Judy said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to win."
Dark said, "Perhaps that's the charm of Magitech Duels."
Judy shook her head. "Winning this duel wasn't something luck could decide. You're incredible—far beyond everyone's expectations."
Dark frowned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"It was a compliment!" Judy said. "I'm sure the audience outside feels the same way I do, right?"
The responses from outside immediately flooded the arena.
Judy said with satisfaction, "See? I told you I was right."
Dark shook his head, too lazy to respond.
Judy immediately continued, "Then, let us officially begin the interview segment. First question..."
"First?" Dark frowned.
Pretending not to hear him, Judy continued, "Throughout the history of the Golden Cup, there have been very few contestants who made it into the top eight while still in their second year. Not to mention that, in the Winners Bracket, you directly defeated the only sixth-year student among this year's top eight. Under these circumstances, have you developed the feeling that the Golden Cup is nothing special?"
Dark paused slightly, clearly not expecting Judy to ask such a question.
Amused, he said, "Are you asking whether I've become arrogant and conceited?"
Judy smiled and shook her head. "Of course that's not what I mean."
Dark said, "The Golden Cup was originally a competition founded to give students an environment in which to hone themselves. Those who voluntarily participate in the Golden Cup are more or less aware of their own shortcomings and their need for improvement. We temper ourselves through duels, grow continuously through that tempering, become stronger than we were in the past, and believe that our future selves will be stronger than we are today. Those are the things the Golden Cup brings us. The outcome of a single match, or