Chapter 68: Righteous Beatdown!
"Amano-kun, you want to raise your point ranking?"
Inside the teacher's office, Homeroom Teacher Kondo stroked his chin stubble thoughtfully.
"Your situation truly is special. Honestly, when they initially assigned you to Class E, I actually opposed it."
Kondo clearly took Amano's question seriously.
Students like Amano were probably teachers' favorite type.
Good grades, holding class duties, enthusiastically consulting teachers with questions.
But Amano's question—as homeroom teacher and dean of students, Kondo Tsuyoshi needed to prioritize this.
Originally the academy's arranged teaching progression—first-year students didn't have many point-earning methods, point amounts weren't large either. But since everyone shared the same starting line with dense point intervals, steady ranking advancement was achievable.
Yet for Amano, different story.
Rank 1,000—that ranking, even among academy fourth-years, was relatively high.
Without targeted changes, Amano's first year at Synchro Academy would be completely wasted.
"If I could connect your Eva terminal into third-year virtual world devices, perhaps your points could significantly increase. But this requires time for applications—I'd need to report to higher-ups."
Kondo clearly knew such uncertain-result methods couldn't immediately satisfy Amano's current needs.
"As for methods I can think of now, probably only the three academies' monthly joint duels."
"Joint duels?"
"Amano, you know the three great academies' relationship isn't good—everyone wants first place."
"Yeah."
"These joint duels were proposed by the three principals. Every month on the 20th, each academy's each grade sends one student representing their academy, dueling at Academy City's central arena. It's a three-way battle format."
"Three-way battle rules?"
That was fresh. Though anime showed battle royales, Amano personally never tried them.
"Every month the 20th—that's the day after tomorrow?" Amano checked the time.
Since new semester started the 15th, following convention of monthly 20th joint duels, timing was indeed soon.
"I'll apply to the academy for you to represent Synchro Academy first-years. Presumably nobody will object."
As Synchro Academy's first-year with cliff-edge ranking lead, Amano participating—if not universally anticipated, absolutely nobody dared oppose.
"However, Amano-kun, I must warn you. Synchro Academy's joint duel win rate is very low. The reason—three-way battles."
Three-way battles meant attacking whoever you wanted.
Synchro Academy students—in the three great academies' point rankings, whether top ten headcount or top hundred headcount, clearly exceeded the other two academies.
Initially seeing rankings, Amano thought this world's Synchro Summon users were generally stronger.
Now it seemed—compared to other academies' relatively relaxed teaching methods, Synchro Academy clearly achieved this through intense competition.
Good grades meant easily becoming targeted in three-academy melees—inevitable result.
"Well, don't pressure yourself too much—just do your best." Homeroom Teacher Kondo patted Amano's shoulder. "First-years haven't won in ages. Approach it with participation-focused mentality."
Amano gave Kondo a knowing look. "If I win, will there be lots of points?"
Kondo reciprocated with understanding look. "Lots~"
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Next day, East District dorm cafeteria, four people around table slurping noodles—
Kikawayu: "Rei, you're actually fighting tomorrow's joint duel? Is there appearance fees?"
Amano: "Homeroom teacher said there's points. Speaking of which, who's participating from Fusion Academy first-years—you guys know?"
Finesse: "Completely clueless. Only heard about joint duels from upperclassmen. Fusion Academy teachers don't really manage things."
Kikawayu: "Anyway, shouldn't involve us. Tomorrow's match—candidate probably decided long ago."
Shio: "Can I watch Brother duel tomorrow? Don't want to attend class."
Amano: "How can middle schoolers skip class? Attend school obediently..."
Finesse: "Of course you can, Shio. Tomorrow I'll request leave from your teacher."
Shio: "Yay! Finesse-neechan's even better than Brother now~"
Actually Amano didn't mind Shio watching.
Just Homeroom Teacher Kondo warned him—joint duels were hard winning. If he got 2v1 beaten badly, too embarrassing before his sister.
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Day after, Academy City Central Duel Stage.
Every month's joint duel—the cyber-tech-filled central stage resembled festive carnival, spectator seats packed with students and various audiences.
The three great academies' friction relationship, superior/inferior summoning methods—already hot internet and public opinion topics.
Directly watching three great academy battle royale duels had long become central stage's fixed monthly blockbuster hit program.
Tickets 1,200 Eva Points each—incredibly, sold out every month.
Amano couldn't help suspecting the three principals calculated hosting monthly melees for ticket revenue.
Of course, audiences came watching joint duels mostly for high-grade, top-ranked celebrity contestants.
Nobody placed expectations on first-year freshmen, especially just one week after enrollment. At most appetizer positioning.
But for participating students—representing their academy, proving their summoning method's superiority—this was extremely honorable.
Xyz Academy backstage rest area—representing first-years, possessing eye-catching blonde hair, handsome guy Masa discussed tactics with classmates.
"Following convention, Fusion Academy will definitely join us attacking Synchro Academy's duelist first."
"But heard this year's Fusion Academy freshmen are pretty strong."
"Masa, during 2v1, best secure your own resources first. After Synchro Academy's eliminated, strike decisively and win!"
"My thoughts exactly." Masa nodded approvingly. "Regardless, sacrificing Synchro Academy's unlucky guy, our Xyz Academy won't place last. Besides, how strong can Fusion be? Final 1v1 definitely my win."
Conversely, Synchro Academy's side—Class E classmates clustered around Amano, figuring how not getting eliminated first.
"Committee Member, when you get ganged up on, definitely try taking out whoever looks weakest."
"Right! Otherwise placing last every time makes outsiders think our Synchro Academy's no good."
"With Committee Member's dueling power, even getting targeted doesn't necessarily mean first elimination!"
"Relax, Amano." As class monitor, Nanki'in Sakuya generously gave Amano shoulder massage. "Even losing, nobody will blame you. Just do your best."
Back then in underground duel arenas, the wish for pre-battle beautiful girl massages—actually realized this way.
However, clearly nobody expected him winning.
Including Amano himself—never fought three-way battles, didn't know difficulty when double-teamed.
Duel about to start, the host's excited voice echoed throughout central stage.
"Now! Please welcome Synchro Academy participant! Amano Rei! Enter!"
"Go, Duel Committee Member!"
"Our Committee rocks!"
"Go, Amano!"
Amano walked toward spotlight-illuminated cyber stage amidst Class E companions' cheering.
"Please welcome Xyz Academy participant! Masa! Enter!"
Masa, face full of confidence, stride momentum completely matching Amano.
"Please welcome Fusion Academy participant! Kikawayu! Enter!"
Amano: "..."
Only Kikawayu, looking confused, scratching his silly head, helplessly walking up.
Kikawayu gave Amano an awkward smile. "Homeroom teacher only notified me this morning, saying I'm participating in this joint duel. Completely unprepared."
Teacher, such things should be mentioned earlier!
You made Amano prepare for nothing.
Both exchanged knowing looks.
Bro, plans changed—prepare for championship!
This instant, Amano transformed from beatdown victim to beatdown perpetrator.
Righteous 2v1!
Only confidently-faced Masa remained unaware what he'd face next.
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