No matter what kind of fantasies the students had about these "experts among experts" before, they have all been overturned by reality now.
Youyu led everyone through the forest and out of the bushes, and a base established for the players immediately appeared before the students.
Even the most disconnected student might have to work hard to accept the scene before them.
"These... are the mentors?" Marufuji Shou was a bit confused.
The wise, tall, and handsome Duelist images they had imagined beforehand vanished suddenly, leaving them with... a group of singing and dancing madmen?
Although it's a bit rude to say this about future teachers, it was indeed the impression these "teachers" gave the students.
Rather than calling it an office, it was more like an amusement park. Some teachers were sitting at tables playing Mahjong, some were playing poker, and two individuals were feverishly battling on a makeshift wooden stage.
Luckily, Youyu set the rule that "uniforms must be worn within the campus," otherwise, if these folks put on their flashy helmets, the students would be even more befuddled.
Today marks the first dual selection event. Youyu didn't bother demanding these folks act seriously and portray themselves like professionals for the students. After all, once the students spend enough time with these mentors, they're bound to discover their goofy nature, so there's little point in hiding it now.
Better to let them play their parts genuinely. After all, some say geniuses are idiosyncratic, and being somewhat goofy isn't unacceptable...
All the students present were newcomers, timid and afraid to speak out of fear of saying the wrong thing, yet inwardly they suspected they had entered a safari park.
"Hey? They're coming!"
Someone shouted. All the players immediately tossed aside their tasks. The Mahjong gamers stopped, the dancers halted, and they swarmed forward.
Their enthusiasm nearly frightened these newbies.
The quick-witted students quickly realized this was a dual selection event with more monks than meat—the students far outnumbered the mentors.
If allocated one-to-one, surely only a small number of students would receive mentors.
While students observed the mentors, the mentors were also observing the students.
Players are often very genuine. Their criteria for selecting students aren't based on talent potential and card skills—in fact, these folks don't care much about that.
They first prefer to pick characters famous in the original series, and then lean towards selecting female disciples who are slim with long legs and can act cute...
Hence, it's foreseeable that Tenjouin Asuka, with her outstanding looks and first-class potential as a model student, is a favored choice among the players; Likewise, Izayoi Sakura, who resembles the future goddess Aki, is also catching their attention.
As for Marufuji Shou... he's uncertain if it's just an illusion, but he feels the teachers' reactions toward him are like they've seen a pile of cow dung...
Shou is extremely confused right now.
Could it be because he's ugly?
Doesn't make sense though...
But today is mainly just a meet-and-greet. Youyu asked these students to introduce themselves briefly, focusing mainly on their usual card decks and understanding of common strategies and chains.
This information helps mentors choose students they are more interested in and better at teaching.
These students will receive an application form afterward, where they can choose the mentor they want based on their preference. Likewise, mentors can choose the students they are more interested in.
Of course, the final decision rests with Youyu.
If left entirely to these folks to choose, Tenjouin Asuka alone wouldn't be enough...
Youyu clearly informed these "mentors," students are not just to play around with. Each month, the academy will conduct practical assessments on the students they teach. If students fail the assessments or show no significant improvement, the mentors will be disqualified and must leave the island.
In contrast, once players choose the students they wish to teach, Youyu will grant a "mentor-exclusive channel" in the shop for them.
He will freely grant access to the card pool corresponding to the card series used by their students. Moreover, as the disciples progress, the mentors will receive corresponding generous rewards.
For instance, if a player chooses Tenjouin Asuka as a student, Youyu's shop will exclusively offer access to the card pool for Asuka's "Cyber" card deck to that mentor.
Mentors can either utilize this series themselves or could amass rocks by grinding to buy cards from Youyu to enhance their student's card deck.
Though these players seem a bit disconnected and unreliable, Youyu knows how to get them serious.
You just need to understand what they want.
An apt planner must excel in player psychology.
The meet-and-greet ended, and as the students left, a Hammer at Eighty without Bargaining was there, grinning foolishly.
Xue Lang asked curiously, "What are you laughing at?"
The Hammer shook his head mysteriously, "You don't understand."
At this moment, the Hammer felt he was already winning.
Because just during that meeting with students, when everyone's attention was elsewhere, he slipped a card to Asuka!
In actuality, the student resource competition had begun the moment they met.
The Hammer is known for stinginess, but even so, he made up his mind to offer a UR grade Rare Card to win an outstanding student!
If you don't risk anything, you'll gain nothing!
The Hammer almost admired his own courage. Though it felt a bit painful upon reflection, winning over the best student made it worthwhile!
Looking at other players heatedly discussing grabbing students, he felt a sense of superiority.
Ha, let them fight over it.
Anyway, the best is already destined to be mine and won't slip away!
...
On the way back to the dormitory.
"Asuka, what's that in your hand?" Marufuji Shou asked curiously, stepping closer.
Mitsuzawa also came closer, "Axe Raider? Attack power is decent for a four-star monster... but does it have any special significance?"
Asuka looked at the "Axe King" card the mentor had just shoved into her hand, equally puzzled, "I don't know."
Axe Raider, an attack power of 1700 Normal Monster. It's labeled as "UR" rarity in the card pool for inexplicable reasons and hence revered by players as "Invincible Axe King."
However, unfortunately, Asuka seems unfamiliar with this esteemed Axe King. She's racking her brains to decipher if there's any special meaning behind this mundane card from the mentor...