"You two are late!"
Isla frowned at Morgan and Jade. She had already changed out of her school uniform and into a sleek bodysuit that perfectly accentuated her curves, with added protective padding at key joints. In her arms, she held a sky-blue helmet.
"We have to finish this Duel before the on-duty teachers come to check. Otherwise... the punishment for unauthorized use of the school's Speed Duel track is no joke!"
Isla pulled her golden hair back and tucked it inside her helmet.
The helmet visor doubled as a special display—since Speed Duels made it impossible to constantly glance at the opponent's cards, the visor would project card info directly in front of the Duelist's eyes.
Glancing at Morgan, who was still sightseeing around the arena, Isla said helplessly:
"Don't tell me... you plan to Speed Duel in your school uniform?"
"Why not?"
Morgan turned, still marveling at the sight before her. Despite having memories of Speed Duel arenas, seeing one with her own eyes was something else entirely.
Honestly... the whole place felt like a giant scaled-up slot-car racetrack from her childhood.
"I thought after your accident, you'd be more cautious. But it seems you're still as reckless as ever. My spare suit won't fit you, but you can at least wear this helmet."
With that, Isla handed her a purple helmet.
Morgan didn't hesitate. She smiled, took the helmet, and put it on without a second thought.
Isla froze for a moment. She had fully expected Morgan to refuse—Never thought she'd accept so easily.
"Morgan! Are you seriously putting that on? That's your opponent's gear!"
Jade quickly reminded her. Since when was Isla ever this nice?
What if the helmet display was rigged... showing false card data?
Isla shot Jade a glare.
"I would never stoop to something that low!"
"Yeah, right!"
Jade fired back, full of righteous fury.
Once Morgan slotted her Deck into the Duel Disk, a soft chime sounded as the Duel Disk deployed.
Linked to her skateboard, sections of the track lit up with multicolored lights. The board beneath her feet rumbled to life. She could already feel the engine trembling.
Both her feet were locked onto the board, with foot controllers below for steering and speed adjustments.
Just by shifting her foot pressure, she could easily steer or accelerate.
This way, she wouldn't need to split her focus between Dueling and driving.
At the same time, Isla finished her setup. The two of them lined up side by side in the lane, moving forward at the same speed.
Once Morgan seemed comfortable with the speed, Isla didn't hesitate—She drew a Field Spell from her Deck.
"I activate the Field Spell: Speed World!"
This was a Field Spell only allowed in Speed Duels.
Immediately, a white light rose beneath Morgan's feet, rapidly engulfing the entire track.
Then, a mechanical voice rang out from her Duel Disk:
⌜Duel commencing! Duel commencing!⌟
⌜Scanning lanes.⌟
⌜Selecting optimal Duel track.⌟
⌜Selection complete! Duel—Begin!⌟
The arena lit up with a glowing, multicolored course—the chosen Duel path.
Suddenly, Morgan noticed something odd. This world's Speed World... wasn't quite like the one from her previous life.
Back then, Speed World had a penalty: only Speed Spell cards could be used, or you'd lose Life Points. Here, Speed World simply confirmed the track setup and limited Field Spells. No other effects.
That gave Morgan a lot more freedom when it came to Deck choices.
"Duel!"
Both drew five cards from their Decks. Isla, clearly more experienced, accelerated past Morgan.
"I'm going first! Draw!"
After glancing at her card, Isla smiled and shot Morgan a glance. Loose strands of hair whipped wildly inside her helmet as she sped forward.
"I Normal Summon Zuijin of the Ice Barrier in Attack Position!"
A cold wind whipped up. A warrior wielding an ice-crystal longsword appeared beside Isla, floating in the air and racing alongside her.
"Next, I activate Zuijin's effect!"
"I Tribute this card to Special Summon one Level 5 or higher Ice Barrier Monster from my Hand!"
The frost warrior crossed his blade in front of himself and vanished in a burst of snow.
In the next instant, a burly, broad-shouldered general clad in icy armor appeared—his murderous aura chilled the air several degrees.
"I Special Summon General Wayne of the Ice Barrier from my Hand!"
[General Wayne of the Ice Barrier] Level 5 | 2100 ATK
Summoning a 2100 ATK Monster on turn one—Isla was quite pleased with this opening. Not a bad start at all.
Turning back to Morgan, she noticed Morgan staring blankly at her Monster, seemingly frozen in fear.
Isla smirked and drew a card from her Deck, Setting it onto the Field.
"I Set one card and end my turn!"
Since she couldn't attack on the first turn, she planned to show Morgan the difference in their skill levels next turn.
Meanwhile, Morgan continued staring at the Monster Isla had summoned, her expression full of disbelief.
'…Did I see that right?'
'She's running... Ice Barriers?'
'But... why the hell is she going first with an Ice Barrier Deck?!'
...
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