NOVEL NEXT Chapter 50: TST [50]
Graduation duels were a long-standing tradition at Duel Academy, whether in the Middle or Senior Division.
Much like an exhibition match, the purpose was to inspire students.
The format was simple: the student ranked number one in their grade—also typically the top student in the entire school—would select their opponent and face them in a final duel before graduation.
This year, the third-year top student and the academy's overall number one was essentially confirmed to be Kairos.
Many were curious who he would choose as his graduation duel opponent. Being selected was considered an honor, a recognition of one's strength.
"He was already strong to begin with, and the training camp only made him stronger. I doubt many students in the school could beat him now," Isla murmured. She had dueled Kairos long ago and, unsurprisingly, lost.
"But usually the graduation duel opponent is chosen from among the third-years, right? So it doesn't have anything to do with us," Jade said indifferently. She didn't care about any of that. All she cared about right now was Morgan—and of course, her hands were...
"Dammit, Jade! Stop touching me!"
As the two bickered, the bell rang for afternoon class. Morgan used the opportunity to break free from Jade's hands and dashed back to the classroom.
...
In truth, the curriculum of the Duel Academy Middle Division wasn't difficult for Morgan. As a seasoned duelist, she could write out lists of Spell and Trap Card types with her eyes closed.
So during class, she was either secretly grinding ranks or openly napping.
At first, the teachers had tried to scold her, but after the midterm exams, they all turned a blind eye. In this world where strength reigned supreme, once they witnessed Morgan's real power, they no longer had anything to say.
Not to mention, Morgan was rumored to be the disciple of the legendary Duel King. Most of the faculty weren't particularly strong and could only intimidate average students.
Even the strongest teacher, Mr. Grant, had lost to Morgan. No one else dared challenge her.
If they tried to discipline her and she responded with a duel challenge, only to be defeated, their authority would be in ruins.
They were just salaried employees. No one wanted that kind of trouble.
If news spread that they lost to a student, their teaching career might be over.
So now, Morgan was basically free to do whatever she pleased on campus. She was even allowed to use the rooftop, which was normally off-limits to students.
Even if she used a Speed Duel field again without permission, the school probably wouldn't say a word.
In this world, the strong always enjoyed privileges.
One class passed fast. Hearing the chatter around her, Morgan unhurriedly woke up.
Groggy, she lifted her head—only to see the girls in class crowding around the classroom door, shrieking like maniacs. It was that ear-piercing sound that had woken her.
"Can you not scream right next to me..."
Morgan rubbed her eyes, scowling in full grumpy mode.
Just then, a tall boy pushed through the crowd of girls and walked straight toward her. His face was stern, eyes steady—it was Kairos, who had just returned from training that morning.
"Excuse me, are you Morgan?"
"No."
Morgan said bluntly. Her morning mood had not yet passed.
Kairos looked a little awkward. He obviously wasn't used to girls talking to him that way and seemed unsure how to proceed.
However, remembering why he came, he got straight to the point:
"Morgan, I want to invite you to be my opponent in the graduation duel."
The classroom instantly erupted with gasps.
"Wow, Kairos already decided on his graduation opponent? He must have had this in mind for a while!"
"Wait, isn't the opponent usually picked from the third-years?"
"You must be out of the loop. They only pick third-years because there's no one in the lower years strong enough."
"Makes sense. Looks like this graduation duel will be exciting."
Morgan looked around at the murmuring crowd, then turned to Kairos.
"I thought you were supposed to choose a third-year. Why me?"
Kairos smiled—a rare sight. The surrounding girls shrieked again, making Morgan even more annoyed.
"After the training camp, no one in the third year can match me anymore.
Besides, you beat Mr. Grant, a former pro duelist. You must already have pro-level skills. Before I step into the pro circuit, I want a serious benchmark."
"By the way, if you don't mind me asking… what's your Virtual Duel rank?"
"Bronze."
Morgan shot him a look, clearly not in the mood.
Sensing the mood, Kairos gave another awkward smile.
"I hope you can give me a great duel."
With that, he left, surrounded by fawning girls.
Jade and Isla entered the classroom and walked over to Morgan. Isla spotted Kairos's tall figure in the distance and tilted her head.
"Was that Kairos? What was he doing here?"
"He came to invite me to his graduation duel."
Morgan said with a sigh.
Isla's face grew serious. She nodded.
"Makes sense. Right now, you might be the only one in the school who can challenge him. But be careful—his Cyber Dragon deck is no joke."
'Cyber Dragon?'
'He uses Cyber Dragons?'
Morgan blinked, and her expression turned odd.
Well, then…
She could only wish him fewer turns to suffer.
...
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