Aisha had heard from her older sister that bad kids at school often got summoned to the teacher's office.
'Sorry, sis. I guess I'm a bad kid now, too.'
It was her first time in the faculty office. Sitting bolt upright, Aisha nervously rubbed her pale legs together.
Opposite her, Miss Erin said nothing, watching as Aisha lowered her head further and further.
But that wasn't even the scariest part.
This was Miss Erin's office, yet even Professor Field, the second-year homeroom teacher, was here—the man nicknamed the "Iron Demon" was said to have once served as an instructor in the national army's Duelist Special Forces.
This unit trained elite Duelists, chosen from the best, to be battlefield-ready using every national resource.
Scholars in cards, warriors with swords.
A battlefield Duelist needed more than just card skills—physical and mental fortitude were essential.
Although no major wars had broken out in decades across the continent's three major nations and their smaller affiliates, peace didn't mean militaries weren't necessary.
On the contrary, the more peaceful the times, the more vital it was for countries to reinforce their military strength. Mutual deterrence was how peace endured.
Even in such times, Professor Field had earned the title "Iron Demon" before retiring and joining Fusion Academy's faculty, a name the students naturally continued using.
Now in his fifties and with no background in magic, Professor Field still showed no signs of aging—only a commanding presence backed by a robust physique.
He was terrifying.
Right now, Aisha just wanted to run away.
Her legs kept nervously rubbing until finally Miss Erin sighed and spoke.
"Trespassing in the academy's sealed-off restricted zone, damaging the plaza during a duel, and causing a panic on campus—Aisha Carlos, are you dead set on getting expelled?"
"E-Expelled?!"
Aisha had just barely survived her credit crisis, and now she was hearing that nightmare word again from Miss Erin.
Professor Field said sternly, "Why are you so surprised? According to the academy's rules, what you did is enough to wipe your credits clean, Aisha Carlos."
"Let's talk this through, please, Professor, Miss Erin! I had my reasons, really! Just hear me out."
"Alright, go on."
"Yes, yes!"
Aisha explained everything about the trial involving Dystopia the Despondent. But out of loyalty, she shouldered all the blame herself and didn't mention the others.
Thus, her version became: by coincidence, Aisha Carlos obtained the Dystopia card, followed its guidance alone, cleared two trials on her own, and completed the final duel trial, unlocking the second seal.
"Sigh..." After her explanation, Miss Erin rubbed her forehead and sighed again in exasperation.
"Aisha, are you saying you cleared a trial that requires at least a D-cup on your own?"
Miss Erin even glanced at Aisha's chest, as if to say, "If you're going to lie, at least make it a believable one."
"Yes, is that a problem?"
'…Do you really have no self-awareness?'
Professor Field warned, "Aisha, kindness—or loyalty—is admirable. But foolish stubbornness can harm you. What happened today..."
"Let's not pursue that further."
An aged voice came from the doorway. Vice Principal Raiden entered with a kind smile.
"Let's all calm down. I've already asked Grand Magus Fiona to repair the plaza."
"Vice Principal!"
Feeling like she'd just grabbed a lifeline, Aisha saw divine light gleaming behind the bearded old man.
"Hello, Aisha Yuna Carlos."
Compared to Miss Erin's sternness and Professor Field's severity, the gentle old vice principal finally helped Aisha relax.
"You two, stop bullying her. How could such a sweet girl mean any harm? For my sake, let's let this go."
"Uh... Vice Principal..."
Miss Erin and Professor Field exchanged a silent, exasperated glance.
This sly old fox!
He was the one who told them to deal with Aisha harshly before leaving. Now he strolls in all benevolent and plays the good cop, instantly winning the student's favor.
"You're so kind, Vice Principal!"
"Tch!" Miss Erin clicked her tongue in annoyance. She was supposed to be Aisha's favorite teacher, but now the vice principal had easily stolen the spotlight.
"Haha, Aisha Carlos, just call me Grandpa Raiden. I prefer that."
With that, he affectionately patted the top of Aisha's fluffy white hair.
"0v0 Okay, Grandpa Raiden."
"Ah, what a good granddaughter."
"Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!"
Miss Erin coughed loudly three times to interrupt Raiden's smug moment.
"Erin, I told you to cut back on smoking. Look, your lungs are acting up again."
"Vice Principal, about this matter!" Miss Erin said seriously. "Even if the plaza was repaired, we can't ignore the unlocked Dystopia card."
"Hm, fair enough."
Stroking his white beard, Raiden slowly spoke.
"Aisha Carlos, do you still have the Dystopia card with you?"
"Yes, I do."
She obediently handed over the card. With both teachers and the vice principal watching, there was no hiding it, so she figured honesty was the best course.
With two seals broken, the card now displayed its full name and effect and could be legally used in a duel.
However, the third seal—a dark padlock—still floated clearly above the card.
No one knew what this third seal contained. Unlike the second, it provided no clues.
"I see."
After studying the Dystopia card for a while, Vice Principal Raiden nodded.
Professor Field proposed, "Such a dangerous card shouldn't remain with a student. The academy should take it for safekeeping. Wouldn't you agree, Vice Principal?"
"I don't think that's necessary."
Raiden casually handed the card back to Aisha.
"With only two seals broken, it's just a strong card for now. Not truly dangerous."
Professor Field pressed, "But what if that third seal gets unlocked one day?!"
Raiden smugly and calmly replied, "I believe the Headmaster imbued the card and its wielder with special meaning. I trust that rather than a threat, that third seal is a chance she left behind to overcome despair."
...
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