After finishing the first class, Clayton decided to skip some other classes and decided to head to his apartment. Clayton was just about to enter the apartment when a sweet and irritating voice interrupted him, "Hey, Antigonus."
Clayton turned around to see Lily was standing behind him. How did she come here this fast? No way, is she trying to create new trouble for me? I need to know her real identity soon.
Clayton put on a polite smiling face and said, "Hi, Lily."
Lily then made a pitiful face and puppy eyes and started sobbing, "I am really sorry; I didn't mean to create trouble for you. I just wanted to be your friend, but here I am creating problems for you one after another. I couldn't even help you. I am really a terrible person."
Yes, you are. Clayton said to himself as he started comforting her. "No, Lily, it's not your fault; it's these people that are evil, and I am your friend. You are not worthless; you just need to believe in yourself. Just wait, I will win this duel and restore our honor.
We both are bluffing, trying to play each other, and we both know this. At least I know she is putting on an act: first the cheerful, bubbly girl and then the damsel in distress. She also knows I am acting a bit strange. But we both can't show our hands. I need to figure out her identity, and she needs to know me more. So, the bluff is on. As they say, don't play the odds; play the men or women in this case.
Lily finally stopped her annoying yet cute sobbing and said, "You can show me your deck. I may not look like it, but my rank is A-9. If you show me yours, then I will show you mine."
You, what are you even talking about? Are you trying to seduce me? In my previous life, I met a lot of women who wanted to jump in bed with me. So, most of the relationships I had were casual. I never gave a thought to consequences; most of the time, they were just after money. But I need to be more cautious in this world because losing isn't just some money. But that was her play; she wants me to show my deck. I bet she will show me some temporary cards in exchange. I won't fall for this.
Clayton showed he was in deep thought and then meekly replied, "I am very tired right now, and I need to prepare for the duel, but thanks for the offer to help.
Clayton finally landed in his apartment and lay on the couch, and then he started observing it more carefully. There are 3 bedrooms and 1 kitchen filled with all snacks and necessary supplies. There is also a nice gym. But still there is a lot of extravagance. Mental note: need to remodel room
After eating some snacks, Clayton started thinking about the upcoming duel. Duel in this world is really different. It is more like an in-game mechanic, a proper system. While you are dueling, an invisible barrier separates you from the world so nobody outside gets hurt or can interfere. If a higher-rank person intervenes, he has to pay a heavy cost on his power and also is looked upon and treated as an outcast, sometimes even a criminal. A person has to honor his bet; otherwise, he takes damage to his soul, and a duel cannot be initiated without both parties' consent. There are some more rules, but these are the main ones.
Usually duels take place in 3 rounds, and a person who lands 2 hits wins, which means you cannot die in a duel if the defeat term is taking a hit or you specially allow death. There can also be some puzzles or specific challenges created by the duel if you want that, or you can just duel to death like old times. Classic.
You get to draw a hand of 5 cards, and as you play one, you get another. If your deck is over, then it reshuffles itself. Every card has a fixed AP cost, and you generate 1 AP per turn. I just need to land one hit on Charles, and I will win. I can't win in the 1st round, or I will draw too much attention. I need to win the last round by very slim chances.
"Now I am going to prepare for my duel."