Deception: A Tactician's Card

Dousing a Local Feud

Burp!

I'm stuffed!

I'm pretty sure that it's unladylike to burp like that in the open but since there's no one here, my image is safe. Yukti left me a while ago while I'm still eating.

"I wonder what will be his response about him becoming a tutor."

It's not that I easily give my trust to someone, but he reminded me of my late mother. They give off the same vibes, and they also act the same way. Moreover, It's not really the same but they are both peculiar when it comes to fighting.

It's already seven o'clock in the morning; one last hour before class. It's still raining, but not as heavy as it was earlier. Before I went to my classroom, I purchased some candies. I have my sweet tooth, after all.

"Let's see... I think my first class is in room 7-D."

I brought out a detailed map of this school. It's pretty handy to have this in the school brochure. It says that 7-D is located on left wing, third floor. It's pretty far. Well, better start walking!

•••

"Eh?"

I made it to the room and in it is a snoozing Yukti sitting on the front, leftmost seat.

This guy sure has some guts.

It's not just him in the room. There's a total of seven students, three men and four ladies — me and Yukti excluded in the count — chatting in the room. They seem to be close, so I wouldn't dare to dash and mingle with them. I just greeted them good morning and went off, sitting next to this snoring character. They're also not wearing their uniforms. My sister did say that this uniform is the new one so the students were given a week to avail for it.

"Hey, Yukti..."

"... Ugh, I don't want to...eat more cabbages..."

He just opened his eyes a little bit and uttered those words, then dozed off (again). Is he that tired? I'll let him sleep then and wake him up as soon as the class starts.

"Mmm?"

I felt the vibration coming from my cell card. Does my sister have something to ask of me? I picked up the call and spoke softly.

"Hello sister, is something wrong?"

"Nothing at all. Have you seen Yukti? I arranged your schedule in a way that your and his classes are the same. It's not a problem since his department and yours are the same. Are you sure about this though? You went for the General Department instead of Rune Department?"

"It's fine sister, I'm satisfied in this field. I want to balance my self — studies and basic self-defense classes are my preferences rather than focusing on rune cards and the like. And yes, Yukti's beside me, sleeping."

"Oh? He is? That guy must be tired."

"Maybe. Anyways, sister I'll end the call...is that alright?"

"Sure thing! Make sure you'll listen to the instructor, okay?"

After responding with a yes, I hung up. So, what would I do now? If it's possible, I want to talk to this sleepyhead since he's the only one I know.

Sigh, I'm getting bored.

I looked around and I saw three more students, two females and a male. The least tall of them (as a girl myself, I know that it's a taboo to say that a girl is sho--whoops) all is a cute girl, gives off the little sister vibes, has shoulder-length pinkish hair and blue eyes; the other lady has wavy green hair reaching her elbows, has the same height as mine, but her breasts...doesn't suits her slender body. Isn't that a D!? Or perhaps even E!?

Ah! Stop it Snow! You're still growing! You don't need to feel insecure! And your breasts are already fine! It's C, so yeah... Calm down, self!

Cough!

Anyways, if compared, the cute one's height reached the other green-haired lady's shoulders. As for the guy, he's the tallest among the three of them. If I'm not mistaken, he's 6'1" or perhaps even 6'2". Heights like that are suitable for sports like basketball, right? His physique is a little buff than the sleepyhead Yukti, has this spiky black hair and eyes.

The newcomers are wearing the school uniform — thank goodness, I'm not alone — and gave me the impression that they're from a superb family or something.

The seven others who were happily chatting with each other fell silent and stared at the three with disgust. What's with that?

Annoyed, the guy lashed at them.

"What are you staring like that? Huh?"

Eh. That one's pretty hot-tempered.

Fortunately, the green-haired lady stepped forward and tugged the infuriated Edward and asked him to stop.

"Stop it, Edward. You're making a scene."

"But, Faze...as the ones in the upper class of the society, we deserve to have the respect we ought to have, right?"

"That doesn't mean that you have the right to judge them. You want their respect? Start behaving like a proper gentleman."

Oh, that individual named Faze is cool! Aside from your big brea--er, I like everything about you now! You're so composed!

"Tch. You're lucky mate."

The Edward fellow reluctantly followed her advice and was about to sat down when one of those students sent and arrow flying towards Faze. What the...

The cute one managed to parry it with a dagger. Thank goodness.

Why did that guy do it anyway? He has a well-built physique, possesses orange almond eyes and curly hair. On his face are some freckles near the nose. He's pretty pissed off for some reason. Does he have any relation with Faze?

"You demons never deserve to attend this heartwarming institute. You deserved to be in jail, just like your fathers!"

Faze, as well as the other two are having grim faces. Is there something that I don't know about? Perhaps I could learn more if this feud continue. But I need to interfere and stop this before it gets worse.

"I sympathize with what your feeling right now. However, you shouldn't aim your anger towards someone who's not liable of what had happened to Mr. Lucas."

"What? Wait, aren't you...?"

Huh? When did Yukti came to the scene?

It's not just me, but all of the people present were surprised to hear and see Yukti behind the guy who shot the arrow, tapping his right shoulder.

"It's been a long time, Roderick."

"Y-Yukti? You're Yukti right?"

Yukti just nodded while covering his mouth with his hands as he yawns.

"Yukti? Where did I hear that name...?"

"I worked under your mother before, Miss Faze. I'm the one who helped them make amends with the furious locals during that construction accident. Also, Edward...you're still hotheaded as ever. You never changed."

"I'm sorry about that senior. I apologize for being rude."

"Don't apologize to me. Anyways, in this school, there's that new duel system that allows you to compete with anyone fair and square in the virtual world. Go to the duel room and settle your feelings."

He picked up his cell card and started tapping. He continued by saying, "I'll ask permission from the chairperson and become your witness. There's still a lot of time to spare, so let's use it for the better. Usually, men talk with their fists, not vocally."

The two parties agreed to his proposal after a brief period of thinking.

Seriously, Yukti? Won't that proposal of yours result in a more chaotic relationship between them? This is the only thing I could think of as I approached Yukti and tugged his shirt. He looked so surprised seeing me but hey, I'm more surprised seeing you appear behind Roderick's back all of a sudden.

I know his capabilities since I saw it first-hand, but it seems I couldn't get a hang of it.

I followed Yukti and the others, and were heading towards the duel room dubbed DR-65, a room located at a separate facility within the school premises.