After passing through the shop and the staircase to the second floor, everyone arrived at the dueling arena in the inner chamber.

This was originally Simon’s testing ground for cards—never did he imagine its first use would be a duel against his old friend’s granddaughter.

Sallya crossed her arms, fingers restlessly rubbing the fabric of her sleeves.

“Before we begin,” she said, “let me confirm: your life barrier hasn’t been shattered today, has it?”

The life barrier represented a Duelist’s vitality. Shattered more than once in a single day, it could plunge the user into coma—or worse.

That was why the academy used protective barriers during practical exams.

“You’re… worried about me?”

Simon was less surprised by the warning itself than by Sallya actually voicing it.

The golden-haired girl’s eyebrows shot up. “Don’t misunderstand! I just don’t want anything happening to Grandfather’s friend!”

A fiercely defensive retort—

if her head hadn’t guiltily tilted away right after.

“Alright,” Liszt called from his chair at the arena’s edge, already settled and now tapping his foot. “You’re both Grade D Cardmakers. Nothing else to note. Don’t keep this old man waiting.”

*Why is Old Liszt more excited than I am?* Simon thought, a flicker of unease stirring. *Halfway through, will he suddenly shout, “Boring! I want rivers of blood!”?*

“Shopkeeper, do your best!” Tidelys cheered from behind him, eyes sparkling.

She’d long awaited this moment—Simon finally revealing his true strength.

*What kind of deck does he even use?*

“Since the audience is eager,” Sallya said coolly, “let’s not waste time.”

Her deck dissolved into light.

Simon smiled confidently. His cards vanished too, then hovered midair, empowered by the Spark Core.

“Don’t worry. We won’t.”

“Duel!” they declared in unison.

As the words settled, both drew five cards.

Seeing Simon calmly studying his hand, Sallya seized the initiative.

“I summon ‘Novice Knight of Radiance’ and ‘Sister Sarah’!”

*Novice Knight of Radiance* (3-Star, Grade C)

Human 4/4

*Sister Sarah* (3-Star, Grade C)

Human 3/3

A golden-haired knight in polished breastplate materialized, bathed in radiant light. Sword and shield raised gracefully, her profile gleamed in the blade’s reflection.

Beside Sallya, a nun in flowing black robes appeared, head bowed over an ancient scripture, murmuring blessings.

“Knight of Radiance… Sister Sarah?” Simon’s fingers froze mid-grip.

*Cards tied to the Luminous Order?*

Liszt’s voice cut through his thoughts, clear enough for all to hear: “Sallya’s parents have deep ties with the Luminous Order. They occasionally permit her low-grade sacred materials.”

Simon nodded slowly.

*So it’s not Old Liszt’s Grade B Duelist status pulling strings…*

But it wasn’t the Order that troubled him—it was the clerical theme.

*Too coincidental.*

He stared silently at the “Goblin Centurion” card in his hand.

*Surrender now?*

Better to lose face as a Cardmaker than as a *person*.

“Scared to summon?” Sallya smirked, twirling a strand of hair. “I can wait.”

*Screw it. Social death it is.*

Simon’s voice dropped, oddly solemn: “I just hope *you* won’t be… unsettled by my follower.”

*Here it comes!* Tidelys’ eyes glittered with stars.

Sallya’s teasing vanished. Brow furrowed, she fell silent. *An ace?*

“Don’t blink!”

Simon covered his right eye with the card, then thrust it skyward.

“Descend! Reveal your unparalleled radiance!”

“‘Goblin Centurion’—enter the battlefield!”

*Goblin Centurion* (3-Star, Grade C)

Goblin 2/5

A hulking, fearsome figure should have descended—

*If only.*

Silence crashed down. Only Simon’s echo lingered.

Sallya’s fingers tightened around her hair.

G-Goblin?

*That* green, repulsive creature?

Her summoned followers stiffened, as if facing a primal threat.

In this world, goblins were weak, swarming pests known for abducting females of all races.

And goblins versus clergy? A trope infamous across adult doujinshi—just like in Simon’s past life.

*No wonder I wanted to tap out.*

Goblin + knight + nun—who *wouldn’t* read into that?

“D-Disgusting! Perverted! So vulgar!” Sallya hugged herself, face flushed with shame and fury. Her gaze at Simon shifted from disdain to pure revulsion. *Grandfather was deceived by this man!*

“Hey, hey, hey! That’s a personal attack!” Simon protested.

“A deck reflects strategy—not reality!”

Victory now felt worse than defeat. Losing sparked gossip; *this* would haunt him forever.

Just as he opened his mouth—

“Shopkeeper… it’s okay.”

Simon turned. Tidelys stood firm, fists clenched, eyes soft with resolve.

“I know… teenage boys have all sorts of strange thoughts. It’s normal.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll gently guide your mindset back on track.”

Simon groaned inwardly.

“Can’t you just… trust your shopkeeper a *little*?”