Professors and students: "…"
An almost awkward quiet.
As a freshman representative challenging the academy's symbol and everyone's idol, the Duel King, the duel was more an exhibition than a contest.
No one thought Blair could win. Even if she's a prodigy who skipped grades into Duel Academy, no way.
A brand-new freshman knocking out the Duel King?
Even wish-fulfillment novels wouldn't dare.
The result was foregone, but the process and finishing blow opened the newbies' eyes.
Not necessarily in a good way.
As their first duel to watch after enrollment, this might leave a shadow in their tender hearts…
Upperclassmen were calm.
Relax—small scene.
We've seen worse these last two years. Some of the victims are even sitting in the stands, happily watching newbies suffer what they already endured under the King in Yellow.
At most, they sighed, "As expected of him—even to such a cute little loli, he's this cruel."
But also—girl, why this deck?
Of all things, you play NTR-control in front of the King in Yellow?
To challenge him with such brazen door-showing, getting reverse-NTR into oblivion feels only natural.
On day one, the newbies saw the darkness of the dueling world.
To be fair, Blair did well.
Take her final board: three undying Maidens as shields, Spirit Barrier nullifying damage—the vast majority of freshmen would be stumped.
Plus backrow like "Effect Shut" to counter monsters and "Dust Tornado" to handle Spells/Traps.
Not an impregnable fortress, but very hard to crack and OTK.
The Duel King's solution?
"—Get over here."
In one turn, two Relinquishedsters danced in and out of the graveyard, NTRing that iron turtle clean.
Beyond the fearsome strength, the psychological pressure was maxed.
The poor girl—her maiden's heart likely shattered; she'll see Relinquished in her nightmares all week…
"Thank you very much, Kira-sama!"
Blair suddenly bowed at a perfect ninety degrees, her long hair cascading like a waterfall.
The crowd: "?"
Huh?
Is she a masochist or just silly? After getting wrecked like that, she says thank you?
Blair then said earnestly, "I understand what you wanted to teach me this way… It's true.
"When I came to this academy, subconsciously I felt I'm younger than everyone, and a girl, so… I was a bit… not confident.
"But not anymore!"
She slapped her flat chest proudly.
"Age and gender don't matter. Now that I'm at Duel Academy, I'm a proud duelist! Even if I lose, I'll stand tall on this stage—as a duelist!"
Silence for a moment.
Then Chancellor Sheppard stood, his shiny head reflecting the lights, and raised his hands.
Clap clap clap—
Thunderous applause.
With the chancellor leading, more students stood to applaud. The clapping swelled into a wave, soon mixed with cheers.
Some shouted Kira's name; others praised Blair's performance.
The chancellor narrowed his eyes and nodded slightly.
Yes—what a positive entrance atmosphere.
Though Kira's demo duel warped the freshmen again, likely sending them further down the path of darkness…
But whatever.
At first, the chancellor and professors struggled.
When students' styles drifted further under Kira's influence, the old guard couldn't accept it. Deck-building and tactics strayed from traditional textbooks; they shook their heads.
But as the King in Yellow's radiance grew and his record shone brighter, his influence became unstoppable.
The professors gave up resisting.
Even some traditionalists had a thought—"Maybe… we should try it?"
Just try—try new possibilities in dueling.
Having tasted the forbidden fruit, they also gave up.
Fine. So be it.
The students' practical skills improved; in the GX circuit they gave pros headaches.
Magazines covered it, boosting the academy's fame.
So now the chancellor just smiled, excited for Duel Academy's bright future—
—or dark future?
Doesn't matter.
After shaking Blair's hand, Kira descended amid the juniors' cheers, leaving only a wave.
As he left, Kira glanced around.
Professor Viper must be watching, right?
But it doesn't matter. Viper needs students wearing his energy-absorbing bracelets to siphon duel energy to awaken Yubel.
Without the bracelets, he can't absorb anything.
…
Viper indeed watched from a makeshift base, looking grave.
"The Duel King is truly unfathomable," he murmured.
"Facing a top freshman, he revealed nothing… did he?"
To the Duel King, this was just recreation—using the duel to teach freshmen a lesson.
From such a duel, you learn nothing.
"As expected, we need professionals."
Viper paused, glancing into the shadows.
"Your past record is impressive, though you've been off the pro circuit for years. Is that a problem?"
"No problem—cough, cough."
A man in an oversized blue uniform stepped from the darkness, adjusting his glasses.
"Thank you, Professor Viper, for this opportunity," he said softly, pushing up his glasses.
"Having the Duel King as my final opponent… is not bad."