NOVEL NEXT Chapter 39: TST [39]
When Morgan entered the Duel Mall, she found it already packed with people. Many kids around her age had gathered in a circle, their eyes focused on a freshly erected duel stage in the center.
A special duel was underway.
One duelist's Life Points had already hit rock bottom, and only a single monster remained in Defense Position on their field—the match was indeed nearing its end.
On the other side stood a girl with sweet features, born to perform on stage. Her every gesture made the crowd erupt in cheers.
She wore jewelry made from multicolored gems, and every movement of hers created the soft chime of crystal collisions, the light reflecting off the stones making her shine even more.
"This is the end!"
"[Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus], direct attack the player!"
The cry of a magical beast rang out across the field. A pegasus dove from the sky, bringing her opponent's LP to zero.
'Crystal Beasts?'
Morgan stared in astonishment. She hadn't expected to see a Crystal Beast user in this world.
Just then, Jade and Isla pushed through the crowd and reached her.
Jade took a deep breath. For some reason, the space around her always got the most crowded, as if people intentionally closed in on her.
"Morgan, finally! Did you get the cards you wanted?"
Morgan returned the credit cards to them and pulled out a deck.
"I've already finished building a new deck."
"Already?" Isla exclaimed. From scratch, it usually took at least a week to build and refine a deck until its chains flowed smoothly enough to duel with.
But Morgan had completed a whole deck in less than an hour…
Was it thrown together randomly?
Isla couldn't help but wonder.
Meanwhile, the girl on stage cheerfully approached her opponent, a good-natured boy, and gave him a playful smile.
"That was a fun duel! You did really well. Keep practicing, okay?"
Her sweet smile made the boy melt. Blushing furiously, he nodded repeatedly, as if already smitten.
At that moment, Jade leaned in to whisper to Morgan.
"Morgan, that girl on stage... I think she's the Spirit Duelist."
Morgan nodded. The moment she saw Crystal Beasts, she had already suspected it.
"And apparently, she didn't choose her deck—the spirits chose her. So romantic!"
"Right, her name is..."
...
Watching the final challenger leave the stage, Viviana let out a tired sigh.
All morning, she hadn't found a single duelist worth recruiting.
Most of them didn't even understand the basic rules, and some had gone on stage just to ask for her number or try to ask her out.
Viviana was exhausted.
She was a Spirit Duelist, capable of seeing Duel Spirits with her own eyes. The Crystal Beasts had chosen her and formed a powerful bond with her. Because of this unique trait, she had become a key PR figure for the Duelist League.
After all, who wouldn't be curious about a duelist who could see spirits?
Viviana had long gotten used to being stared at. This exhibition match at the Duel Amusement Park was meant to recruit participants for the upcoming Junior Division of the Duelist League and distribute invitations.
Most applicants were rising stars from the big clubs. Without outreach like this, the league would just become a battleground between clubs, going against the League's goal of fostering new duelists.
There were ten invitation slots this round, yet she hadn't handed out a single one.
Viviana was starting to despair.
After all, even to join the Junior League, the minimum requirement was a Silver Rank in Virtual Duels.
As the Silver Rank gatekeeper herself, if they couldn't beat her, there was no point in signing up. They'd just be cannon fodder.
Just then, the transparent form of Sapphire Pegasus beside her nudged her gently.
Viviana's expression changed. "Sapphire Pegasus, you sense another spirit in the hall?"
Following its gaze, Viviana's eyes lit up.
At the entrance stood a pure-looking girl, flanked by several others in stage-like outfits.
At her feet were a number of fluffy, adorable animals. Others couldn't see them, but to Viviana, they were crystal clear.
No doubt about it. These were Duel Spirits.
Even if the girl couldn't see spirits herself, to be chosen by them, her strength had to be extraordinary.
Just as Viviana was about to approach her, she suddenly froze.
Outside the mall hall, a massive shadow appeared. Through the transparent skylight, she saw it clearly—a giant mech at least twenty stories tall.
'What... is that?'
'Also a spirit?'
'It is way too big!'
The crowd didn't react at all. Obviously, Viviana was the only one who could see it.
'...Could that giant be the girl's Duel Spirit too?'
Viviana was utterly stunned. The staggering contrast between the cutesy little creatures and the towering mech nearly made her question her own eyes.
"What's wrong, Sweetheart Viviana? Why so quiet all of a sudden?"
"Did I pass your test, Sweetheart? I love you!"
"Back off! With your trash skills? If anyone passed, it was me!"
Hearing the crowd's commotion snapped Viviana back to reality.
She took a deep breath, gave a subtle signal to the staff, and passed along the girl's location.
She wanted to test the girl's level and hopefully give out one of the invitations. Then, she could ask her about the spirits later.
...
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