The special rule in the duel war—Class Rep Battle.
As the name suggests, the duel between the two Class Reps replaces the outcome of the normal simulated war.
It sounds very convenient, but in reality, there are many specific restrictions.
First, a Class Rep Battle can only be proposed by the lower-ranked class to the higher-ranked class.
Second, there is only one opportunity per week to apply for a Class Rep Battle.
In the end, whether to accept the request is decided by the challenged side.
Under normal circumstances, higher-ranked classes would not accept such a proposal.
Because when the overall strength of a class is far superior to the opponent, the win rate in a group battle is much higher than in a 1v1; in a one-on-one duel, there are still possibilities like dead hands or bad draws.
Of course, there are exceptions where the Class Rep of a higher-ranked class, out of confidence and pride, gladly accepts.
As for Class B's Class Rep, Lierman, Miles speculated that since his strength was nearly comparable to Class A, he should possess that level of pride and confidence.
And most importantly, the one challenging him would be the Class Rep of Class E, Year Three.
"A Class Rep Battle?" Behind her round glasses, August's eyes trembled uncontrollably with fear. "Miles, you want me to challenge Class B's Class Rep?"
The position of Class Rep in each class was determined by the academy through student voting, strength assessments, and evaluations of character; strictly selected through multiple factors.
Therefore, the Class Rep of Class E, Year Three, was August.
There was no way for Miles to exploit a loophole and switch participants at the last moment.
Of course, Miles had no need for the Class Rep position anyway.
It had to be August as the Class Rep.
After today's duel war, Miles' strength was known throughout the entire academy.
If the request for a Class Rep Battle were made under Miles' name, then no matter how proud or confident Lierman was, as the leader of Class B, he would still need to take responsibility for the entire class and would never risk accepting a one-on-one duel against Miles.
But August was different. Although she had a sudden burst of performance today, she had only defeated two ordinary Class C students. In Class B, any student could achieve that.
Most importantly, there was that sky-soaring leap Miles had displayed today. Even if this trump card had already been revealed, it would still give Lierman a headache figuring out how to deal with it.
Considering all these factors combined, Miles couldn't find any reason for Class B's Class Rep to refuse a Class Rep Battle with August.
"It has to be you, August! It must be you!"
"No! No! No!"
August shook her head like a rattlesnake's tail, frantically refusing.
Her extreme lack of confidence was likely a lingering effect of spending so long in Class E.
"I can't do it, Miles! There's no way I can defeat Class B's Class Rep!"
"I'll make it possible."
Miles picked up the King's Key from the desk and handed it to August.
"When the time comes, August, I'll fight together with you."
"Fight together?"
Even though she had no idea how Miles planned to fight alongside her in a 1v1 duel, those words still made August's heart race.
Her fair cheeks, illuminated by the sunset streaming through the classroom windows, turned even redder.
"What is this, Miles?"
"The key item that will let me fight with you. Try wearing it."
"Wear it…"
To August, the King's Key had been something Miles had worn close to his chest ever since she met him.
Now he was suddenly handing over such a personal item, something he wore at all times… and asking her to wear it.
Redder than the sunset, August's face was now so flushed it looked like it might drip blood.
"Th-then I-I'll p-put it o-on…"
Keeping her head lowered, not wanting to look at Miles at all, August trembled as she stuttered and took the King's Key from his hand.
Passing the chain over her head, August successfully wore the King's Key on her chest.
In spite of her clothing being fairly thick, if one looked closely, August unexpectedly had quite a… well-hidden figure.
"H-how is it? Does it fit, Miles?" August asked nervously.
It's not like you're wearing it for others to see… what does it matter if it fits?
What came next was the key step.
Even though the King's Key was an enhancement item created by Viel based on the power of the Millennium Puzzle, it still couldn't swap souls like the Millennium Puzzle could, allowing Miles to enter August's body.
However, according to Viel's "product description," the King's Key had another method of use.
This method, however, was also something Miles was attempting for the first time.
Miles steadied his body against his seat, maintaining a posture where he wouldn't collapse even if he lost consciousness.
Then he gently narrowed his eyes.
—King's Key, activate!
Quite a different soul traversal scene unfolded.
If the Millennium Puzzle allowed one's soul to travel into another body, then the King's Key allowed Miles' soul to travel outside his body.
Successfully entering a starlight form, Miles floated behind August in the form of a soul.
Taking a closer look, thankfully, he was still wearing clothes.
"M-M-Miles?!"
Miles, suddenly floating beside her, gave the poor girl quite a fright.
"Two Miles?"
Her gaze shifted back and forth as she observed carefully… August could hardly believe her eyes.
"Oh, that one over there is just the body left behind after the soul exited. This one here is the real me."
"Something like soul separation… is that really possible?"
"Isn't it already being demonstrated right in front of you? And my soul form can only be seen by someone wearing the King's Key."
"In other words…" August touched the golden ornament on her chest in disbelief. "Only I can see you?"
"Exactly! You got it perfectly~" Miles gave August a thumbs-up. "This is our two-in-one strategy for fighting Class B!"
"T-two-in-one!"
For some reason, even August began to feel excited.
So many things around Miles were impossible to explain with common sense.
So August had grown used to not questioning the mysterious causes behind everything about him, and instead simply accepting the results those mysteries brought.
Fighting alongside August in starlight form, during tomorrow's Class Rep Battle against Class B, although Miles couldn't use his incredible draw luck like when possessing someone through the Millennium Puzzle, he could still guide August on how to play.
And though there were some limitations, through the soul connection between the King's Key and the starlight form, August should also be able to use part of Miles' power.
That was the true key to victory!
"So, I didn't lie to you, right?"
"If it's you guiding me, Miles… I think, I think I can try to fight!"
After all, the chance of winning a normal duel war against Class B was even lower. With the Class Rep Battle format, combining Miles' power with August's deck, there was a real possibility of pulling off a surprise victory.
"Then, without delay, tonight let's submit the request for a Class Rep Battle to Class B, August!"
"O-okay!"
After finishing the demonstration, Miles' soul easily returned to his body.
He hadn't expected the King's Key made by Viel to be so convenient, enabling him to freely go in and out like this.
"So how does it feel to act like a ghost behind another woman? Must be great, you scumbag!"
As expected, the moment Miles returned to his body, he was greeted with sarcastic ridicule from Dark Aisha.
There was nothing to argue about… after all, everything he had done was for the sake of victory!
"Huh? Why won't the door open?"
Ready to follow Miles' suggestion and immediately submit the Class Rep Battle request to Class B, August tried twisting the doorknob several times, but the door wouldn't budge.
Combined with Nite's meaningful smile before leaving the classroom…
"This is bad… the door's locked from the outside. We're trapped in the classroom, Miles!"
That wicked brat…
August decided that tomorrow she would not only spank Nite, but also tickle her feet.
Click!
"Let's go from here."
"F-from the window?" August's round glasses nearly fell off in shock. "This is the fifth floor, Miles!"
"I know. But this is the fastest way~"
…
"Ahhhhhhh!"
In an instant, August's scream echoed under the sunset of Xyz Academy.
The nervous excitement of being princess-carried by Miles one moment was immediately swallowed by the terror of jumping out the window the next.
With a heavy thud upon landing, Miles used his body to cushion August in his arms.
If he hadn't deliberately buffered the impact, based on Miles' understanding of physics, it would've been no different from letting August jump from the fifth floor.
"We're here, Class Rep~"
"Huh? Huh?!"
Only after landing for quite some time did the terrified August manage to open her eyes behind her lenses.
She was indeed still alive… alive in Miles' arms.
Wait, she had actually let herself be held by a man in a moment of impulse.
This… she'd definitely never get married now.
August muttered to herself internally.
"You really don't stop causing a scene, do you, transfer student!"
A familiar voice rang out.
Naturally, Miles' dramatic landing had attracted the attention of nearby students.
Among them was one of the acquaintances from the Turbo Duel at Synchron Academy.
And the one with the most special identity at that.
Oga Slint.
The man who wielded the infinite Attack power of the Divine Serpent, once secretly the strongest in Xyz Academy.
With a strategy combining infinite Attack and infinite Life Points, after defeating Ren, he was ultimately broken by Kevin's infinite chain with Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon.
After losing to Kevin, Oga's once dejected personality, burdened by the name of a criminal family, seemed to have changed quite a bit. He now dared to face his fate head-on.
"O-Oga Slint?" August said in surprise.
For someone who stood at the very peak of Xyz Academy to speak to someone from Class E… August found it hard to imagine.
Of course, Oga's target had nothing to do with Class E; it was simply Miles.
"Transfer student, I watched your duel today. It was very interesting.
"A fighting style using three summoning methods reminds me of that man. Tell me your name."
"Miles."
When it comes to Duelists who use three summoning methods, most people would think of the name Aisha Carlos right away.
But in fact, during that Turbo Duel at Synchron Academy, aside from Aisha, there was another person who used three types of summoning in the same duel.
That was Kevin Seth, who defeated Oga's infinite Life Points with an infinite loop.
Seeing that this transfer student from Fusion Academy also used three summoning methods, Oga Slint naturally recalled the fated rival who shared a similar destiny with him.
"Miles, is it? I understand. I look forward to our duel. If you can defeat Class B tomorrow."
If Class E of Year Three could once again create a miracle and defeat Class B tomorrow, then the final duel war would be the weakest Class E versus the strongest Class A.
Miles replied, "Yeah. We'll meet again on the battlefield, Oga!"
"Oh? Even your way of speaking is somewhat similar to someone I know.
"What an interesting person you are, Miles."
The speaking style Oga referred to was likely Miles when he was in the state of being possessed by Aisha.
Back then in Viel's Magic Workshop, the two of them had also clashed verbally over the fate of the Slint family.
"I'll be waiting for you on the strongest battlefield of Class A, Miles."
Oga Slint turned and left.
This exchange between Oga and Miles immediately sparked heated discussions among the surrounding students who had gathered to watch.
Defeat Class B? Is Class E seriously planning to beat Class B?
Looks like tomorrow's duel war will be another exciting spectacle.
From one person to ten, from ten to a hundred; just as nearly the entire school was anticipating what kind of godlike plays the transfer student named Miles would perform in tomorrow's duel war.
---
Class Rep Battle.
August VS Lierman Lant.
"Huh? What's going on?"
"It's actually a Class Rep Battle?"
"Does that mean we won't get to see the transfer student?"
Students from all grades who had arrived in excitement were instead informed that today's duel war would be conducted in the form of a Class Rep Battle.
This left those who had spent the whole night eagerly anticipating the transfer student's incredible plays to overturn Class B utterly disappointed.
"Instead of sending the transfer student, they're having Class E's Class Rep fight Class B's Class Rep one-on-one?"
"Isn't that basically just throwing the match?"
"I get it. Class E never thought they could beat Class B from the start. So they're hiding their secret weapon, the transfer student, with this method."
"How boring. What's the point of watching such a one-sided duel?"
Among the hundreds of spectators present, not a single person believed that August had any chance of winning.
She was the Class Rep of Class E. If she truly had the strength to challenge Class B's Class Rep, she wouldn't have stayed in that so-called group of fools for three years.
Among them, the most confident one was none other than Class B's Class Rep, Lierman himself.
Just yesterday, he had been troubled over how to deal with the transfer student's sky-soaring mobility tactic, and that very night, he received a request for a Class Rep Battle from Class E.
Under such circumstances, whether out of pride or strategy, Lierman had no reason to refuse.
Meanwhile, from Class E's position, Nite's scream suddenly rang out.
"Ahhh! Miles suddenly collapsed!"
"Bro, bro, what's wrong with you?! Brothhhher!"
The burly Tyles held Miles' soulless body and shook it as if he was dead.
"Is it really okay to just ignore them?" August asked worriedly as she watched Miles' body being 'manhandled.'
"It's fine. If you want to deceive your enemy, you have to deceive your own side first."
Miles floated beside August in his starlight soul form, turning what appeared to be a 1v1 Class Rep Battle into what was actually a 1v2.5 duel.
Why 2.5?
Because even in soul form, Miles' presence in a duel was worth the combat power of one and a half people.
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