"Irena-senpai?" Aisha said.
"Deion-senpai?" Irene echoed.
"Big sis..." Kevin muttered.
The second-year team for the upcoming Class Year Duel featured three of Fusion Academy's current top fighters. It wasn't just a coincidence—it felt like fate.
Even so, both Irene and Aisha couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"Miss Erin, won't the other students with higher Skill Credits be upset that we're representing the first-years?"
"Why would they be?" Erin grinned. "As long as you win, everyone gets credit rewards. Who would complain? And if they have a problem, tell them to Duel you for it."
"If we win..."
Easier said than done. Every second-year on that list was a formidable opponent.
The skill gap between year groups was wide, and challenging those monsters with just first-year decks was no simple feat.
"Don't sell yourselves short. I trust my instincts. You three give our year the highest shot at victory."
Aisha had already proven. Her showdown with Luca—cutting her down with Arcana Knight Joker—had firmly placed her above most first-years. And Erin also knew she had Dystopia the Despondent.
As for Irene, the fact that she had beaten Deion Kaiser had started to circulate calmly around the Academy.
Though the students who witnessed the Cyber Dragon vs. HERO Duel had kept quiet out of respect for the Kaisers, Deion himself went around bragging—
"Let me tell you, I ran into a real powerhouse... (blah blah blah)... and then I lost."
Most listeners had no idea how to respond and just smiled awkwardly.
"Also, there's another reason I called you three in for this. Something very important."
"Something important?"
"Word is, the Headmaster will return for this year's School Festival."
Aisha blinked. "The Headmaster? The one who hasn't shown their face in years?"
The same eccentric person who once created a hidden underground trial... with a cup-size challenge. The impression left on Aisha wasn't exactly positive.
"No guarantee they'll appear publicly. But rumor has it they're bringing something with them—as the reward for the winning team in the Year Duel."
Victory conditions were straightforward. Three Duels total; whoever won more would be declared the victor.
"So what is it? Don't keep us in suspense, Sensei! Spill it!"
Curiosity fully piqued, Irene leaned in eagerly.
"Don't faint when you hear this. Supposedly, after years of absence, the Headmaster is bringing back three cards. These three cards will be given to the winners—one per person."
Kevin pondered, "If the Headmaster is personally offering them, they can't be ordinary."
"Far from it. They're legendary…
The Three Legendary Dragon Cards!"
"Legendary Dragons?!"
Aisha inhaled sharply. She'd read about them countless times.
Despite that, so many books mentioned the "Legendary Dragons" in different forms, she still didn't know exactly what they were. By her count, there were over ten variants, while some even took the shape of weapons… still classified as dragons for some reason.
"So if we win, we get a Legendary Dragon card?!"
Irene nearly burst with excitement—until Erin clapped a hand over her mouth.
Holding a slender finger to her lips, Erin warned, "Keep it down. This is meant to be the grand finale surprise. If word spreads, it won't be a surprise anymore."
Miles said, "This Headmaster really loves stirring the pot."
Miles didn't know the Legendary Dragons' tier in this world.
Still, with so many references across books, and the word "Legendary" in their name, they couldn't be too far below the Egyptian Gods in prestige.
Three cards like that, handed out as festival rewards…
He could already imagine the shockwaves.
With so many nobles attending, their debut would be like a direct flex at the other Duel Academies.
"Fusion Academy's festival rewards were Legendary Dragon cards"—this news would spread like wildfire across the Spirit Continent.
And the other two academies? What could they offer to compete?
Evidently, the Headmaster aimed to turn the tide—especially with the momentum behind Alester and the third-years.
It was time to shake off the "eternal third place" label.
Even after leaving the office, the trio's excitement didn't fade. That's how powerful the Legendary Dragons were.
Only one problem remained… how to beat those three second-year titans.
To win, they needed to take two out of the three matches.
So far, only Deion had been beaten—by Miles piloting Irene's body.
That win came from a surprise HERO play using Masked Cards. If Deion was ready this time, it wouldn't be so easy.
And since matchups were assigned randomly, there was no guarantee Irene would face Deion again.
"Hey, Aisha, let's talk strategy!"
Irene tugged on her sleeve, eyes sparkling.
Kevin also leaned in. "We're doing strat talk? Count me in."
"It's a girl-only secret strategy. Shoo!"
"Oh. Girl tactics. Got it. I'll see myself out."
Kevin left without a fuss, sensing nothing wrong.
But Irene had only one thing she truly wanted to discuss.
"Aisha. Let Miles fight in our place. You and I… let him duel for us."
"I figured you'd say that, Ren-chan."
The moment she shooed Kevin off, Aisha had guessed this.
"All we need is two wins, right? Then we take the prize. It's the Legendary Dragons, Ai! You want one too, don't you? You definitely want one, right?!"
Grabbing Aisha's soft cheeks with both hands, Irene's eyes burned with pure, unfiltered desire.
And just like that, that desire became contagious.
"I want it!!"
...
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