Let's play cards! In a fantasy world of swords and magic

"It seems Fusion Academy's summoning standards are indeed quite low."

"Luka, did you say something just now?"

Because Luka's muttering was as faint as a mosquito's buzz and she was sitting a seat away from Kevin, even Aisha, who was closest to her, didn't catch the comment that could be considered a declaration of war against Fusion Academy.

"Nothing at all, Aisha."

Luka responded with an angelic, pure smile.

"Well, since Kevin's summon is over, it's my turn now, right?"

Before Kevin could even return to his seat, Luka stood up and walked toward the mana amplification circle.

Standing a head shorter than Aisha, with her youthful face and voice, Luka indeed looked more like an adorable little girl compared to the other girls in the academy.

However, the confidence in the golden-haired girl's steps was unmistakable.

So confident that when she passed Kevin, who was returning with a perfect score, she whispered something only he could hear, her childish voice dropping into a threatening tone.

"Watch and learn. Your low-level monster summoning is only good for self-indulgence in the weakest academy, noob."

"Huh?"

After Luka brushed past him, Kevin frowned deeply and turned to look at the petite girl's retreating figure.

"That can't be right. Did I mishear?"

Kevin sat back down next to Aisha, still suspicious.

"What's wrong, Kevin?"

"I think there's something off about Luka Slint."

"Off how?"

"I can't put my finger on it."

If Kevin hadn't misheard, it seemed like Luka Slint had just uttered words that not only challenged him but also the entire academy.

This was completely different from the self-introduction she had given when she first entered the classroom.

She had transferred to Fusion Academy because she admired the Fusion Summoning method. If she had said something like that, her actions would be completely contradictory. It was just too strange.

You Ling: "Aisha, I also think we should be careful."

"Even you, Mr. You Ling?"

In fact, You Ling had already noticed something strange about Luka Slint.

Putting aside her highly deceptive cute appearance, just her self-introduction alone was suspicious.

Admiring the Fusion Summoning method? That excuse was too fake.

You, a student from XYZ Academy who uses Xyz Summoning, admire the currently weakest summoning method on the continent?

If it were just polite words said in front of Fusion Academy students, that would be one thing.

But to specifically transfer from the strongest academy to the weakest, and then immediately try to get close to Aisha?

While the naive Aisha might not have any guard up, You Ling couldn't afford to be careless.

Especially after hearing from the Pharaoh that the balance of light and darkness in this world had been disrupted by the arrival of the Millennium Items. You Ling couldn't have missed the way Luka's gaze had lingered on the Millennium Puzzle during their first meeting.

You Ling suggested, "In any case, let's see her summon first."

A monster summon could, to some extent, reflect the duelist's inner self.

For example, Ilin's heroes.

Or Aisha's simple -_- Yado Karu, which also represented the girl's personality.

If Luka was truly cute on the outside but dark on the inside… a粉㪏黑 (pink on the outside, black on the inside) personality probably couldn't summon a monster of pure attributes.

"Good luck, transfer student!"

"Don't be nervous."

"We're professionals. Even if you summon a tofu block, we won't laugh."

"That's right, no matter how funny it is, we won't laugh."

Yes, you've all gotten used to laughing, so of course, you won't laugh anymore.

"Reporting to the teacher, I'm ready to begin."

"Alright, the summoning system at XYZ Academy is the same as here, so you should be very familiar with it. Go all out with your own method."

Even using a phrase like "go all out," which didn't fit her usual cool teacher persona, showed that Teacher Erin had some level of expectation for Luka's abilities.

Or perhaps this was a good opportunity to gauge the true strength of XYZ Academy's first-year students, the strongest rivals.

Stepping onto the magic circle, the amplification ritual guided a faint purple mana glow, flowing up Luka's slender legs clad in white stockings and into her petite body.

"Guide the radiance of the heavens, shine with dazzling life!—Monster Summon!"

Raising her arm high and spreading her fingers, sacred light flowed between her fair fingers, and the glow of a monster summon blossomed above Luka's head.

Then, what seemed like angelic wings gently floated down.

[Frigid Angel Queen of Roses ★★★★★★★ (7 stars) Earth]

[Plant-Type/Effect ATK: 2400 DEF: 1300]

With wings of crimson rose petals unfurled and golden hair flowing, a female angelic monster descended gracefully from the summoning glow above Luka's head.

It was a summon that could truly be called breathtaking.

"Such a beautiful monster!"

"It's as beautiful as the transfer student herself."

"By the way, what kind of terrifying combat power is this?"

"Level 7, 2400 attack points—isn't that comparable to the Red-Eyes Black Dragon?"

"Is this really a monster that can be summoned in a regular summoning class?"

After all, Kevin Seto, the grade's number one, had only managed to summon a Red-Eyes Black Dragon of similar strength during the midterm exams, which had special mana amplification rituals.

"Hmm, naturally, full marks."

With mixed feelings, Teacher Erin wrote a big "10" next to Luka's name on the scoreboard.

Originally, she had wanted to use Luka to gauge the strength of XYZ Academy, the strongest rival.

But now, it seemed that if Luka's level of summoning was the norm at XYZ Academy, Fusion Academy was losing by a landslide.

She could only hope it was a case of survivorship bias.

Returning with a radiant smile, Luka held the newly summoned [Frigid Angel Queen of Roses] card between her fingers and waved it in front of Kevin.

"So, Kevin, did I win this little contest?"

"Kevin actually lost in a monster summoning… this is hard to believe."

Even Ilin was shocked by the level of summoning Luka had displayed.

If summoning at this level was something Luka could do casually, just how powerful was her deck?

You Ling: "The monster she summoned was actually an angel… did I misjudge her?"

Although the true type of the angelic monster was Plant-Type, the sacred light that accompanied its appearance was genuine.

It was difficult for someone truly evil to summon a sacred monster.

This was why the two dark duelists used demonic monsters.

Unless that person could deceive even their own heart, fooling the Spirit Eye connected to their soul.

"I'll be taking the position of Aisha's rival now. So, could you move aside, Kevin?"

The truth hidden beneath her sacred appearance was like the secret concealed behind Luka's innocent smile.

The [Frigid Angel Queen of Roses] was actually a card that embodied both light and darkness.