Inia Knight believed that Dark's dueling ability was already on par with that of an average sixth-year student.
Based on the course and outcome of this duel, she would make corresponding adjustments to Dark Demon's matching coefficient in the [Golden Cup], allowing him to be matched against opponents close to his own strength instead of, like other second-years, only being matched with students up to the third year.
Dark Demon was an extremely unstable factor, posing an enormous challenge to the Duel Club's matchmaking system.
As the club president, she had to resolve this issue perfectly.
"Both contestants, take your positions!"
As the referee called out, the two contestants on the red and blue player platforms activated their duel tables at the same time. They then inserted their decks into the card slots, and the tables began shuffling automatically.
The words [Preparation Phase] gradually appeared in the air above both sides of the field.
Dark said nothing, and James Gardson seemed to have no intention of engaging in pre-match conversation either.
At the start of this duel between a second-year and a sixth-year, the atmosphere was not particularly tense.
However, cheers and cries of encouragement from outside the field gradually rose.
"You're really popular," Gardson finally remarked.
Dark smiled faintly. "If you beat me today, that popularity will be yours."
Gardson smiled. "Not necessarily. After all, it's only natural for a sixth-year to defeat a second-year. Look, a lot of people think that way."
"And you?" Dark asked.
"Of course." Gardson smiled subtly. "That's what I think too."
"Beep—"
The referee seized the moment and blew the whistle at that instant.
The [30s] countdown for the [Preparation Phase] appeared after the whistle sounded.
Both contestants turned solemn and immediately drew their cards.
This duel had finally gained a hint of