"Miss, are you the newly appointed teacher? Please show me your ID card."
Milo extended his hand politely toward Hannah. Earlier, he had asked the principal about new students or teachers who had arrived this year. A striking beauty like Hannah naturally came to mind first.
Milo's quick investigation was motivated by urgency: Myura had already departed. If other Shadow Duelists slipped away too, he would be left empty-handed.
And the woman before him was indeed stunning, her eye makeup sharp enough to steal a man's soul.
When Hannah realized Milo didn't recognize her, she remembered her makeup was different. During last year's tournament, she had barely shown her face, and a year had passed since. No wonder he didn't notice.
Suddenly, she felt an irrational anger.
Snatching off her ID card, she shoved it into Milo's hand with irritation, turning her head aside.
Milo gave an awkward smile and began checking. But when he saw the name, his eyes widened.
…This woman's name was also Hannah?
He studied her repeatedly, yet no matter how he tried, he couldn't match her with the person in his memory. At last, he sighed. Plenty of women in the world shared the name Hannah. Meeting one here wasn't strange. Nonetheless, she wasn't the Hannah he sought.
Finding nothing unusual, he handed the ID back.
"Miss Hannah, would you like to join me for a meal sometime?"
She pulled the card away coldly. "We'll see."
Without another glance, she left the hall.
Everyone's eyes lingered on her graceful back, but only Hannah knew how her heart had nearly burst.
If there had been any flaw in the ID, Milo would have arrested her on the spot. Luckily, her boss's craftsmanship was flawless—even the Duelist League's database couldn't detect it. She was growing ever more curious about her boss's true identity.
Milo stood awkwardly, his rejection witnessed by all. Clearing his throat, he continued his investigation.
Morgan was naturally exempt—she and Milo were old acquaintances, trusted allies, and no one dared question her after she had just defeated a Shadow Duelist.
After a short rest, Morgan led Isla and the others back to their dorms.
By the following afternoon, the investigation was complete. Milo left the Academy with Professor Mayn and Hazel—both scapegoats set up by Hannah.
Thus, the Shadow Duelist incident at the island Academy was resolved.
The principal was overjoyed. No losses, and even honor regained. He grinned ear to ear—all thanks to Morgan.
The old man scoffed, mocking the principal's shallow pride.
Although, as he departed, he left An'er behind—not out of trust in the principal, but for Morgan. An'er, already the top student of Forest Academy, had little left to learn there.
Better to let her grow alongside Morgan.
Morgan didn't mind. She was already teaching Jade; one more student was no trouble.
Soon, Duel Academy faced its first exam. It was a major event—the first ranking reshuffle of the term. Everyone trained relentlessly, tuning their Decks to climb higher.
Morgan wasn't worried for herself, though she kept a close eye on Jade's performance. Jade had mastered Floowandereeze and would surely do well.
And as Morgan expected, her victory over Myura earned her a massive reward in Duel Points, enough to exchange for several meta Decks.
Moreover, Myura hadn't disappeared—only departed. Which meant Morgan could still farm her again.
On exam day, the hall was packed. The proctor was Hannah herself. She wore a sleeveless blouse and a short black skirt, her long legs wrapped in stockings, exuding intellect and allure. She drew every eye in the room.
Hannah frowned as she familiarized herself with the exam process.
Originally, Professor Mayn was meant to preside, but he had been taken away in her place. Now she had to do it herself.
Still, Mayn's removal gave her breathing room. She had already turned several students into Shadow Duelists. Some, previously mediocre, had awakened frightening strength. For them, she provided spare Decks stolen from her boss.
She was eager to see their performance.
The exam began. Students entered, dueling sounds echoing as monsters were destroyed.
The audience buzzed nonstop with so many questions. One being dominant: Who would take first place?
Anyhow, most talk centered on Morgan.
"This time, Morgan will definitely take first. It's only right."
"Of course. She even beat an ancient Shadow Duelist. Who else could stand against her?"
"Not so fast. What if a dark horse appears?"
"Dark horse? At this point, they're all donkeys!"
At that moment, Hannah called Morgan's name. The room fell silent, every eye turning to her.
…Who would face her?
Then Hannah announced Morgan's opponent. A wave of pity swept the crowd. The match was as good as decided.
The student was infamous for poor grades.
If she failed this exam, she risked expulsion. Against Morgan, expulsion was certain.
Yet, as the name rang out, Syra walked proudly onto the stage. Gone was her timid past—her eyes now burned with confidence.
She had never expected Hannah to be a Shadow Duelist. Even more unexpected was Hannah's invitation to join them. Struggling to avoid expulsion, she had accepted without hesitation.
Becoming a Shadow Duelist had given her immense power. For once, her gamble had paid off. With the powerful Deck Hannah had given her, she no longer feared even Morgan.
Syra's eyes blazed with fighting spirit as she faced Morgan.
Hannah gave her only a brief glance. She knew Syra needed a duel worthy of her new strength.
"I announce the start of the duel. I will grade you on performance. Show me your full power."
The last line was clearly meant for Syra.
Both activated their Duel Disks, drawing five cards.
"Duel!"
The White Dragon coin flipped—Syra would go first.
"My turn, draw!"
She drew sharply, radiating none of her old cowardice. Even facing Morgan, she showed no fear. Glancing at her hand, she quickly plotted her chain.
"From my hand, I activate the Spell, Foolish Burial Goods!"
"Send 1 Spell from my Deck to the Graveyard!"
"I send Luna Light Perfume!"
'Luna Light?!'
Morgan froze. Was her opponent using a Lunalight Deck? That was no weak choice. With such a Deck, Syra didn't look like a failure at all.
Lunalights were powerful Fusion users with strong resource engines, though many players ran them as Xyz decks with Raidraptor tech.
Which version was this?
"Next, I activate the Spell, Allure of Darkness!"
"Draw 2 cards, then banish 1 DARK monster from my hand."
Syra drew two, then discarded a DARK. Her setup was ready.
The crowd sensed it too. Something was different. How could this be the same Syra?
Nevertheless, she ignored them.
"I activate the Continuous Spell, Fire Formation – Tenki!"
"When this card is activated: Add 1 Level 4 or lower Beast-Warrior monster from my Deck to my hand."
"I add Lunalight Tiger to my hand!"
She strengthened her hand again. Tiger was a key Pendulum monster for Lunalights.
"I Normal Summon Lunalight Emerald Bird in Attack Position!"
A girl cloaked in emerald feathers appeared, jade wings spread, her face hidden by a golden half-mask.
[Lunalight Emerald Bird] Level 4│DARK│Beast-Warrior│1200 ATK / 1000 DEF
Morgan's eyes narrowed. This was clearly pure Lunalights. Their bosses, the Dancers, all had effects that prevented targeting. Tricky opponents indeed.
Abruptly, then she glanced at her own hand and smiled. Non-targeting or not… it wouldn't matter. Her answer worked for all.
Syra continued:
"I activate Emerald Bird's effect!"
"When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: Send 1 Lunalight card from my hand to the Graveyard, then draw 1 card!"
...
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