Chapter 57: Then We’ll Beat Them Until They’re Satisfied

The follow-up to this playstyle isn’t actually hard to understand.

After all, when [Dragon’s Slumber] was played, the duel was already nearing its end.

Very soon, the other students caught on.

But once they figured it out, they looked at the ahoge girl with even more disbelief in their eyes.

A first-year could come up with this?

Using your opponent’s follower card against their own field was already outrageous enough.

But even more outrageous was that just now, Doubali had thrown out six points of field attack in a single turn.

Given the situation at the time, suddenly realizing you were about to lose half your HP—who wouldn’t just slap down a [Compulsory Evacuation Device] right there?

Yet this girl didn’t even try to mitigate the attack, and instead chose to take the damage to lock the field?

That’s insane!

“You even thought of that?”

Tivia stared at the girl with a strange look.

Yide knew she wasn’t looking at her best friend, but at himself.

And what she really wanted to ask was just that.

—You not only understand Red and Green, but you even get Blue?

Of course I do. I’ve been locked out of the field by that trick more times than I can count… cough cough.

Yide complained in his heart.

“You’re right… I was too impatient.”

After thinking it over, Ilouxue finally nodded, admitting her mistake.

“What about me, what about me, Sonia-senpai?”

Seeing that Sonia’s comments had really pointed out Ilouxue’s shortcomings, Doubali hurried over.

Yide didn’t hold back at all: “For you, the problem’s even bigger.”

Sonia, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, nearly choked again.

Fortunately, at this moment, no one cared about Yide’s tone. Everyone was waiting for what he’d say next.

“When it comes to the [Immortal Dragon Egg] card, you were already conflicted about it when you built your deck, weren’t you?”

Yide said this out of the blue.

Doubali scratched her head sheepishly. “Hehe, you caught me.”

Hearing their conversation, the crowd grew curious about the effects of these two cards.

Doubali didn’t hide anything and directly pulled out the card.

[Immortal Dragon Egg ★ (1-star) C-rank]

[Fire]

[Dragon 0/2]

[When destroyed, summon a 2/1 Unceasing Young Dragon to the field.]

[Unceasing Young Dragon ★ (1-star) C-rank]

[Fire]

[Dragon 2/1]

[When destroyed, at the end of this turn, summon a 0/2 Immortal Dragon Egg to the field.]

Very quickly, everyone finished reading the effects of the two related cards.

The second- and third-year students were the first to start discussing.

“This is… undying?”

“Right? When the egg dies, it spawns a young dragon. When the young dragon dies, it turns back into an egg. It really can achieve infinite rebirth. This card seems strong.”

The second-years seemed to be reaching a consensus.

Suddenly, a loud voice questioned Yide.

“Are you saying Doubali was wrong to include this card?”

“Of course it’s wrong.”

Yide retorted bluntly.

“Even if it can destroy itself to summon [Unceasing Young Dragon], it’s still unfit for aggro decks.”

A 1-star card played on the first turn only comes into effect by turn three. Its rebirth trait doesn’t even show until turn five. Including a card like that in an aggro deck? That’s just absurd.

By turn five, even a 3/2 isn’t much use, let alone a 2/1.

Yide turned to Doubali. “When you spent all two mana on turn two to summon the Dragon Egg, you felt how much it slowed down your offense, didn’t you?”

“My advice is, even if you want to trigger the ‘dragon-type follower on field’ condition, just two copies of [Immortal Dragon Egg] are enough.”

“Of course, it’s even better not to include it. Not every dragon fits into a dragon deck.”

“If you really must, then bring a few cards that can benefit from destroying your own followers to combo with it.”

“I understand! Thank you, Sonia-senpai!”

Doubali wanted to jump down and hug Sonia, but seeing Ilouxue hadn’t left the stage yet, she held back and just scratched her head and bowed.

Compared to the advice given to Ilouxue, Yide’s guidance for her was obviously much more thorough.

Not only did he point out the pros and cons of the card, he even explained whether it should be included, and what combos to use if it is.

You could say Yide had clearly mapped out her path for future improvement.

That’s why she bowed.

Her gesture also sparked cheers from the first-years.

“Well said, Sonia!”

“Even the second- and third-year senpai are convinced by her!”

“Heh, as expected, you never know a young person’s potential until you push them a little.”

Watching the lively scene below, Principal Regunas twirled his mustache with satisfaction.

He’d only wanted Sonia to say a few words—anyone could have done it.

But he hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise.

To hear such insightful commentary—surely he deserved half the credit for this?

“I just hope this girl doesn’t end up hating you, Principal Regunas.”

Andrea sounded helpless.

Still, she hadn’t expected it.

This girl she’d only met once before was not only skilled with Fire, but so knowledgeable about elements outside her own deck.

She really does remind me of Loveland…

“Speaking of which, the next match is Sonia’s duel.”

“Principal Regunas, do you know what deck she’s using?”

The old principal stroked his beard. “I don’t know.”

“Although everyone’s heard about her victory over Gris El, the details of how she won haven’t been shared. After all, the Association wouldn’t pry into such private matters.”

“So, the upcoming duel is a mystery for everyone, isn’t it?”

Andrea’s tone was gentle as always, but a hint of anticipation rose in her heart.

“Well, what do you think? Was my summary up to your standards this time?”

After giving his commentary, Yide retreated, showing off as he addressed the floating Sonia beside him.

This time, he’d used up what little emotional intelligence he had.

The result was perfect.

He glanced around at the cheering first-years. “See? Not only are your classmates satisfied, the two who were critiqued aren’t angry either.”

“They even thanked you.”

“But now you’ve offended all the upperclassmen, Mr. Yide.”

Sonia looked like she was about to cry.

Why are the first-years so happy?

Because all the displeasure has been transferred to the faces of the second-and third-years!

“Them? Why bother worrying about them?”

Yide’s tone was calm. “Besides now, you won’t have many chances to run into them anyway.”

Sonia grew anxious. “But… but some upperclassmen were already unhappy that I could come back to school.”

She’d already heard from Tivia at noon.

Aside from most of the first-years being won over, many of the second-and third-years still didn’t want her to return.

The Duel Academy of Ringworld City was, in the end, a noble’s academy.

Rather than risk their reputation in three years, these upperclassmen would rather maintain their sense of dignity.

And behind them were the various noble families of the upper city.

In this situation, shouldn’t she try to get along with them?

“—No, you actually have another option.”

Saying this, Yide strode onto the stage.

At this moment, the cheers had faded.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the dueling platform.

After Doubali and Ilouxue stepped down, everyone knew the second duel was about to begin.

And among the crowd, there were some whose eyes were already fixed on the girl.

Yide could feel it, just as Sonia had said.

His earlier comments had drawn the ire of some upperclassmen.

Now, they were glaring at him with open hostility, as if waiting to see him lose.

But Yide didn’t care.

He’d experienced this kind of jealousy more times than he could count.

Whether in competitions in his past life, or when he was by Loveland’s side.

Cards are about competition, but some people’s desire to win always goes too far.

For people like that, his way of dealing with them was much simpler than trying to get along.

“Not satisfied?”

The girl showed a wild grin she would never display under normal circumstances.

“Then I’ll keep beating them until they’re satisfied.”