A loud bell suddenly interrupted the clamor of the cultural festival, slicing through the air of the entire venue. The students suddenly fell silent, and all eyes turned towards the stage in front.
The performing students had already retreated off-stage without anyone noticing, and next to appear was the big senior from the Dueling Department.
Speaking of which, Yugen felt ashamed; he still couldn't remember the senior's real name...
"Surprise Duel!"
The senior, holding a microphone, smiled and said.
"For the cultural festival's dueling event, everyone is required to randomly choose an opponent within thirty seconds for a duel! You earn a point for each duel you win, and the one with the highest points after the event will receive a small prize specially prepared by the Dueling Department for the cultural festival!"
"..."
The scene fell silent in an instant.
At that moment, Yugen felt as if a whole circle of gazes was intentionally or unintentionally falling on him.
In roughly a second, the atmosphere around him changed dramatically. It was as if the previously stagnant frame suddenly sped up to full speed, and all the students hurriedly picked up their Duel Discs and rushed towards their nearest opponents.
To them, it no longer mattered who they wanted to duel.
As long as they weren't caught by the Great Demon King, it was a win!
Yamamoto Yuichi from Yellow Dormitory charged forward like a mortar shell towards a female student from Obelisk Blue not far away. The girl was so startled by his momentum that, at first glance, one might even think she was about to be pinned against the wall with that murderous aura.
Indeed, he was none other than Yamamoto Yuichi, the top member of the Yugen Victim Association within the new year of Duel Academy. Now, to his horror, he realized that he had incredibly, unluckily stumbled near the Great Demon King's side right as the surprise duel event began.
In Yuichi's mind flashed the fear of being dominated by the Yellow-clothed Demon King during the previous dorm exchange match...
His gaze firmly locked onto that Blue Dormitory girl. No way was he going to repeat the same duel as last time!
But just a little bit too late.
At the moment he was about to succeed, another Yellow Dormitory student suddenly appeared from nowhere, already brandishing his Duel Disc, blocking the girl: "Sorry, can I duel with you?"
The girl nodded.
Yuichi, who was advancing at full speed, fell to the ground in a dog-eating-dirt manner.
He angrily looked up and saw that the guy who intercepted his chosen target was actually a buddy of his. That buddy glanced at him lying on the ground, adjusted his glasses, and said in a serious tone: "Sorry, Yuichi."
But better you than me, buddy. Today I'm just one step ahead, so you'll have to make the sacrifice.
Yuichi: "You bastard..."
However, before he could finish swearing, a shadow had already cast over him.
Then came that gentle, polite demonic whisper: "Oh? Isn't this Yamamoto-kun, what are you doing lying there? Can't find an opponent? What a coincidence, I also haven't found one yet, so it seems I must trouble you again this time..."
Yuichi sighed deeply, getting up and lifelessly spreading out his Duel Disc.
His expression seemed to say, fine, I'll just lay down, get it over quickly please.
"..."
"Activate the Magic Card 'Handwriting Erasure,' then chain the Continuous Trap 'Call of the Living Dead,' Special Summoning 'Temple Guardian' from the Graveyard."
"Sorry, Yamamoto-kun. You'll have to discard all your hand cards, and according to 'Temple Guardian's' effect, you can't draw cards. Meanwhile, I'll accept the 'Handwriting Erasure's' effect and draw four new cards myself."
Yuichi: "..."
"Huh? Yamamoto-kun, are you planning to do nothing and just end the turn? You're too kind. Then it's my turn again, 'Leader - Zarug,' direct attack! Looks like you lost."
"......"
Ending yet another duel joyfully, Yugen bid farewell to the wind-stricken Yuichi, turning to find his next target.
By the Dueling Department's rules, you can't duel with the same opponent twice in the event. So he just needs to find a duo currently dueling and squat nearby. As soon as that duel ends, a stray student will naturally emerge.
Like that pair from Yellow Dormitory and Blue Dormitory he just saw.
During the duel, both were grateful they chose their opponents quickly enough to avoid the Great Demon King. However, after only a few turns, they suddenly felt a cold chill down their spines, seemingly without reason.
Turning around, they instantly felt cold all over.
The Yellow-clothed Demon King had somehow appeared beside them, watching their duel with a smile!
What does this mean?
Clearly waiting like a rabbit under a tree, waiting for their duel to end so he can randomly pick his next victim!
What to do?
Intentionally drag out the duel, play for longer?
Not possible. That would be playing fake cards, the most shameful action for a duelist, and it's against school rules.
As the cards were about to finish playing, and the glasses guy's Life Points were about to reach zero, both duelists were in a panic.
The girl seemed to want to say, what the heck, could you stiffen up a bit? I barely moved and you're already kneeling?
The glasses guy also sported a face full of misery. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly seemed to see a savior.
It was Yuichi, whom he had ruthlessly snatched cards from earlier, now happily spectating after being thoroughly beaten.
There was hope!
The glasses guy's eyes lit up.
As soon as this duel ended, teaming up with his good pal for a duel against Yuichi would mean avoiding the Great Demon King...
The moment his Life Points hit zero, he withstood the virtual impact from the opponent's attack and rushed towards Yuichi: "Yuichi! Let's settle our feud today! Come on, let's battle!"
"No."
Yuichi glanced at him disdainfully, directly ignoring him and walking towards the Blue Dormitory girl behind.
"Excuse me, can I duel with you?"
The Blue Dormitory girl nodded repeatedly, full of gratitude.
"Yuichi! KISAMA (you bastard)!" the glasses guy roared.
Yuichi coldly smiled at him.
Ha, the hell I went through, let a brother experience it together.
Thus, the Yellow-clothed Demon King appeared before the glasses guy, smiling as he raised his Duel Disc: "Looks like it's just us left, classmate. So, anything else you want to say before we begin?"
Glasses Guy: "..."
"..."
"Activate Trap Card 'Ojama Trio,' Special Summoning three Ojama Derivatives to your field."
"Then activate Continuous Trap 'Heroic Warlords.' Since the Ojama Derivatives from the Beast Race are on your field, you can't summon other monsters."
"Alright, it's your turn now, take your time."
Glasses Guy: "..."
Seeing the other party's face turning red, staring intently at their hand cards and seemingly unable to make a play, Yugen started to space out.
Speaking of which, why hasn't Judai shown up?
It doesn't make sense; for this kind of dueling event, shouldn't he be the most active?