Chapter 80: Dueling Club

Professor Chronos’s office.

Sunlight streamed softly through the windows, gilding the entire space with a warm golden hue. The green plants by the window thrived in the light, their leaves shimmering with dewy brilliance.

To be honest, when Professor Chronos first called him to the office for afternoon tea, You Xuan was genuinely surprised. He figured his grades had always been solid, and he hadn’t offended the professor—so why would he get special treatment like a failing student?

But he soon realized he’d overthought it.

“Student You Xuan, you’ve been enrolled for two weeks now. Are you settling in well?”

The professor seemed eager to appear kind and gentle, smiling warmly in the sunlight. Unfortunately, his face was so uniquely shaped that even with all his effort, he still looked like a greedy pot smirking.

“Very well, Professor,” You Xuan replied with a smile.

But my classmates seem to be having a hard time adjusting.

“Mm, good, Nei. If anything feels off, be sure to tell me, Nei. Any problems—academic or personal—you can bring them up anytime, Nei.”

To be fair, You Xuan’s impression of the professor was already quite positive. Part of why he’d earned so many credits in the past two weeks was thanks to the professor. Chronos always gave him chances to answer questions and demonstrate on stage, rewarding strong performances with extra credits.

In stark contrast, Student You Chengshi had lost nearly all his credits in just two weeks—for reasons including, but not limited to: skipping class, sleeping during lectures, snoring in the front row, and failing pop quizzes.

And You Xuan suspected most of those deductions came from Chronos himself—there was clearly some personal grudge involved.

Even if both fell asleep in class, Chengshi would be seen as “sleeping through every lecture,” while You Xuan would automatically be interpreted as “even when sleeping, he’s still studying—how diligent!”

“I’ve already applied for you to the school’s Elite Program—the principal has approved it, Nei. As long as you maintain scores above ninety in all subjects, you’ll receive extra credits every month.”

“And although you’re currently in L-Yellow, once you join the program, your priority for purchasing cards on campus will automatically rise to the same level as students in Oberisck-Blue.”

“Of course, with your grades, moving up to Oberisck-Blue is just a matter of time, Nei!”

“Thank you, Professor.”

As You Xuan spoke, something suddenly occurred to him.

“Oh, by the way, speaking of that—I actually have a question.”

“Oh? Go ahead, go ahead, no problem, Nei.” Chronos interlaced his fingers under his chin, his smile now even more pot-like.

You Xuan forced himself not to think about pots: “Ah, it’s nothing much—there are some cards I’ve been eyeing, but the college department hasn’t stocked them yet. I was wondering if you have any other channels?”

“Ah, that…”

Chronos hesitated.

“You could make a list—I can ask around for you, Nei. But don’t get your hopes up too high. Even teachers usually get cards through the college department. If the college doesn’t have it, other channels are nearly impossible to find, Nei.”

“I see,” You Xuan nodded.

That made sense. If there were easier ways to get rare cards than through the Dueling Academy, everyone would be fighting to get in.

“But student clubs seem to be starting recruitment now,” Professor Chronos mused. “You could try joining one that interests you.”

You Xuan blinked: “Clubs?”

What did student clubs have to do with rare cards?

“Oh, since you’re new, you probably don’t know, Nei. Many student clubs maintain their own inventories, Nei,” Chronos explained with a smile. “They often use these inventories as prizes for events or perks for members to attract new recruits, Nei.”

“Some of those cards are already discontinued and out of production, others are rare even in the college department’s stock, and some are obscure cards only specific decks need.”

By now, You Xuan was genuinely interested.

So some cards that vanished from the college department after just one or two copies appeared might have been snapped up by student clubs. If he joined the right club, he might not only get access—but even score them for free.

“Student clubs also receive funding and credit allocations, so participating in club activities gives you opportunities to earn extra credits, Nei.”

Chronos thought for a moment.

“If you’re asking me, Student You Xuan, I’d definitely recommend the Dueling Club, Nei—the most popular club on campus focused purely on dueling.”

“Sparring regularly with top-tier students will help you improve faster, Nei.”

True. Even something like divine draws requires practice. Facing stronger opponents lets you build up greater “pressure,” which improves you more effectively.

“Understood. Thank you, Teacher.”

After finishing afternoon tea, You Xuan left the professor’s office.

The Dueling Club…

He’d seen the promotional posters before—they were holding recruitment tomorrow at noon.

Might as well take a look.

The next day, the Dueling Arena.

It was the same classic venue You Xuan had seen countless times in anime—but in person, the arena was far larger than it had appeared on screen.

A vast square field was surrounded by circular spectator stands; the place was already bustling when he entered.

Today, the Dueling Club had rented the arena for its recruitment event. Naturally, dueling was unavoidable.

It wasn’t time yet—the recruitment hadn’t started. You Xuan scanned the room and quickly spotted someone familiar.

“Wanzhangmu, you’re insanely strong!” his two lackeys gushed as usual.

“Hmph, obviously.”

Wanzhangmu lounged in his chair, legs crossed, radiating arrogance.

“With Caesar gone, the Dueling Club’s strength is nothing. Doesn’t matter—I’ll raise its level once I join. Just hope no one holds me back.”

The man known as Caesar—Wan Tengliang—was the Gongren top duelist of the academy and a former member of the Dueling Club. But now in his third year, Wan Tengliang had too many other commitments and rarely showed up.

Wanzhangmu was lost in his own self-importance and his lackeys’ flattery when a familiar voice came from behind.

“Wanzhangmu, you’ve been looking good lately. Quite confident, huh?”

That smug tone—could it be…

Wanzhangmu whirled around—and there, grinning brightly, was that handsome face.

Then—thud—he toppled out of his chair from the sudden movement.

His lackeys screamed beside him.

“Brother! How did you end up under the chair again!?”

(End of Chapter)