The appearance of a Super Rare Card at the end of the Academy Festival's Class Year Challenge had exactly the effect Vice Principal Raiden hoped for—it blew the audience away.
Of course, the Super Rare Card wasn't referring to Aisha's randomly drawn, currently meaningless [Transcendent Wings].
Honestly, Miles couldn't even remember what [Winged Kuriboh LV10], which it summoned, did. That card was so obscure. And it wasn't even in Aisha's Main Deck... Was this world so broken they could just print cards on the spot now?
"Fusion Academy really laid all its cards on the table this year!"
The real showstopper was the hidden grand prize—three [Legendary Dragon] cards presented to the winning year group, personally brought back by the Academy's mysterious Headmaster.
"They gave out Legendary Dragon cards at the Festival? Are you serious?!"
"That's insanely generous!"
"Idiot, this isn't about being generous! You can't get Legendary Dragons just with money. Do you even know how rare those things are?"
They were cards that couldn't be measured by money, recorded only in ancient histories, etched into the legends of the Spirit Continent in countless forms. Only cards like that were worthy of being called 'Legendary.'
"Cards like that not only exist, but they're being given to students? Who is Fusion Academy's Headmaster?!"
The elusive figure was as inscrutable as the dragons themselves. No one could figure out their real background. After all, anyone who could procure Legendary Dragon cards as prizes probably had a more legendary history than the cards themselves.
"Since the Headmaster brought the cards, does that mean we might finally see them this year?"
"I heard the Headmaster's a total knockout!"
"No way, I thought they were older than the Vice Principal."
"Just rumors."
Excited chatter buzzed back and forth—about the Legendary Dragons and the elusive Headmaster.
Exactly the kind of hype Raiden wanted.
That's why he saved the Legendary Dragon announcement for the peak of post-Duel enthusiasm.
It was enough!
Even if it cost him his entire personal savings, this year's Academy Festival would be worth it.
This was Fusion Academy's rallying cry. Through the mouths of nobles and aristocrats, he would make sure all of Spirit Continent knew just how incredible the school was this year.
Just having three Legendary Dragon cards as prizes was already something no other academy could match.
On top of that, this year's third-years were heading to the Sacred Ground of Spirits for the Ranking Challenge, led by the once-in-a-century summoning prodigy, Alester.
With Alester's strength, Fusion Academy—long stuck at the bottom—finally had a real shot at beating the other two schools and taking first place.
If they could pull that off, history would change from this year onward.
Fusion Summoning would become the top-tier summoning method across the Spirit Continent!
"Hahahaha! My time has finally come! Hahahahaha!"
"Vice Principal? Sir?"
Professor Field's low voice pulled Raiden back from his daydream of Fusion supremacy.
"It's time to present the final prize to the winning year."
As the second-year homeroom teacher, Professor Field should've been disappointed. But even with his students' loss today, there was no frustration on his face.
The man once known in the military as the "Iron Demon" had a rare trace of a smile. Maybe because the Duels had been so phenomenal, that the outcome hardly mattered.
They were all Fusion Academy students, all Duelists of the Kingdom of Livorden.
Once a military instructor, now a teacher, Professor Field seemed distant but deeply wanted his students to grow strong and have a bright future.
"Ahem."
With a soft cough, Vice Principal Raiden stepped forward to host the final award ceremony himself.
Much to the disappointment of those hoping to finally catch a glimpse of the Headmaster.
Apparently, no luck again this year.
If the Headmaster were here, there'd be no need for the Vice Principal to handle the ceremony.
"Aisha Yuna Carlos, Irene Austin, Kevin Seth."
Raiden called the three first-year Duelists up to the stage.
"Your outstanding performance has earned the recognition of Fusion Academy. Therefore, we present to you the three [Legendary Dragon] cards. Ahem—are you ready to receive the power of legend?!"
On the table in front of him was the box containing the Legendary Dragon cards.
The box, personally entrusted to Raiden by the Headmaster, was so lavish it looked like something straight out of an RPG dungeon treasure hoard.
The three exchanged glances and nodded.
"We're ready, Vice Principal!"
"Then open the box!"
Raiden inserted the sealed key into the lock—the Headmaster had said it could only be opened after the Class Year Challenge ended.
Out of absolute trust, Raiden had never checked its contents.
If the cards weren't inside, it would be the biggest screw-up in Academy history. That said, surely, the Headmaster wouldn't pull a prank that extravagant on their own school.
The ornate chest slowly opened with a turn of the key.
Inside were three cards, backs shimmering faintly with golden light, laid out perfectly.
"So these are the three Legendary Dragon cards..."
The cards were face-down, so their exact identity couldn't be seen.
Each student picked the card closest to them.
But the moment their fingers touched the cards, time seemed to freeze—a pure white light burst from the cards, enveloping all three.
When they opened their eyes again, everything around them had changed.
Lush greenery, crystal-clear springs, a breeze fluttering over grass and flowers—it was like a mythical paradise, completely removed from reality.
"Wait... something's off."
Just as they were overwhelmed by the scenery, a gentle girl's voice spoke behind them.
"Why are you here? Neither Dark Magician nor Blue-Eyes won."
"Who's there?"
The three turned around and saw a beautiful girl their age standing behind them.
"I'm the Headmaster, duh!"
Hands on her hips, the long-haired girl beamed with pride and smugness.
...
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