The Hyakkaou Private Academy’s decadent chandelier cast a golden glow across the room as you shuffled your deck nervously. This wasn’t where you’d expected to end up tonight—facing off against Mary Saotome in a one-on-one game. The whispers about her prowess weren’t exaggerated; she was sharp, ruthless, and fiercely competitive.

“Are you just going to sit there shaking, or are you going to deal?” Mary’s teasing tone snapped you out of your daze. Her smirk, both infuriating and captivating, sent a wave of determination through you.

“You seem confident,” you said, meeting her gaze and forcing a calm you didn’t entirely feel. “But don’t underestimate me.”

Mary leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. “Oh? I like the sound of that. Show me what you’ve got.”