Card Duels: Start by deducing the Blue Eyes White Dragon!

The source of the cheers was the Magic Card Master Arena at Qingbei Academy. The arena was massive, with seating for up to 5,000 spectators. Bright white lights illuminated the field, a 200-meter square dueling area with pristine white stone floors, free of shadows and crystal clear. Two magic card monsters were locked in fierce combat.

Behind the monsters, a giant cantilever arm extended, its end holding the duelists' platforms. The competing Magic Card Master students stood on these platforms, commanding their monsters in battle to determine the ultimate victor.

The white light reflected off the faces of the audience, mostly first and third-year students. They cheered and shouted excitedly at the thrilling moments of the match.

In the corridor, footsteps echoed as Su Chengyang and Zhang Mingyun walked out. One was tall, the other slightly shorter; one was lean, the other even leaner. Both wore the same Qingbei Academy second-year uniform, but their demeanors were entirely different.

Su Chengyang was the picture of a tall, handsome young man with short-cropped hair, radiating a sunny and confident aura. In contrast, Zhang Mingyun was slightly shorter and naturally thin—some might even call him scrawny. His small eyes were often squinted, giving him a perpetually sly look. Despite his frail appearance, no one dared underestimate him. Since the first year, Zhang Mingyun had been the strongest in Class 3 of the second year and the class monitor. His strength spoke for itself.

"The academy really went all out. Why are first and third-years even here to watch our second-year matches? I get that the first-years can learn from us, but what about the third-years? What's their excuse?" Zhang Mingyun scratched his backside, completely disregarding his image.

"It's lively, though," Su Chengyang remarked, side-eyeing him as Zhang Mingyun subtly sniffed his hand.

Zhang Mingyun suddenly straightened up, his voice deepening. "A lively match is the only kind worthy of my skills! Old Su, let's hope we don't get matched against each other. I'd hate to eliminate you so early!"

He transformed from his previously sloppy demeanor, standing tall, brushing his bangs aside, and tilting his chin up in what he thought was the most imposing pose. To Su Chengyang, the whole act felt eerily familiar, almost like watching a certain internet meme come to life—specifically, the "big monkey" meme. It was uncanny.

"I don't want to face you either," Su Chengyang replied meaningfully.

Zhang Mingyun was indeed strong, holding the top spot in their class. But that was before the birth of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. If they were to face each other now, Su Chengyang wouldn't hold back.

The lights ahead grew brighter as the massive stage and dueling arena came into full view. The deafening cheers reverberated in their ears, creating an electrifying atmosphere. Yet, when Su Chengyang stepped out of the corridor and saw the gathering areas for Class 3 and Class 4 of the second year, the fiery excitement in his chest instantly cooled.

His gaze swept over the slightly youthful faces of his classmates. Almost everyone looked serious, their expressions tense and focused. This starkly contrasted with the enthusiastic cheers from the first and third-year students behind them. It was like a block of ice in boiling water—untouched by the heat, radiating a chilling coldness that stung to the touch.

"Old Su, let's head back," Zhang Mingyun said, his tone now serious, a far cry from his earlier playfulness.

"Right," Su Chengyang nodded and walked toward Class 3. He could feel the eyes of his classmates on him. Some glanced briefly before looking away, while others stared for a long time before finally averting their gaze.

Su Chengyang met a few of those stares. One belonged to a male classmate with light brown hair, thick eyebrows, and piercing tiger-like eyes. His strong jawline and slightly pursed lips exuded a faint hostility. This was Deng Qilang, one of the top students in Class 3 and someone who had always been at odds with Su Chengyang. Their rivalry stemmed from numerous academy matches where they had fought to a stalemate, each claiming victories over the other.

"Boss, he's back," whispered a tanned boy named Wang Yin, Deng Qilang's lackey, whose abilities were average at best. "Su Chengyang must have gone to construct a magic card. I wonder if he succeeded. It's so unfair that he got to go and we didn't…"

Deng Qilang smiled warmly, though his fingers clenched tightly beneath the table, betraying his calm exterior. "Wang Yin, if you keep spouting nonsense like that, maybe we shouldn't associate anymore. Our teacher has her reasons, and as students, we shouldn't question her decisions," he chided.

"Ah, you're right. My bad!" Wang Yin apologized, though his gaze still held a hint of malice as he glared at Su Chengyang. If Su Chengyang had successfully constructed a new card, it could pose a threat to Deng Qilang.

"But it should be fine… Deng Qilang comes from a powerful Magic Card Master family. His cards are bound to be stronger. I'm counting on him to rise to the top!" Wang Yin reassured himself. He gradually relaxed.

The three elite class spots were practically guaranteed: Zhang Mingyun would take one, He Nuonuo—the so-called "female demon" of their class—would take another, and the last would go to Deng Qilang.

Once Deng Qilang made it into the elite class, his family would provide even more support, and Wang Yin might benefit from that as well.

With this thought, Wang Yin's mood lightened. He glanced sideways at Su Chengyang. "Even if you have talent, so what? Magic Card Master battles aren't just about what happens in the academy. Family heritage matters too! Only those with a strong legacy can wield truly powerful inherited cards. It's not that those without a legacy can't rise, but it's much harder to stand out during the student years."

"Ah, Su Chengyang, this is just our fate. It's a pity you haven't realized that yet, or you wouldn't have crossed Deng Qilang," Wang Yin thought, his emotions a mix of hope for Su Chengyang's defeat and a strange sense of empathy.

In the front row, right next to their homeroom teacher, Jiang Qingmiao, sat He Nuonuo. She was furiously typing on her phone, sending a message.

[Hey, hey, hey! Are you done yet? Time's running out! I checked the list, and it's almost your turn!] She was growing increasingly anxious.

Just as she was about to send another message, Su Chengyang appeared beside her, looking down at her phone.

"Out where?" he said.

"Su Chengyang!" He Nuonuo gasped, startled, then looked up in surprise. Seeing it was really him, with Zhang Mingyun snickering beside him, she immediately asked, "Did you succeed?"

Su Chengyang nodded.

"How strong is it?"

His reply was simple: "Beyond expectations."

...

(End of Chapter)