Netori: Reborn as the Human Aphrodisiac

Though in no way comparable to the feats of legends such as Hadubrangr, Aurelian, Akamana, or even the Menaka who'd now converted to Muk'Bal Professor, in the junior generation of the Purple Dawn, Celestia was the MVP, having ranked number one in all major statistical categories since she joined the League at 16.

Now on pace to win her third consecutive MVP and Ork'Maz Trophy. Celestia was expected to lead this year's Crusade, getting closer to her aunt's records, when Mithras appeared…reducing her to a premium bench warmer.

They actually wanted her to warm the bench for someone who'd not played a single round of Muk'Bal in his life! That…or shift to another position. And even that wouldn't guarantee her a spot in the starting lineup!

'Muk'Bal is fundamentally a war game. With Mithras in town, there is no scenario where you can be the starting Center of this team. We know that with his current abilities, he could play all four positions like a boss. But we want him at Center. So, from now on, you're riding the bench.'

'If he's so good that he can play all four positions to perfection without a single professional game on his resume, why don't you just make him Striker and keep me as Center? Wouldn't that combination maximize the use of his broken attributes?

Or am I not even good enough for that? You can't possibly want to make me believe that overnight…the reigning back-to-back MVP of this League has become unplayable!'

'We will explore the best lineups moving forward. But Celestia…while you're no doubt highly gifted—one of the most gifted girlies I have met. And I have met many. Once Mithras and his crew get accustomed to the professional stage…there is a serious chance…that we will never need you again.

I mean, what do you expect? Who in their right mind would fill up their troops with soldier boys when they can send titans and demon gods to war? You are…quasi obsolete.'

Remembering the calm and composed looks with which the Owners announced their decision, Celestia clenched her fists underneath her desk, trying her best to keep the rage and frustration out of her face.

This was her thing.

The turf where she stood on top. Her home and playground. The battlefield that set her soul on fire!

Given enough time, there's no one she couldn't surpass in this field. But even here, he was going to replace her? To take her light and steal her fame as he'd stolen her aunt. Why? Why does everything gravitate to you?

Celestia would never realize this. But in that instant, she'd developed the same emotions that'd led half the Wrathful Gods to ally with the Weaver and betray their maker.

Jealousy is the farthest thing from perfection. An ugly and insufferable trait by Celestia's own admission. Yet as she stared at Mithras, watching the love and adoration that surrounded him from all sides, Celestia couldn't stop herself from feeling…jealous.

Why?

Because that love felt pure. Forget the thirsty looks from irrelevant students for a moment and you realize that his lovers and followers all stare at him with incorruptible adoration. Smiles, pouts, or tantrums, it didn't matter. The foundation of their love stayed pure…and so desirable.

I on the other end am surrounded by thirst. Nothing pure. Nothing genuine. Nothing but thirst, wolves and cubs that drool at my curves.

He has it all…and I can't stand it. So, while I still have the chance. I must teach him a lesson. With that thought in mind, Celestia volunteered. Putting Menaka in a tight spot.

Mithras' recent feats made the thought of betting against him an asinine prospect. No one in their right mind would…except in these specific conditions.

Made-up exclusively of five-star recruits, Team Celestia was the League's best under 500. Most of the players also members of the Sanctuary Team.

Said otherwise, Team Celestia…was the Sanctuary Team. Was pitting Mithras against them in a game he might be playing for the first time not a way to set him up for failure? Menaka had yet to find words to face her son and was clearly not in the mood to throw him to the wolves.

Anyone could see Celestia was trying to abuse the setting to take Mithras down a peg. Rejection should be fine. But as Menaka was about to reject the Jade-Faced Princess…

"Very well." A level yet overpowering voice echoed in the auditorium, silencing the chatter as the scenery changed...and all 900 students moved to the Muk'Bal Arena.

The students couldn't believe their eyes. Shaking from head to toe as the ancient stadium's magnificent walls greeted them out of the blue. Even Ulric, one of the Weaver's most devoted bootlickers…had to admit that this feat of divine power was quite simply astonishing.

Because yes. This was neither the work of Flame Control nor Sid Manipulation…but the Divine Power that should be right be reserved to Gods!

Here, Mithras let go of his Co-Regent's arms, ambling at the center of the stage with Ishtar, Honoria, Nagini, and five of his subordinates glued to his steps.

The nine aligned on the field, in silence adopting a standard Muk'Bal formation with Ishtar and Nagini at the front, followed by Honoria and a gang sister spread on the wings, and four additional sisters that formed a shield wall before their prince.

Mithras' lips curled up, and from about 100 meters away, he peered into Celestia's eyes. His head tilting a little.

"Though. I take no responsibility for the beating you're about to take," Mithras said, kicking off a new uproar as Celestia and her eight teammates walked out of the audience, aligning before Mithras and gals with a defiant stance.

A part of Menaka wanted to stop Celestia's crew and break about half their bones at random. Another part saw the playful look in Mithras' eyes. The composure in Ishtar, and the dragoness resolved to let it all play out. Vel'Asha too stayed on the sidelines, closing her eyes as she sighed at Celestia's challenge.

"The ancients said it best: Someone is courting death here. And they will smile till the Reaper blows them a kiss." The Queen Regent whispered, drawing confused looks from nearby gals who couldn't make sense of her cryptic words.

Meanwhile, Celestia didn't beat around the bush, stepping forward as Menaka joined her hands in a mudra. A ball of dark-purple flames formed above the dragoness, spreading into a complex energy structure that isolated the competitors from outside interference.

With Team Mithras on the right and Team Celestia on the left, Menaka fired a gold coin into the air, letting it drop on the back of her hand.

"Head," Celestia said, causing Menaka to remove her hand and reveal the head side of the coin.

"Lesson number one. Starting is crucial. Though we decide it on a coin toss. Whoever starts the game gets an extra round on offense. An advantage that has decided more battles and lives than the Weaver would like to admit," Celestia said and snapped her fingers, retreating to the back of her lineup in a feat of Flame Displacement.

Mithras did not comment. His eyes still fixed on Celestia and overshadowing her momentum with primal pressure.

A veteran of the game, Celestia knew she couldn't lose her nerve at this juncture, drawing a deep breath as her teammates aligned on the battlefield. Two herculean knights led the charge, standing at the vanguard of Celestia's forces with unusual amber armors.

Two senior students supported them on the wings, chanting mantras with their hands joined in complex mudras.

Like on Mithras' side, a lineup of four shielded Celestia, covering the spiral of scarlet flames that coiled up her form as she readied for war.

"Muk'Bal is simple. The goal is to kill the opposite team's center. During their offensive phase, the attacking center becomes the Antagonist, and the defensive center the Protagonist.

They then shift on the next round, traversing the four routes to slay till either the Protagonist or Antagonist gets axed," Not wanting Mithras to get knocked off by unfamiliar game rules, Menaka explained, holding her breath as Celestia's Inner Flames went on full blasts.

"Lancaster, York!" Celestia called, and her Strikers answered--going on the offensive with a flaming-red charge!

Four burning stone bridges formed between the camps, connecting Mithras to Celestia and her strikers. Celestia's minions immediately took control of the best routes, their speed quadrupling as they closed in on Mithras.

[Flame Summoning Ritual]

The Jade-Faced Princess Made her move, conjuring an impossibly tall flaming red sword that dropped from the heavens, hovering above the field and firing red solar rays that boosted her Strikers' attributes beyond the highest peaks they could have achieved in life! The two became flaming-red tigers, forgetting the limits of a mock trial and swinging their greatsword in wide, reckless blows.

Here, Mithras eyes turned cold, and his Line Guardians stepped forward.

Just one, actually. A dainty girl who curtsied at the audience as a storm of blood mist erupted from her form, sweeping through the strikers…and reducing their offensive power to zero.

Tall sanguine walls formed in the middle of the routes, greeting the Strikers…and making them burst into a feast of blood and gore. Explore stories on m,v l'e-m|p y r