An'er's last [Lyrilusc - Recital Starling] dissolved into light, returning to her Extra Deck. From that moment, the Duel's outcome was certain. Even if she struggled, she had no resources left to fight with.
Despair filled her face. She knew all too well what it meant to lose to a Shadow Duelist… even so, she refused to become one of those lunatics.
Fear welled up, her eyes shimmering with tears she could no longer hold back.
The old man had been right. Though An'er had trained under the Duel King, her heart was still that of a child… nothing like Morgan's resolve. Having never truly tasted defeat, pride and arrogance had blinded her. Now, under Morgan's relentless suppression, she broke, crying openly.
Regardless, tears couldn't move Morgan. She had made countless opponents cry before. She was used to it. After all, a Duelist does not believe in tears.
Though her monsters' total Attack wasn't quite enough to reduce An'er's Life Points to zero, [Exosisters Magnifica] could attack twice, making up the difference and sealing victory.
Didn't An'er love direct attacks?
Then she would get more than enough of them now.
"Battle! [Exosisters Magnifica], direct attack!"
A storm of attacks followed. An'er's Life Points dropped to zero. The holograms vanished, and she collapsed to her knees, cards spilling from her Duel Disk.
The Duel was over. Morgan had claimed complete victory. Cheers erupted in the stands.
The Forest Academy students, however, looked awkwardly at An'er. If their strongest had fallen, the rest stood no chance…
The principal burst into laughter. Even with the looming matter of Shadow Duelists, a win was still a win—and Morgan was no Shadow Duelist. This was just a Duel, fair and square. He felt exhilarated.
The old man, however, sulked. He had come to flaunt his Academy's strength, only to be humiliated instead.
Morgan put away her Duel Disk and approached An'er. She wanted to know why this girl bore such hostility toward her.
An'er clenched her teeth like a defiant soldier, eyes shut.
"I lost this Duel. But I will never become a Shadow Duelist!"
Morgan tilted her head. "What does losing have to do with becoming a Shadow Duelist?"
An'er sneered. "Don't play dumb. With power like yours, you must be one. I know it… lose to a Shadow Duelist, and you fall into darkness. But I will never yield! The Duelist Alliance is already coming. You won't escape."
"...Eh?"
Morgan blinked, realizing what she meant.
A Shadow Duelist inside Island Academy? Impossible. Her Red Dragon Mark would've reacted. Yet An'er didn't seem to be lying…
As Morgan pondered, the principal and the old man approached.
"Excellent Duel, Morgan," the principal applauded. "One for the Academy's history."
The old man smirked. "Impressive. Morgan, you should visit Forest Academy sometime—you'd love it there."
An'er gaped at him. "Principal! She's a Shadow Duelist. Why invite her?!"
Instead, the old man only glared at her. "It's a misunderstanding. With her identity, Morgan cannot be a Shadow Duelist. Surely you've heard. She was last year's Junior Division champion of the Duelist League."
"...What?"
An'er froze, staring at Morgan.
So this overwhelming opponent was the champion she'd heard rumors about? No wonder her name had sounded familiar. If that was true, then she indeed couldn't be a Shadow Duelist.
Relieved, An'er now looked at Morgan with curiosity. "Then tell me… how did you get so strong? Even as the Duel King's disciple, I wasn't your match."
Both the principal and the old man leaned in as well, equally eager to know.
Isla and Jade approached as well, overhearing. "You don't know? Morgan's also a disciple of the Duel King!"
"What?!" An'er's eyes widened. She had never heard of another disciple. The principal and the old man were dumbfounded as well.
Morgan waved it off with a laugh. "Not a disciple. He just gave me a little advice once."
An'er lowered her head in shame.
With mere guidance, Morgan had reached this level... She had been taught for so long, yet stayed so weak. The comparison stung.
Meanwhile, Hannah panicked. Standing close enough to hear, she realized her cover was about to be blown. If the Alliance arrived, she would be exposed. Hastily, she messaged Zelo.
"When can Descent begin? Time's running out."
Zelo replied swiftly: "It's already succeeded."
'Succeeded?!'
As Hannah froze, the conference hall doors swung open. Hazel stood there, face darkened and twisted.
"Teacher Hazel, what are you—" The other staff faltered in confusion.
But Morgan's arm burned with pain. She and An'er shouted in unison:
"Don't go near her—she's a Shadow Duelist!"
Gasps filled the hall.
Hazel glared at Morgan, her voice raspy. "Little girl, you have my card, don't you?"
"My card?" Morgan blinked.
"Heh… that [Uni-Zombie] is mine, isn't it?"
Now Morgan understood—she was the true owner of [Uni-Zombie], the vampire.
"Heh… let's Duel in Shadow. I'll take you and that card both!"
Darkness poured from Hazel's feet, engulfing the hall. Teachers and students alike were trapped as hostages. She raised her Duel Disk. Morgan's eyes lit up.
An ancient Duelist? That must be worth a fortune!
She drew out a different Deck, sliding it into her Disk.
If prey had come knocking, she would give it a proper welcome. Reaping required a ceremony.
The darkness sealed the room. Two Duel Disks lit up in unison.
"Duel!"
...
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