Inside the Principal's Office.
As soon as Jiang He stepped inside, he realized that Chancellor Sheppard wasn't alone. Standing before the desk was a very familiar figure.
It was none other than the blonde, mushroom-haired professor, Vellian Crowler.
"Chancellor Sheppard, I've brought Jiang He and Jaden," Professor Lyman Banner said as he entered, greeting the bald principal with a narrow-eyed smile.
"Thank you, Professor Banner... Eh?"
Chancellor Sheppard started to voice his thanks with a smile, but his expression froze the moment he looked up.
In addition to Jiang He and Jaden Yuki, a whole trail of people had followed them in. Even Alexis Rhodes from Obelisk Blue was there... The sight left Chancellor Sheppard dazed for a moment.
However, he recovered quickly and waved his hands with a wry smile. "Please, don't worry. I didn't call for Jiang He and Jaden because of the incident at the Abandoned Dorm."
"I simply have a small favor to ask regarding Duel Academy."
"And what exactly is it?" Jiang He asked directly.
Internally, he was muttering to himself. He's not going to ask Jaden and me to publicly clarify that 'riding your opponent's face while mocking them' isn't an official school tradition, is he?
Jaden, Syrus Truesdale, and the others, along with Alexis and her two friends standing nearby, all looked at the Chancellor with confusion, waiting for an explanation.
"Actually, the situation is this," Chancellor Sheppard explained, resting his chin on his hands. "Besides our main campus here, Duel Academy has several branches, such as North Academy."
"Every year, our academy and North Academy hold a School Duel. According to our agreement, the winning school receives a mystery prize, which is presented by the principals of both schools."
"Is it already that time of year again...?" Alexis said, realization dawning on her.
Jiang He's expression, however, turned odd.
While the Chancellor used very dignified language, Jiang He knew exactly what that 'mystery prize' was... If he remembered correctly, it was a kiss from the shopkeeper, Ms. Dorothy.
As he recalled Ms. Dorothy's honest, middle-aged face and her sheer tonnageroughly three times the girth of AlexisJiang He couldn't help but shudder.
He almost blurted out Professor Crowler's favorite catchphrase.
Mamma Mia...
One could only say that the "twilight romance" rivalry between Chancellor Sheppard and the principal of North Academy involved some... heavy tastes.
"So, who represented Duel Academy last year?" Jaden asked, his eyes lighting up at the mention of a duel.
"Last year, of course, it was the top student of Duel Academy, the undisputed number one of Obelisk Blue, Zane 'Kaiser' Truesdale!"
Professor Crowler cut in, waving his hands dramatically toward the curious Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley Huffington.
However, when his eyes landed on Jiang He, his mouth twitched. He quickly lowered his hands before continuing.
"But this year, the representative they are sending is a freshman from North Academy. Therefore, to make it a fair match, it is best if Duel Academy also sends a freshman."
"Sounds interesting," Jiang He said, his interest finally piqued.
If things went as expected, he remembered exactly who North Academy's representative was.
It was that clown Chazz Princeton, who had dropped out and left a while ago!
Clearly, this was his path to a comeback and revenge.
Jiang He figured he could use this chance to finish "shearing the wool" off that idiot Chazzhe wasn't done with him yet!
"The problem now, however, is that the administration is conflicted over whether you, Jiang He, or Jaden should be the one to fight for the academy," Chancellor Sheppard said, looking troubled.
He absolutely could not let that fellow from the North branch win Ms. Dorothy's mystery prize!
"In that case, why don't we have Jiang He and Jaden duel to decide?"
Professor Banner suggested, holding his fat cat and raising a finger.
He was quite curious to see what kind of battle would unfold between a mysterious student like Jiang He and Jaden Yuki, who also harbored a hidden, powerful dueling strength.
Besides, it was the best strategy.
"Great idea, Professor Banner!" Chancellor Sheppard's eyes brightened as he nodded with a smile.
He then looked at Jiang He to ask for his opinion. "Jiang He, what do you think?"
"I don't mind," Jiang He shrugged. In fact, he was quite interested in spreading some 'joy' to this hot-blooded idiot Jaden. He wondered how many Emotion Points he could rake in from a single duel with him!
"I'm totally down! I've wanted to duel Jiang He for a long time now!" Jaden added excitedly.
He looked at Jiang He, raising a fist with a grin full of determination. "And I'll definitely have my deck adjustments finished before then!"
"Nobody even asked for your opinion, no-ne," Crowler grumbled quietly under his breath.
One only had to look at Jaden's face, which lit up at the mere mention of a duel, to know his answer.
"In that case, let me give you a little heads-up," Jiang He said, giving Jaden a thumbs-up. "I'll be using a new deck for our match."
Be sure to keep that energetic look on your face!
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