Poker?
Arthur's expression showed just the right amount of surprise and astonishment.
Then came understanding.
After seeing the young Medium's series of expressions, the Exquisite Puppet controlled by the Death Poetry Society member immediately laughed.
"I knew you would understand what I meant, Lord Credos-
What could test observation, reflexes, and intelligence better than playing cards?"
As he spoke, the Death Poetry Society member controlled the Exquisite Puppet and began shuffling one-handed right in front of Arthur.
The entire deck split into two equally thick stacks, which then came together in the middle. With a rattling rustle, the two stacks became one again.
Then the whole deck split into three, shifting up and down in his palm with swift, deft movements. Each time the stacks traded places, the middle stack swept around his fingers. As the vertical and circular movements overlapped, the deck looked like a blooming flower.
In particular, from Arthur's angle, the circling stack was faceup, and a different card showed with every rotation.
It began with the ace of spades and ended with the two of spades.
Thirteen dazzling changes.
Without question, this was an extremely professional technique.
At least, Arthur could find no fault with the way he shuffled.
Of course, Arthur understood even more clearly that his opponent was putting pressure on him.
His repeated losses to Arthur had left him deeply dissatisfied.
He wanted to win once.
He even wanted Arthur to concede of his own accord-
By choosing a different contest, for instance.
That was precisely why he had displayed his professional shuffling technique at the outset: to make Arthur back down.
Had it been a contest in some other field, Arthur might well have switched.
After all, as a Medium, he couldn't concern himself with every little victory or defeat.
But poker...