NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 68: DSMW [68]
"Aaaaahhhhhhh!"
Blasted away by Arcana Knight Joker's finishing blow, Luca's petite body was sent flying, landing squarely on her massive luggage.
Whatever was packed in that oversized suitcase it certainly served as a decent cushion.
"Oooooooh!"
"Arcana Knight Joker... so strong!"
"We did it! Victory for Fusion Academy!"
Snapping out of their shock, the students erupted into thunderous applause for Aisha Carlos.
"Yes! Little Ai won!"
"As expected of my chosen rival!"
Irene and Kevin were so fired up they even high-fived each other, not even knowing why they were this hyped over a simple mock duel.
But whatever—it felt incredible.
In contrast, Luca lay sprawled over her suitcase, dazed and blank.
"To think I'd lose to a Millennium Puzzle wielder... I really underestimated them. Maybe I've been pushing too hard lately. Time for a break."
The soul exchange disengaged. Luca Slint reverted from being controlled by the Millennium Ring.
"Huh? Just dipping like that? That's so irresponsible, other me!"
Even though it wasn't a Shadow Game, just a regular mock duel, the loss still stung.
That someone else in this world—another Millennium Item wielder—possessed this level of power...
For the first time since acquiring the Millennium Ring, Luca realized... other duelists like her might actually be stronger.
A voice echoed in her mind.
"The soul to offer the Sacred Beasts isn't complete. This level of dueling is merely child's play. Stay patient—the revived Sacred Beasts will devour all spirits, and we shall rule this continent."
"Stay patient?" Luca grumbled. "Then why did I transfer to Fusion Academy in the first place?"
She'd transferred from the elite XYZ Academy to this so-called school of losers specifically to harvest the soul of a fellow Millennium Item wielder and maybe snag another Millennium Item.
"And now you're telling me to back off? Other me, are you serious?"
"If victory isn't guaranteed, acting rashly will only expose us further. I suspect the opponent has already sensed something during today's duel. Our priority is to play innocent and blend in."
"Play innocent... seriously."
Millennium Item wielders could sense one another. The fluctuation of Luca's soul during the duel was clear as day to both Miles and even Aisha herself.
Fortunately, the Millennium Ring itself wasn't exposed. Pure intuition alone wasn't enough to prove she was a Dark Duelist.
After all, being outed as a Dark Duelist—an identity banned by Elves' Continent law—would cause massive trouble, even for a noble like her.
For now, the top priority was simple: deny the Millennium Ring's existence.
As long as the Ring wasn't directly revealed, even if Aisha grew suspicious, she'd have no evidence. Not even a full-body search would uncover anything.
"Luca."
Oh? As expected, they're coming right toward me. Instead of keeping her distance, Aisha Carlos chose to approach.
'...Well, duh, I just lost. Of course, she's coming over.'
Luca quickly scrambled off her suitcase, flashing her signature business smile.
"I lost, Aisha. You're really amazing, hehe~"
That angelically pure smile held not a speck of malice, so flawless and radiant it could melt any doubt away—No way Aisha would still suspect her after seeing this.
No Dark Duelist could possibly look this innocent.
Absolutely impossible!
"Luca, let me ask you... do you possess a Millennium Item too?"
"Huh?"
She asked it directly.
Luca's precious innocent smile had zero effect.
Had this been Aisha alone, that adorable, harmless act might've worked.
However, this was Miles.
A man whose heart held no place for women—only for the sword, magic, and dueling.
"I'm asking you—during the duel, you swapped souls with the spirit inside a Millennium Item, didn't you?"
"N-No, w-what are you even talking about? I don't understand at all, Aisha."
Luca shook her head furiously like a rattling toy. If acting cute didn't work, full denial was the way.
No evidence, no problem.
"Luca doesn't know anything~"
Aisha said, "Miles, she says she knows nothing."
Why are you mimicking that cutesy voice? It doesn't suit you at all.
Miles thought, 'Just as I expected. Luca Slint was never going to confess.'
They both knew—no evidence existed.
Whether it was the unmistakable feeling of the soul swap during the duel, or the windchime-like sound they heard thrice, only Miles and Aisha had sensed it.
And none of that could be considered hard proof that the Millennium Ring was on Luca.
To everyone else, this was nothing more than an unusually intense mock duel between Aisha and Luca. No one would believe that by the end... neither duelist was actually themselves.
Without evidence, pressing further was pointless.
Miles released Aisha's body, ending the soul exchange.
"Be careful, Aisha."
Back inside the Millennium Puzzle, Miles warned her.
Luca Slint was very likely a Millennium Item wielder—and likely possessed the Millennium Ring. Under normal circumstances, someone this dangerous... Miles would advise Aisha to stay as far away as possible.
But then reality hit.
Looking at the massive suitcase behind Luca—bigger than her tiny frame—he remembered something crucial.
She was... assigned to the same dorm room as Aisha.
They were supposed to keep their distance.
…But now, they were about to become roommates.
It was the infamous destiny of Millennium Item wielders: an irresistible pull toward one another.
...
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