Want to play cards? I'll use my King's Deck!

"Yes Yes!"

"However, that would only be possible if we could become the next regular team."

Wendy muttered to herself.

She could already imagine the criticism and accusations that she and her classmates would face when they returned to school after missing out on the Star Cup championship.

Failure may not be so terrible, but to many, failure itself is the greatest sin. Aside from being universally condemned, the three of them won't be welcome at Star Peak Academy. Next time, there will definitely be even more people specifically targeting them. They might even be banned from participating in next year's Star Peak team selection.

"So what."

Wendy spoke very softly, but Amagi Naruto still caught it and saw through her hidden thoughts.

"In Star Peak, strength is paramount. As long as you beat everyone into silence like you did this time, that's all that matters. People who can't even beat you will just be easy prey for Izumi Yuki and the others."

"Yes, yes."

Unexpectedly, Wendy was overheard by Amagi Naruto and received another scolding. She shrank back and then asked curiously, "But it sounds like Amagi-senpai still doesn't plan to participate in next year's Star Cup? And neither does Naruto-senpai?"

"of course."

Amagi Meito said, "The Star Cup is your responsibility and obligation, not ours. It's a tradition of Star Peak Academy, so don't think we'll break it. However, it doesn't mean we'll never face Izumi Yuuki. There should be an opportunity later."

"After that?"

"Well, let's discuss this further later."

Kaiba Aoto interrupted Amagi Naruto's conversation with the girls, saying, "Anyway, just keep working hard in the future, there's no need to put too much pressure on yourselves. Now, Mashiro, you can come with me for now."

"Walk?"

Seahorse Shinshiro tilted his head, his eyes innocent and blank, not understanding what Seahorse Soto was talking about.

"Yes."

Seahorse Soto explained, "It's almost time to present the trophies and prizes. You, the second-place winner, can't be absent."

"Um..."

Chapter 271 Star Cup

"Congratulations on winning the Star Cup, You Xi. This honor is well-deserved."

"Thank you."

If we're talking about who the biggest star of the awards ceremony is, it's undoubtedly the first place winner.

While the second and third place winners certainly overcame numerous challenges to achieve their current success, they are merely supporting characters in the shadow of the first place winner.

Countless cannons exploded in the sky, and countless flashes of light rang out from all directions. The only focus was on the boy standing on the central award stage, with Izayoi Yuki and Kaiba Mashiro on his left and right respectively.

Izayoi Yuki didn't seem to mind, but Kaiba Mashiro was rather frustrated.

Unfortunately, no matter how frustrated they felt, they could only keep it to themselves and obediently cooperate with the D Alliance's actions, becoming exquisite dolls that existed only for taking photos and promotion for a short time.

Seeing Xingfeng's ace standing in the runner-up position, holding the silver trophy, while their friend stood in the position they had always dreamed of, receiving the gold trophy and medal from Kaiba Soto, the members of the Morning Light Duel Academy who had specially come from Morning Light City couldn't help but feel very emotional.

"I really didn't expect these guys to actually make it this far. I thought they'd only make it to the top eight at most. But so many things happened along the way, and they actually managed to snatch the prize from Xingfeng's jaws."

"Hahahaha! You've underestimated You Xi and the others, Fei Yu."

A familiar burst of laughter came from the audience. The man, who was quite tall and imposing but only a year older than You Xi and the others, crossed his thick arms and laughed heartily.

Among this group, he was probably the one most pleased with You Xi and his companions' victory.

"You Xi's strength is no joke, you should have known that from the beginning, right? It's not surprising that he has achieved what he has now."

"That's what they say, but the level they displayed back then was vastly different from what they are now. Especially You Xi."

Fei Yu rolled his eyes. He still remembered how Yu Xi fought him back then. If Yu Xi had shown such skill back then, he would never have had such a hard time fighting him.

Putting everything else aside, just having a single "Sky Dragon of Osiris" on the table is enough to give his "Train" deck a run for its money. Kido Harutora, that idiot, will be completely annihilated.

If you were to ask whether he would be happy that You Xi broke Xing Feng's dominance and won the first championship for an outside school in the decades-long history of the Star Cup, then he certainly would be. However, this scene also implies another fact.

"Our school is probably going to have a tough two years ahead of us, Captain."

Fei Yu turned around and looked seriously at the young man standing behind him, who nodded.

"Yes. Given Yu Xi's demonstrated strength, if he continues to represent Qingcheng in the competition next year, I'm afraid Chenguang Duel Academy will be completely overshadowed."

From this scene alone, Akabane Ryo could foresee that the dominance of Dawn City would be completely changed within the next two years. Keep in mind, Yuki, Izayoi Yuki, and the others are only first-year students this year, and they have two full years of competition ahead of them.

Unless Morning Light Duel Academy can recruit fresh blood that can rival Yu Xi, they can only lie low under Qing Cheng's tyranny.

What is even more predictable is that with Yu Xi's successful victory, many talented individuals will choose to apply to Qingcheng Academy next year because of Yu Xi's reputation, just like the school of the protagonist in a sports manga about cycling that he happened to read.

Even if we compare the potential of the next generation of newborns, we may not be able to match it.

It would be a lie to say I'm not worried about the future of Dawn Duel Academy, but...

"That in itself is a kind of motivation."

Akabane Ryo said, "The reason why Morning Light Duel Academy has not been able to make greater progress and improvement is because there is no school in the area that can compete with it. Although Kiyosumi's strength is too great, which may make things difficult for Morning Light in the next few years, if we can take this opportunity to deepen our exchanges with Yuki and the others, we can also improve our own strength."

This is similar to the principle in many martial arts novels: if you want to become stronger, a good opponent is far more important than anything else.

The same applies to the world of card duels.

In Akabane Ryo's eyes, Kiyosumi is such a character now.

"Don't let your guard down. Try to turn this crisis into a real opportunity. A duelist's career is long. Don't just focus on the outcome of the Star Cup; look more to the future, understand?"

"Yes!"

Akabane Ryo was speaking not only to his teammates Hiu and Kido Harutora, but also to the rest of the reserve members of Morning Light Duel Academy whom he had brought. Their responses were earnest and serious; for the next few years, Morning Light Duel Academy's established plan would be to target Kiyosumi as their biggest rival and competitor.

The same applies to schools like Xingfeng and Fenghuo. However, due to geographical limitations, students from these schools do not have the same unique advantages as those from Chenguang Duel Academy. This may also be a good opportunity for Chenguang Duel Academy to rise further.

Well, that's a digression. Akabane Ryo and the others returned to the awards ceremony.

After handing over the trophies and medals symbolizing honor to You Xi and the others, the next step was to proceed.

In addition to the champions and runners-up getting to perform on stage once, the winning school team gets to perform on stage again and enjoy the sense of accomplishment of being in the spotlight.

It was at this time that the D Alliance's substantial reward for the champion was handed over to Yu Xi and others by Kaima Soto, the honorary chairman of the D Alliance.

"Here you go, this is the invitation needed to enter the Tower of the Four Heavens."

Take something from the plate the young lady was holding with both hands, and Kaiba Soto handed it to Yuki and the other two. It was a card that looked no different from an ordinary card.

"You can imprint your own feelings into the invitation, leaving your mark so that only you can use it. On the designated day, tear up the invitation, and it will send you there."

"It sounds similar to the mechanism of the Trial Card."

Youxi looked at the card in her hand. It only showed a tall tower standing among the clouds, looking quite mysterious.

This is the key that will allow the Dark Witch to return to the Elf Realm.

"I have a feeling that there's something good hidden in this tower that reaches the heavens."

The elf lady was also curiously examining the cards, seemingly itching to get her hands on them. Yu Xi had to mentally remind her, "Miss Belle, I know you have some occupational habits you can't shake, but please control yourself this time. Otherwise, if you anger the tower's administrators, your wish won't be fulfilled."

"Okay, okay, you're such a nag, you human brat!"

The Black Witch said impatiently, annoyed by You Xi's nagging. He was clearly a grown man, yet he couldn't do this or that; it was far too inconsiderate.

Only his strength and the courage to face even the most powerful and terrifying enemies are worth noting... Well, at least his usual gaming skills are quite good.

"After all, this is essentially the same as a trial card."

Seemingly oblivious to the fleeting conversation between Yuki and the Black Witch, Kaiba Souto answered Yuki's earlier unintentional murmur, saying, "I've been to the Tower of the Four Heavens once before, and I can assure you that you'll have a truly unforgettable and precious experience there, Yuki. And then... besides the invitation to the Tower of the Four Heavens, this is also one of the rewards this time."

The young woman carrying the plate stepped aside, while another young woman stepped forward lightly.

On the plate she was holding in both hands was an object covered with a red silk cloth.

Even through the red cloth, Youxi could sense its special nature.

"coming."

Realizing something, the three of them exchanged glances and held their breath.

Then the seahorse-like man lifted the red cloth, revealing his true appearance.

It was a peculiar cup that shimmered with starlight, the power of the stars settling within it.

Transparent and tranquil, just looking at it or feeling its aura up close can calm the mind and give one a sense of spiritual cleansing. And at this moment, the voice of Kaiba Soujin also rang out.

"This is the 'Star Cup,' a top-tier alchemical artifact created by the legendary Great Sage, modeled after the lost true 'Star Relic.'"

"By drinking the water contained in the Star Cup, one can cleanse all the filth and damage in one's soul, which is of great benefit to the improvement of feeling and mental power, and the understanding of the principles of dueling. Because the Star Cup takes a year to accumulate and nurture starlight, it is generally only enjoyed by the champion of the Star Cup."

Next to the "Star Cup" are a glass kettle and three cups.

As he spoke, Kaiba Cangren poured water from the kettle into the Star Cup in front of everyone. The starlight flowing in the Star Cup immediately permeated and assimilated it, making the originally pure liquid become dazzling and dreamlike.

Wow, it's so beautiful.

Hoshino Mai and Mashiro Kaiba, who had stepped aside to watch, couldn't help but let out a small gasp, their eyes fixed on the flowing starlight water.

Then, the Star Cup was picked up by Kaiba Sojin and poured out the starlight water into it with meticulous care.

Kaiba Sojin's series of movements were fluid and graceful, a sight to behold, suggesting an exceptionally high level of tea ceremony skill. Under his precise control, the amount of starlight in each cup was exactly the same, as if the most meticulously divided portions had been created, leaving no room for feeling of unfairness.

"Drink it now."

After pouring the water, the young lady stepped forward and came to the champion team.

"Complete this final ceremony and receive your greatest reward. With this gift, your future will surely be even brighter."

Despite being urged by Kaiba Soto, Yuki and the other two did not act immediately.

Yu Xi and Xing Yewu first looked at the white-haired, red-eyed girl: "Xue/Xiao Xue?"

"You don't need to worry about me."

Izayoi Yuki said with a hint of amusement, “Since there are three portions of Star Cup Water, it’s enough that I keep my portion. The rest are yours, and I won’t be greedy anymore. So, as President Kaiba says, drink it now, Yuuki, Mai. As for me… Mr. Kaiba, may I hold off on drinking it for now and save it?”

"of course can."

Seahorse Soujin replied, "The Starlight Water retains its effectiveness for a week after leaving the Star Cup, as long as you drink it within that time. However, I suggest you use it on the spot, since Starlight Water is a precious resource and easily coveted. Are you sure you want to do this?"

While cards may have issues like eligibility requirements, Starshine Water can be used by anyone.

Given its ability to heal the soul, it might even become prey for dangerous dark duelists—there are always some who, driven to desperation, choose to struggle for their lives.