The Esports Little Demon King Is a Sweet and Fierce Omega - Chapter 21.2

On the way back, the trio split into two groups. Tian Jiu and Feng Wu headed to Imperial University to finalize his professional registration before the offices closed for the day.

The news of Tian Jiu seizing the championship had already spread like wildfire through Imperial University. Even the massive virtual screens at the entrance displayed a 3D image of Tian Jiu in his red panda onesie, flanked by bold slogans celebrating his first-place victory.

In this school where the strong were revered, almost everyone regardless of their previous attitude toward Tian Jiu had joined the ranks of his growing fanbase.

Of course, this did not include the die-hard fans of Luo Yuan and Ji Kaile. Since Tian Jiu had effectively slapped their idols’ faces in public, and they already disliked him due to the “love triangle” rumors, their animosity had only deepened. However, compared to the rest of the student body, this subset of fans was negligible.

The school forums were equally chaotic. The homepage was flooded with confessions of love for Tian Jiu and posts expressing heartbreak for his past struggles. Technical experts were even performing real-time frame-by-frame analyses of his tournament performance. Beyond the school, Tian Jiu was a true sensation on Star-Net; the “Red Panda Cannoneer” was being discussed across entire galaxies, with netizens from other systems even jumping firewalls just to get first-hand info.

The hype showed no signs of slowing down; he was the man of the hour. This level of popularity made Ji Xianzhang and his wife salivate with greed, strengthening their resolve to bring Tian Jiu back into the Ji family fold.

While Ji Kaile locked himself in his bedroom, his eyes bloodshot with envy as he read the online praise, Luo Yuan’s focus was different. He repeatedly replayed the footage of the trials, watching the interactions between Tian Jiu and Feng Wu specifically the way they left the arena side-by-side. The more he watched, the more unsettled he felt.

How had he never noticed before that Tian Jiu was so dazzling, so captivating? Feng Wu had even broken his own rules for him, recruiting the boy despite knowing Tian Jiu “liked” Luo Yuan.

Luo Yuan projected a 3D holographic GIF of Tian Jiu. The soft, fair Omega in the red panda suit, shoulder-carrying a massive cannon that looked entirely out of place, possessed a strange, unique beauty.

This is my Xiao Yin, he thought. The childhood friend who has followed me around since we were kids. Luo Yuan reached out to brush his fingers through the air against Tian Jiu’s projected face, vowing to win him back.

As for the fans of Luo Yuan and Ji Kaile, they patrolled threads and news posts, desperately trying to smear Tian Jiu with bitter comments. However, the moment they spoke, they were shut down by the massive wave of passersby and Tian Jiu’s new fans.

“Why so salty? Luo Yuan and Ji Kaile took second and third and you acted like they were gods. Tian Jiu took first, so how do you have the nerve to be bitter?”

“If you’re so capable, go win a championship yourself. Go wipe out five top seeds in a single match like he did.”

“Besides, our Tian Jiu doesn’t even have pheromones. Your idols are competing using high-level pheromones; is that something to be proud of?”

“Tian Jiu and God Wu are a power duo. Stop trying to jinx them. ‘Ji Yin’ is in the past; he’s ‘Tian Jiu’ now, thank you!”

The relentless counter-attacks left the rival fanbases speechless.

******

A Hero’s Return to Campus:

Tian Jiu, oblivious to the online wars, strolled into the school with his new Captain. The moment they appeared, they were recognized. Had Tian Jiu returned alone, he would have been swarmed, but with Feng Wu there, people didn’t quite dare to crowd them.

Noticing the intense stares, Tian Jiu tugged on Feng Wu’s sleeve and whispered, “Captain, you have so many fans. They won’t stop looking at you.” There was a hint of pride in his voice.

Feng Wu curled his lip into a smile and gave Tian Jiu’s head a light tap. “They’re looking at you today, my little teammate. You’re far more famous than me.”

“Really? They’re looking at me?” Tian Jiu’s eyes went round.

“Yes.”

Tian Jiu looked around and realized it was true. Wow! He lowered his head and subconsciously shuffled a bit closer to Feng Wu.

Feng Wu glanced down at the fluffy head of hair. Is he shy? He leaned down slightly, whispering, “Where’s that courage you had when you confessed to me in front of everyone? Getting bashful over a little crowd like this?”

“Huh?” Tian Jiu looked up, his face flushed but his smile bright. “I’m not shy, Captain. I’m just giggling to myself.”

Feng Wu: “…” I see.

He straightened up, feeling like his legendary verbal prowess had met its match. In just a few hours with Tian Jiu, his mental “CPU” had nearly fried several times.

The registration process was incredibly smooth. The homeroom teacher, who previously hadn’t even given Tian Jiu a polite look, was now grinning so wide her wrinkles were showing, acting almost sycophantic toward Feng Wu. Tian Jiu found it quite bizarre.

As they prepared to leave, Tian Jiu tugged on Feng Wu’s hem, looking a bit sheepish.

“What is it?”

Tian Jiu’s ears turned pink as he whispered, “I need to go to the restroom.”

Feng Wu’s gaze landed on those pink-tinted ears. He suddenly remembered Shadow wanting to pinch those red panda ears and felt a flash of irritation. “Go on then,” he said as he regained his composure.

******

The Locked Stall:

Tian Jiu dashed toward the end of the hallway. Feng Wu followed at a leisurely pace, stopping outside the Alpha restroom. Suddenly, Tian Jiu came running out in a panic.

“What’s wrong?” Feng Wu met him halfway, instantly catching the thick, cloying scent of an Omega in heat.

“Captain, do you have a suppressant for Omegas? Someone inside seems to be having an episode!”

“Follow me.” Feng Wu immediately led him to a wall unit outside the restroom. He tapped a purchase interface on a glass panel, selected a high-dosage heat suppressant, and paid. A slender tube slid out of a dispenser.

He handed it to Tian Jiu. “If they can’t move, help them inject it into their arm.”

Tian Jiu hurried back in and knocked on a closed stall. “Are you okay? I brought a suppressant.”

The pained, suppressed gasping from inside was agonizing to hear. After a moment, a raspy voice replied, “Thank you… can you slide it under the door?”

“Okay.” Tian Jiu slid it through the gap. “Do you need me to help?”

The sound of packaging being torn open followed. “No… thank you,” the voice strained.

Tian Jiu waited anxiously outside the stall. He noticed a small, high-tech metal piece wedged into the lock; a smart buckle designed to prevent the door from being opened. Without a second thought, he used his raw strength to rip the metal buckle right off the door. “I took the thing off the door. You can come out when you’re ready.”

Five minutes later, the door opened. A frail-looking boy stepped out, his steps shaky. He was thin, wearing an oversized dark hoodie and baggy pants. His black bangs were long and heavy, obscuring his forehead, and he wore thick black-rimmed glasses. His chin was pale and sharp, making him look malnourished.

“Are you alright?” Tian Jiu asked.

The boy looked up, stunned for a moment before nodding. “Thank you. Let me transfer you the money for the suppressant.”

“My Captain bought it. You can pay him,” Tian Jiu said, leading him outside where Feng Wu was waiting.

“Are they going to be okay?” Tian Jiu asked his captain. “Should they go to the hospital?”

Feng Wu looked at the Omega. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t need the hospital. I’ll transfer the money,” the boy insisted.

“Don’t worry about it,” Feng Wu said calmly. “I suggest you go home.”

The boy bowed to them both. “Thank you. But I’ll still transfer it; otherwise, I won’t feel right.” Feng Wu pulled up his account on his AI brain, and once the transfer was complete, the boy walked away slowly.

Tian Jiu frowned, watching the boy’s slightly hunched back. “Is he really okay?”

Feng Wu’s brow also furrowed. “I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before.”

“Really?”

“Mhm. Can’t place it, though. Let’s go home.”

******

A Protective Instinct:

Once they were in the car, Tian Jiu couldn’t hold it in. “Captain, I think he was being bullied.”

“By who?” Feng Wu asked as he started the engine.

“That Omega just now. Look.” Tian Jiu pulled out the small metal buckle. He explained that the door had been jammed from the outside by this smart lock, which required a specific code to release. Tian Jiu had only realized it when he smelled the pheromones and realized someone was trapped inside.

“Captain, do you think someone realized he was going into heat and locked him in on purpose?”

Feng Wu analyzed the situation. “It’s possible the heat itself was induced.” It was a cruel but not uncommon tactic, taking away an Omega’s suppressants or injecting them with heat-inducing drugs.

“What should we do?” Tian Jiu asked urgently. “Will they keep bullying him?”

Feng Wu set the car to autopilot and turned to look at Tian Jiu. The boy was looking back at him with such unshielded trust and expectation. It made Feng Wu feel a bit self-conscious, and he weighed his words carefully.

“Tian Jiu, we can protect him once, but what if others are being bullied like this? What then?”

“Then we keep protecting the people being bullied!” Tian Jiu said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Feng Wu froze, then let out a soft laugh. “Alright. I understand.”

“So, what’s the plan, Captain?”

“I’ll have someone look into him. If he’s being targeted, we’ll ensure a teacher looks out for him, and the Omega Protection Association will be notified to do regular check-ins.”

Tian Jiu breathed a sigh of relief. Feng Wu looked at his expression and suddenly remembered that his own little teammate had been hurt by others in the past. He reached out and gently ruffled Tian Jiu’s hair. “Soft texture.”

Tian Jiu grinned. “You can pet me whenever you want, Captain!”

Feng Wu’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly pulled his hand back. He wondered if this kid was naturally “flirty,” or if he was just that innocent.

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