These days, the relationship between Fang Li and Sylvia has become common knowledge.
While this has helped divert attention away from Fang Li, preventing excessive speculation about his abilities and the competition, it has also led to consequences of its own.
At least, when Zhao Hufeng learned of the news, he hurriedly rushed over, cornered Fang Li, and bombarded him with questions.
"You clearly have only gone to Sylvia's concert with me once, and the other time you accompanied Master to gain Bo Xie's recognition at Seidoukan Academy. You hardly ever leave Yellow Dragon Temple. So why do you know Sylvia Sama? Is it because of the incident the last time you went out?!"
Zhao Hufeng forcefully grabbed Fang Li's neck and shook him vigorously.
"Speak up! Hurry! Say something!"
At this moment, Zhao Hufeng was undoubtedly giving it his all. As a Genestellar with martial training from a young age, even if he excelled in speed, his physical strength was substantial. If Fang Li wasn't a Genestellar, his neck might have been snapped.
Fang Li could only smile wryly and reply, "Senior Brother, don't get so worked up. Senior Sister is right here."
Upon Fang Li's response, Zhao Hufeng finally realized Cecily's presence.
"It's alright; you don't need to mind my presence," Cecily reclined on a nearby sofa, watching Fang Li and Zhao Hufeng's interaction with amusement. She said in a relaxed manner, "Just carry on with what you were doing. I'm just observing."
However, Cecily's words were enough to make Zhao Hufeng reconsider continuing the interrogation.
Zhao Hufeng blushed, immediately released Fang Li's neck, cleared his throat, and stammered, "I… I was just curious, that's all. Just curious."
His defense didn't bring him any relief; instead, it made Cecily's expression turn to tease.
Fang Li couldn't help but chuckle. "Come on, Senior Brother Zhao, you're a fan of Sylvia; we already knew that. There's no need to hide it so clumsily."
"I-I'm not intentionally hiding it!" Zhao Hufeng retorted but then gritted his teeth.
"Sylvia… Sylvia… you actually called Sylvia Sama Sylvia… damn… that's just too disrespectful…" Zhao Hufeng's muttered words filled with frustration, and it made Fang Li burst into laughter.
"Alright, Senior Brother, don't get so hung up on it," Fang Li said, trying to defuse the situation. "At most, next time, I'll help you get an autograph from Sylvia. How does that sound?"
"Really?!" Zhao Hufeng immediately became excited.
"Hahaha!" Cecily finally burst into laughter.
Zhao Hufeng was taken aback and then immediately turned bright red, and it was as if he wished he could find a hole to hide in.
"Senior Sister, don't tease Senior Brother," Fang Li, although also laughing, started to speak up for Zhao Hufeng. He continued, "Diva's singing is indeed top-notch. Anyone who's heard it once would fall in love with it, right?"
In fact, Sylvia-Lyyneheym was a famous idol known for her incredible singing voice. She was the world's number one in this regard, and she had fans across all age groups.
Rusalka, on the other hand, was the second most popular idol group on Asterisk City, right after Sylvia. However, their popularity declined in older age groups due to their rock music style.
This showed just how talented Sylvia was.
"After all, she's a Strega (Witch) who makes a living through singing," Cecily said with a bit of enthusiasm shining in her eyes. "Sylvia-Lyyneheym, the runner-up of the previous 'Lindwurm Festa,' theoretically, she is the second-strongest student in Asterisk City. Her abilities are versatile, even beyond Seisenjutsu. She can do almost anything besides healing. I really want to have a match with her."
"Oh?" Fang Li became interested. "Does Senior Sister have a chance of winning?"
"…It's probably quite low," Cecily's enthusiasm diminished significantly, and she sounded a bit regretful. "That Diva is very strong. Not only does she have formidable abilities, but her close combat skills are also exceptional. With my current level, I probably won't be able to win?"
"Sylvia-Lyyneheym is indeed very strong," Zhao Hufeng seemed to have snapped out of his brain-dead fan mode and agreed, saying, "Master once said that even First Senior Brother might not be able to win against Sylvia Sama. If she continues to grow, she'll definitely become the world's number one Strega (Witch). Someone standing on the same level as her would be a rare opponent."
"Master said that?" Cecily asked with a mix of surprise and admiration in her voice. "No wonder she's the most famous Strega (Witch). I hope to have a chance to challenge her in the future."
"That's a matter for the future. For now, let's focus on the competition," Zhao Hufeng reminded them. "Although I say that, the first-round preliminaries have already ended. The second-round preliminaries won't start for at least four days. If you pass the second round, the third-round preliminaries will take place within two days. If you manage to clear the third round, you can enter the official competition in seven days, competing among the top thirty-two for the championship."
While he spoke this way, Zhao Hufeng clearly wasn't worried about this.
Because Zhao Hufeng knew that with Fang Li and Cecily's strength, entering the top thirty-two in the official competition was not a difficult task.
In fact, with their abilities, not making it to the official competition would be a strange occurrence.
After all, Cecily had secured second place in the previous "Phoenix Festa" even before learning Seisenjutsu, and Fang Li was a speed-type Genestellar surpassing Zhao Hufeng. The two of them working together were undoubtedly strong contenders for this year's "Phoenix Festa" championship.
Of course, they are only contenders.
After all, this year's "Phoenix Festa" also featured many formidable opponents.
"Junior Brother, the match you mentioned with Amagiri Ayato seems to have started." Saying so, Zhao Hufeng opened a Space Screen and accessed the live broadcast channel. After enlarging the screen, he displayed it before everyone.
Fang Li raised his gaze and looked at the Space Screen.
The next moment, on the stage of Sirius Dome, a pair of partners belonging to Seidoukan Academy slowly walked forward.
It was a male-female pair.
Fang Li's attention was immediately drawn to the male member of the team.
He had a head of lush black hair.
His expression showed no signs of nervousness.
In his hand, he tightly held an Ogre Lux activation body.
His gaze seemed somewhat absent, but deep within, it held an indescribable bright glow.
—Amagiri Ayato.
The original main character had finally appeared.
...
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