Q38: Explain the reason for Battle City rule standardisation. With examples… "Oral exam…" relating to the Duelist…"All night…" Kingdom rule set… "You are here," I dropped my pencil as I turned to the two monkeys that were already drawing eyes from the entire rest of the class.
"Shut up you two! Some of us are trying to pass here!" Chazz slammed his hands on the table as she shouted at the two, "Please don't be monkeys here," I commented to the two.
Jayden retorted, "Hey monkeys were our ancestors and I do plan on passing it just doesn't always happen that way."
"Jayden, get your paper," Banner said from his seat and I facepalmed, he came into the classroom through the door beside the somewhat evil professor and didn't even take his bloody paper and just walked over to the blue midget, "And you wonder why it doesn't?"
"We might need to help them study, otherwise they might drop out," Alexis said to me with a look of concern crowning her features, "We?" I wondered why it sounded like I was included.
"You, me and Chazz, possibly Bastion teaching the two of them," What about your two lackeys? Or are they at this point 'our' two lackeys? "Me? Why am I involved?"
"Do I need to remind you of the fact that you always come second or third in theory? You would be very useful…" She stopped when she realised that Banner was looking at us, "We will continue this later," She promised.
Fuck I was getting roped into this, wasn't I? Well if Chazz and Jayden were there together, they would be at each other's throats and duelling so it would work out to be some solid entertainment. With that thought again I realised, I was going to be watching a pissing contest between two teen kids about who had a better Yugioh deck…just what has my life come to.
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"The written exam is now over, so walk in line please do not run to get the latest new rare cards," Those were the only words he said and the whole class bottomed out.
Chazz's two lackeys and our two lackeys ran up to him and us respectively, "The new rare cards are here, let's go!" Lackey one or otherwise called Mindy shouted and I shook my head, "Not interested," I said, "Let's go, we have way too many Duel points anyway," Alexis said as she tucked the question paper into her bag. I gestured towards the gate, "Against that crowd? You think you will be able to buy any?" Alexis sighed and sat back down, "True, the boys will nab everything."
Bastion, I spotted from the corner of my eyes, was busy trying to shake one chosen Slifer monkey and one midget Slifer monkey into waking up.
Alexis' eyes also tuned with my own and another sigh left her lips before she stood up and walked over to the two sleeping Slifers.
I shook my head at the possible maiden in love and joined her, as we reached over it became evident that Bastion was successful in his attempts as Syrus shot up and tears started rolling down his eyes, "I flunked didn't I?" He said with such surety that I almost recoiled, "I am a complete failure," Jayden for his part briefly rose his head and quipped, "If they were grading for melodrama you would get an A Sy," and then pushed his head back into his hands.
It was only when we were next to them that did the midget monkey ask, "Hey where did everyone go?"
"The new rare cards arrived today, everyone's at the card shack," Alexis said finally making them realise we were there too. Still, I thought about going to the shack only to remember it would be a complete waste of time given that Crowler was about to happen.
"How come no one told us?" Midget asked with indignation radiating from his voice and Bastion leaned back into the desk and looking like a cross between a drug dealer and smug bond villain answered, "Because everyone wants the nest cards for themselves."
"And why are guys not getting any?" Bastion replied, "Oh please, one random card and my deck's delicate balance would be completely thrown off."
And then the Midget turned to us as if expecting us to answer him, "Too many boys got ahead of us, we would only get scraps if we went," Alexis spoke and I added my own two cents, "The only cards I would want are three copies of [Contact with the Abyss]. And I am better off just buying them than trying to play Gacha with packs. Also maybe a [Black Luster Soldier: Envoy of the beginning]."
"Mine wouldn't be thrown off balance!" Midget said, completely ignoring our words, "Then why don't we try?" Jayden said as he perked up from his sleeping posture, "Besides there is nothing like the smell of new cards in the morning! Thanks, Bastion! Alexis! And Mira, if I find those cards I will give them to you!" He said and ran off with Midget trailing behind, "Thanks!" I shouted as he went.
Bastion watched them go and then turned to us, "Mira, why do you want those cards specifically?" He shot me a questioning look as he slid into Jayden's seat and I perched myself over their desk.
The two lackeys audibly groaned as they took the seat down, and Alexis took a seat just beside me on the desk. Why was everyone getting so comfortable? Did they think I was going to take long? Whatever.
"I have been thinking of curbing my reliance on my 'cute'," I put extra emphasis on those words, "[Relinquished] cards. And since [Contact with the Abyss] is a generic ritual card for all dark ritual monsters I could do that. Your guy's thoughts?" Alexis scoffed, "Reliance? I call it an obsession. You don't play anything but that card. And it is not cute in any way. It is good that you do."
"You will be looking into other dark Ritual monsters too then?" Bastion asked and I nodded, "Yep, just one more or maybe two. Don't want to compromise the consistency of my deck after all."
"Ah, forgive me I am not well-versed in Dark Ritual monsters specifically other than your [Relinquished," I giggled at that, "I have put the fear of God in everyone's head over this card in the last month haven't I?"
He smiled bitterly, "I am ashamed to admit even mine, you almost always summon it on your first or second turn."
I laughed at him, "And about the [Envoy, he fits bang on in my deck as a boss monster, I mean most of my monsters are light and dark monsters and they bring each other out, and they want to be in the graveyard, so it's easy to meet the summoning condition for me."
Alexis chimed in from the side as she scrolled her dual book, a smartphone that does every bit of bullshit you would expect from Kaiba, "Heard about [Thousand Eyes Restrict]?"
"Yep, it's a fusion of [Relinquished] and [Thousand Eyes Idol] right?" I asked her and she nodded as she looked up, "Why not put that in your extra deck? You have zero anyway right?"
I gave her the same look I would give an idiot, "And why would I? It's a fusion card, I would need to add [Thousand Eyes Idol] and [Polymerization] for that to my deck. All for what? Stopping people from switching the card's phase? Eww, too much work," I said to which she replied, "Suit yourself." I will.
Chazz finally stood up from his seat and turned to face us he had been engrossed in his papers even after his exams ended, "Hey Mira, I might have the three ritual cards you are looking for," I blinked, well he is Chazz Princeton, but he won't give them away, "What do you want?" He smiled, "Straight to business, that's why I like you," I rolled my eyes, "Yes, yes, everyone likes me," Alexis snickered at that statement earning a glare from me, "Help me with Duel History."
Alexis laughed, "Well Mira, I guess you are in the study group then?" I shot her another gare as Chazz asked, "What study group?" I just gave into my fate, "She had been trying to get me into a group to help with the Blue Midget Monkey and the Monkey with a forest on his head. To make sure they don't drop out. You in? I will focus on getting you up with Duel history."
He looked conflicted for a moment and then said, "You'll help focus on me, help me with Science, and throw me some time on your PC? I will get you a copy of [Envoy] too."
I was about to say no until I heard the last part, "Deal. But my PC will only be for two hours and under supervision."
He looked like he had to swallow a lump, "...Fine."
"You are letting a boy into your room Mira?" Lackey two asked with a sly grin, this girl would try to make nuclear destruction look like a boy-girl issue, "Please, I have let many people in my room over this month."
"Yeah," Alexis nodded, "Besides there is nothing in her room to see, no posters, no lamps, heck the only thing she changed since she moved in is her computer."
"Buzz off," I said as Bastion raised another issue, "You have a PC?" I nodded, "It's not well-known outside Obelisk blue but I do."
"What do you do on it…other than look at cards?" He added that last but after a pause and that pissed me off, "I don't look at cards, at all on that thing, that's what these people do," I pointed at my fellow Obelisks, "I play games, I read stuff and sometimes watch anime and movies," I dribbled on and he looked stunned, "You know Mira, you are probably the dream girl of about half the campus' male population."
"Too bad their dream is a nightmare, they just don't know it yet," Alexis poked at me, "Alright sass bot, keep your mouth shut. Got it? Besides, dreams are called dreams for a reason, they don't exist."
She slammed her hands down on the desk, "See what I mean? One moment she will do whatever and have fun, the next moment, freaking Grandma will start coming out!"
"True, she does sound like my Grandma sometimes," Bastion added, "Say, Mira, were you heavily influenced by her?" I shook my head, "Nope."
"I doubt your parents taught you these things," Chazz said, "Mine were dead set on making me the happiest thing in the world," aka spoiling you rotten? "Nah, my parents did not have any influence on my life, heck they have been dead for about eleven years of it."
There was pin-drop silence in the room, I just looked at the faces, and as my eyes turned to the door, even Jayden and Syrus were standing still for a second.
"Mira…I am…" Alexis began and I cut her off, "Oh please, I don't even remember them, you don't have to feel bad for me."
"So you are an orphan?" Chazz asked, "Technically? No. Practically? Yes. I was adopted by my aunt, but the most we talk about is one message a week, and that begins with 'Hey are you okay?' and end with 'Yep,' heck I am pretty sure if I ended up dead in a ditch somewhere no one would even be able to identify my body," I laughed at the thought, really, this girl Mira, she lived a life only slightly worse than mine.
"Man, Mira, you are amazing, I don't even know what I would do without my mom and dad," Jayden said from the door.
"Meh I am just glad, Mom and Dad left me an inheritance that grows rather than shrinks, at least I don't have to worry about money," I said my last words, completely reeling in their sympathy to myself. Still, why do I feel a little stuffy? Stupid emotions, fuck off, you haven't had a place in me for a whole life now.
/Attention students, please walk in for your duelling exams now. Attention…/
"You heard the man behind the mic, let's go!" I said as I slid off the desk.
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The walk to the school auditorium was quiet, everyone kept messing with their decks half distracted.
Well, except for me, it was not my intention, I did not want them distracted, so I stopped and they copied me, "I did tell you guys to be idiots about it. And certainly not because I cared. I did it for the exact opposite reason, I don't care. Now get your heads in the game," I started walking again. It took a moment for it to be processed and for them to start chasing me.
This time they were not being idiots, but rather they were focused. We arrived at the entrance to the upper stands of the arenas. Zane was standing there, leaning on the frame, his back to us.
Hearing our footsteps he turned to us, "I was wondering where you all were," His gaze washed all over us, "What's with the mood?" I just shrugged and walked past him, I usually ignored him, so it was not any different today, but from the corner of my eye, I could see Alexis shaking her head at him, telling him to not ask.
Reaching the stands I looked at the screen, our turns were soon, so I turned the rest, "I will see you all after the exam, Good luck."
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Inside the waiting room was a little dark, nothing too annoying just a bit harder to read the finer prints of the cards, as I was going through them to remember what did a knock came on the door, I walked over and looked through the peeping hole, "Mira, it's me, Doctor Crowler," I backed away and opened the door, "Greetings Doctor," He nodded, "We don't have much time. So I heard from Chazz that you have been looking for a card?" I nodded at him and remembered that he was going to take cards from Crowler to duel Jayden. And loose. That too.
"Yes Doctor," I said and he pulled out a card, I took it from him and turned it over, [Black Lustre Soldier: Envoy of the Beginning]. I blinked and looked up at him, there must have been a bright smile on my face as he nodded, "You are my star pupil, so I do let a little bit of favouritism show a little bit here and there. Make me proud Mira," I nodded vigorously, this was a damn expensive and more importantly rare card for someone to just get it for me? I guess I was going to comfort Chazz after his loss. And probably save Crowler from his doll fate, I knew how to return a favour after all.
"Mira Heylel, please report for your exam," I slid the card into my deck and ran off, I entered the exam hall with a bright smile, and at the same time, I saw Chazz leaning against the entrance of the arena, seeing my smile he sent me a smirk, I did not respond to that and just took my place in the arena. Many duels were going on at the same time and I would be facing another blueberry.
A boy walked up to my arena, he had a small beard and a pumped-up walk, still, his frame was lanky and he was probably a bit too young for the gentlemanly look he was trying to pull off.
"Mira Heylel," I introduced myself and the boy followed, "Everyone knows you, I am Cassius. Let's duel."
"Fine then," I nodded as I readied my hand over the disk's start button.
"Duel!" We both said at the same time as our disks deployed.
Mira-4000
Cassius-4000
My hand was simple, [Mirror Force, [Black illusion ritual, [Harpey's FD, [Manju of the ten thousand hands, [Witch of the Black Forest] just waiting for me to need him.
"Ladies first," He said but I said, "No, I let Gentlemen like you go first.
"If you say so! Draw! Alright, I know why you always try to go second, it's to make [Relinquished] right? Well, I place three cards face down and summon one card face down," I didn't even consider it, I was going to crush him. Simple.
"Draw, well would you look at that, looks like my deck with me all the way today, [Pot of Greed," I said as I played the card.
[Sangan[Black Luster Soldier: Envoy of the beginning.] Next turn he was getting crushed.
"First I summon [Manju(1000 def) face-up defence. Since it is a normal summon I get to add one ritual card from my deck to my hand and I choose what do you know? [Relinquished]. Now I put a card face down and end my turn," I said letting my arms down.
"Well then, I flip my card face up, and it is [Man eater bug]. So get to destroy a monster and I choose [Senju]. And then sacrifice my [Man Eater Bug] for this card I am putting face down."
It was obvious what he was doing, putting shitty cards as fodder, to have my [Relinquished] bite into.
Too bad that most level five, and six monsters printed till now did not have good effects.
"I play [Black Illusion Ritual] and send [Sanagan] to the grave to summon [Relinquished," His smile deepened, but the fool would soon know, "Then I active, [Harpley's FD," His smile still stood as his entire back row went to hell, "[Negate Attack] and [Magic Cylinder]. Too bad, well we will have to do something about that smile won't we?" I took a deep breath as I pulled the card, "I banish…" His smile cracked and half the arena focused on me in an instant, I had never said that word before, "[Manju of the Ten Thousand hands] a light monster that you sent to the grave and [Sanagan, a dark monster which I sent to the grave, from the graveyard," He looked at me with bated breath and many of the duels had even gone quiet or perhaps I had simply tuned them out, "[Black Lustre Soldier: Envoy of the Beginning(3000 atk)] in attack mode!"
A monster bathed in light rose from the ground, his sword and armour clacking as he moved.
"Wow! Mira! Mira! Mira! Mira!" To a background of cheers, I summoned one of the most coveted monsters in Duel Monsters, fuck yeah!
"Then I summon, [Witch of the Black Forest(1100 atk)," I looked him dead in the eye, "Still smiling?" It was a rhetorical question, he was not.
"[Luster] crush his, Light of Beginning!" This was the first time I had spoken the name of an attack, and probably the last before [Chaos.]
"[Aitsu (100/100)] Feeding my [Relinquished] trash? What was your strategy? Well then pay. I activate [Luster]'s Special ability! He has two but I can only pick one! And I choose for him to have a second attack, but first, let's tenderise you. [Witch] attack directly!"
Wines erupted from underneath the flying witch, piercing the man.
Cassius-4000-1100=2900
"Now! [Lustre] finish him off! Light of Beginning!"
A slash that tore apart the very fabric of the time to rip my opponent apart.
Cassius-2900-3000=0.
Finally, I could hear the rest of the arena, "Mira! Mira! Mira! Mira!" I trampled on someone and crushed them for this. The masses adored me. The man's cards scattered on the floor, his deck fell out as he quivered and no one paid attention to him. It felt good. I am a fucking monster, aren't I? But I will never show it. Behind the kindest of smiles, behind the most sympathetic story, behind the cheeriest of faces and the most lovely eyes. I am a monster.
From my deck, deafening laughter roared and I could see a savage grin on the swordsman on the field.
But I would never let any of it show.
I walked over to the man, Cassius right?
My hands reached out to him, "Good game. At least you had a new strategy."
He looked up from the floor, his eyes locking onto me, his quivering calmed down, he nodded, "Yeah. Sorry. I just overreacted."
"Yeah, happens to the best of us."
[A/N: That's her character boys, keep it in mind. She is not a self-insert. She is a demon and she knows it. Now we will deal with her motivation in a future chapter.
And yes, her deck did just gain [BLS:EoF]