After shuffling his deck, he drew three glistening blue cards, smirking at the powerful monster he got on the first turn.
"Seems like you got a good hand," Thom said, his everyday neighbor's smile stretching his lips. "I can let you start if you want."
Echoing the teenager's words, the desks rumbled to life. A lifelike illusion stretched, making three miniaturised castles appear before them. Then, a vast plain extended to cover the rest of the field.
"Sure. Let me show you my deck!"
His voice reverberated, drawing Shepard's and Aurora's attention as he raised a card above his head with a confident smirk.
"I summon the dullahan!"
He slammed it on the desk's slot.
[Irregular move detected! Penalty applied.]
A sudden voice broke the tension, making him frown. Red lights flashed on his side of the field before it dimmed.
"What the heck is happening?"
"What the heck? Your head! Did you even read the rules?"
Shepard roared from the balcony, icy sweat dripping from his forehead. All that boasting, but he didn't even know the basics!
"You can't summon tier four monsters or higher like that. You need to sacrifice a lesser one first!"
Massaging his temples, he explained what had happened.
"Ah! I didn't know. Let me summon another one."
He scratched his head, embarrassed by the blunder. However, Thom's voice resounded next.
"Your turn is forfeited. That's the penalty."
He gazed as his adversary drew before taking his time to ponder.
After a momentary silence, Thoms sloted his first card.
"Come forth, skeleton soldier."
An alabaster skeleton materialised. Its metallic helmet glinted on the empty field as it swung a bone spear menacingly.
"Since no monster blocks you, move towards the castle."
The skeleton heeded the command, crossing his side of the field with determined steps.
However, Thom had more surprises to spice things up.
"Before ending my turn, I'll use a terrain spell."
Ancient words filled the duelling space for a moment. Next, darkness engulfed the lush plain, leaving the glowing embers burning in the monster's eyes as the only light source.
He opened and closed his mouth a few times, finding the situation ridiculous.
'It's my first duel! Why am I against an expert?'
He gazed at Shepard, seeing the man slap his forehead in despair.
Meanwhile, Aurora's laughter reverberated on the balcony.
"The duel is over before it started. Thank you for the beast core, Smokey."
"We don't know yet! Let him play his first turn before judging."
His voice trembled as he focused on his disciple, hoping he had something to rely on.
Adam proceeded slowly this time, unwilling to commit a mistake again.
Then, he spent a minute reading his cards' effects for the first time because... He never bothered to.
'Against a sack of bones, brute strength is the solution!'
"I summon an insect chimaera!"
He slammed his card on the slot again, making the engravings glow green this time.
A menacing creature materialised before his besieged castle. Its dark chitin blended with the darkness, and the clinking of mandibles reverberated, shocking the onlookers.
"I use its effect next. Fueled by hunger, the chimaera gains three hundred attack points when it attacks."
A row of numbers appeared above the monster's head.
Simultaneously, terrorising shrieks reverberated as its eyes turned scarlet and its claws glinted.
Yet, Thom's voice cut through his excitement.
"I use my field's effect. Once per turn, my monsters can hide in the darkness to negate an incoming attack!"
The skeleton soldier disappeared from the field. Its target lost, the chimaera's eyes dimmed as it stood motionless.
'Rah! Is he the previous champion?'
The question popped into his mind while he pouted at the failed attack.
Before his declaration could linger, Thom drew a card. His lips curled into a cruel grin as he spoke.
"This duel is over! Raise skeleton tactician."
Amidst the darkness, yellowed bones gathered to form an ancient undead. With its phalanxes, it fixed its court hat and gazed at the chimaeras with two burning eyes.
"As long as the tactician remains on the field, every skeleton monster gains five hundred attack points!"
The tactician retrieved an old scroll from under its hat and whispered ancient, inspiring words.
Meanwhile, the skeleton soldier's eyes burned fiercely, sending a shiver through his frame.
Its attack appeared before its head next.
"Engage in battle! Destroy that chimaera."
The soldier raised its spear and stepped towards the threatening chimaera. Fueled by the tactician's teachings and moral-raising speech, fear became an abstract concept it didn't know. It raised its spear and plunged it into its enemy's torso, piercing through the chitin with a sickening crunch.
A sparkling light rain exploded from the chimaera's body as the illusion shattered.
"Destroy his first castle."
Without waiting, it hurled its spear towards the building.
Dust rose, and stones collapsed to the ground. Only a ruin stood after the attack, making Adam frown in displeasure.
'I may have focused too much on enchanting and underestimated this game...'
He sighed, disappointed by how fast the situation went south.
On the dean's balcony, Aurora's mocking laughter reverberated again.
"I told you he had no chance. Thom's monsters aren't especially impressive, but they all synergise with one another. The longer the duel lasts, the fewer chances your disciple will have."
On the stadium's seats, Julius shook his head.
"How do I know the game better than him?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose, finding the scene his eyes fed him surreal.
The group nodded. The situation looked bleak, not to say desperate.
However, Adam's next words shocked them all into silence.
"I have to admit it, you are strong, Thom! You could have ended in first place, but unfortunately, you met me!"
A steely glint flashed in his eyes.
His declaration pierced the tense silence as everyone watched with bated breaths. What surprise would he show them?
"Shit... Not the card I wanted," he muttered, causing Julius and his friends to drop from their seats.
"Bah, I don't really need it."
He shrugged, his confident smirk returning and his eyes blazing with determination.