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This year's Duel Academy exhibition match was far more watched than any before.
Mainly because of the Princeton Corporation's involvement—they'd used their resources and money to get the duel broadcast on TV. Their hype campaign had also raised expectations for the match.
So, a lot of people were watching live.
But whether they were ordinary duelists there to learn, bored office workers killing time, or professional duelists harshly judging the new class, they all quickly got hooked—
—Because it was really fun to watch.
Especially this Fujiki Kira—everyone remembered his name.
How could they not? His plays were hilarious. When he handed over three ugly tokens, and then suddenly locked Chazz out with Cyber Blader, the viewers went wild.
But Chazz, managing to topdeck his way to a comeback, also won respect. Even pros were shocked.
Are Duel Academy students really this good now?
And this year's reps are all first-years?
Either one of them could go pro right now!
Even the TV staff were having a blast, pointing at the screen and chatting. The whole studio was full of laughter.
Until Kira gave Ojama King 6000 DEF, and Chazz watched his 4000 ATK dragon crash into it in despair...
"Wow, 6000 DEF King!" a staffer cheered.
"Hahaha, this kid's funny—beat a Dragon deck with nothing but Ojamas!"
Just then, the manager's angry voice rang out: "What are you laughing at! CUT! CUT!!"
The sponsor's about to lose and you're all laughing? Don't you want your jobs?
So, right before the Dragon's breath hit the Ojama King, all TV screens cut to static. In a blink, a pretty host appeared, smiling sweetly:
"Let's take a quick break for the weather! Today and tomorrow: clear skies!"
The whole country exploded.
They cut it at the most critical moment!?
But of course, everyone knew the result. Cutting the broadcast made it obvious. The only point was to spare the sponsor's dignity.
Chazz fell to his knees, stunned.
Strangely, when his LP hit zero, he found he wasn't as disappointed as he expected.
Had his subconscious already accepted, "I can't beat this guy"?
Realizing this, Chazz felt even worse.
Worse than losing, is being used to losing.
"It was a good duel, Chazz," Kira smiled, putting away his Duel Disk. "Coming back from the northern school, you've really improved."
He knelt, looking up at Kira, who seemed even taller and more unreachable under the arena lights.
No, maybe he'd always been this way—he'd just never realized.
No matter how much he grew stronger, the gap didn't close.
Maybe from the very beginning, they weren't even in the same league.
Maybe from the start, he never had a chance to win.
Chazz gave a bitter smile.
Even with my best cards, I'm no match for him with the trash monster.
"What are you doing, Chazz!?"
Chazz's brothers came down, the eldest barking angrily.
"Do you realize what you've done?"
Slade shouted: "You think this was just about you? This was our family's business. Do you know how much we invested, and what this loss means for the company?"
Chazz hung his head. "Sorry..."
Jaden, ever the hero, couldn't take it. He leaped onstage.
"Chazz fought beautifully," Jaden said. "He gave it his all, and everyone saw his performance, right?"
The eldest brother glared at the jellyfish head from Red Dorm.
"We don't care about performance. All that matters is the result," he said coldly. "He lost. Our investment is gone. That's all.
A duel without victory is meaningless."
"No!" Jaden argued. "Dueling isn't just about winning or losing. What's important is what you gain from it!"
The brothers frowned at Jaden.
Who was this guy? What right did he have to meddle?
"Chazz has always fought with the pressure you two put on him," Jaden said. "Even in pain, he kept battling.
His real obstacle in this duel wasn't Kira—it was you two."
"What?" Slade frowned.
Jagger added, "But he lost with a joke deck, right?"
Thinking back, he realized all his cards—Armed Dragon, Light and Darkness Dragon—were rare, powerful cards that only elite duelists could use.
By contrast, Kira's deck was full of commons—cards you could buy anywhere.
That thought made him feel even worse. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel fire.net
"No," Jaden interrupted. "Kira could have used any deck, but he chose this one, against Chazz, in the most important match. Do you know why?"
Because he's twisted and enjoys watching people struggle?
"Because this deck carries something Kira wants to tell you through this duel!" Jaden said.