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VIL [2]
🕑 Added 2025-10-14 07:59:00 +0000 UTC"Not bad!"
The instructor overseeing the Summoning Test for the boy Chuck and his use of the Book of Summoning was a tall man wearing refined half-rimmed gold glasses. On his wrist hung a bracelet made of seven gemstones. His name was White Evans.
While observing the purple card in Chuck’s hand, Instructor White commented, "‘Flame Swordsman’ may have average Attack and Defense, but since it’s a Fusion Monster—and our Bredt Kingdom is famous for its Fusion Summons—and on top of that, it’s a Level 5 Duel Monster Spirit, it’ll greatly help strengthen your power. So, I’ll give you 80 points, Chuck!"
Upon hearing that he had earned 80 points—equivalent to eight Magic Gold Coins—the commoner boy Chuck’s face flushed red with excitement. At that instant, only one thought filled his head: I made money!
After writing the score on Chuck’s report sheet, Instructor White handed the eight-coin-valued paper to the boy.
"Take your points to the Academy’s Card Shop and exchange them for cards you need. There, you’ll find the most important cards to support your Spirit’s power. I hope you’re ready for tomorrow’s Duel Test!"
"Yes, thank you, Instructor!" Chuck accepted the report sheet with both hands and bowed respectfully before dashing off through the crowd.
He was going to the Saint Fusion Academy’s Card Shop. Surely, there must be all sorts of different cards there!
Chuck’s hopeful silhouette drew envy from many examinees. In the crowd, Alicia glanced at Yuui and whispered, "Yuui-san, ‘Flame Swordsman’ is a Fusion Monster, right? So, how was he created? He looks so cool!"
Yuui thought for a moment. "If I’m not mistaken, the Flame Swordsman’s real name was Masaki.
“That guy wasn’t all that strong, though his swordsmanship was decent. One day, he took a bounty quest to hunt down a fire mage who had slaughtered an entire village.
“When he reappeared in people’s eyes, he had already become the ‘Flame Swordsman.’
“That said, back then, his strength was still just average, and he was still using his old katana. Later, he obtained the ‘Salamandra Sword,’ a blade born from a Flame Dragon, and that’s when his power surged—he became a true Flame Swordsman. Back then, he even slew a Two-Headed King Rex with a single strike. Not bad, huh?"
"Ugh, that story sounds so boring!" Alicia pouted.
"Come on, not every story can be exciting! You think everyone’s like ‘Avian’ or ‘Burstinatrix,’ full of dramatic love and hate?"
"Mmm… I guess you’re right!"
While Alicia and Yuui were chatting about the summoned Spirits and their stories, at another section of the Book of Summoning overseen by Instructor White, a frail and visibly nervous boy named Terry placed his sweaty right hand on the stone slab and channeled his mana into it.
"Blessings of the gods, O Book of Summoning that bears the planet’s memories! Please let a powerful sorcerer appear at my side and fight with me! Spirit Summon!!"
He hadn’t described any specific traits for the Spirit, meaning this was a Random Summon.
Albeit, as his mana poured in, the magic circle beneath Terry’s feet glowed. The lowest hieroglyph on the slab lit up, followed by a cheerful chirp.
Chirp!!
With blue-and-white feathers, a straw hat adorned with a small white flower, and a satchel filled with blossoms—an adorable bird, "Slower Swallow," emerged from the stone and fluttered to the boy’s side, curiously inspecting the human who had summoned it.
[Slower Swallow] Level 1│WIND│Winged Beast│100 ATK / 100 DEF
① You can only Special Summon this card once per turn with this method. If there are 2 or more monsters on the field with the same Level, you can Special Summon this card from your hand.
② You can Tribute this card; during your next Draw Phase, you draw 2 cards instead of 1.
"Oh, it’s ‘Slower Swallow’! This boy is both lucky and unlucky at the same time!"
"Yuui-san, what do you mean by that?"
"I’ll tell you later when there’s time!"
"Oh, okay!"
On the field, Instructor White glanced at the newly appeared swallow and sighed. "A Level 1 monster… Slower Swallow. Unqualified!"
He wrote “Failed” on Terry’s report sheet and handed it to the dazed boy before him.
"I’m sorry, Terry. Your Summoning Test has failed, and you’ve lost the qualification to continue. Please leave."
"No!"
The boy named Terry looked at his Spirit in despair, then grabbed White’s arm, pleading, "Instructor, please! Just give me one more chance! I can summon a Level 3 or higher Spirit, I swear!"
Seeing the boy’s twisted face, Instructor White’s eyes flashed with regret, yet he gently shook off the grip.
"I’m sorry, Terry. Everyone only gets one chance. Face reality."
Chirp!!
Seeing its summoner treated that way, Slower Swallow let out an angry cry and swooped toward Instructor White.
"Oh? So even a weak Spirit is willing to fight for its master? Admirable courage; regardless, you’re too weak, little one."
Instructor White raised his hand, and instantly, a gray-brown stone maiden appeared beside him. Her beautiful eyes and the gem in her chest glowed purple.
"Gem-Knight Lapis!?"
"Huh, Yuui-san, you know that Spirit too?"
"Yeah. Her story’s quite interesting, but it’s not from the last era—it’s from an even older one. I’ll tell you later. For now, let’s just watch."
"Okay!"
Chirp!!
Slower Swallow screeched as Gem-Knight Lapis raised her hand, forming a silver light ring that became a barrier. The little bird crashed into it and was thrown back, reverting into a card that fell onto the crying Terry.
Seeing the card of the Spirit that had just tried to defend him, Terry’s tear-filled eyes twisted with resentment.
He grabbed the Slower Swallow card and threw it away, then clung to Instructor White’s leg, begging, "Instructor, I’m my family’s only hope! Please, give me one more chance! I can summon a Level 3 or higher Spirit! I can!"
Ignoring his pleas, Instructor White’s once-patient gaze turned cold as ice when it fell upon the discarded card.
"Enough. Don’t desecrate the sacred Summoning Ritual any further. Someone, remove him!"
Two Saint Fusion Academy students maintaining order rushed in and dragged the sobbing Terry away.
"Please, Instructor, I beg you! Give me another chance!!!"
Terry’s cries faded into the distance. Although many watched, none pitied him. Only coldness, mockery, and ridicule filled the air.
Among the crowd, Alicia’s gaze carried sympathy—after all, the boy was a commoner like her.
However, when Terry discarded the Slower Swallow, her eyes hardened with disappointment.
Her gaze then fell upon the abandoned card.
Terry had vented his despair on his own card. In that moment, Alicia faintly heard the Spirit’s confused cry from within.
It didn’t understand… why had its master, who had worked so hard to summon it, abandoned it so easily?
The tiny Spirit let out a sorrowful chirp, and as its summoner was dragged away, the card’s power began to fade. Soon, the Spirit’s soul within would likely vanish from this world.
Such is the tragedy of weak Spirits.
Even though these Spirits exist within cards, having been summoned from ages past, their physical bodies are gone. Only their souls remain. They are no longer suited for this world. That’s why they choose to become partners with the Duelists who summon them—because the Duelists provide the mana they need to survive.
Without that mana, even the mightiest Spirit will one day fade away in this world—unless they ascend to godhood. No Spirit can escape the laws rewritten by the Star-Creating God Sophia when She reset the world.
Watching the fading Slower Swallow, compassion filled Alicia’s heart. She wanted to save the little creature—even so, she also feared violating academy rules and losing her qualification.
For a moment, she hesitated.
"Follow your heart," Yuui, who had silently watched beside her, whispered softly.
Alicia looked at him, her expression wavering. "But Yuui-san, if I lose my qualification because of this..."
"It’s fine," Yuui said with a rare smile, patting her head. "I’ll handle it. Worst case, we’ll just use the last academy rule. Don’t forget—I’m the creator of Duel Cards, and my dueling skills are top-tier!"
Seeing his reassuring smile gave Alicia courage. Amid everyone’s shocked, mocking stares, she stepped out from the crowd and walked toward the fading Slower Swallow.
"It’s okay, little one."
Alicia gently picked up the card, channeling her mana into it to stabilize the Spirit’s soul. She smiled softly at the sobbing Swallow within. "Don’t worry, little one. I’ll bring you back to your master! He was just angry; he didn’t mean to abandon you."
Feeling the warmth of mana restoring its form, the little bird looked at Alicia with eyes like black pearls—as if asking, “...Really?”
Seeing this, many of the other students burst into sneering laughter.
"Who’s that country bumpkin? Picking up such a weak card?"
"And to think the Saint Fusion Academy lets people like her in. The kingdom should really raise the admission bar."
"She must be desperate! Doesn’t she know leaving the group without permission can disqualify her from the exam?"
"Hmph, useless pity. A Spirit that weak deserves to vanish!"
"Such a kind girl, though."
"......"
"What’s your name!" Instructor White’s stern voice rang out from the Book of Summoning as he looked down at Alicia.
Alicia raised her head. The fear in her eyes melted away, replaced by determination. Her voice rang clear and firm.
"Alicia... My name is Alicia!"
They say women only slow down our draws!
Then what would it feel like... if we drew our cards with a woman’s hand instead?
Comments
usyhes
Maybe for the best. That kid probably would've played Lyrilusc and become a bird "lover"
