"I summon [Lesser Imp]."

[Lesser Imp ★★ (Two-Star) Grade C] [Demon 4/2]

A short, plump white demon popped out of the void, eyeing the [Demonbane Warrior] with eager anticipation, poised to pounce any second.

"Still haven’t decided your move?" Lei drawled, gaze leisurely fixed on Tidris like a hunter savoring the chase. "Keep stalling, and I’ll attack."

"Why drag the shopkeeper into this?" Tidelys asked, her voice icy.

"Drag him in?"

Lei’s voice shot up sharply, as if stung. "He was my revenge target from the start!"

Meeting her cold stare, Lei spat bitterly, "After dueling you, a bunch of worthless fools suddenly found courage to challenge me again."

"Fools stay fools—reckless bravery without strength. No matter how many come, they all fall to me."

"But then… Simon Drait!"

He clenched his fists, veins bulging. "Opening card packs? Through such a childish method, those fools gained power to stand against me!"

"Anyone blocking my path will feel the same agony of falling from the peak—just like I did!"

Tidelys understood.

Her gaze shifted.

If it was cold before, now it held pure disdain.

"In the end, you’re just blaming others for your own stagnation."

"What—"

Before Lei could retort, Tidelys cut in: "Haven’t you noticed, Lei Norflin?"

"Your new deck boosted your power, but corrupted your mindset."

Having encountered the [Envoy of Morowen], Tidelys knew certain cards truly affected reality.

"Mood swings, displaced anger, impatience—all cardinal sins of a Duelist, flashing plainly in this duel."

"If you lost to those 'fools,' win back your pride from them."

"Blaming the shopkeeper? That alone proves your limits."

Lei stomped the ground. "What nonsense are you spouting?!"

"Since you’ve got time to spare—I’ll indulge you. All minions, attack!"

With a sweep of his arm, three demons roared and charged Tidelys:

a 1/1 Imp, a 5/5 Hellhound, a 4/2 Lesser Imp…

Glancing at her three remaining mana crystals, Tidelys didn’t hesitate. "[Demonbane Warrior], counterattack!"

The warrior swung its halberd toward the Hellhound—just as contact neared, Tidelys flipped the rightmost card.

"Cast spell: [Counter Storm]!"

"Usable only when opponent minions attack. Deals 1 damage to all minions on field. Repeats three times!"

[Counter Storm ★★★★ (Four-Star) Grade C]

"Area-of-effect spell?!"

Lei froze—then relaxed seeing its star rating. Even with three temporary mana (from [Hell Disciple]), casting this left her with only two.

Two mana… useless!

"In response: [Bloodthirsty Frenzy]!"

"Grants [Lesser Imp] permanent +3/+2!"

[Bloodthirsty Frenzy ★★★ (Three-Star) Grade D]

Lei smirked. "Impressive finding a strong AoE spell in Grade C. Too bad you missed my buff."

"Now my Hellhound and [Lesser Imp] survive—while yours—"

"Who said I missed it?"

Tidelys’ voice stayed calm. As [Bloodthirsty Frenzy] activated, she flicked a second card. "In response: [Reckless Rejection]!"

"What?!"

[Reckless Rejection ★★ (Two-Star) Grade C]

"Discard one card to counter a spell with star rating ≤ X. X = discarded card’s stars."

"And I discarded… [Counter Spell]!"

Stricter condition, lower star cost.

A mental shockwave hammered Lei like a sledgehammer—he staggered. [Bloodthirsty Frenzy] fizzled.

[Counter Storm] resolved. Ethereal blades swirled across the field.

Three slash marks appeared on every minion. Only the [Demonbane Warrior]’s faded instantly.

"Effect: reduces all magic damage taken by 1. It takes zero damage!"

The [Lesser Imp] and Imp vanished. The Hellhound, slashed thrice, fell to the warrior’s strike—but not before its horns pierced the warrior’s abdomen, dropping its health to 1.

"[Demonbane Warrior], direct attack!"

Dragging its halberd, the warrior limped toward Lei.

"Damn it! Damn it!"

Two cards remained in Lei’s hand—neither could save him.

Unrelenting, Tidelys slammed down a new card as mana hit three.

"Field spell: [Rousing Totem]. All my minions gain permanent +2 attack."

[Rousing Totem ★★★ (Three-Star) Grade D]

"One strike ends this," Tidelys said, gaze sharpening.

Seeing the warrior’s attack soar to 6, Lei’s lips trembled. "No… I can’t lose again. Not a second time!"

Just as the warrior neared—

Third draw phase arrived.

Lei snatched the top card before it floated free.

"Hah… hahaha!"

He burst into wild laughter. "The goddess answered! I summon [Hell Acolyte]!"

[Hell Acolyte ★★★ (Three-Star) Grade D] [Human 4/3]

A hooded acolyte materialized, shielding Lei.

They clashed. The [Demonbane Warrior] beheaded the acolyte—but the acolyte took the warrior’s last health point.

No minions remained. Mana caps reset to zero. Lei’s face lit with desperate joy.

"A draw? Good. Buys me time to wait for—"

"Draw? No. I want victory."

Tidelys covered her left eye with a card. "Don’t forget—I drew too."

"Even with a card, you’ve got zero mana—" Lei’s boast died. Panic flooded his face.

"Your personality changed… but your arrogance never did."

"Wait… wait—"

Tidris flicked her wrist. "Summon: [Animated Dummy]."

[Animated Dummy Zero-Star Grade D] [Golem 0/2]

The dummy reappeared, swinging its single arm.

Unlike last time—wiped out instantly—[Rousing Totem] granted even this zero-star minion +2 attack.

It twisted its base, hopping eagerly toward Lei.

Tidelys raised a fist to her chest.

"I recalled… the shopkeeper mentioned oddly named techniques."

"He said they were too 'chuunibyou' for him. I don’t know what that means… but this moment fits."

As she spoke, the dummy mirrored her, raising its wooden arm.

Lei stared, trembling at the sandbag-sized fist. "No… no…"

Ignoring his pleas, Tidelys bounced lightly—then thrust forward.

"First punch: Impact!"

"Second punch: Annihilation!"

"Final punch: Obliteration!"

Thud!

"How… could I lose?!"

His life barrier shattered. Roaring in fury, Lei flew backward from the dummy’s wooden fist.