DECIDING THE MATCHES
LUO YAN could only shake his head helplessly after he saw this result. At first, he truly wanted to fight with Winged Tassel. But after hearing the heart advantage part, he changed it to Dragnar.
If he fought with the golden dragon, that meant that Luo Jin wouldn't have to suffer any handicap and he could fight freely. But it seemed that his brother also had the same idea. It's just that the other wanted him to fight someone who he could use the handicap to its full advantage.
Since both he and Dragnar received hearts, that meant that both of them could sanction a handicap against each other. Then, it would simply be like cancelling each other out. Their advantage would only depend on what kind of handicap they gave the other.
On the other hand, if Luo Yan fought someone who couldn't give him a handicap, then, he could utilize the advantage given to him to the full extent. In this case, that could only happen if he fought with Luo Jin or Winged Tassel. His brother obviously didn't fight with him, so, the only option was the latter.
Luo Yan could already tell that this was how Luo Jin's train of thought went. Once again, a helpless smile appeared on his lips. Well, things had already reached this point. Even if he wanted to request for a change of opponent, the duke might just throw him out of this room and promptly disqualify him. Since this was the case, might as well make the best out of it.
[Mashter, does this mean that Eclipse won't fight with you again?] – the little fox in his arms suddenly asked, obviously disappointed.
Luo Yan glanced down and gently patted Eclipse's fluffy head. [Don't worry, even if Eclipse doesn't fight with me in this round again, everyone already knows how amazing you are. No one would think you're not helpful. Much less me. Cheering me on is more than enough. So, be my small cheerleader, okay?]
He said that because it's most likely the reason why the other was feeling down knowing that he wouldn't be of much help to his master again.
As expected, Eclipse's mood quickly brightened. [Eclipse will definitely cheer on Mashter!]
"So, what's your
Luo Yan had already decided on that early on. "I want to disable his wings." Meaning the other wouldn't be able to fly and also wouldn't be able to use the feathers on his wings. "Is it possible?"
After all, the duke had mentioned earlier that the handicaps they would choose to give should be within reason. If his request was not within this so-called 'reason', then, he could only change it. Which was not a problem since he had already though of a few alternatives.
Although the duke agreeing to the handicap he just said would be the best outcome, it also wouldn't matter that much to him if the other didn't. It's not like whether he would win or lose would depend on it anyway. Everything still depended on one's skills. If he lost just because the handicap he's planning to give his opponent didn't pass the duke, then, he could blame himself for being lacking.
"Hmm… it's not impossible. But this lord could only disable his wings for 15 minutes."
Hearing that, Luo Yan grinned. "That's enough time."
The duke raised one of his brows. "Hopefully, you're not just all talk and could actually bring entertainment to this lord."
Luo Yan gave an elegant bow like some butler. "I won't disappoint you, milord."
The duke only scoffed as a response. "Since that's over and done with, you and Dragnar should decide which match should go first."
After saying that, the chibi version of the duke suddenly disappeared in the room. And it was quickly replaced by a virtual screen. On it was a young man with burning golden hair and eyes.
"Hello," Dragnar called in an awkward manner.
Luo Yan didn't know if it was his imagination, but it seemed like this guy always seemed awkward whenever he's interacting with him. It's the same when he fought the other on the Four-Seasons Island. Dragnar couldn't look him in the eye, as if he had done something to be guilty about.
Which was weird. Because the two of them never had any kind of interaction beforehand besides during the prelims. So, what was Dragnar feeling sorry about?
If the golden dragon knew what he was thinking right now, he would definitely feel complicated. Because he was indeed feeling guilty. Not because of anything he had done but because of his sister's hobby.
Luo Yan shook his head. Anyway, this was not the time to think about that.
"So, who should go first? My match or yours?" he asked.
Although it's quite weird that the decision was left to them, it kind of still fit with the situation. After all, the ones who decided who would fight with whom were the other two. So, having them decide who would go first didn't really seem that wrong.
"The young master and I could go first," Xia Lei said without much hesitation.
He really couldn't say that the other should have the first match. His conscience simply didn't allow him to. Especially after thinking of all those spicy fanarts his sister had drawn. That's why he was quite thankful that the one he ended up fighting in this semi-final round was not the other. His guilty conscience was still not ready for it.
Luo Yan didn't have much objection to that. "Okay."
After they reached consensus, the virtual screen suddenly disappeared and a notification appeared in front of him.
[The semi-final round will start in 10 seconds.]
A countdown then appeared. At the same time, a comfortable couch appeared behind him. As if inviting him to sit down. And he did sit comfortably.
He raised his head and saw that the countdown was almost over.
3… 2… 1!
After that last number, a new virtual screen appeared.. This time, it showed the coliseum rink.