NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 73: DSMW [73]
Real, non-replica, high-Level Monster Cards... There was no doubt that both Nia and Rovik possessed such cards in this club.
Otherwise, there was no way they could justify setting such an absurd entry requirement: you had to own at least one Level 9 or higher monster just to join.
"Wanna see it? You really wanna, right~?"
Only Miles could manage to put such a sly grin on Aisha's usually pure, innocent face.
"If you want to see it, show some sincerity first."
"Hmm... a show of sincerity first? That seems fair."
With Arcana Knight Joker dangling in front of her, Nia was practically having a physiological reaction. Swallowing hard, she tried to control her excitement.
"Will this do? This is a genuine Level 10 monster from my deck."
Pulling a card from the case strapped to her tanned arm, Nia placed it in front of Miles.
It was indeed a Level 10 monster. Miles could clearly feel the Duel Spirit energy within—definitely not a replica.
[Koitsu] Level 10│WATER│Fairy│200 ATK / 100 DEF
This counts as a Level 10 monster?
Aisha said, "Uh... it looks even weaker than Mokey Mokey..."
Not just "looks" weaker—it literally had 100 less Attack than the 1-star Mokey Mokey.
"This isn't exactly what I imagined when I thought of high-Level monsters, Nia-senpai."
"Don't be fooled by appearances," Nia said with mock seriousness. "Looks and stats can lie, but Star Levels never do. No matter how weak it appears, you must never underestimate a Level 10 monster."
Given her role as president of the High-Level Spirit Research Society, it was natural for Nia to have a certain level of star-rank worship. Still, she did have a point. If the monster's base strength was really that pathetic, there would be no reason for [Koitsu] to have a Level of 10.
That said, Miles was sure this card had nothing to do with the divine aura he'd sensed earlier. A bit disappointing.
"Whatever. A deal's a deal."
Miles handed over Arcana Knight Joker to the practically drooling Nia.
"This is it! The perfect blend of style, Level, power, and high Attack—Arcana Knight Joker! So exciting I can barely stand it!"
Nia rubbed the card against her smooth, tanned cheek, her starry-eyed joy unmistakably genuine.
"Indeed, Nia-senpai, you really do love high-Level cards."
"Of course! It's my XP!"
"Damn... your XP system is seriously weird."
Sure, XP was a personal matter, but being able to admit it with a straight face like this took guts.
"Can I lick it?" Nia stuck out her tongue.
"Absolutely not," Miles said, flatly rejecting her.
Letting her rub it against her cheek was already the limit—he wasn't going to let her cross any further lines.
"Please don't mind her. Our president has always been like this," Rovik said, exuding the weary tone of a long-suffering father figure.
"Miss Aisha, Kevin, you two can continue touring the club. The High-Level Spirit Research Society isn't just about display cards. Since we're a research society, we also have plenty of related reference materials."
'Reference materials, huh…'
Following Rovik's gesture, Miles spotted a bookshelf packed with various books.
"A Guide to Using High-Level Monsters," "Effective High-Level Summoning Methods," "Stars Equal Power," "The Aesthetics of Level," and so on...
Every single title was about high-Level monsters. Even Aisha, who practically lived in Fusion Academy's library, had never seen these books before.
Kevin, completely unreserved, pulled out a copy of "High-Level Monster Fusion Theory" and started reading on the spot.
Miles, however, found his gaze drawn to another book:
"Egyptian God Effect Theories"
Among all the books here, the only one with any connection to the Gods.
Miles casually flipped through a few chapters.
This book mostly compiled urban legends and hearsay about the three Egyptian Gods, trying to analyze and summarize their supposed effects.
It contained endless rumors, laid out as if they were carefully researched theories, even incorporating mythological background references for each God.
As a light read, it was actually pretty entertaining.
However, the book opened by asserting that the Gods were Level 12 monsters, and having personally seen Slifer the Sky Dragon, Miles immediately dismissed that as utter nonsense.
"Oh? Miss Aisha Carlos, are you interested in the Gods too?"
Noticing the book in her hands, President Nia, now sitting cross-legged at the coffee table, perked up again.
"The ultimate tier of the Gods... truly every Duelist's dream. You've got to experience it~"
"They're not the ultimate tier," Miles muttered, closing the book. "The Gods are only Level 10."
"You're saying the Gods are only Level 10?" Rovik's brow, hidden behind golden glasses, furrowed slightly.
"That, I absolutely can't accept, Miss Aisha!"
With a slap on the coffee table, Nia jumped to her feet, her chocolate mochi assets jiggling with the motion.
"As the strongest beings among Duel Monsters, the God must be Level 12!"
"They're 10-Star monsters." Miles stood his ground, speaking with firsthand certainty.
"12-Star!"
"10-Star."
"You two... stop fighting already."
Glasses flashing, Rovik seemed to have caught onto something.
"Miss Aisha Carlos, don't tell me... have you actually seen a God Card before?"
"Mm, I've been lucky enough to witness one, but I can't tell you the details."
"I knew it..." Rovik adjusted his glasses.
"Actually, there's a reason President Nia believes the Gods are Level 12. Here in the High-Level Spirit Research Society, we have a certain card... A sealed God Card left behind by a senior from twelve years ago... It's unusable, sealed away."
"!!!"
A silver-white ahoge stood straight up. Having controlled Aisha's body around for so long, Miles had unintentionally mastered using her ahoge to express emotions.
"A sealed God Card! Let me see it!"
"Sorry, according to club rules set by our predecessors, only official members of the High-Level Spirit Research Society are allowed to see that card."
"I'm joining!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Miles declared Aisha's membership on the spot.
Aisha yelled, "Don't decide that for me, Miles! I'm sticking with the 'Go-Home Club' forever!"
Such a weak-willed host. What was the "Go-Home Club" compared to a God Card?
"If Miss Aisha is joining, then I am too!" Kevin, for the sake of his fated rival, decisively abandoned his "Go-Home Club" status.
Nia said, "Don't forget, Kevin, you don't even qualify to join in the first place."
...
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