Fought in underground matches for a while.”
She admitted with a deep breath.
“When the Tigerhead Gang took over this area, they made the fights bloodier to draw crowds—ordered tamers to go all out. Most losers end up maimed or worse. That’s when I quit.”
I nodded. I understood.
When I first came to this world with nothing, I did the same to survive.
If Class Prez made money with her fists, I wasn’t going to judge. I’m no uptight old geezer.
“Miss Xinyue, a hundred matches is a bit much for both of us. Let’s compromise,” Tao finally smiled, showing his real aim.
“What compromise?”
“There’s a match tonight that’s important to me. You don’t even have to win, just show up and fight. Do that, and we’re square.”
Xinyue hesitated.
Today’s underground matches were no place she wanted to be.
She didn’t want to risk her spirit beast, either—injuries could be hard to heal, some leaving lasting damage.
“Take the deal.”
I whispered.
“Eh?!”
She stared at me like I was nuts.
“Are you trying to throw me into a volcano?!”
“Take it. You won’t get hurt.”
……
She didn’t look convinced.
But then she remembered what this kid had pulled off earlier today.
Healing Mr. Ishida’s wounds with her potions… maybe the Qilin had other tricks?
Maybe she could even brew up a temporary power boost?
Xinyue bit her lip, heart pounding.
“Fine. I’ll fight.”
Clap clap.
Boss Tao applauded.
“As expected of the former queen of the underground circuit. I can’t wait to see you back in action.”
“Let’s head down then. Matches are starting soon. Have the food sent to the VIP suite.”
……
The arena was in the hotel basement.
The elevator doors opened to a wave of noise, rock music, smoke, and the stench of alcohol.
Way too loud down here…
Sure enough, Cluru had already turned herself into a [Premium Wild-Caught · Chilled Octopus] box to escape the chaos.
“This way, Boss Tao.”
The VIP suite was far quieter.
Soundproof glass created two different worlds: one calm, elegant dining space; the other a seething, roaring crowd.
The ring was dead center, barely larger than a boxing ring.
“For a more intense experience, I had the stage shrunk even smaller.”
Tao said proudly.
“People love this setup.”
“But that’s unfair.”
Xinyue frowned.
“Spirit beasts have all kinds of fighting styles. Some don’t do well in close quarters.”
“Haha, who cares about fair? Ask the audience if they just want carnage.”
Couldn’t lie— Boss Tao really knew how to run a business.
The crowd wanted violence, and he gave it to them. That’s why this place was thriving.
He was probably rolling in cash…
“Do you run a betting pool?” I asked.
“Oh?”
Now Tao noticed me.
“Such a sweet voice under that mask. Any chance I can get a peek?”
“Not a chance.”
“Whose kid is this? Too adorable.”
“I’m not a kid! Stop stalling. Do you take bets or not?”
“Of course, of course. No underground ring is complete without gambling.”
“Don’t!”
Xinyue yanked me aside and whispered.
“These games are rigged. Every fighter on stage belongs to Tao. He picks the winners. You can’t win!”
“I know. But you’re going up soon, right? I’m betting on you.”
She shook her head hard.
She had no confidence.
Her eyes strayed toward a figure in the staging area— a masked man.
Her spirit beast’s instincts screamed danger.
If that was her opponent… she didn’t stand a chance.
“Do you have a plan?” she asked.
I didn’t answer.
Instead, I dipped a finger into my drink.
Sigil Technique: Water-Based Seal Formation.
With this, I didn’t need a brush or talisman, just water.
I gathered my energy into the liquid, then traced a symbol onto her skin.
“Hold still.”
I drew across the back of her hand.
The wine shimmered briefly, then evaporated.
As if nothing had happened.
“Done.”
“That’s it?”
Xinyue gawked.
She didn’t feel any different.
This girl must be nuts!
“I said it’s done.”
I nodded and fell silent.
Hmph. I’m the Celestial Sage— I owe no one an explanation.
…Wait, who’s ruffling my hair again?!
“Don’t you dare gamble!”
She scolded, mussing my hair.
“I’ll do my best, but I’m probably going to lose. Don’t bet on me!”
“I’m definitely betting on you.”
Unfortunately, I only had 3,000 yuan— which I won this morning.
“The house offers loans,” Tao said with a sly smile.
“If you want to play big, we can help.”
“You scumbag! Offering loans to a kid?!”
Xinyue shoved me behind her in fury.
“Loaning’s just business. The lady decides, not you.”
“How much will you lend?”
I asked, eyes narrowed.
“Take off the mask, pose for a few photos with me… and I might go as high as a few million.”
“Keep dreaming.”
“Alright, alright. You’ve got a nice voice—could be a great streamer. I’ll lend you 100,000 at 1% daily interest. If you can’t repay, you’ll stream for me to work it off.”
“Deal.”
“Don’t agree to that!!”
Xinyue looked like she was about to cry.
She regretted coming here more than anything now.
Why this restaurant, of all places?!
Tao was ruthless.
No one who borrowed from him ever got off easy.
“Hey Xinyue, how about a warm-up fight before the main event?” I suggested.
There was more than one match tonight.
The headline act was at midnight, but strong fighters always warmed up the crowd first.
“Warm-up’s fine. But borrowing money- that’s too much! That’s loan sharking!”
“Relax. I’ve got this.”
I gestured for her to stay calm.
“Boss Tao, which match is ours?”
“For the former queen of the ring? Naturally, the final match is midnight.”
“Then, Xinyue, go up at eleven. That gives time for three quick matches before your big one.”
“Three in a row? Kid, you’re out of your mind… I’m exhausted after just one.”
“Trust me.”
Seeing my serious face, she sighed and gave in.
Fine, fine. Let’s call it an apology for earlier.
“Are you sure about this?”
Tao raised an eyebrow.
“This is an underground ring. Lose, and you might die.”
“We’ve decided. Please make the arrangements.”
Xinyue still felt uneasy.
If she hadn’t seen the Qilin’s powers earlier, no way would she go through with this.
All she could do now was pray that the girl had something to patch her up after all this…
……
Eleven o’clock.
Showtime.
As planned, it was Xinyue’s turn.
“So the class prez had this side to her, huh…”
Who’d have guessed?
Polite, well-behaved, perfect-student Xinyue… was once the queen of illegal spirit battles.
Tonight she wore a crimson winged mask.
Her skin-tight battle suit emphasized her stunning figure, making her look like a real superhero.
“The Flamewing Queen is back?!”
“Long live the Queen~~~!!”
Even through the soundproof glass, I could feel the roar of the crowd.
“Looks like she’s popular.”
At some point, the [Premium Wild-Caught · Chilled Octopus] had slithered over beside me.
There were two little holes poked in the box now—inside them, Cluru’s curious purple eyes peeked out.
She was watching everything with fascination—and maybe just a bit of envy.
……
The VIP lounge floor was clean enough, so I plopped down beside her, both of us pressing our faces to the glass.
“Look at Prez go. Fighting hard to earn us a nice dinner. What a role model.”
“…Weren’t you the one who roped her into this?”
“Rude. She’s doing this out of noble self-sacrifice for her classmates.”
“……”
Cluru had no comeback.
Ding ding—!
The match began with the chime of a golden bell.
Xinyue summoned her spirit beast:
A great bird of flame, crimson and gold, wings tipped with fire that crackled with each flap.
“Didn’t expect to see the Flamewing Queen again. Too bad your era’s over!”
Her opponent sneered.
Xinyue sighed.
He wasn’t wrong.
The shrunken ring was a massive nerf to flying-type spirits.
Hers had high attack, low defense, and relied on mobility—which was now gone.
What she used to dodge, she now had to tank.
“But beating you will still be easy!”
With a sweep of her wings, blazing feathers launched like missiles— right out the gate, she went for the kill.
“Cheap tricks! Know your place!” her opponent yelled.
A serpent of flame surged to meet her.
Back and forth they went— fast, vicious, and deadly.
Cluru gasped beside me, along with the rest of the crowd.
But it was obvious— Xinyue’s firebird had the edge in both experience and power.
Still, the cramped arena made everything harder.
“Winner of this match: The Flamewing Queen!”
Xinyue had won.
Not easily but she’d done it.
Panting, she looked up toward me and mouthed silently:
[Got any healing potions? GKD GKD!]
She was completely wiped out and hoping I had another miracle like earlier today.
“Nope,” I replied coldly.
“Uuuuugh—”
No choice but to drag herself into the next match.
“Bet all my winnings from Round One on the Queen for Round Two,” I said to Tao.
“Her odds were low— 1.2 to 1. After fees, your 100k turned into 115k. You sure you want to bet it all? She looks exhausted, and her opponent is strong.”
“I’m sure.”
Heh. The real show was just beginning.