"The Lindwurm Qualifications?"

I raised an eyebrow. Lucina-sensei nodded, projecting an infographic to help visualise her explanation.

"As you already might know, GEN Academy will be taking part in the Lindwurm Fiesta! And not only that, thanks to all our accolades, we're allowed to bring six people to compete instead of the regular three! As such, the school board thought the most fair way of deciding who would be going is by cardfighting! And you, Q Class, will be the ones determining if these finalists are worthy of being part of the team!"

My eyes widened.

"U-us?" Yuuma pointed at herself.

"Wait, so we'll be fighting them?" Iori pointed at the six standing at the front.

"What makes them finalists anyways?" Momoka said.

"Ku ku... how interesting. Let me guess, we were chosen because we've all competed in the Tri-deity Circuit?" Kuyou said.

"How astute of you, Kuyou-san! Yes, the school chose you all to be the final hurdle for these six precisely because of that. Of course, Kazuraba-san is subbing in for Busujima-san since she's not here today."

"Glad to be of service!" Reona smiled.

"As for why they're here... well, each of them has their own individual reasoning. Would you like to tell us?"

Lucina-sensei turned to the rest with a smile.

"D-do we have to?" Hotaru asked.

"Ha ha! Because the school asked me to!" Taro said.

"I won the lottery for participating in the qualification." Tsukioka said.

"I dunno, I got an award for some mechanic stuff, and now I'm here." Amber said.

"There was an in school tournament for participating in the qualification, and I won it." Ryouta said.

"Because I won a major tournament in Tokyo! Get with the times!" Shinomiya roared.

In contrast, the others sure weren't shy about it...

"If you don't want to say Hikasa-san, that's perfectly fine!" Lucina-sensei said.

"Ah, it's more like, umm... my reason for being here is far more embarrassing than the others..."

Hotaru's face started going red.

"How bad could it be? I mean, Tsukioka-san is here by sheer luck." Iori said.

"It's pretty bad." Amber said.

"Oh, does that mean Amber-san knows what it is?" Reona said.

"Yeah. There was a popularity contest being held for participation and she won it by a landslide."

Hotaru's jaw dropped as Amber casually dropped the reason she was here.

"Oh, oops. I wasn't meant to say that."

"Oh my god..."

With a beet red face, Hotaru squatted and curled up into a ball. At least she knows how I felt when Amber did the same to me...

"S-she won a popularity contest...?"

Momoka mumbled under her breath before blinking and pointing at Hotaru.

"Wait a minute, you're the bitch who beat me! How the hell did you get so many votes?!"

"M-Momo-chan was also competing in that popularity contest?!" Yuuma said.

"That's right! I thought I'd kill it, but then she showed up and ruined it!"

This is the first time I'm hearing about popularity contests on campus... just whose idea was this anyways?

"Oh, I found the data— that's not a landslide, that's a murder!"

Iori screamed, projecting the pie chart of votes for the popularity contest for everyone to see.

99.8% of the votes went to Hotaru.

The remaining 0.02% was spread out between the other candidates, including Momoka...

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! The others roped me into it, I didn't think anyone would pick me...!"

"Looks like someone is unaware they're in their popular phase..." Momoka huffed, crossing her arms and pouting.

"Somehow, I feel bad for her..." Yuuma said.

"I know I don't deserve to be here, unlike everyone else... so, it's fine if you replace me with someone that's more worthy."

Hotaru bowed her head. I scratched the back of my neck. Something about this didn't sit right with me...

"Nah, screw that. If what you showed us during lunch was any indication... then I say you're plenty worthy already!"

As I spoke up, Hotaru's eyes widened.

"Besides, you're already standing there. It would be a waste for you to turn back now."

"T-that's right! Hotaru-san was chosen for a reason... y-you don't have to feel guilty over it!" Yuuma said.

"Ku ku, it'd be even more troublesome for the staff who set this up if you left now." Kuyou said.

"Yeah... as much as I'm annoyed with losing to you, I also want to go home before it gets dark." Momoka said.

With a surprised look, Hotaru stood, before smiling at us.

"Thank you... I'll do my very best."

"Each one of you will be randomly paired against someone else, and the winners of each match will qualify to represent us in the Lindwurm Fiesta that's happening in December! Does that make it clear?"

We all nodded our heads. Looks like even we had the chance to enter the Lindwurm too, which was really exciting.

"Great! All challengers, do your best, and good luck! Let's get this show on the road!"

Immediately a large screen popped up in front of us, randomising our names before spitting out six match ups.

Kuyou Aru vs Tsukioka Maihime
Kazuraba Reona vs Ryouta Kotori
Aiuchi Momoka vs Hikasa Hotaru
Amasawa Iori vs Shinomiya Ayaka
Kurosaki Yuuma vs Mikazuchi Taro
Takamine Minoru vs Amber Rose

I raised my eyebrows looking at the match ups before glancing at my opponent and smirking.

"Figures I end up fighting you... Amber."

As our gazes crossed, she gave me a smirk back.

"Looks like some rivalries never die."

"I hate to do this to you, but I'm gonna be the one to win this. There's no way I'm gonna miss out on the Lindwurm!"

"Sorry, but it's not every day you get the honour of taking down the champ. I have no intentions of losing either."

We went to go set up our fight.

***

"Ha ha! It must be some kind of fate for us to fight like this, Yuuma."

"Y-you were the last person I wanted to go up against, Taro..."

Yuuma whimpered as she stood across from Taro.

"Trust me, I feel the same. It would've been nice for us to go to the Lindwurm together. But hey, relax. It'll be just like when we were kids."

"Y-you ignored my turn to watch birds on your Desire Visor!"

"Come back to me when your main phase doesn't last ten minutes. Besides, a man can only take so much Thegrea theorycrafting before tapping out."

"T-that's... t-that's... T-Taro, you meanie!"

Taro chuckled as he pat the watery eyed Yuuma on the head.

"I'm only kidding. Not really."

"Y-you're not meant to say that last part out loud!"

"Ha ha! I am a man of honesty and integrity! Much like the Celtic sparrow, who symbolises honesty, hard work, and simplicity with it's small frame, chestnut wings, and ability to live harmoniously with humans in urban settings!"

"...I never wanna hear you complain about me talking about Thegrea ever again, you freaky bird lover!"

"Pure bird enthusiast, actually. How's that new Keter RRR treating— I'm only joking, please don't actually start..."

Taro began shivering as Yuuma immediately pulled four copies of Dissection Angel from her bag and showed it to him.

"H-hmph..."

She pouted, putting away the cards.

"A-anyways, Taro... I'm surprised you want to go to the Lindwurm... you've never had any interest in competitive Vanguard like me."

"Ha ha! I see you've noticed."

"Yes... besides, it's not like you to agree to what others say without having good reason."

"That is true. Like the wild American bald eagle who represents freedom with—"

"P-please stop the excessive bird facts! O-otherwise... I-I'll start talking about running Retrospective again!"

"For your own benefit, I will not allow you to self-harm like that."

Taro hugged Yuuma with a strait-laced face before continuing.

"Truth be told, I came here with other intentions in mind."

Taro's gaze drifted towards Minoru, lingering in place as he put a hand on his hip. Yuuma blinked, tilting her head.

"M-Minoru-san...?"

"Indeed. He is a man I've taken great interest in. Very few have achieved the accolades he has, and even fewer have endured the Thegrea thesis."

"W-why are you taking shots at me?!"

"It's a compliment. The point is, Takamine-san is a very impressive man. However... I've noticed something recently."

"Y-you have...?"

"The man that stands before us now is not the same man as in the Tri-deity Circuit."

"E-eh...?"

"To put simply... I wish to confirm whether or not Takamine-san has fallen off. Are the claims he is the Absolute Fraud the truth? Or does he still have the chops to become the Ace Reaper like he declared? Like the greedy magpie who steals shiny cardboard, that is what I wish to know, ha ha!"

Taro clicked his fingers with a grin.

"B-but how will you confirm that...?"

A shadow fell over Taro's eyes. He turned his gaze to Yuuma, smiling gently.

"The result of his fight, ha ha! If he can't even get over Amber-san... then he wasn't ever worthy to reach the Lindwurm in the first place."

Yuuma gulped.

"T-that's really callous of you to say... Taro..."

"I take my birds very seriously. It would be a disgrace to pure bird enthusiasts like myself if he fumbled the bag with Sagitta."

"B-but saying he wasn't worthy... t-that's just not true! You can see for yourself how much Minoru-san has done so much to get to where he is today! P-plus, if it wasn't for his Category dropping, he would have secured a spot on the Lindwurm!"

"That's too naive, Yuuma. The rest of the competitors have done just as much as he has, arguably even more to catch up. But that disparity of success and failure is what makes their hunger for victory that more vicious. If Takamine-san enters the Lindwurm with that half-assed attitude I sense from him now, he's going to lose in an even more embarrassing manner and disgrace his good name in the process."

Yuuma's eyes widened.

"Besides, Yuuma... you can't afford to worry about someone else right now. You want to enter the Lindwurm too, don't you?"

"W-well yeah... now that I'm more capable of being in the digital world... I want to chase my dream of climbing to the top as well!"

"That's great. I'm glad to hear that. But..."

Taro took a deep breath, his lips forming a serious smile.

"I won't let you enter the Lindwurm if you have a half-assed resolve too! Overcome me, ha ha!"

With a wide grin, Taro snapped his fingers.

"Hehe... I forgot how clumsy Taro is with his words."

Yuuma blinked before laughing a little.

"I don't get what you mean."

"Y-you're looking out for Minoru-san and I in your own way... aren't you?"

"The only thing I'm looking out for is the ultra rare Crested Ibis."

Yuuma put on her Desire Gazer while Taro put on his Desire Visor, a sleek headset that wrapped around his head like goggles.

A blue card each descended in front of them, with Yuuma grabbing hers like a sword and Taro letting his fall into his hand. A burst of special effects ignited the cards, realising their decks.

A purple crest of blooming lilies appeared over Yuuma's deck, while a dark green crest of feathers overlapping into a crown shape appeared over Taro's deck.

The system decided Taro would go first.

"Stand up, (the!) Vanguard!"

"Inos the Bouncer!"

"Knight of Integrity, Thegrea!"

"Ha ha! Draw! Ride Jaagra the Fighter! Get the Energy Generator! Turn end!"

Taro:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
Energy: 0
OXO
OOO

Yuuma:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I discard to ride Player of the Lovely Harp, Adorphas! I get the Energy Generator with 3 energy and draw! Then... I'll end!"

"Ha ha! Damage denying me so I can't spawn four Rabbits, huh? Very good."

"I-I'd rather not have to contend with 38k columns on turn 2, thank you very much!"

"Understandable. Well, let's see how long you can play around it."

Taro:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
Energy: 0
OXO
OOO

Yuuma:
Hand: 6
Damage: 0
Energy: 3
OXO
OOO

"Ha ha! Draw and charge! Ride Elkour the Smasher! You should've respected the elk, Yuuma. Inventor of Stratagems, Airos's skill! When discarded during ride phase, I soulblast and botdeck him to draw! Jaagra's skill! I reveal the Skyruler in my ride deck and discard another Airos to call a unit with 6k power or less from my deck! Appear, Follower Rabbits! Airos's skill once more! Since he was discarded during ride phase, soulblast and botdeck to draw! Rabbit's skill! I mill 1, then reveal the Skyruler in my ride deck and discard 1 to call another copy of Rabbits from my deck! Again, mill 1!"

"Ugh, this brings back some unpleasant memories... these bunnies keep appearing one after another!"

"Ha ha! This animal kingdom is healthier than ever! But that's not all! I call a Follower Rabbits from hand and use his skill! I mill 1 and discard to call my final copy of Rabbits from deck! Once more, mill 1!"

"N-no way! You had another copy in your hand?!"

Yuuma pouted as Taro laughed, snapping his fingers.

"Ha ha! What did you expect, Yuuma? Even if you try to play around me, I'll just play around your play around, hence why I kept a Rabbits in my opening hand! And even if I didn't find one by turn 2, I had a tasty Mushroom or Harvest Elf to call instead! Speaking of which, Harvest Elf is making her debut!"

"Even though your Category is so low, you haven't lost your edge at all... that's just like you, Taro."

"Heh, the same can be said to you. You kept me waiting after all, staying at Zero all that time!"

"T-that wasn't by choice! I... I wanted to participate in the MGP as much as everyone else..."

"I know. That's why I'm glad you were able to overcome that weakness and show the world the fangs you've been silently honing. Because now, I can finally do the same! From here on out, me and you, we're both going to all out and show the world our real Categories, ha ha!"

"T-Taro..."

Yuuma's glimmering eyes widened, while Taro's grin spread even further.

"Let's pump things up! I play Blessing to the Flowering Buds! All my units with 5k or less power get +10k! My Rabbits and Elf are 5k, so all of them will get it! (5000 > 15000) (5000 > 15000) (5000 > 15000) (5000 > 15000) (5000 > 15000) Not to mention, they all gain a skill where if their attack hits, I can return them to hand! Finally, my Rabbits will get +1k for each copy of them on field, so they'll be getting another +4k! (15000 > 19000) (15000 > 19000) (15000 > 19000) (15000 > 19000) There's no escape from this wild pack of jungle gladiators! Boosted by Rabbits, Elkour smashes through! (10000 > 29000)"

Yuuma gulped, glancing at her hand before narrowing her eyes.

"N-no guard!"

"Your fate's sealed if I hit a yellow. Drive check! (Amicable Maiden, Alvina) Ha ha! You got lucky this time!"

"I-I'd rather not take any damage this early on... damage check! (Oath of Vengeance, Thegrea)"

"Boosted by Elf, Rabbit attacks! (19000 > 24000)"

"Blade Feather and Cerrgaon guards! (28000)"

"Elf's skill! I retire both rear-guards in her column to draw! Since one left, my other Rabbits get -1k (19000 > 18000) (19000 > 18000) (19000 > 18000), but this is still enough to create a magic number! Boosted by Rabbit, Rabbit attacks! (18000 > 36000)"

"N-no guard! (Divine Sister, Biscotti)"

"Since the attack hit, Rabbit bounces! Turn end!"

Taro:
Hand: 4
Damage: 0
Energy: 3
Drop: 12
OXO
XXO

Yuuma:
Hand: 4
Damage: 2
Energy: 3
OXO
OOO

"Stand, draw, and charge! I discard to ride Player of the Beautiful Chord, Elegenia! Biscotti's skill, energyblast 3 to draw! Adorphas's skill! I soulblast to draw 2 and discard 1! I discard Exalted Dragon and use his skill! I soulblast to call him! I call Valtrossa & Liel and use their skill! I counterblast and botdeck Cerrgaon to scry 5 and call... my Ace unit! Appear, Knight of Divine White, Yscudyyd! Yscudyyd's Unique Skill! She gets +5k (10000 > 15000) and I energyblast 3 to scry 7 and call Cerrgaon! Then, she gets resist! Valtrossa attacks! (10000)"

"Rabbits guards! (15000)"

"Boosted by Cerrgaon, Elegenia attacks! His skill, +5k! (10000 > 23000)"

"No guard!"

"Drive check! (Knight of Evil Slash, Meyrig)"

"Damage check! (Sylvan Horned Beast, Jackalope) Ha ha! A Critical trigger! All to vanguard! (10000 > 20000)"

"Cerrgaon retires, I scry 2, and add one to hand! Since I called from deck, Exalted gets Boost! So boosted by him, Yscudyyd attacks! (15000 > 25000)"

"That's fine! No guard! (Burrow Mushrooms)"

"Turn end!"

Taro:
Hand: 3
Damage: 2
Energy: 3
Drop: 13
OXO
XXO

Yuuma:
Hand: 7
Damage: 2
Energy: 0
XXX
OOX

"Ha ha! Stand, draw, and charge! In the sky, from a fluttering of feathers, through a cacophony of cries, it is I! I am a bird! Fly high and transcend, my avatar! Belgr the Skyruler!"

"You know, if I had a nickel for every time I became close friends with a guy that uses a bird for their avatar, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it's happened twice."

"You know the saying. Men who like birds support women who like women!"

"I-I don't think that's a real quote..."

"That's because I made the hell up, ha ha! Elkour's skill! I soulblast to scry 5, mill a card from among them, then add back a grade 2 or greater card from drop! I'm going to grab Elkour himself, since you didn't respect the elk, Yuuma! Belgr's skill! I counterblast to scry 2, add one to hand, then mill the other! I call Alvina and use her skill! I energyblast 3 to revive a grade 1 or less unit from my drop! Come back, Follower Rabbits! Rabbit's skill, since I have a Skyruler vanguard, I mill 1 then discard to revive my other Rabbits! Mill 1 again! They all get +4k (5000 > 9000) (5000 > 9000) (5000 > 9000) (5000 > 9000), Alvina gets +2k since I have 4 or more units (8000 > 10000), and Belgr gets +5k since I have 10 or more cards in drop! (13000 > 18000) Finally, I play Blessing to the Flowering Buds to give my 5k or less units +10k! (9000 > 19000) (9000 > 19000) (9000 > 19000) (9000 > 19000) Let's pump things up! Boosted by Rabbits, Rabbits attacks! (19000 > 38000)"

"Y-you seriously need to stop doping these bunnies, Taro! N-no guard! (Epee De Justice, Thegrea)"

"Ha ha! Boosted by Rabbits, Belgr comes flying in! (18000 > 37000) Colosseum Whirlwind!"

"E-Esras, perfect guard!"

"Wise decision. Twin Drive!! (Fairy of Flower-nectar, Coutir, Sylvan Horned Beast, Valin) Ha ha! A front trigger! My Rabbits will become even stronger! (19000 > 29000) (37000 > 47000) (19000 > 29000)"

"I-I think I would've preferred you checking a crit...!"

"You're trembling, Yuuma. You're never going to make it to the Lindwurm with nerves like that! Belgr's skill! I counterblast to choose a column and restand those rear-guards! Both of my Rabbits get back up! Boosted by Alvina, Rabbits attacks! (29000 > 39000)"

"N-no guard! (White Fang Witch, Disma) C-critical trigger! All to vanguard! (10000 > 20000)"

"Since the attack hit, Rabbit bounces! My other Rabbits get -1k! (29000 > 28000) (19000 > 18000) (19000 > 18000) Boosted by Rabbits, Rabbits attacks! (28000 > 46000)"

"T-there's no way I can guard that! N-no guard! (Bard of Heavenly Song, Alpacc) F-front trigger..."

"Once more, Rabbit bounces! What will you do now? You're at five damage and you know firsthand just what I'm capable of if I reach my next turn."

"D-don't remind me..."

"I apologise, but this seems to be a dire situation for you."

"I-I know... this is the worst possible situation to be in... but, even so..."

Yuuma grit her teeth and raised her head.

"I... I've been through worse! The sting of losing to Agon-san in the semi-finals of the Tri-deity Circuit and never getting that fight with Etou-san hurts a million, a billion, a trillion times more than possibly losing right of going to the Lindwurm...! Even now, that regret lingers in my heart, and standing here, pushed to the brink, just reminds me of my weaknesses... and you know how I lost that first time?"

Even as Yuuma poured her heart out, Taro's smile didn't falter.

"Agon Ikuto rushed you out of the game. Just like I did."

Yuuma closed her eyes and nodded.

"Yes... it's the same as that time... being hit with obscene numbers I couldn't even think of guarding... but unlike that time..."

She clenched her fists, opening her eyes and staring straight at Taro.

"...I want to change the outcome! I don't want to lose to another rush deck again! Even though I'm trembling... and feeling like I'm about to throw up again... and it would be easier to give in to the outcome that's most likely... I have no intentions of backing down! Mikazuchi Taro... the first man to become my friend... I... I will overcome you!"

Taro's smile widened, turning into a grin that showed off all his pearly white teeth.

"Ha ha! What a Yuuma thing to say! You're an unbelievably greedy woman, but I like that unshakeable part about you, where you won't give up on anything! I have no intention of backing down either, so come take me out the skies... if you can, ha ha!"

With a smirk, he raised his hand into the air and clicked his fingers.

"Do your best, Yuuma! Turn end!"

Taro:
Hand: 6
Damage: 2
Energy: 3
Drop: 18
OXO
XXX

Yuuma:
Hand: 5
Damage: 5
Energy: 0
XXX
OOX

"You don't have to tell me that twice! Stand, draw, and charge! The sword of light that cuts away evil and protects the weak... promise to always shine radiantly within our hands! I ride my avatar, One Who Walks the Path of Light, Thegrea!"

As Yuuma began her turn, Taro zoned out on reflex, opening three separate tabs on his Desire Visor - one to scroll through forums, one to watch a documentary on woodpeckers he had on pause, and one to listen to seagulls chirping.

"I set Oath of Vengeance! Light Thegrea's skill! I counterblast to scry 5 and call Meyrig! Meyrig's skill! I bind her to put Dark into soul, and ride from my deck...! The flaming sword of justice that upholds law and forgives destruction... promise to always seek revenge and swear upon the vow within our hands! I ride my avatar, Epee De Justice, Thegrea! Justice's skill! I discard to superior ride from my soul...! The sword of darkness that swallows the light and exacts retribution... promise to always avenge mercilessly within our hands! Persona Ride my avatar, One Who Blooms in the Dark, Thegrea! (10000 > 25000) (13000 > 28000) (10000 > 25000) Bradiark's skill! I energyblast 3 and remove him from drop to add the discarded card back to hand! I call Meyrig and... the unshakeable bond of the sword and shield that protects it makes their love their greatest weapon— I call Heavenly Shield of Encompassment, Felicida! Now become a sacrifice to perfect her revenge! Felicida's skill! I counterblast 2 and retire her to give Thegrea drive +1...! (28000/2d > 3d) Let's rock! Thegrea attacks! (28000/3d)"

The circuits on Yuuma's body flashed claret red, changing colour. Starting from her fingertips, running all the way up to the right side of her face through her arm were the corrupted circuits that formed a Roman numeral on her cheek.

"Hermit ability, activate."

IX.

"Encompassing Shield! Until end of turn, my vanguard gets +5k and drive +1! (28000 > 33000/3d > 4d) Adamas Bloodriver!"

Yuuma blinked as she could see drool run down Taro's chin.

"T-Taro...?"

"Huh?"

Taro blinked, looked at Yuuma's board, closed his three tabs and wiped the drool off.

"Oh. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention, it hadn't been ten minutes yet."

"Meanie... I'm swinging with Thegrea!"

Yuuma pouted.

"Ah... ha ha! No guard then!"

"Quadruple drive!!!! (Decisive Axe Dragon, Knight of Clarion Strings, Ricula) Heal trigger! I recover a damage and give power to Valtrossa! (25000 > 35000) (Divine Sister, Biscotti, Atrocious? Moth Girl, Maple)"

"Damage check! (Melodia Pomera) Ha ha! A critical trigger! All to vanguard! (13000 > 23000)"

"Thegrea's skill! I counterblast and discard to restand the vanguard with drive -1! (33000/4d > 3d) Exalted's skill! I soulblast to call him! Boosted by Exalted, Thegrea attacks! (33000 > 43000/3d) Adamas Bloodrevolt!"

"Ha ha! Custodial Dragon, perfect guard!"

"Triple Drive!!! (Dragsaver, Esras, Knight of Evil Slash, Meyrig, Blade Feather Dragon) Critical trigger! All on Yscudyyd! (25000 > 35000/1 > 2) Boosted by Meyrig, Valtrossa attacks! (25000 > 33000)"

"Valin guards! (38000)"

"Boosted by Exalted, Yscudyyd attacks! Her skill, +10k! (35000 > 45000 > 55000/2)"

"No guard! (Fairy of Flower-nectar, Coutir, Harvest Elf)"

"Turn end!"

Taro:
Hand: 3
Damage: 5
Energy: 3
Drop: 21
OXO
XXX

Yuuma:
Hand: 11
Damage: 4
Energy: 0
XXX
XXX

"Ha ha! You've done an excellent job stabilising! But it's not enough. Stand, draw, and charge! Belgr's skill! I counterblast, scry 2, add one to hand and mill the other! I call my Ace unit, Mutual Thoughts Maiden, Panse! Her Unique Skill, she gets +5k (10000 > 15000) and I energyblast 3 to scry 7, mill a card from among them, and revive Rabbits! Rabbit's skill, I mill 1 and discard to revive my other Rabbits from drop, then he mills 1! They all get +4k! (5000 > 9000) (5000 > 9000) (5000 > 9000) (5000 > 9000) Now let's really pump things up! I play Nectar of Sensationalism, ha ha!"

Yuuma's eyes widened.

"T-that's the card Agon-san uses too...!"

"Umu, but unlike his Zorga deck... Belgr makes my drop zone stacked! I have exactly 25 cards in drop, so Nectar gifts +25k and a critical to Panse! (15000 > 40000/1 > 2) And since I have 20 or more cards in drop, Belgr gets +15k instead of +5k! (13000 > 28000) There's no escape from this wild pack of jungle gladiators! Boosted by Rabbits, Panse attacks! Her skill, +10k! (40000 > 50000 > 59000/2)"

"C-crap, that's a massive number... it's basically PG or die territory...!"

"And because of that Heal you got last turn, you're right in lethal range for it. It's guard or die, Yuuma! Ha ha!"

"A-as much as I hate to use it now... Sanctitude, perfect guard!"

"Music to my ears! Boosted by Rabbits, Rabbits attacks! (9000 > 18000)"

"V-Valtrossa intercepts! Maple guards! (23000)"

"Boosted by Rabbits, Belgr comes soaring in! (28000 > 37000) Colosseum Whirlwind!"

"R-Ricula, Blade Feather, and Biscotti guard! (48000) T-two to pass!"

"Ha ha! Twin Drive!! (Blessing to the Flowering Buds, Sylvan Horned Beast, Jackalope) Ha ha! Critical trigger! All to Rabbits! (9000 > 19000/1 > 2)"

Yuuma gulped.

"N-no..."

"Belgr's skill! This is the true form of the gladiator beast! Since your vanguard is grade 3 or greater and I have 15 or more cards in drop, I counterblast to restand all my rear-guards, ha ha!"

Taro snapped his fingers as Yuuma bit her bottom lip.

"I have no choice but to guard everything now..."

"Boosted by Rabbits, Panse attacks! Her skill, +10k! (40000 > 50000 > 59000/2)"

"E-Esras, perfect guard!"

"Boosted by Rabbits, Rabbits attacks! (19000 > 28000/2)"

"I..."

Yuuma stared at her three card hand and sighed.

"I messed up... I-I don't have enough..."

It was Thegrea, Meyrig, and Cerrgaon.

"N-no guard... damage check! (Knight of Clarion Strings, Ricula) H-heal trigger...!"

Just as hope was restored to Yuuma, she became deflated seeing what was in Taro's damage zone.

"Sorry, Yuuma. But you can't heal. I'm at five."

"N-no way... then, this one for sure....! Damage check! (One Who Blooms in the Dark, Thegrea) Ah..."

Yuuma sighed, taking off her Desire Gazer, and releasing a deep breath.

"Looks like... even after all of that... my resolve wasn't strong enough. Good game, Taro."

As she extended a hand to him, Taro took off his Desire Visor and hugged her instead.

"Good game, Yuuma. You played really well out there. Sorry for taking your spot in the Lindwurm."

Yuuma hugged Taro back, shaking her head.

"No... it's okay. Now that you're in the tournament, you just have to beat everyone else up in my place instead!"

"Ha ha! Don't worry, I'll make that happen for sure. Otherwise, I wouldn't be Mikazuchi Taro, the pure bird enthusiast!"

"Freaky bird lover... both you and Minoru-san."

Yuuma laughed before looking over at him.

Her eyes widened as she saw the game state.

Minoru was sweating, five cards laid bare in his damage zone.

"Damn it... when the hell did you get so good..."

He narrowed his eyes at his opponent who wore a blank expression.

"Amber!"

She picked up her card for turn.

"I'm going to blast you away, Minoru."

***

Meanwhile in Susanoo, inside Jinrai High's Vanguard club room.

"Shiramichi-san! Check out what I pulled this morning!"

"Hmm?"

Shiramichi peered over Haruno's shoulder as they sat on the couch together, while Manyuda leaned against a wall observing everyone. Etou was at her desk, pouring over a digital letter while Touka poured a cup of tea out for her.

"Thank you, Touka-san."

"My pleasure!"

Touka smiled before going to pour a cup for the other members. Etou took a sip, crossing her arms and furrowing her eyebrows as she scanned the letter.

"Hmm... how interesting."

"What is...?"

Kumohiko, who had been sleeping on the floor moments earlier, snorted and sat up.

"Good morning, even though it's the afternoon, sleepyhead. It seems Ourokudou has invited our school to participate in their Lindwurm Fiesta."

"Ha?" Kumohiko said.

"Huh?!" Touka said.

"What?!" Haruno said.

Shiramichi raised an eyebrow while Manyuda smiled.

"Oh my. It seems we've made quite an impact, despite being a nobody school up until now."

"Sorry, Haruno-san... I don't seem to understand the importance of this." Shiramichi said.

"Ah! Basically, the Lindwurm is like— the tournament to end all tournaments! It's held by Ourokudou Academy, since they were the first to organise an event like this, and only happens once a year during December! The reason it's so prestigious is that only the top six schools are allowed to compete in it!"

"Top six... does this mean Jinrai has earned that sort of recognition...?"

"If we did, then it's by the skin of our damn teeth. Until boss came 'round changin' things with her strength, this school was nothin' but an insignificant speck on everyone else's radar."

Kumohiko flicked his head towards Etou. She shook her head.

"While I'm flattered you would attribute our success to me, we only came this far because all of us worked together to top events and make a name for ourselves. We could have easily lost our spot in the Tri-deity to Hakujou High."

"Usually, the schools that consistently make it to the Lindwurm Fiesta are Ourokudou and GEN Academy. If we are to accept the invitation, it's almost a given we'll have to face off against them." Manyuda said.

"GEN Academy, huh..."

Etou gazed out of the window, watching snow begin to fall. The corners of her lips raised slightly.

"If they're going, it's almost a given they'll bring Takamine Minoru along too. And if that man is joining, I have no choice but to go as well."

"Ho?" Manyuda said.

"Looks like boss is still stuck up on her loss... ya sure it's healthy to be that hung up on a guy?"

Kumohiko rubbed the back of his head. Etou shook her head.

"You might be right, but... he's humiliated me in a finals twice now. It's only natural I want to get back at him, isn't it?"

Kumohiko smirked before laughing.

"Ha ha ha... so even boss can get fired up like that, yea? An' here I thought ya were a complete ice queen. Nice to see 'nother side of ya, boss."

"Of course. Besides, since that loss, I've become stronger, haven't I?"

"For sure! I still can't believe you topped with that deck... it still amazes me thinking about it!" Haruno said.

"If we decide we're going to the Lindwurm... then, let me join too!"

Touka shot her hand up with a wide smile.

"You're not the only one who has beef with Minoru-san, Etou-san. After all... he's the reason I got knocked out in round one of the Tri-deity Circuit! I had the best deck there, my odds of winning should've been way higher!"

"Looks like we both have a grudge we want to solve. While I would love to say sure thing... we can only have three people enter the Lindwurm since we didn't make the top two."

"I already said I'm taking a hiatus from events, so..." Shiramichi said.

"I'll make things easier for everyone and step out for this one." Manyuda said.

Haruno and Kumohiko crossed eyes.

"Just you and me, huh, shrimp?"

"Y-yeah... if Etou-san and Touka-san are going... then the last spot is either of us."

"...let's settle this the simple way then, yeah?"

Kumohiko smirked, taking out his deck.

"We'll fight it out. Winner goes, loser stays. Ya dig?"

"T-that's... that's fair, but I feel like the match up isn't..."

"What, scared of me binding yer Yuika's?"

"Yes, because when you do that, Naustria will get bound next, and—"

"Haruno-san."

Haruno and Kumohiko stopped squabbling as Etou's voice cut between them.

"I'm going to bring Kumohiko-san."

Haruno's eyes widened.

"What...?"

Shiramichi raised her head, looking at Etou.

"Eh? Ya sure, boss?"

Kumohiko blinked, pointing at himself.

"Yes. It's not a decision I made lightly."

Shiramichi squeezed her hands together.

"E-Etou-san... can I ask why, at least...?"

"Kumohiko-san is Category King. You are Category Eight. That's all there is to it."

Haruno lowered his head, nodding.

"Ah... that makes sense..."

Gritting his teeth, he raised his head, showing off a bright smile to everyone else.

"Sorry, I'm gonna just be right back."

Haruno ran out of the club room.

"Haruno-san..."

Shiramichi got up, chasing after him.

As she left the doorway, she looked at Etou over her shoulder, seeing how her face didn't change the slightest at Haruno's reaction.

Shiramichi narrowed her eyes at Etou before leaving.

"Boss... ya could've worded that better."

Kumohiko sighed, scratching the back of his head.

"You wanted it more, didn't you?"

Etou turned to him. Kumohiko clicked his tongue, growling at her.

"Course I did! 'Course I wanted to participate more! Ya know how humiliatin' it was, losin' to a Category Zero without using his stupid ass Arcana in the first round?! 'Course I wanted to get another chance to redeem myself! But..."

He stared at the open door, remembering how Haruno had tears in his eyes.

"I didn't want it to be done this way, boss!"

"It was done both for yours and Haruno-san's sake, Kumohiko-san. Putting aside the fact who wanted to participate more... you are objectively a stronger cardfighter than she is. And in the Lindwurm, only the best of the best will be making an appearance."

"You must be referring to the strongest fighter of this era, aren't you?" Manyuda said.

Etou gazed out of the window, narrowing her eyes before nodding.

"Yes... Suna Kino."

***

In the middle of a wild blizzard, a tall man with black hair stood alone with hands in his pockets.

"Ka ka... so this is where you've been hiding, Suna-chan? Woohoo!"

He turned around to face the source of that voice, a faint smile on his lips.

"It's been awhile... Jouraku."

***

"Anyone who suffers a loss to that man almost never recovers... and I think between the two of you, you're more likely to survive an experience like that. I didn't want to put Haruno-san in harms way like that... again."

Etou lowered her head, putting her hands against her forehead.

"Again?"

Kumohiko raised an eyebrow.

"It was after her loss against Jouraku-san... Haruno-san lost all her confidence to that man."

"...ya think he's gonna show up at the Lindwurm?"

"Considering he was Alba's ace in the hole... of course."

"Tch. What a mess... we're seriously the underdogs here, aren't we?"

"We sure are. But you know what underdogs are good at?"

Etou smiled, slamming her fist down on the table.

"Fighting until the bitter end. Against a foe ten times stronger than us, we don't know when the hell to give up."