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 . r 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 . ။ 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 r 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 . " 111 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!