Within just a few minutes, a group of teachers and students who were spectating... and a bunch of jokers living in the forest had already gathered at the coast of the Duel Academy.
The mist on the sea was thick, like a large, transparent veil separating the ocean from the island. A red carpet, as if soaked in blood, spread out along the waves, eerily laying flat on the undulating sea surface.
The Vampire stepped elegantly onto the red carpet on the sea, moving as gracefully as a noble lady from the Middle Ages.
The jokers among the spectators were the first to lose their patience, and a bunch of horn dogs began howling.
"Wow, that's huge!"
"I just want to know, if you win the Dark Duel, can you rush in?"
Yet there were jokers urging everyone to stay calm.
"That's a Vampire! An old witch who's been around for who knows how long!"
"Looks big and thrilling, but maybe it's already as crowded as a marketplace, huh?"
"Geez, with you guys around, the new dictionary is bound to become a Forbidden Book someday..."
Dark Duel—especially a Dark Duel with a pretty girl—no one is more enthusiastic than the jokers. Some players were even trying to negotiate with the opposite side, saying playing cards is boring, why not skip straight to her biting me...
Unfortunately, Camilla wasn't interested in these off-track jokers.
Plain-looking, silly, clearly not a proper Duelist.
Not her type.
As a senior face-con late-stage, Camilla declared she must pick a handsome person even for dueling!
So she directly named Marufuji Ryo from the crowd, saying she wants to duel him!
Marufuji Ryo was about to agree, when suddenly a silhouette cut through the crowd and stepped in between them and Camilla.
Marufuji Ryo took a closer look and was surprised: "Xiang?"
Isn't that his younger brother Marufuji Shou, who was poor in grades, poor at card games, and a coward?
Camilla was also stunned to see this sudden little shorty.
What's this? A wannabe hero?
But just one look at Marufuji Shou's short and weak appearance made her dismiss him as unappetizing, not fitting the Vampire lady's tastes.
Simply put, he's ugly.
So she decided to give him a chance to swap, and said with a smile: "Are you serious, little guy? Losers in the Dark Duel will have their souls buried, you know?"
Marufuji Shou was already cowardly, and this scared him even more.
He actually hadn't gathered his thoughts at all. One second he was standing next to his mentor, Nora Tatsu, and the next thing he realized he was down there facing off with a Vampire.
He timidly looked back, only to see his mentor wildly gesturing towards him with a thumbs up, as if saying "I believe you got this"!
"Xiang, step aside." Marufuji Ryo stepped forward, "This isn't the place for you. Leave this to me..."
Marufuji Shou took a deep breath, suppressing the uneasiness in his heart.
"No, brother." He said, "This time... this time, please let me do it."
"Xiang?" Marufuji Ryo looked at his younger brother in surprise, as if he found a side he'd never seen before.
Marufuji Shou took another deep breath.
Yes, he was scared, terrified.
He was born timid, his dueling skills were mediocre, being scared might make his performance even worse.
But even so, he couldn't always hide behind his brother.
His mentor's rigorous training these days wasn't just about skills and abilities, but also a transformation of mindset.
Truth be told, he always understood that compared to his dazzling brother, he was weak, laughably weak. He was just a disgrace, even standing beside his brother, no one would believe they were real siblings.
"You're the worst student I've ever had!" His mentor often said, usually accompanied by colorful language.
But his mentor didn't just say that.
"But hey, lack of talent isn't a problem. As long as you're willing to learn, even if you're a turtle, I'll guarantee you'll become legendary!" Local Nora Tatsu once said.
Marufuji Shou was dumbfounded: "Become... what?"
"Don't get it? It's not important, anyway you'll become quite powerful." Local Nora Tatsu said, "Ever heard this phrase? Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration."
"I understand." Marufuji Shou nodded, "So, effort is more important than talent!"
"No, it's saying without the 1% inspiration, the effort is pointless!"
Marufuji Shou: "..."
To be honest, he's never met a teacher who fed him such toxic wisdom...
Then local Nora Tatsu smacked him on the head.
"Don't worry, even if you're a waste, your teacher is filled with inspiration!"
Brother Tatsu put his hands on his hips, almost bragging himself to death.
"Oh... oh." Marufuji Shou continued to nod, bewildered.
"Anyway, just stick with me, and I'll make sure you master it! But let's set one thing straight, this path won't be easy." Local Nora Tatsu said seriously, "You don't want to be a drag on your brother forever, do you?"
Marufuji Shou gritted his teeth and nodded vigorously.
"Good! Ambition is a start!" Local Nora Tatsu rarely showed a "teachable" expression, "Then I have an unsolved puzzle, solve it first, if you can't, don't even think about going back to sleep tonight."
Marufuji Shou: "..."
...
Although his experience with his mentor wasn't all pleasant, often exhausted and feeling drained... it indeed awakened something buried deep in the boy's heart.
Yes, why must he always be the straggler?
He's undergone quite a lot of training, possibly more diligent than anyone this semester.
Perhaps what he lacks now isn't skill, but the courage to change.
If he doesn't even have the courage to step forward in the face of danger and just hides behind his brother, how can he speak of change?
With this thought, his tone became determined.
"Brother." He adjusted his glasses, looking firmly at his brother, "This time... please, let me do it!"
For the first time, Marufuji Ryo discovered something he'd never seen in his timid brother's eyes.
"... I understand."
He folded his arms and stepped back into the crowd.
Initially, Camilla was rejecting this little shorty Marufuji Shou, but upon hearing from the conversation that he's actually Marufuji Ryo's brother, her mind changed.
Huh? These two are brothers?
Is this a genetic mutation, or did the neighbor King exploit the situation?
Still, this gave Camilla a new idea.
If she defeats the younger brother first, the elder brother surely wouldn't stand idly by.
Besides, the elder brother seems like a formidable opponent. If she captures this little guy's soul as a hostage, the elder brother would act recklessly out of concern, and her chance of winning would increase!
Ha, I'm so clever!
"Alright, since you're so eager for darkness, I'll indulge you." The Vampire licked her red lips with her tongue, sneering.
"Duel!" x2
[Camilla, LP 4000]
[Marufuji Shou, LP 4000]