The finals of the school selection tournament saw teachers and students with free time gathering at the academy's dueling arena. Many students even skipped lunch and rushed to the venue, all in an attempt to secure good front-row seats for the best view.
As Judai's little brother, Xiang was naturally very proactive and managed to snag a front-row seat. To his surprise, Asuka also arrived early — she even happened to sit right next to him.
"Xiang, what's... going on with you?" Asuka saw Xiang with dark circles under his eyes, making him look like he'd been punched symmetrically in the face.
"It's my mentor." Xiang looked close to tears. "My teacher is absolutely a demon! It's one thing for him not to eat or sleep, but he won't let me sleep either! Last night he trained me until late before finally letting me go to bed…"
His mentor was a local, Nora Tatsu. Brother Tatsu was very upset with being assigned such an unlucky "UR" student. Every time his good friend Jeko bragged about his own student, Brother Tatsu felt he was inferior.
He had never been weaker than Jeko, but this time the student assigned to him had worse grades and was less adept at dueling, and his personality didn't even measure up to Jeko's student. It was a comprehensive, all-around dissatisfactory comparison!
Disappointed in Xiang's shortcomings, Brother Tatsu immediately worked overtime to create a devilish training plan for his student, urging Xiang to study tirelessly.
Poor Xiang was tormented by his mentor day and night, feeling completely drained.
"I see." Asuka expressed her sympathy, "That's really unfortunate."
"What about your mentor, Asuka?"
"My mentor?"
Asuka thought about Cola Sprite.
Sister Sprite and the entire Hanno Knight Guild greatly favored Asuka as their apprentice. Ever since taking her in, the whole guild worked tirelessly, even buying card packs fervently, all to strengthen their dear apprentice.
And ever since witnessing her mentor defeat two Legendary Duelists within two turns (let's count the Paradox Brothers here), Asuka has been full of admiration for her mentor.
Additionally, Cola Sprite often provided optimization ideas for her card deck, introducing many concepts Asuka had never heard or thought about, making Cola Sprite a respected expert in her eyes.
Asuka's respect for her mentor overflowed from her heart.
But not wanting to make Xiang uneasy, she simply said, "She... is quite nice and easy to talk to."
"Mitsuzawa said the same thing. Why does it seem everyone's mentor is easy to talk to...?" Xiang lamented, "I don't think I can survive the next three years…"
Asuka offered a bitter smile, "It's not that extreme..."
Finally, the finals arrived.
Finalists Judai and Manjome took the stage from two different passageways, left and right.
Xiang glanced at the podium, and nearly cried out upon seeing who sat beside Principal Samejima.
"Is that... Mr. Kaiba!?"
Asuka followed his gaze and was surprised to see it really was him.
Kaiba Seto... had actually come specifically to watch this duel? But it's just the school selection finals! Shouldn't President Kaiba be more concerned with the friendship match against Northern Academy?
Or does this duel hold special significance?
The seating arrangement at the podium was quite interesting. Principal Samejima and Professor Chronos, the two people in charge of academy affairs, sat in the middle, flanked by Youyu and Kaiba on either side.
This left Principal and Professor in a precarious position.
Even before the duel started, they felt Kaiba's cold, menacing gaze as if an invisible blade scanned over them.
They were well aware Kaiba's attention was directed at Youyu beside them, but the mere presence of a bigwig's pressure was overwhelming even in passing.
Meanwhile, the other bigwig, Youyu, seemed unaffected, as if oblivious to Kaiba's glaring stare... or perhaps he was simply used to it.
Professor Chronos grew increasingly uneasy, sweating before the duel even started, frequently pulling out his embroidered handkerchief to wipe his forehead.
He couldn't help but admire the Duel King beside him more and more—they could completely ignore Kaiba's intense, sinister face daily, proving the Duel King's tolerance for pressure was extraordinary.
Kaiba still hadn't told Youyu that the Obelisk Blue student on stage was his apprentice.
He wanted to reveal this fact only after Yuki Judai was defeated by Manjome before everyone's eyes—a victor's revelation to Youyu—
——the one who trampled you was none other than me!
Of course, Youyu already knew about Manjome and Kaiba's connection, and he knew Kaiba's intentions. He simply didn't bring it up since President hadn't mentioned it.
If it were exposed now, it'd be awkward for President when Manjome loses, right?
As a model employee considering his superior's feelings, Youyu knew what to say and what not to say.
What? If Manjome wins?
Youyu pointed out he wouldn't consider such a negligible probability... just kidding, our Judai embodies classic protagonist templates. He's an avatar of the Ancient Era's most formidable lord "The Supreme King," re-cultivating, wielding "Old Grandpa" type cheat Yubel, a millennium card talent "Innate Card Body," and received guidance from modern Duel King Youyu...
Whereas Manjome, though immensely talented and highly connected with Duel Spirits, can hardly compare to Judai?
Moreover, Youyu's small account has been nurtured for six years, while President's only for a year or two. Competing on experience or level, you can't surpass me?
Even with these thoughts, Youyu didn't expose them, avoiding discouraging President's spirits. He deemed it beneficial for President to allocate more energy to mentoring students, preventing endless scheming on how to draft Youyu into dueling...
Both mentors and Manjome clearly understood the significance behind this duel, while Judai ignorantly smiled at Manjome on stage, saying, "Let's duel happily, Manjome!"
"Hmph↓."
Manjome merely glanced sideways without responding.
"Duel! X2"
[Judai, LP 4000]
[Manjome, LP 4000]