LIANG SEN'S first thought as his avatar was slowly turning into light particles was he wouldn't hear the end of this from Ying Chen.

And he was right.

As the Duke of Hearts announced Winged Tassel's win, Ying Chen, who was watching all this from the winners' suite, cursed under his breath.

[That Liang Sen, why was he being so careless? Did he look down on his enemy? Being defeated like that, did he even try?] was what all he could think of.

"It's not carelessness, his opponent was simply that good," suddenly said by a voice from his side.

Ying Chen sharply turned to the person sitting on the other end of the couch where he was also sitting. "Did I ask for your opinion?" he asked, glaring at the other.

The white-haired elf turned to him. Yes, he was sitting with Noctis. The couch they were sitting on was for four people and both of them were sitting on both ends. Somehow, it just ended like that. In his annoyance, he just sat unceremoniously on the couch.

When he realized that he actually took the initiative to sit beside Noctis, it was already too late. Suddenly standing up and sitting at a different place would just be too embarrassing. So, he continued to sit there. Yes, it's childish, but what could he do? It felt like it would be his lost if he stood up and change seats. Like he was running away or something.

The white-haired smiled at him with that annoying smile of his, like he was patronizing him but at the same time, also looking down on him. "Oh, but I'm not talking to you. I'm simply stating an opinion. Surely, that's not something to be mad about, right?"

How could Ying Chen say otherwise when the other already responded to him that way? It would only make him immature, as if he was asking for a fight for no reason. So, he simply scoffed at the other and took back his gaze.

At that moment, the winner of the last fight Winged Tassel appeared in the winners' suite. Ying Chen finally had someone to transfer his irritation. He looked at the other and glared the best he could. Winged Tassel noticed his gaze and instead of glaring back or looking away, the other walked to their couch.

"Can I sit here?" he asked.

The nerve of this guy. Ying Chen was about to reject him when the other annoying person in this room spoke.

"Sure," Noctis said with a smile.

Ying Chen huffed and puffed. He was sure that Noctis definitely did that on purpose just so he could annoy him. But at the end, he didn't say anything and just continued to look at the screen with a frown on his face and simply ignored the existence of the two people sitting with him. That would be better for his own sanity's sake.

Luo Yan was observing this Winged Tassel out of the corner of his eye. The other had this smiling expression. It was probably supposed to make him look friendly, but it didn't. In fact, it had the opposite effect. It made the other look scary in a way. Like someone who would stab you in the back with a smile on his face.

Though he must admit, just like what he said earlier, this Winged Tassel was indeed pretty good. That last attack he made with his sword was particularly interesting. Luo Yan didn't even see how the other took out his sword and slashed at his opponent. It's like, what's that sword technique called? Ah, yes, like Iaido.

It's probably more accurate to call it a martial art. If he remembered correctly, it's a martial art that emphasized the ability to draw a sword fast in response to an attack. Just like what Winged Tassel did to defeat the panther beastkin. He had a hunch that the other probably had experience in that particular field.

"Your pet, it's a kitsune, correct?" Winged Tassel suddenly asked, looking at the little fox that was sitting on Luo Yan's lap.

"Yes," Luo Yan answered in a friendly manner.

"Then, him and I are both yokais," the other said. "I already feel a connection with him."

Luo Yan only smiled. Winged Tassel was probably referring to him and Eclipse's race being based on Japanese mythological creatures.

The little fox on his lap gave a snort. [What connection? Eclipse doesn't feel any connection with you!] He then raised his head and looked at Luo Yan. [Mashter, that bird guy is not using Eclipse to get close to you, right? Eclipse will definitely ask Captain to cut him!]

Luo Yan stopped himself from chuckling and simply patted the little fox's head. [I don't think Mr. Crow has that intention.] he responded, referring to Winged Tassel.

He didn't feel that the other had that kind of interest in himself. In fact, it actually felt more like the other was interested in Eclipse instead of him.

"May I ask what his name is?" Winged Tassel asked once again while looking at Eclipse.

"It's Eclipse," Luo Yan responded.

"What a good name," Winged Tassel said. "Nice to meet you Eclipse. I'm Winged Tassel," he added before putting his hand in front of the little fox, probably waiting for a handshake. Or in this case, just Eclipse putting his hand on the other's palm.

But the little fox only looked at the hand in front of him before harrumphing and looking at another direction.

"Sorry, he's shy around strangers," Luo Yan said after seeing Eclipse's action.

"It's okay, I understand," Winged Tassel said. "I'm also not fond of strangers suddenly introducing themselves to me for no reason." He gazed down at Eclipse once again. "I hope we can be friends someday, Eclipse."

Again, the little fox ignored him. [Mashter, what is wrong with this person? Does he have a crush on Eclipse?]

Luo Yan bit his lower lip just to prevent himself from laughing. [Who knows?]

[Hmp! He shouldn't. Because Eclipse only wants someone as handsome as Captain.]

Before Luo Yan could respond to that, his attention was transferred to the virtual screen. Because on it, Luo Jin was now walking to the rink.