lkeda Firebolt thought it over and suddenly relaxed.
Who was Ryo-bro? And who were they?
They weren't even on the same dueling level.
Ryo's cryptic smile was naturally beyond their grasp.
"Sigh, the Class Prez's dueling mindset is way beyond what we can understand."
"Or rather, he doesn't even care about these training class rules."
"Not like me—I can't handle the ban rule at all."
"If I beat a duelist and they ban my Dark Magician, how am I supposed to keep playing?"
Kito Saku looked glum, staring at his Dark Magician card on the desk. The more he thought about it, the less he liked this training class.
The mysterious duelists, point transfers, and last-place elimination? He could deal with those.
But the ban rule? No way he could stomach that!
"Eh, come on, Kito-bro, don't stress!"
"I've already got it figured out. I'm going full possum for this training class!"
"I'll make my move on the last day, snag a fat target, and secure enough points to avoid elimination!"
Ikeda Firebolt smirked, far more chill than Kito Saku, which surprised Ryo Nakamuta.
Fatty Firebolt was totally unfazed?
But Kito Saku shook his head. His personality wouldn't allow it.
More importantly, it was too cowardly!
It went against his dream of becoming a Duel King like Yugi Muto.
"Honestly, though,"
"Playing possum is probably the best strategy for this training class."
"Grinding hard early on just makes you someone else's loot."
"Kito Saku, Fatty Firebolt."
"If you want to score well in this training class, my advice is to pack backup ace monsters and staple cards. If you can, learn another deck."
Ryo Nakamuta's suggestion was sound, and both Ikeda and Kito wanted to take it. They knew it was the best way to avoid being a possum.
But the problem was their shallow card pools.
And more critically, unlike Ryo, they couldn't master multiple decks. Switching to a new deck might lead to misplays from unfamiliarity, making things worse.
"My bad, I didn't think it through."
"Let me mull it over some more."
Ryo Nakamuta saw their dilemma and closed his eyes, picturing the system shop in his mind.
After completing his last two missions—winning a Riding Duel and defeating a duelist—he'd earned 1500 duel points.
A step up from previous rewards.
Enough to exchange for some low-cost cards, like 10-point meme or casual cards.
"Hm? I know what to do."
"Hope these cards can help them."
After spending duel points to get the cards he needed, Ryo opened his eyes and checked on his roommates.
Ikeda Firebolt was already slacking, binge-watching anime, while Kito Saku was still moping.
"Ahem!"
"As my roommates, you guys hit the jackpot!"
"I've got a plan that'll make your dueling shine bright again!"
"Come listen!"
At that, Ikeda Firebolt and Kito Saku perked up, scrambling over to Ryo without a word, eager to hear his strategy!
Ryo handed them some cards, then leisurely explained their intricacies and when to use them.
His spiel left Ikeda and Kito stunned, their jaws dropping!
They shouted in awe!
This was nuts!
Running three copies of these two cards could really pull off that effect at a critical moment?!
Now they could sleep easy for the next couple of days!
…
The weekend flew by.
Monday arrived.
After a Sunday spent practicing card-bond draws, Ikeda Firebolt and Kito Saku faced the field training class with newfound confidence, even excitement.
Ryo Nakamuta led the way, and the trio followed the class group chat's instructions to the forest entrance behind the academy.
Countless students milled around the entrance, not yet entering the training class assessment—Red, Yellow, and Blue class freshmen all present.
A big screen displayed live duel footage, switching to various surveillance feeds when no duels were active.
Next to it, a detailed list of training class rules was posted:
1. The assessment lasts five days, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
2. Participants can enter or leave at any time within those hours.
3. Physical fighting is banned during duels; violators will be disqualified.
4. Duelists can transfer points to each other.
5. …
"Huh, looks like the training class is pretty chill. So I could skip all five days, right?"
"Skip and get zero points? You wanna get eliminated?"
"Eh, I get the urge to slack, but besides the freedom, these rules are a load of crap!"
"No kidding. But banning physical fights? Kinda redundant. Who's summoning fists in a duel?"
"…Right."
After reading the detailed rules, the surrounding students erupted into chatter.
The ban on fighting baffled them most.
They were college students, after all. What couldn't be settled with a duel? Who'd throw hands like some thug?
Ryo Nakamuta's trio didn't pay it much mind. When the assessment time hit, they headed to the entrance to register.
Swiping their student cards in the slot displayed their names, student IDs, and duel records.
Swipe once to enter, swipe again to exit, and the day's assessment was done.
Seeing Ryo take the lead, other students lined up to swipe their cards and enter.
Training Class Assessment, Day One!
Officially underway!
…
Ryo Nakamuta's trio entered the forest arena and immediately headed to the stream where Ryo had once dueled a Dark Duelist, settling in to discuss tactics.
Though Ikeda Firebolt and Kito Saku had Ryo's cards to bolster them, seeing so many competitors—plus the mysterious duelists—still made them uneasy.
"Ryo-bro, I say we lay low for now."
"The situation's unclear. Let's scope things out before making a move."
Ikeda Firebolt stuck to his plan: stay true, stay sneaky.
"Prez, how about I scout around first?"
"It's day one, and we don't know what's up with Phantom God Yellow or Red classes."
"Hard to act without intel."
Kito Saku wasn't worried about Phantom God Blue class—he knew their strength from the Duel League Test.
But the top dogs in Yellow and Red? Their skills were a mystery.
"Alright, let's chill here for the morning and observe."
"Kito Saku, you scout."
"Let me know when you spot a fat target."
Ryo Nakamuta yawned, leaning against a tree to nap with half-closed eyes.
Ikeda Firebolt grinned, pulling a fishing rod from his backpack and setting up at a prime spot to fish.
Kito Saku sighed, waving them off. Guess he'd have to eat the bitter pill and scout where the crowds were.
...
T/N: Additional one chapter for 20 PS.