The Esports Little Demon King Is a Sweet and Fierce Omega - Chapter 7

With the start of the new year’s trials approaching, Imperial University was buzzing with excitement. Nearly every student with the ambition and ability had signed up, and the intensity of their training had spiked significantly. The mecha training grounds and pheromone practice rooms were packed daily, and discussions regarding the most popular contestants grew increasingly heated.

However, over the past two days, one particular name had been appearing repeatedly on the campus forum.

“I heard the Ji family kicked Ji Yin out. I wonder if it’s true.”

“It’s definitely true. The news has spread all through the nouveau riche circles. Apparently, the Ji family was abusing him, and Officer Bai from the Protection Organization personally came to take him away.”

“Stop talking nonsense. Ji Yin was the one who framed Ji Kaile first. The Ji family was right to throw that troublemaker out.”

“Oh my god, look what I found! [Image]”

The post featured a censored screenshot of a registration form. Most of the details were blurred, but the name and gender columns were clearly visible. The information in those two boxes was unmistakable: Ji Yin, Omega.

“No way, a disabled Omega without pheromones actually wants to compete? What is wrong with the world?”

“I thought he’d choose equipment design. I didn’t expect him to try for Fengshen a second time.”

“He’s probably been driven mad by the setback. He saw how famous Kaile became through Fengshen and wanted to try it for himself without even looking in a mirror.”

The sea of derogatory comments didn’t bother Tian Jiu in the least. At that moment, he was sitting cross-legged in a corner of the mecha training room, cradling his chubby panda-shaped water bottle. He shifted his gaze between the sweating Alphas and Betas and the virtual screen in front of him, which was covered in dense data and notes.

After a night of research and a morning of field observation, Tian Jiu had organized his training schedule and mastered the basics of the game.

Fengshen featured five main classes: Warrior, Healer, Mage, Gunner, and Defender. Each class was further divided into specialized subclasses. For instance, Warriors included Swordsmen, Sabermen, and Assassins, while Healers ranged from Doctors and Elves to Witch Doctors.

Every player possessed an attribute panel displaying five stats: Attack, Defense, Self-Healing, Pheromones, and Agility. These stats were calculated based on the player’s physical condition and pheromone levels, meaning everyone started with different base values that were recalculated before each match.

Players chose a class before the game began and carried their own weapons. The weapon’s attributes would be added to the player’s overall stats. There was a strict rule that no single attribute could exceed 80,000, and the total sum of the five attributes could not surpass 400,000.

For instance, a player with 50,000 in each of the five stats could carry a weapon with attributes up to 30,000. Betas, who lacked pheromones, only had four attribute slots, but each slot had a cap of 100,000, allowing them to reach the same total of 400,000.

Additionally, players could purchase equipment from the Squirrel Mall within the game to gain temporary attribute boosts. Many offensive classes, such as Gunners, would buy full sets of attack gear to maximize their damage, while Mages would prioritize items that enhanced their spell power or healing.

The solo game mode followed different rules. There was no mall in solo play, meaning no temporary boosts were available, and the system’s evaluation of a player’s base attributes changed. Long-range classes like Gunners and Mages suffered from reduced defense and faster mana consumption.

Tian Jiu had previously noticed red and blue bracelets on his wrists during the game. The red bracelet represented health, and if it hit zero, the player was forcibly sent back to the respawn point. The blue bracelet represented the mana bar; the higher the percentage, the more powerful the skills were.

In solo mode, long-range attackers were not only fragile but also limited in the duration and intensity of their skills. In contrast, melee fighters using cold weapons were much hardier and their mana bars barely depleted.

Tian Jiu realized he should focus his research on solo mode, but the trials required participants to reach Platinum rank before the competition officially started. Ranked matches were exclusively 5v5, which explained why the AS youth team had been practicing in a group. Consequently, Tian Jiu’s immediate goal was to gain experience and rank up through 5v5 matches.

First, however, he needed to improve his physical condition. His initial attributes were embarrassingly low, and he hadn’t even purchased a suitable weapon yet.

“Master, there are five minutes remaining until your scheduled appointment,” Erguotou reminded him.

Tian Jiu yawned and stretched his back. The mecha training grounds were highly sought after, requiring reservations for practice times, venues, and specific mechas. Fortunately, Tian Jiu had booked the fifth mecha in the fifth hall for the final half-hour of the morning session as soon as he arrived at school.

After waiting all morning, it was finally his turn. Given how crowded it was, he decided it would be better to practice off-campus in the future. There was no space at school, and more importantly, reserving mechas during peak hours cost money.

“Ji Yin.”

A clear male voice broke his concentration, and a shadow fell over him. Tian Jiu looked up to see a tall figure standing before him. The man was backlit, making it difficult to see his face, though his silhouette was quite handsome.

It took Tian Jiu a moment to realize that the man was speaking to him.

“Are you talking to me?” Tian Jiu asked.

Luo Yuan looked down at him. The small Omega was looking up with an innocent, clear expression, and his fluffy silver hair looked soft to the touch.

“Yes?” Tian Jiu prompted when the man remained silent.

“This is your good friend Luo Yuan, a childhood companion you grew up with,” Erguotou explained.

Tian Jiu was startled. So this is the person the original Ji Yin was secretly in love with for so long.

Tian Jiu immediately stood up, clutching his water bottle and brushing off imaginary dust from his pants. He wanted to see exactly how handsome this Luo Yuan was. As he stood, the man’s face finally came into focus.

He was certainly handsome, but compared to the striking beauty of Feng Wu, this ordinary level of attractiveness failed to move Tian Jiu. The man had a decent temperament, sharp features, and a good build, but he was nowhere near Feng Wu’s level.

“Why are you here?” Luo Yuan asked, his tone sounding like an interrogation.

“Why shouldn’t I be here?” Tian Jiu replied, feeling bewildered.

Luo Yuan frowned. “Can’t you see this place is full of Alphas and Betas? Is it appropriate for an Omega like you to be here?”

“What does that have to do with you?” Tian Jiu was speechless. He decided this person must have some sort of problem and didn’t want to talk to him anymore. “Move aside, you’re in my way.”

Luo Yuan’s frown deepened. “Stop acting out.”

Tian Jiu stared at him in disbelief.

“I know you’re upset because I gave Kaile a watch, but if you have a grievance, you should take it out on me. Why did you try to hurt Kaile? In the end, you were the one who suffered, and you have only yourself to blame.” Luo Yuan spoke with a stern sense of reprimand before softening his tone. “I know you’re angry that I didn’t visit you in the hospital, but I was truly busy during that time.”

“Now that you’ve left the Ji family, you’ll be sent to the Lower District since there’s no one to protect you.” Luo Yuan let out a soft sigh. “But it’s fine. As long as you behave, I will protect you and let you stay in the Upper District. I’ll also let you…” He lowered his voice, his gaze fixed on Tian Jiu’s face, “…stay by my side.”

“You’re so greasy,” Tian Jiu said, wrinkling his nose in disgust. “And why on earth would I want to stay by your side?”

Luo Yuan was a third-year student at Imperial University and an official member of Team AS. With his S-rank pheromones, good background, and gentle personality, he was a well-known elite throughout the Yahua Galaxy. The scandals surrounding him and the two young masters of the Ji family were a favorite topic of campus gossip.

The other students in the training hall had been watching the encounter, waiting for drama to unfold. When they heard Tian Jiu’s blunt rejection, the entire room seemed to gasp in unison. The sweating students stopped their training, pretending to rest or drink water while focusing all their attention on the pair.

Luo Yuan was stunned by the remark. His face turned pale as he gritted his teeth. “Ji Yin! Do you have any idea what you’re saying?”

“I do,” Tian Jiu replied, find the man’s reaction bizarre. “Wait, you don’t actually think I’ve always liked you, do you? I just didn’t want to make things ugly before, but I can see right through all your manipulative tactics.”

The original Ji Yin had indeed harbored feelings for Luo Yuan because the man was the only one who didn’t bully him and had even stood up for him in the past. However, Luo Yuan’s protection and gentleness came with a price. Over the course of nearly ten years, he had successfully manipulated Ji Yin into total obedience, even brainwashing him with toxic ideas like “loving someone means letting them be happy” to get Ji Yin to help him pursue Ji Kaile.

While hurting inside, the original Ji Yin had actually provided Luo Yuan with information about Kaile. He had even spent three days and nights preparing a romantic rooftop garden for their seventeenth birthday to give Luo Yuan and Kaile a private moment together.

The mere memory made Tian Jiu’s blood boil. This man didn’t treat Ji Yin like a human being at all.

The massive mecha hall became so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Luo Yuan’s jaw was tight with fury. He stared at Tian Jiu, unable to believe that this sharp-tongued Omega was the same little fool he could previously control with just a few words. When Ji Kaile had complained to him that his brother had changed, Luo Yuan hadn’t believed it, but now he had no choice.

Did he really sustain brain damage?

He re-evaluated Tian Jiu and had to admit that the Omega, no longer hanging his head in an attempt to hide, was far more eye-catching than before. Even his face seemed more beautiful.

Tian Jiu, oblivious to the man’s inner thoughts, continued, “Let me make this clear today. I would rather die in the Lower District than stay by your side acting like a pathetic follower.”

Surprisingly, Luo Yuan calmed down after the repeated rebuffs. He frowned slightly and reached out to grab Tian Jiu’s wrist. “You’re still unwell. Come with me to the hospital.”

“You’re the one who’s sick.” Tian Jiu remained rooted to the spot and effortlessly slipped his hand out of the man’s grasp.

Luo Yuan froze, looking down at his hand before looking back at Tian Jiu. He had actually used some strength just then, yet Tian Jiu had pulled away with such ease. How was that possible?

Seeing that the man wasn’t moving, Tian Jiu tried to push past him impatiently. Luo Yuan reached out again, this time gripping Tian Jiu’s arm with even more force.

A second later, his palm was empty again. Tian Jiu had pulled his arm back once more, and the momentum caused Luo Yuan to stumble forward a couple of steps. His carefully styled hair became messy, with a single strand falling over his eyes, making him look rather pathetic.

Someone in the hall let out a snort of laughter, followed by a chorus of suppressed chuckles. For any Alpha, being made to stumble by a delicate little Omega was a humiliation.

Luo Yuan’s face flushed a deep red. He had never suffered such a public embarrassment before. He glared at Tian Jiu, but despite his internal rage, he managed to maintain his public image.

“Ji Yin, you’re not in the right state of mind right now. I’ll come find you later,” he said, giving himself a graceful exit before turning and leaving the hall without looking back.

The moment he left, the laughter in the hall became unrestrained. The Alphas laughed the loudest; there was a natural sense of rivalry and hostility between Alphas, especially toward those of a higher rank. Seeing Luo Yuan make a fool of himself was a treat they weren’t about to pass up.

However, some people had a different perspective, such as the tall, muscular man who was now standing up with a grim expression.

“What the hell are you all laughing at?” the man bellowed. “Do you have nothing better to do?”

The laughter ceased instantly as everyone hurried back to their own business. Tian Jiu looked at the man in surprise, sensing that he was even more intimidating than Luo Yuan.

“His name is Li Zhen. He is a second-year student in the Mecha Design and Maintenance department. He’s a highly gifted Alpha and the manager of Hall Five,” Erguotou explained.

So he built the mechas here. No wonder no one dares to talk back to him.

Tian Jiu realized, then asked curiously, “Erguotou, how do you know everything?”

“Because I am an advanced intelligent system that automatically stores all information related to my master.”

“Wow, you’re amazing, Erguotou.”

“I don’t deserve such praise, Master.”

As Tian Jiu chatted with his AI, he saw Li Zhen walking toward him.

“You’re Ji Yin, right?” Li Zhen stopped in front of Tian Jiu. His tall frame was incredibly imposing, and while most Omegas would have been terrified by his stare, Tian Jiu remained unfazed. He even flashed a friendly smile at Li Zhen.

“Hello, Manager Li,” he said in a crisp voice.

The sight of a small, beautiful Omega holding a cute panda water bottle and smiling up at him; complete with adorable little tiger teeth, was enough to make any Alpha feel conflicted.

Dammit, he’s actually pretty cute.

Li Zhen’s aggressive aura softened slightly, though he maintained a stern expression. “You reserved the fifth mecha?”

As a loyal fan of Luo Yuan, he had been annoyed to see his idol embarrassed by Tian Jiu. He wanted to use his authority to give Tian Jiu a little lesson.

Tian Jiu, unaware of the man’s intentions, nodded innocently. “Yes. Can I start my training now?”

“You can,” Li Zhen said, feigning difficulty. “But I just noticed that the fifth mecha is a bit sluggish and needs maintenance. How about I find you another one instead?”

Tian Jiu tilted his head, looking past him at the fifth mecha which had just completed a series of fluid attacks. It didn’t look sluggish at all. But since the manager said it was broken, it must be true.

“Alright,” Tian Jiu agreed easily.

A dark glint flashed in Li Zhen’s eyes. “Then follow me.”

Tian Jiu followed obediently. Their interaction was the focus of everyone’s attention, and since Li Zhen’s loyalty to Luo Yuan was well-known, everyone assumed Tian Jiu was in for a rough time.

The crowd gasped as they reached the new mecha. Tian Jiu looked up at the nearly three-meter-tall robot and let out a soft “Wow.” It looked similar to the skin Old Zhao had shown him, but much more powerful.

“Mecha Zero is the treasure of my hall,” Li Zhen said, crossing his arms. “Not many people get the chance to spar with it. You should consider yourself lucky.”

Tian Jiu nodded. “Then let’s get started. A minute has already passed.” His thirty-minute reservation cost money, and every minute lost was a waste.

Li Zhen glanced at him. Since the boy was so eager to meet his doom, there was nothing more to say. He stepped back, clearing a space for training, and pressed a remote control. A transparent electromagnetic wall appeared, enclosing Tian Jiu and Mecha Zero.

“Your training session is thirty minutes. Zero will not stop its attacks until the time is up, unless…” Li Zhen smirked. “…unless you admit defeat and beg for mercy.”

Tian Jiu didn’t sense anything was wrong. He recalled the training scenes he had observed that morning, thinking about how others practiced. He ran to a corner and placed his panda water bottle on the ground. He gave the panda’s head a reassuring pat. “Wait for me, Panda.”

The Alphas who had gathered around Mecha Zero were stunned. They shifted their gazes away, none of them quite daring to look at Tian Jiu. When Tian Jiu looked up after setting down his bottle, he realized everyone in the hall was watching.

What’s going on? Have they never seen an Omega fight before?

“Master, Mecha Zero is the most powerful unit in Hall Five,” Erguotou explained. “It is agile, incredibly strong, and can autonomously set its own attack patterns by analyzing the opponent’s combat techniques. Since its creation, no student at Imperial University has ever defeated it.”

Tian Jiu looked at Zero in surprise, then at Li Zhen and the others outside the wall. So they’re all here to watch me get beaten up? Didn’t they say they’d protect the Omegas?

“There is one more piece of information you might need to know,” Erguotou added. “Manager Li is a die-hard fan of Luo Yuan. You angered him with your behavior earlier.”

Tian Jiu understood. He asked Li Zhen through the electromagnetic wall, “So you’re a fan of Luo Yuan, and now you want to take it out on me?”

Li Zhen hadn’t expected him to be so blunt, but he sneered. “What if I am?”

“Nothing,” Tian Jiu said with a shrug. “Let’s agree on something first. You’re the one trying to bully me, so if I break your Mecha Zero, you can’t make me pay for it.”

Li Zhen laughed, and several others couldn’t help but chuckle as well. The idea of a disabled Omega breaking Mecha Zero was the most amusing joke they had heard all year. However, watching such a cute Omega get pummeled wasn’t a pleasant thought. Some people even considered leaving, afraid that the sight of the boy’s bruised face would trigger their protective instincts. In the end, no one left, as watching Mecha Zero fight was too good an opportunity to pass up for their own training.

“Don’t worry,” Li Zhen mocked. “Even if you tear Zero into pieces, I won’t make you pay. In fact, if you can walk out of there on your own feet, I’ll give you 300,000 star coins. But if Zero sends you to the hospital, don’t expect me to pay your medical bills.”

Tian Jiu’s eyes brightened with joy, his small tiger teeth flashing. “Deal.”

Li Zhen suddenly felt a strange, inexplicable sense of foreboding. The other Alphas were dead silent, their hearts racing. God help us, he even has tiger teeth!

Tian Jiu turned around with a happy heart. He looked at the massive mecha before him and rubbed his hands together with excitement.

300,000! I’m counting on you, big guy!

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