Ding-a-ling!
As the class bell rang, the classroom gradually settled into silence.
Soon, Asuka entered the lecture hall alongside a young man in a suit and glasses.
"Students, I'm sure you've already previewed and prepared for today's lesson."
"Let me begin by stating a brief introduction to the teacher beside me."
"This is Reiji Akai, from the Duel Alliance.
He's a master of all summoning methods across the six domains and has a master at deck-building techniques."
Ryo nodded thoughtfully, intrigued by Akai's credentials.
"Today's class will follow his arrangements entirely."
"I hope you, as the new Phantom God Blue class, won't disappoint me."
"That's all from me. Teacher Akai, please begin."
Asuka surveyed the room, her gaze lingering on Ryo Nakamuta for a moment before shifting to Reiji Akai.
Reiji smiled warmly, exuding a friendly, approachable aura like the boy next door.
But no one in the room bought it. No one believed he was as kind as he appeared.
"Right, I'm sure you're all aware."
"Every year, the first class for freshmen is the Duel Alliance test class."
"I'm your test instructor this year, and the test is to deal as much battle damage as possible."
As much battle damage… as possible?
The moment the test subject was announced, the entire class was floored.
They never imagined the test could be this simple—or rather, absurdly simple!
Many students wondered if they'd misheard, as dealing damage was achievable with any deck, unlike past tests with their tricky angles that targeted certain players.
"Hold on! Don't get too worked up yet."
"I haven't explain the Rules."
"Rule 1: The AI robot's field has five Blue-Eyes White Dragon monsters, each with 3000 ATK."
"Rule 2: When one Blue-Eyes White Dragon is destroyed by battle, a new one immediately takes its place."
"Rule 3: The AI robot has no deck, no hand, no graveyard, and no banish zone."
Rule 4: "The AI robot has one graveyard and the AI robot has "no life points."
Rule 5: "During the test, you can freely select your starting hand, consisting of five cards."
"That's it for the rules."
"It's a straightforward test. Use your brains—it's not be hard."
"If you have questions, raise your hand."
After Reiji laid out the rules, the classroom plunged into dead silence again.
Those who'd been joking and laughing, thinking the test was easy, now hung their heads, pale as ash, their confidence slapped away.
They'd been too naive, too naive.
The Duel Alliance was the Duel Alliance for a reason.
Even a simple test like "deal damage," they could concoct such outrageous restrictions!
"I can't even!...."
"They call this a test?"
"This must be a nightmare exam!"
"Who can even rack up massive damage against this? Five Blue-Eyes White Dragon with 3000 ATK each? I'm done!"
"The worst part is the black fog. Even when you destroy a Blue-Eyes White Dragon by battle, it just comes backives back. What's the point?!"
"Forget it. If anyone deals 8000 damage, I'll call them daddy! I don't believe anyone can do it!"
After a brief silence, an uproar erupted.
Nearly every student complained about how impossible it was to score decent damage under these rules!
Even Asuka's expression twitched slightly.
Putting herself in the test, she couldn't help but feel a tightness in her chest.
Was this… too harsh?
Meanwhile, Ryo Nakamuta yawned, squinting lazily, seemingly unbothered by the test.
Ikeda Saku, sitting next to him, stared in disbelief.
Ryo-bro? How was he so chill?
Did he already have a plan to ace this test?
"Uh, Ryo-bro…"
"Don't tell me you've already got a way to…"
Ikeda whispered, glancing nervously at Ryo, as if worried others might overhear their strategy.
"Of course."
"There's a hint."
"Think hard about the second rule 2.0. I won't say more."
"You'll get it when the time comes."
Ryo Nakamuta flashed a cryptic smile, leaving Ikeda stunned and scratching his head.
What was wrong with Rule 2?
Ikeda frowned, glancing at Kito Saku at the next table.
Kito's expression mirrored Ryo's—four words: relaxed and carefree.
Seriously?
Was this test really as simple as Reiji claimed?!
That's too ridiculous!
"Looks like there are no questions."
"The first to test, please follow me to the dueling room."
"First up: Kito Saku."
"The rest of you can watch Kito's duel performance here."
"It might even spark some ideas."
Reiji left with Kito Saku, while Asuka turned on the computer to stream the duel.
Soon, Kito Saku's duel footage and data appeared on the projector screen:
"Kito Saku": Sa0 LP.
AI Robot: 999999999....
There was no turn order. The AI robot's field was packed with five 3000 ATK Blue-Eyes White Dragon monsters.
Kito had only five cards—his freely chosen starting hand.
Every student's eyes were glued to him, hoping he'd see him break through the five dragons, yet fearing he might actually succeed and score sky-high damage!
In short, the spectators shared one conflicted thought:
They didn't want their buddy to struggle, but they also didn't want him cruising in a Lamborghini.
"Duel test, start!"
"Kito-kun, you may begin."
Reiji, seated at the front, waved to signal the test's start.
Kito Saku swallowed hard, sweat beads forming on his forehead. He was nervous.
"My turn! I activate the spell card Ancient Rules!"
"With its effect, I special summon my most loyal servant, Dark Magician!"
"Then, I activate the spell card Bond Between Teacher and Student! With Dark Magician on my field, I can special summon Dark Magician Girl from my deck!"
"Plus, I can add the spell card Dark Magic Attack from my deck to my hand!"
"I activate the searched spell card! When Dark Magician Girl is on the field, it destroys all monsters on your field!"
"Five Blue-Eyes White Dragon? Get wiped out, all of you!"
The moment his words fell!
Dark Magician Girl flashed a sweet smile, waving her wand to unleash a burst of magic.
A whirlwind of butterfly-like winds swept across the AI robot's field, engulfing the five Blue-Eyes White Dragon monsters!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The chain of explosions left the classmates watching the duel stunned.
"LMAO! His destruction does anything?"
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon will just…"
The student who stood to speak didn't even finish saying "come back" before freezing in place, dumbfounded!
On the screen, the five destroyed Blue-Eyes White Dragon monsters didn't revive. The AI robot's field was completely empty!
Only then did everyone realize the hidden advantage in Rule 2!
Battle destruction! Not the same as effect destruction!!!