Morgan was increasingly convinced the system was screwing with her, constantly pushing her toward Underworld Decks.
This time was proof enough. She'd been so clear about wanting a powerful, straightforward Deck—why not just give her a Blue-Eyes Deck?
Strong! Invincible! The ultimate!
That would match her vibe way better!
She'd played Underworld Decks so often, even if she smiled like sunshine, her opponents would still be terrified.
Morgan sighed in frustration. Regardless, she'd already claimed the Deck, so she had no choice but to use the Dinomorphia Deck for now.
At least it was powerful—just a bit... abstract.
Still, recklessly burning through her LP felt weirdly satisfying. Normally, even losing a few points would make her uneasy.
But with Dinomorphia, it was like a stingy miser who'd saved their whole life learning they had cancer and suddenly going on a spending spree.
Starting a duel by halving your own LP? Who could handle that?
Morgan returned to the room Viviana had prepared for her, visibly tired and ready to collapse.
Abruptly, then she saw a small figure curled up on the bed: Mena.
Mena had snuck into Morgan's bed after learning she would leave tomorrow, wanting to fall asleep surrounded by her scent.
Morgan sighed and crawled under the covers. The moment she did, Mena latched on.
"Morgan, tell me a story! I want a bedtime story!"
'A story?'
Morgan blinked. Well, she did know one.
She turned and gently held Mena.
"Alright. Let me tell you a story about Duel Spirits. Once upon a time, there was a young Duelist named Jaden Yuki who could see the spirits inside cards..."
Before long, both drifted into sleep, Morgan mumbling dreamily mid-story.
She didn't notice the tiny Duel Spirits and Trickstars curling up around her, or the Heavenly Thundership outside the window.
…
After leaving Viviana's house, Morgan continued her climb through the tournament.
And unsurprisingly, she stayed undefeated, advancing into the Junior Division semifinals. One step away from winning it all.
No one had expected her rise. The spotlight had been squarely on rookie stars from major clubs.
However, Morgan's ascent made everyone realize: perhaps they had overlooked the solo Duelists.
They immediately began scouting other independents. But to their disappointment, none of the others even made it past round one.
They soon understood—Morgan was the exception.
And so, once again, recruiters flooded her with offers. Yet, even as the tournament neared its end, no one had so much as seen her.
For the first time, the usually all-conquering managers were helpless.
Now, the Junior Division semifinals were about to begin. The venue buzzed with excitement; the stands were packed.
The crowd wasn't just here for Morgan's duel. Her opponent was also a girl.
A cute one.
A battle between girls? That hit everyone's sweet spot. Who didn't love duels? And who didn't love adorable girls?
Put them together? Perfection.
Deafening cheers erupted even before the match started.
Jade sat in the front row, hands over her ears, shouting to Isla beside her:
"Do we have to watch it from here? Couldn't we just go backstage?"
Isla laughed and leaned in.
"You don't get it. This angle has the best vibe. If we watch from backstage, it ruins the whole trip."
They had taken time off specifically to watch the match.
They hadn't seen Morgan in days. With rumors about her and Viviana flying everywhere, they couldn't stand it any longer.
This was Jade's first live duel. She found it overwhelming.
Despite that, when she remembered she could cheer Morgan on from here, she bit her lip and tried to adjust.
Isla chuckled. She'd been the same her first time—but when the match heated up, she'd been shouting like the rest.
She was sure Jade would be too.
The duel began. Morgan stepped onto the platform.
Her opponent was already there: arms crossed, looking smug.
She wore Team Predator's tight uniform, accentuating her petite curves, with added plant-themed decorations to soften the look.
As the two stood across from each other, the crowd went wild.
The host picked up the mic, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Welcome, everyone! I know you've been looking forward to this match. I have too!"
"After six intense days, the Junior Division semifinals are here!"
"It's the dark horse: Witch Morgan! Versus Team Predator's sweet new star: Rowe!"
Spotlights shifted. Two pretty girls on a single stage? The audience couldn't look away.
Regardless, the real tension was about the result. Only the winner would move to the finals. Would it be another club vs. club final as usual? Or would a miracle let an independent take the title?
"Who do you think will win? The forum's going nuts!"
"My money's on Rowe. The experts say Morgan's Deck struggles against life gain strategies."
"I saw that thread. TL;DR: Morgan might not have enough damage output."
As the crowd buzzed, Rowe kept her arms crossed, glaring down at Morgan.
She narrowed her eyes and scoffed:
"This so-called Witch… not even that cute. Not even one-tenth as cute as me. I don't get why Big Sis wants you."
Her hostility was clear.
It came from within Team Predator, where Morgan's name had stirred jealousy.
Rowe used to be their pampered princess. But after Morgan appeared, all the attention shifted.
She had been ordered to bring Morgan into the club.
She hated it.
If Morgan joined, she'd be even more invisible.
Even so, orders were orders.
Rowe stared at Morgan with resentment.
Morgan, meanwhile, was confused. Had they met before? Why was this girl already so angry?
And what was with this "cuteness" nonsense?
"I don't know what you're talking about," Morgan said, shaking her head. "But if you think being cute wins duels, maybe dueling isn't for you."
'More weirdos lately,' she thought.
Rowe's eyebrow twitched. She was about to retort when fireworks exploded around them.
Confetti rained down.
It was time.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The duel is about to begin!"
"Honestly, I was so hyped for today, I didn't sleep at all! I read every prediction thread on the forum!"
"Anyways, in the end, predictions are just that. No one knows what'll happen now. Let's watch and find out!"
In the front row, Jade had already adapted. She was shouting louder than Isla now.
Morgan turned, surprised. Two familiar faces.
'They came?'
She felt strangely reassured. In this stadium, she had allies.
The starting bell rang.
Morgan and Rowe activated their Duel Disks and drew five cards.
Then, the White Dragon coin spun wildly on the screen—Rowe won the toss and claimed first turn.
But instead of drawing, she stared Morgan down.
"Morgan, before we begin… how about a bet?"
The crowd fell silent.
Then erupted.
"A wager?! A wager in the Junior Division semifinals?!"
"I thought we wouldn't get one this year! Incredible!"
"Will Morgan accept?!"
Jade blinked. "Wait, they're allowed to bet in this tournament?"
Isla nodded. "Yep. It's usually to fight over talented Duelists. I figured someone would do this sooner."
Morgan was hearing this for the first time.
No one objected, so she turned to Rowe.
"Fine. What do you want to bet?"
Rowe smirked.
"If you lose, you join Team Predator."
Morgan had expected that. She nodded.
"Okay. But if you lose?"
Rowe froze. She hadn't considered that.
She stiffened, then snapped, "W-What do you want?!"
Morgan grinned.
"If you lose, you say, in front of everyone, 'Morgan is cuter than me.'"
She hadn't let Rowe's earlier insult slide.
"W-What?! You're so cruel!"
Rowe trembled, finger pointed.
"Then I definitely can't lose!"
"I'll show everyone I'm a million times cuter than you!"
"My turn! Draw!"
...
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