As the duel began, not far from the dueling platform, there was a balcony on the second floor.
An old gentleman with a mustache and a white-haired lady sat together, enjoying the duel below.
“I really didn’t expect you, Miss Andrea, to be interested in the students’ duel.”
“I thought, as an A-rank Duelist, you would already be numb to this kind of low-level duel.”
Principal Regunas sipped his tea, speaking in a leisurely tone.
Andrea smiled. “But aren’t you just as invested in these students’ duels, Mr. Regunas?”
“That’s different. I’m the Principal of this Academy, so of course I have to care about the students’ growth.”
The Old Principal put down his teacup and twirled his mustache.
Every semester, he would come to watch the cross-year duels.
Besides keeping up with the students’ progress, as Principal, he was also responsible for giving commentary after each match.
But all this had nothing to do with Andrea as a guest, so he hadn’t expected that, upon learning about this afternoon’s cross-year duel, Andrea would take the initiative to ask to watch together.
Still, the Old Principal didn’t dwell on it, and soon changed the subject.
“By the way, thank you for speaking up for me last time.”
“If not for you, those people probably wouldn’t have changed their minds so quickly.”
“It’s nothing, just a small favor.”
Andrea shook her head. “That girl, Sonia Seth, I’ve met her before. She’s a remarkable young lady.”
“As a teacher, I can’t bear to see such talent wasted just because she couldn’t get the right guidance.”
Of course, part of the reason was that familiar pendant.
But there was no need to mention that.
The Old Principal chuckled. “Heh, then you can look forward to the next match. The second duel will be between Sonia and a second-year student.”
“I will.”
Their conversation ended on a cheerful note.
The Old Principal turned his attention back to the dueling platform.
At this moment, it was already the fourth turn for the first player.
Doubali Life Points: 16
VS
Ilouxue Life Points: 15
“My turn, draw.”
The second-year student, Doubali, drew a card. “Turn four, I sacrifice [Dragonblood Factor] to summon two [Red Dragon Queen’s Warriors] to the field!”
[Red Dragon Queen’s Warrior ★★ (2-Star) C-rank]
[Fire]
[Dragon 2/3]
“[Red Dragon Queen’s Warrior]’s effect: If there is a Dragon-type follower on my field, it gains +1 Attack and [Charge].”
Doubali spread her hand, her wheat-colored skin glowing healthily under the sunlight. “On my field, I have [Immortal Dragon Egg] and two [Unceasing Young Dragons], three Dragons in total. So both Warriors’ effects activate!”
“Battle phase!”
Doubali smiled in anticipation of victory. “Hehe, sorry, Senior Ilouxue, but I’m going to win this match.”
“All followers, attack Senior directly!”
At her command, the two playful young dragons and the two dragonkin knights on horseback charged straight at their opponent.
The second-year students in the audience pumped their fists. “Go, Doubali, make a miracle!”
“The last time second-years beat third-years in a cross-year duel was five years ago!”
Doubali giggled. “That’s ten damage in total. Senior, just take it!”
“Sorry.”
The cool, tall girl suddenly reached out and tapped her hand of cards.
“Before your attack, I Flash and cast the spell, [Compulsory Ejection Device].”
[Compulsory Ejection Device ★ (1-Star) C-rank]
[Water]
“[Compulsory Ejection Device]’s effect: Return the target enemy follower to its owner’s hand.”
“I’ll return one of your [Red Dragon Queen’s Warriors] to your hand.”
“What?!”
Doubali’s eyes widened.
Down below, Sonia hurriedly called out to Yide in her mind.
“Mr. Yide, Mr. Yide! Isn’t that the card you showed me the other day?”
“Why does Senior Ilouxue have it too?”
Yide was also surprised, but quickly understood. “She must have looked up the [Flash] entry you registered at the Association that day, and accidentally printed this card.”
He had only helped Sonia unlock the right to print those cards; it didn’t mean they were exclusively hers.
If someone tried to create a [Flash] entry and combined it with a return-to-hand effect, printing [Compulsory Ejection Device] wouldn’t be hard at all.
Still, it had only been two weeks since the entry was registered.
For her to print this card so quickly, even if it was by accident, it showed that she was subconsciously aiming for this kind of effect.
This Ilouxue’s dueling style seemed rather bright and lively.
Yide’s guess was soon confirmed.
Doubali ended her turn unwillingly, and when it was Ilouxue’s turn, she immediately played another card that caught everyone off guard.
“I cast the spell, [Dragon’s Slumber].”
[Dragon’s Slumber ★★★★ (4-Star) C-rank]
[Water]
“As long as [Dragon’s Slumber] is on the field, your followers can’t attack.”
“This card will automatically be destroyed at the start of my next turn. But if, when it enters play, your field has only Dragons and no other followers, then it won’t be destroyed until the start of my turn after next!”
“What?”
The second-year students supporting Doubali froze.
Doubali also stared wide-eyed. “A card targeting Dragons?”
Yide spoke with certainty. “The duel is over.”
Although both sides had made a few small mistakes, the outcome was clearly in Ilouxue’s hands.
Sure enough.
Because Doubali hadn’t cleared the field last turn, Ilouxue immediately attacked with her followers, dealing four damage.
The initiative shifted to Doubali.
At this moment, she drew a Duel Spirit, but it was useless.
Doubali could only place a follower that couldn’t stop the attack at all, and ended her turn.
The situation was completely set.
Two turns later, a follower in mage attire fired an ice arrow, completely shattering Doubali’s life barrier.
“The match is decided!” The host announced loudly. “The winner: third-year, Senior Ilouxue!”
“So strong!”
Sonia watched the distant, aloof figure on stage, her eyes shining. “Mr. Yide, did you see that? Senior Ilouxue is so strong!”
“Also, her dueling style is kind of similar to yours.”
“I’m not, I didn’t, don’t talk nonsense.”
Yide denied it three times in a row.
He had never done such a thing—don’t slander him.
“How am I talking nonsense? Mr. Yide, didn’t you say before that everyone who’s dueled you refuses to duel again? Don’t deny it…”
Sonia and Yide bickered.
“Next, let’s have the Principal comment on this duel!”
After announcing the result, the host handed the microphone to the Principal on the balcony.
The Old Principal twirled his mustache and stood up, ready to give his customary commentary.
Although this match featured some rare new entries, for an A-rank Duelist like him, giving a few casual remarks on a C or D-rank duel was no challenge at all.
But when he saw Sonia watching the stage so intently and enviously, an interesting idea suddenly popped into his mind.
“Um, Sonia, you watched the entire duel very closely just now, right?”
All eyes turned to the girl with the ahoge.
She froze.
Why is Grandpa Principal suddenly asking me?
Caught off guard, Sonia still knew she had to answer yes—otherwise it would be disrespectful to both Seniors.
She quickly nodded. “Mm-hmm.”
The Principal flashed a sly smile. “Excellent. I think your thoughts are similar to mine, so why don’t you give the commentary for me?”
Now even Doubali and Ilouxue on stage looked over at the girl with the ahoge.
Sonia was completely dumbfounded.
How come I didn’t know my thoughts were similar to yours?