NOVEL NEXT Chapter 64: TST [64]
After the match ended, Morgan hastily left the arena, slipping into a quiet emergency corridor.
Near the end of the duel, she had already noticed people in the crowd getting restless… probably scouts from various clubs trying to snatch her up. If she didn't leave fast, she'd be swarmed.
It wasn't that she didn't want exposure. She just knew the timing wasn't right.
After walking for a while, she heard hurried footsteps behind her.
Startled, Morgan quickened her pace. But the person behind broke into a run and soon caught up, grabbing her wrist.
"Why are you running so fast..."
The voice, breathless and slightly familiar, made Morgan turn.
It was Viviana, one hand on her hip, gasping, her chest heaving, the other hand gripping Morgan's wrist.
"Viviana? You?" Morgan blinked. "Weren't you supposed to be on the commentary desk?"
"Why can't it be me?!" Viviana straightened up, pouting. "I came to find you right after the match! But you just had to take the most remote exit… and so fast, too!"
As she spoke, Viviana's expression shifted.
Why was she talking to a kid in this tone? That's how she spoke to her mom, not strangers… Did this child give off some hidden maternal aura?
Viviana looked at Morgan, puzzled. To shake the awkwardness, she cleared her throat.
"Ahem… I saw a lot of club agents heading your way. If you take the main exit, you'll probably run into them."
She meant well. Joining a club meant resources and training no indie duelist could match.
But Morgan simply closed her eyes and shook her head.
"I took the emergency corridor to avoid them."
Viviana froze. "You don't want to join a club?"
"I never planned to."
Morgan flashed a bright smile. If the clubs wanted to know who she was, that was fine. But joining? That was her call.
Viviana was more confused than ever. If Morgan didn't want to join a club, why enter the tournament?
Then she remembered—she was the one who threw the Crystal Bloom Ball and invited her in the first place.
"Can you let go now? You're kind of hurting my wrist."
Morgan gestured to where Viviana was still holding her.
Viviana snapped back, quickly releasing her hand.
Morgan's wrist had felt soft, like cheese… almost addictive to touch.
Clearing her throat again, Viviana got serious.
"Morgan, there's something I wanted to ask during the exhibition match, but you left too fast. Do you really not see or sense Duel Spirits?"
Morgan tilted her head. "Of course not. I'm not a Spirit Duelist."
Viviana took a deep breath. "Then do you know why I picked you that day, out of nearly a thousand people in the hall?"
"It was because I saw Duel Spirits around you."
If anyone else said that, Morgan would have scoffed. However, from Viviana, a Spirit Duelist, it carried weight.
"I saw girls in colorful stage outfits, and cute little animals around you."
'Colorful outfits? Cute animals?'
'Aren't those the Trickstars and Melffys?'
Morgan's eyes widened. She'd had Duel Spirits near her all along? And she couldn't even see them? What a ripoff!
She clenched her teeth in frustration. She really wanted to see what Duel Spirits looked like.
"Those were normal enough," Viviana added. "But the real shock was the massive mech floating overhead. I've never seen a Duel Spirit like that. Do you know what it is?"
'Massive mech?!'
Morgan lit up, grabbing Viviana by the shoulders.
"You actually saw a huge mech?!"
Viviana, startled by the enthusiasm, nodded.
Morgan's eyes gleamed.
Of course, she knew what that was.
It was [Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS - Sky Thunder]!
So ZEUS was a Duel Spirit too?!
Morgan was overjoyed.
A giant Gundam was hovering near her all along… And according to Viviana, it was to scale. Towering. Like a building.
Just imagining it made Morgan giddy.
Anyhow, she couldn't see it. She wasn't a Spirit Duelist.
No innate ability to perceive spirits...
'Wait… Talent!'
Morgan snapped to a realization and shouted in her heart:
'System! Is there a Talent that lets me see Duel Spirits?!'
[Searching...]
[Search complete! Talent matched to query.]
[Spirit Sight LV1]
...
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