Rewind a few seconds…
The Demonbane Warrior swung its halberd fiercely against the barrier, but Lei Norflin didn’t budge an inch.
Having abandoned offense entirely, under the [Surge of Power] buff, his mana consumption for defense perfectly balanced with recovery—leaving Tidelys unable to break through.
Of course, this balance had a cost. Lei’s deck was depleting fast. Anyone could see: if Tidelys held on longer, she might outlast him until his deck ran dry.
But Tidelys wouldn’t wait.
At the 30-second mark, both drew a card. After a brief pause, Tidelys summoned her second follower.
“Spend three mana—appear, [Disciple of the Netherworld]!”
[Disciple of the Netherworld ★★★ (3-Star) Grade D] [Demon, 3/4]
A horned demon wielding a flaming whip materialized with a skyward howl. Simultaneously, Tidelys’s last three mana crystals dimmed.
“To recklessly trap yourself mana-less? Too hasty, Tidelys Ursula!” Lei’s strained expression finally stilled, as if resolved.
The moment the [Disciple of the Netherworld] appeared, he whipped a card skyward.
“Bow to heaven’s wrath—[Chain Lightning]!”
[Chain Lightning ★★★★★★★ (7-Star) Grade B]
*Boom!*
Lightning flashed through black clouds. Thunder descended.
“This farce ends now!”
A white lightning pillar roared down, crushing the [Disciple of the Netherworld] to ash in an instant.
But it wasn’t over. Another bolt leaped from the ashes—straight at Tidris.
The crowd watched coldly. *Of course it was an illusion—an underdog turning the tables?* No matter how well he played earlier, a Grade B card meant no resistance.
They expected the lightning to shatter Tidris’s barrier next second.
What they didn’t know: Tidris had been waiting *exactly* for this.
“[Disciple of the Netherworld]’s departure effect activates! Responding summon—[Animated Dummy]!”
[Animated Dummy Zero-Star Grade D]
“What?!”
Lei blinked—then saw a waving dummy split cleanly in half within the lightning’s glare.
Current vanished into the earth. [Chain Lightning] ended. Tidelys stood untouched.
Gasps erupted below.
“How?! [Chain Lightning] countered?! By *that* Ursula?!”
“Lei’s in danger! Is the underdog really beating the top student?!”
Tidelys flicked her small hand toward Lei. “Demonbane Warrior—final blow!”
The warrior had already shattered Lei’s shield during the [Chain Lightning] window. Now, stabs and slashes whittled his HP: 10 → 6 → 2 in two seconds.
Yet those two seconds bought him a last chance.
“No way! [Human Immobilization Spell]!”
[Human Immobilization Spell ★★★ (3-Star) Grade C]
Gasping, Lei cast it. “Immobilizes any human-race follower for five seconds. No attacks.”
A conditional spell—now his lifeline.
At 35 seconds, a new card floated before him. Lei let out a shaky, unhinged laugh.
*Hehehe… Hahahahaha!*
He pressed a hand to his forehead and rose unsteadily.
“What a pity, Tidelys Ursula. Had you mana left, you might’ve won.”
“But this time—the victor is *me*!”
With under a second left on the spell, he flipped the new card high.
“[Finger of Agony]! Usable after casting 10+ spells. Deals 10 damage to opponent. *Cannot miss*!”
[Finger of Agony ★★★★★★★ (7-Star) Grade B]
Another reversal! Students gasped. Upperclassmen surged forward.
“A *second* Grade B card?!”
“Lei’s talent is insane!”
Viana frowned below. Unlike [Chain Lightning], this targeted the *Duelist* directly—with bypass effect.
*What now?*
Little Di’s only follower was frozen. Max mana: zero. Truly out of options.
Unless…
“Mr. Simon, Little Di—”
Simon turned away with a light step, tossing over his shoulder:
“Relax. Victory’s already in Tidelys’s grasp.”
“Where are you going?!”
“I had Tidris promote my shop after winning. Time to open!”
On stage, crimson light gathered at Lei’s fingertip—
Then Tidelys, silent until now, spoke softly.
“Lei… you misunderstood one thing.”
She pointed to an unused card.
“A little embarrassing… but I *do* still have mana.”
“What?!”
Lei looked—beside her ten crystals trailed three faint energy orbs.
*That follower’s departure effect!*
“The [Disciple of the Netherworld]’s effect granted three temporary mana.”
“So underhanded!”
“Sorry, Lei. I *really* wanted to win.”
Tidris gripped the card, flipped it sharply.
“Spell card—[Counter Spell]!”
[Counter Spell ★★★ (3-Star) Grade C] [Counters target spell]
“My target? Obviously—[Finger of Agony]!”
No flash. No spectacle.
The moment she spoke, Lei’s mind went blank. The crimson light vanished.
“What?! What’s ‘counter’?!”
He stumbled back. Metal glint filled his vision.
Tidris commanded: “End it. Go!”
*Ding!*
Glass-shatter sound. The barrier broke. The halberd fell.
“IMPOSSIBLE—NOOOO!”
Lei Norflin HP: 2 → 0
“The victor: Tidris Ursula.”
