NOVEL WEB Chapter 25: DSMW [25]
After every midterm exam, Fusion Academy hosts another traditional event. It takes place the weekend following the end of exams. However, this event had little to do with ordinary students like Aisha.
At least, not with her current total credits.
Even after beating Irene and earning 30 base credits plus 30 bonus credits—and scoring a huge reward from defeating Kevin—Aisha's total was still only above average for a first-year.
That said, Aisha was more than satisfied to have climbed from the bottom rank to above mid-tier in just two weeks.
Miles, equally content, used the 60 credits Irene gifted him to happily craft two new C-rank Spellcraft cards: the Quick-Play Spell Rush Recklessly and the Trap Card The League of Uniform Nomenclature.
While she still didn't have any powerful B-rank cards, Aisha's Trash-tier Deck was steadily evolving to show off its unique fighting style.
Back to Fusion Academy's tradition—after midterms, the school hosts an exhibition Duel that breaks through grade boundaries.
The top credit earner in the first year faces the top earner in the second year.
Since the school's founding, it has upheld the Dean's philosophy of focusing on Dueling itself—even encouraging cross-grade challenges like this. Not to mention, the top Duelists of each year were far too proud to ever back down, even against upperclassmen.
It's said that during the end-of-semester academy festival, they also hold cross-grade 3-on-3 team challenges.
Now, on the weekend, Fusion Academy's Duel Arena was once again packed with first- and second-year students.
As an official school event with mandatory attendance, the crowd was even larger than when people had gathered just to watch Aisha's duel.
"Yo, Aisha! I figured you'd be the one representing the first-years today. Such a shame."
Aisha and Irene had just arrived at the venue when they ran into Irena Kartel, who had already secured a prime spectator seat.
"Senpai, please don't tease me…" Aisha smiled awkwardly. "I'm just happy I get to stay at the academy. No way I'd dare hope to represent my year."
"But you already beat Kevin. I think you absolutely deserve it. At least, that's how I see it." Irena praised her without restraint.
This time, the one representing the first-years was Kevin Seth. Despite his loss to Aisha, he still held the highest total credits.
"Hmph, Senpai~ You're one to talk."
Irene shoved herself between Irena and Aisha, injecting a splash of bright red between the two white-haired beauties.
"You hold one of the Academy's Twin Pillars titles, and you're not representing the second-years today? Weren't you the first-year rep last year? What gives?"
With zero regard for seniority, Irene bluntly raised the question that even other second-years didn't dare mention.
"Ren-chan, that's so rude!" Aisha hurriedly whispered a warning.
"It's fine." Irene's tone was subtly bitter.
"Senpai's so kind and thoughtful toward you, Ai-chan. She wouldn't get mad over something this small, right?"
"Of course not. I don't get mad at cute girls."
Leaning against the railing with a palm under her chin, Irena did seem genuinely unbothered.
"I just held back during last week's practical test… because I wanted to see something more interesting unfold."
"More interesting?"
Aisha suddenly realized something, as did the rest of the students—today's match had a uniquely exciting setup.
As one of the top two Duelists among the second-years, Irena's withdrawal left only one candidate to represent her year.
The other Twin Pillar of the Academy, eldest child of the Seth family, Kevin Seth's older brother… and the wielder of the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon:
Kaima Seth!
"Wait, then today's Duel is a sibling showdown!"
"That's right. Exciting, isn't it?" Irena's smile curved with mischief.
Her intentional retreat had set the stage for today's headline match—a high-stakes duel between the Seth family's two prodigies.
And, more than that, it was the fabled duel of Black Dragon vs. White Dragon.
"Should be starting soon." All three turned their eyes to the field.
As usual, Kevin Seth was already waiting in the Duel Arena—he always made a point of arriving before his opponent.
The one overseeing today's cross-grade Duel was Professor Field, the second-year homeroom teacher.
A towering middle-aged-looking figure whose very presence exuded force.
"Here she comes—Kaima Seth!"
Under the gaze of the gathered crowd (though it was barely a hundred people), a commanding figure stepped into the Duel Arena.
For the first time, Miles saw the famed eldest child of the Seth family.
Miles thought, 'Wait… wait a sec, hold up!'
In that instant, Miles began to doubt his own eyes.
No, technically, he was seeing through Aisha's eyes—but unless her vision was messed up, he wasn't hallucinating.
Miles said, "Aisha, are you sure that's Kevin's brother, the eldest Seth child?"
"What else would it be?"
"That… just doesn't look right…"
The outfit was masculine, and the silver-white coat was stylish as hell.
Yet, that tall, alluring figure, those flowing chestnut locks, and those seductive black stockings over long legs… this definitely didn't look like a brother.
Miles said, "So Kaima Seth is actually Kevin's sister?"
"Shhh!" Aisha hastily warned him. "Don't you dare say something like that out loud while using my body, Mr. Miles!"
"Why not?"
"You'll offend the Seth family! They're the highest-ranking noble house in the nation! The reason's complicated, but… from what I've heard, Kaima Seth has always been treated as the eldest son in the family."
"Ah, complex noble politics." Miles had heard of this kind of plot before. "Being born into a noble family clearly isn't all roses."
In the Duel Arena, Kaima and Kevin locked eyes.
"Brother, I—"
"Hmph. Silence, my foolish little brother."
Despite being female, Kaima's voice radiated dominance—and her rich, magnetic tone had an undeniable charm.
"You lost to a first-year dropout? Bringing shame to the Seth name is no small matter. Whether punishment or atonement—don't expect to walk away from this Duel easily."
And so, the root of Kevin Seth's misogyny—or rather, gynophobia—was none other than his sister, so overwhelmingly powerful she intimidated even brawny men.
...
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