The second day of the Fusion Academy Festival was even livelier than the first.
Crowds bustled from early morning, surging toward the Duel Arena for the Class Year Team Duel Challenge, drawing an even larger audience than the previous day.
After all, compared to the free-form club exhibits, the Challenge was the Festival's true main event.
Even many nobles and dignitaries, too busy to attend day one, had made special arrangements to show up today for the Academy's annual duel showcase.
It was clear at a glance that this year's turnout was unprecedented.
Thankfully, Vice Principal Raiden had the foresight to relocate the matches to the Academy's largest plaza.
With Grand Magus Fiona's architectural flair, the duel platform looked both magnificent and imposing.
"Hmph, passable," Reigun Seth grunted from the VIP viewing box.
Compared to the lively crowd or fancy venue, he cared more about whether the Seth family's two participants would dominate their opponents like they had the year before and restore the family's honor.
That said, the fact that the Academy had arranged VIP seating was already a respectful gesture toward the Duke.
After all, even in the regular seating were scions of prominent families.
One family in particular stood out.
"Go Ren!"
"Your big brothers are always cheering you on!"
"Feel our love and charge ahead with courage!"
Waving handmade support banners, the three red-haired brothers of the Austin family ramped up the energy before the duel had even begun.
Their parents, far from stopping them, nodded along with amused smiles.
"Ugh~~~ This is so embarrassing. I don't even want to go on stage. Why does everyone have to be like this..."
Peeking from the first-year prep area behind the gate, Irene spotted her brothers.
"That just means they love you a lot, Ren-chan. They're just a bit... excessive about showing it."
As her childhood friend, Aisha was already used to the Austin brothers' antics. After nearly a year apart, she even found it nostalgic.
"I just wish they'd tone it down. Ugh, if only gentle and elegant Alice were my real sister instead."
Unlike the Austins, Alice sat peacefully in the stands, radiating support through trust and a soft smile.
"Let's trade, Aisha!"
"You're so greedy, Ren-chan. You already got to borrow Miles. Now you want to trade sisters? No way! Pick one!"
"Ugh, then I choose Miles..." Irene scratched her cheek shyly. "Winning the duel is more important. This is all for the Legendary Dragons, after all. Rare cards like that are one in a million."
Lies stocks up.
Once all invited guests were seated, Miss Erin—forcibly appointed as host—silently walked onto the duel platform.
"Wait, that's Miss Erin?!"
Aisha was stunned. This was nothing like the sleepy, chain-smoking Erin Rockefeller they knew.
Wearing a fitted, elegant robe that accentuated her curves, with carefully styled chestnut hair flowing to her waist, Erin's refined appearance showcased the full allure of a mature teacher.
Even Irene twitched at the corner of her eye. "Wow... this is straight-up false advertising."
No doubt this polished image was crafted to win over noble parents.
Vice Principal Raiden had explicitly forbidden Erin from smoking or drinking during the Festival's three days.
With both her favorite vices banned, Miles could feel the shattered soul behind Erin's commercial smile.
"Ahem... Hm? May I have everyone's attention, please."
Amplifying her voice with magic, Erin struggled to disguise her smoker's rasp.
"Now then, we begin the Fusion Academy Festival's annual Class Year Team Duel Challenge. Three one-on-one duels. In addition to the usual Skill Credit rewards, the team with the most wins will receive a Rare Card presented personally by the Headmaster."
"Ooooooh!"
Even without specifying what the card was, just the phrase "Rare Card" was enough to send the crowd into a frenzy—especially since it was hand-picked by the Headmaster.
"Now for the first match! Representing the first-year team, the Duelist embodying heroic spirit: Irene Austin!"
"I'm up first?"
Irene took the Millennium Puzzle from Aisha and hung it proudly around her neck, reconnecting to the soul that gave her such profound comfort.
—Soul Exchange.
"We've got to win this one, Miles."
"Leave it to me, Ren."
As they stepped onto the platform, cheers thundered around them. This was the largest crowd Miles had ever dueled in front of since arriving in this world.
Anyhow, as a former world champion of competitive card tournaments, no amount of spectators could shake him.
"See that? That's my sister! That's my sister up there!"
"Ren! Look over here, it's your big bros!"
"You're our pride, Ren!"
Waving flags with Irene's name, the Austin brothers cheered so loudly it even made Miles, who thought he'd seen it all, feel a little embarrassed.
"Tough break, huh, Ren."
"Please don't talk about it, Miles... This is basically public humiliation..."
Miss Erin continued the introductions.
"Facing Irene Austin is the Duelist who made waves in last year's Rookie Challenge: the Gray Witch—Irena Kartel! She returns this year as a second-year veteran to test the new generation!"
"No fair! Why isn't it me?! That was supposed to be my destined rival!"
Deion Kaiser shouted in frustration. He'd been sure fate would pair him with Irene on the grandest stage.
Maybe he'd overestimated fate. Irena had stolen the moment.
"Irene, huh... Shame it's not Aisha. But oh well."
Irena and Irene weren't strangers, but they weren't especially close either.
However, as Irena calmly stepped onto the platform and noticed the Millennium Puzzle on Irene's chest, her blue eyes widened.
"Whoa whoa whoa, isn't this my fated moment?!"
Visibly thrilled, the surge of magic around Irena became so intense it blew back her witch's robe over her school uniform.
"I can't believe I lucked into this duel. No way I'm letting you go now, Miles!"
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]