The Back Hill of Duel Academy
The sky had fully darkened, leaving the already deserted path even more desolate.
Tidris sprinted down the main trail, her fingers tightly clutching the letter.
Just as she passed a tree with an unusually thick trunk, a familiar sound halted her steps.
“Meow~”
She looked up. Perched on a low-hanging branch was the familiar orange tabby kitten.
“Bread? What are you doing here?”
Tidris forced a faint smile. “Go on—leave. It’s going to get dangerous here.”
“Meow?”
Bread tilted its head, uncomprehending.
Tidris tiptoed, lifted the kitten down, set it facing downhill, and gently patted its back.
“If you truly understand me… please find the shop owner for me,” she murmured with quiet hope.
The hill was close to the commercial district. Logically, she could’ve visited the card shop—but the letter demanded she come alone. She wouldn’t drag Simon into this.
*If Bread understands… it must be fate.*
“Meow~”
Unusually affectionate—despite usually fearing her—Bread brushed its tail against Tidris’s ankle before darting away.
Only when the tiny figure shrank to a black speck did Tidris exhale and resume running.
The so-called “back hill” was merely a gentle slope. After three minutes along the path, she reached the clearing.
As expected, someone awaited her.
Tidris frowned at the hooded figure bowed beside the stone tablet. “You… the hooded man from before?”
“Tidris Ursula. I’ve waited long enough.”
Hearing that voice, her expression froze. “Classmate Lei?”
The figure jerked his head up. The hood flew back, revealing the face of her former rival—Lei Norflin.
“So you sent the letter?”
Tidris stepped forward anxiously; dry leaves crunched underfoot.
“Defeat me. Then you’ll learn about your parents.”
Lei’s words were clipped, emotion barely restrained.
Yet those few syllables carried crushing weight.
“I see… This is your revenge?”
Confirmation flashed in his silence. In an instant, Tidris shifted—from clumsy girl to ice-calm Duelist.
“I would’ve accepted a direct duel gladly.”
“But you should *never* have used my parents as leverage!”
Seeing her deck drawn, Lei’s voice trembled on the edge of control.
“I knew you wouldn’t refuse. But *that* version of you isn’t the one I want to crush.”
He stared at her frozen face, voice shaking with wild triumph.
“Good. *Good!* I want to defeat this cornered you!”
“Duel me with everything—just like last time!”
“Duel!”
“Duel!”
No words wasted this time. Tidelys plunged straight into the duel.
Glancing at her five-card hand, she hesitated a heartbeat—then steeled herself.
“I summon [Netherworld Disciple].”
[Netherworld Disciple ★★★ (Three Stars) Grade D]
[Demon 3/4]
A horned demon wielding a flaming whip materialized, eyes locked warily on Lei.
Lei snorted. “Hmph. Still running that old deck?”
“I am *not* the same!”
He slammed down a card Tidelys had never seen. “Field spell—[Hellbloom]!”
[Hellbloom ★★ (Two Stars) Grade C]
A massive hexagram flared across the ground. A giant blood-red flower erupted, petals tightly sealed.
No visible effect. Purpose unclear.
*Not [Mana Tide] anymore?*
Tidelys’s brow furrowed.
“Not finished. I summon [Blood Devil] and [Burning Demon].”
[Blood Devil ★★★ (Three Stars) Grade C]
[Demon 4/4]
[Burning Demon ★★★ (Three Stars) Grade C]
[Demon 3/5]
Two demons over a meter tall rose from hellfire—one hunched with twisted horns, the other burly, fists blazing.
“[Blood Devil]’s summon costs me three Life Points.”
*Hiss.* Blood seeped from Lei’s chest—not real, yet his grimace betrayed pain.
Tidelys reeled—but the move wasn’t over.
The crimson flower bloomed. A scrawny imp leaped out.
“[Hellbloom] effect: Lose Life Points? Summon a 1/1 Imp.”
*Going for an all-out win?*
Her emerald eyes scanned Lei’s stats: Life 7/10, Mana limit down to 2. Nearly spent.
“Alright.”
Lei breathed deep, arms spread wide, a sinister grin twisting his lips.
“If you won’t attack—I will. All units, charge!”
Three demons surged forward. Playing safe, Tidelys held back summons and sent [Netherworld Disciple] to intercept.
The moment minions clashed, she flipped a card.
“Spell card—[Brute Force]! [Netherworld Disciple] gains +2/+2 for one round (five seconds).”
[Brute Force ★★ (Two Stars) Grade D]
Like Sallya’s [Sarah’s Blessing], but weaker—no Luminous Order backing. Still… enough.
Now 5/6, the Disciple could one-shot any minion. Tidelys targeted [Blood Devil]—highest ATK, suspicious Life Point cost.
Lei smirked.
Just as the whip lashed toward the devil—
“I counter with [Sacrificial Ritual]!”
[Sacrificial Ritual ★ (One Star) Grade D]
“Sacrifice any allied minion. Lose one Life Point. Draw two cards.”
A dagger pierced [Blood Devil]’s heart. It collapsed. The whip struck empty air.
[Burning Demon]’s fiery fist and the Imp exploited the gap—four damage dealt. Then, a final clash: both [Burning Demon] and [Netherworld Disciple] shattered.
Tidelys’s shoulders eased slightly. *At least the strongest two are gone.*
But Lei drew two cards… summoned a second Imp. Her guard stayed up.
Then his words froze her blood.
“[Blood Devil]’s death effect: *If sacrificed*, restore three Mana Crystals!”
