The boy doesn't speak, nodding at Felicia after looking her over and taking a seat on the other side of the room. He seems to be going through his deck, making last minute preparations, or perhaps he's simply nervous. Spoiler: Spiritual Resonance Roll 66=66 success Felicia hears an odd voice in her head, just barely. It is deep, gravely, and feels familiar. You know better than to hold back. Just as quickly as it appeared, the powerful presence is gone, leaving her to her thoughts once more. ----- The elevator dings and the doors open, revealing President Yamagishi's stern face. A probably fake smile reaches his lips as he enters, assessing both of the room's occupants, though his eyes linger on Felicia for longer. "Alex, Felicia..." The businessman bows formally to each of them. "I am President Tomomi Yamagishi. It is a pleasure to meet both of you. Are you ready to begin?" The green-haired boy, Alex, stands and bows back, though he still doesn't talk. Silently, he takes his place at the nearby blue podium.
"Heh... you're right, no need to hold back. Either they endure... or they get overwhelmed." Felicia smiles, mumbling to herself as she hears the strange, yet familiar voice once more. Taking a deep breath as she renews her resolve, Let's see who'll manage to survive. She thinks to herself, just as the elevator opens once more, showing the president himself. Huh? So it's just us two here? The red-head thinks to herself, thinking that he'd be interested in a few more people. "Likewise, President... or is it Principal?" She asked in a curious tone, but nods either way. "Yeah, I'm ready to start." Felicia replied in a confident tone, moving to the red podium to start her placement duel.
"How fortuitous!" The woman smiles kindly at Tenma. "I will be overseeing the duels there. It is a short walk to the Northwest. I will be departing for them soon, if you would like a guide?" She offers, her high-pitched voice saccharine and pleasant. Spoiler: Perception Roll 83=83 success Tenma can see, and feel, the professor's eyes roaming over him. It seems like she is far less reserved about staring than he is.
She didn’t really know too much about every prospective student on the lineup, to really have as much fun with it as she liked, though she kept a good enthusiasm. She imagined most just wanted things to get under way after the principal dragging things out way too long, so she decided to kept it fairly brief, but encouraging. “Now to get started with what we we’re waiting for! The placement duels! Now, these aren’t life or death. You can always move up later. But remember Red or Yellow certainly doesn’t mean weak. Now, the first on the list, we already got a good match.” Taking a breath, she felt that was enough to keep people interested. Most would be focused on preparing for their own exams but, a good amount will likely want to observe the methods used by others. “First! We have two genuine prodigies facing off! Takashi versus Kuroki!” She had no way of knowing if that was true, but it did make this job sound a lot more exciting than it actually was.
"President..." The suited man answers, nonplussed. "...though Headmaster will also suffice. I am no Principal--this is a university, not a secondary school," he says, almost proud of the distinction. Spoiler: Perception Roll 62+20 (Perceptive)=82 success Though Tomomi's expression remains genial, Felicia can feel the balding man's eyes twitch at her words. Did he take it as an insult? The President seats himself on a black, leather couch facing the center of the duel field as Felicia takes her place. The screen turns on as she climbs the steps to the small platform, reading "Opponent ready. Please place deck in Deck Zone." Now is her final chance to make any last-second adjustments before the duel.
@Tjf Adam hears Professor Meri's brief speech and announcement of the first match, her voice loud and surprisingly clear through the arena's speaker system. The two participants walk from the stands onto the field, both of them approaching Julia to receive a duel disk. Spoiler: Takashi Yoshino Takashi remains as courteous and respectful as he was an hour ago. Spoiler: Umimaru Kuroki Umimaru is...less than pleased. "You're a professor?! Dressed like that?! And with such shitty advice?!" the girl shouts, though the small crowd of students, excited for the duel, drowns out her voice for all but the trio gathered in the center of the field.
Felicia takes note of his irritation, but she doesn't mind. In her eyes, he's no better than Alden Weaver who relied on his wealth to get where he is. But since he seemed determined to at least educate others about proper duels, even if it is just to profit off of them. Her stance toward him was neutral. "Alright then, Headmaster. I'll show you exactly why you called me here." The red-head said in a confident tone, before heading to the podium. Felicia doesn't bother making any last-second adjustments as she didn't know her opponent's playstyle. And with her partner telling her to go all out, that's exactly what she'll be doing. She places her deck in its proper zone, looking directly into her opponent's eyes. "I hope you're ready." She called out, wondering if his nervousness from earlier was just for show.
Tomomi smiles graciously at her bravado. Alex nods sharply at Felicia before looking down at the screen, focused. After a second to scan the contents of both players' decks, Felicia's monitor reads, "Duel!" before changing to a display of the field and both players' Life Points--set at 8,000. Spoiler: First Turn Coin Flip Tails=Felicia Spoiler: Initial Hand Roll Felicia: 16=16 poor Alex: 48=48 average As both players, Alex much quieter than Felicia, say "Duel!" and draw their opening hands, most of Felicia cards aren't particularly useful yet. She assesses them while Alex looks down at his own hand, presumably thinking before playing anything for his first turn. [I wanted Alex to go first to give an example, but rolls are rolls. I can still do that if you want? Edited to fix continuity.]
(Yeah, I think Alex should go first to give a more accurate example of how the duels will go.) As she draws her cards, Felicia fails to find any of her starters. But she doesn't let it show on her face, instead she waits for Alex to make his move, wondering what his playstyle will be, and what his deck is about.
Spoiler: Alex T1 Roll 62=62 average "Draw." Alex draws for the first turn. He quietly continues. "I summon Silent Magician Level 4 in Attack Position." Spoiler: Silent Magician Level 4 The monster is projected by the field, displaying a small, almost cute boy standing in front of it's owner. "And I play the Magical Citadel of Endymion." Spoiler: Magical Citadel of Endymion The field changes to display a great fortress. The walls and magical wards circle the room as they hum with arcane power. "I place one card face down and end turn." A face-down card is projected in Alex's back row as Felicia's monitor lights up, notifying her that it is her turn. President Yamagishi watches quietly, paying close attention to her movements. Spoiler: Felicia T1 Roll 43=43 average
So she was the other contender. It worked out well enough that she didn’t need to do too much to keep an eye on her progress. She couldn’t help, but be more amused by her outburst than anything. “I simply told you the facts. You are utilizing that card as a optimal tool, not as a friend. That will be the reason it won’t come to you when you need it the most.” Julia made her predictions of the outcome in almost a meditative state. Eyes shut as she tried to conceptualize it, but still confident in her ultimate verdict being proven right. It was still possible this girl might just surprise her….but, looking at Takashi, Julia could get the sense her opponent was not so ordinary either. “It would be awfully embarrassing to look bad now that everyone believes you’re a prodigy.” She seemed pretty easily worked up. Maybe pushing the right buttons would help her focus. “These duels are a test of your abilities. Even losing does not rule out the possibility of being accepted if given a good enough performance.” She spoke up to make sure the crowd could hear it as she raised her arm up holding a coin than tossing it in a exaggerated motion. “Declare!” She kept her voice loud enough to be heard over the crowd as she reached to catch it from behind her head, waiting for them to call to determine the turn order.
Affixing the white duel disk to her left arm, Umimaru pouts. "Well...maybe I just didn't want to show everyone my best cards until I knew I would need them!" She places her deck into the designated slot on the disk, using more force than needed. "And I always look good. Isn't that right, pretty boy?" Unperturbed, Takashi calmly dons his own disk. "Of course, but this does not necessarily mean you are a good duelist." He flashes the redhead a charming smile. "Show me what you can do, Miss Kuroki!" He says with genuine enthusiasm as he walks to one end of the field. Umimaru growls in frustration before doing the same, going to the opposite end. "Heads!" the suited young man immediately shouts at Julia's command. He watches the professor, seeing more value in taking in Julia's appearance again than in tracking the coin flipping through the air above her. His foe mutters to herself and stares daggers at the professor, clearly angry with the older woman. [Do you want to flip the coin for them, then?]
Tenma squirms under the open gaze, trying to give a nervous but polite smile. "T-That is good luck, I suppose. It would be a great help." And maybe a good chance to put this stuff down, finally, he thinks to himself as the weight of the suitcase he holds gets more and more noticeable as time passes.
(It’s fine if you do it, but I did flip for this one.) Noticing Takashi’s not so subtle glances, she didn’t hide it when she shot a smile back, eyeing him over again, right in front of the red haired girl before looking back at her, still with confidence. She kept the microphone away so her voice couldn’t be heard as she held that teasing smile. “Oh, so it’s like that?” Thinking she was seeing signs of jealously forming, it was obvious she was enjoying this. “It’s not his fault. Boys his age can’t help it. If you just showed off your boobs a little, he’d be all over you.” …should a teacher really be talking like this? Letting her fingers slide apart as she held the coin to reveal it, but keeping a certain air as if she already knew the result without looking. Heads.
"Oh, I did not introduce myself. I apologize." The pink-haired professor says plaintively. "I am Dr. Sayen Kelsey." Her pink irises settle on Tenma's own eyes. "Relax, dear. It is simply a duel." She guesses at the cause of the boy's discomfort. "I have others who need assistance for now. Go to your sister. I will find you once I am ready." Sayen gives him a caring look before turning and addressing another student seeking her assistance.
"Yes, Doctor Kelsey," the shy young man answers politely before returning to Haruka and explaining to her what the teacher had told him. His eyes momentarily dart over in the direction that Kelsey departed in, wondering if that look she had given him at their conversation was genuine or just a face teachers put on to win over their students.
Adam remains silent for the moment, arms crosses as he examines the duel, while keeping his eye on his opponent - largely because he likes what he sees, but mainly to see if he can glean anything about her personality that could be useful in his own duel - which strategies she seems to appreciate, and which she doesn't approve of.
Takashi stifles a laugh, his courteous facade cracking a grin which he promptly hides behind his hand. Spoiler: Taunt Roll 17+10 (Charisma)=27 fail Umimaru shrugs off Julia's teasing, rolling her shoulders and making a face of disgust. "Ugh. If I wanted that spoiled dick, I'd have fucked him already. Maybe you can make up for earlier by distracting him, slut!" With the turn player decided, both students shout "Duel!" and draw their hands. The field lights up, and the small crowd cheers. Spoiler: Opening Hand Rolls Takashi: 25+10=30 poor Umimaru: 67=67 good Takashi frowns, setting a monster and a pair of face-down cards. All three are projected, the cards hovering over the field. "I end my turn. Here's your chance, Kuroki. Try not to waste it," he chides. Despite her frustration seconds ago, Umimaru is practically bouncing. "I'll send Warrior of Atlantis to the Graveyard to add A Legendary Ocean to my hand! Then, I'll play it!" Spoiler: Legendary Ocean The arena suddenly becomes an underwater city, with tall, stone buildings and schools of fish surrounding the duelists. "Now, I summon Amphibious Bugroth 3 in Attack Mode!" She slaps the card onto her disk, and the monsters appears on the field. Spoiler: Bugroth "It'll attack you directly thanks to it's effect!" She shouts at her opponent. The floating machine fires right at Takashi. Though the lasers don't actually strike him, his LP bar, displayed for all in the arena to see, falls to 6500. "I'll set a card face down and end my turn!" Umimaru smirks, shooting a look at Julia which all but says "I told you so!" [Sorry that took so long. I kept getting interrupted. How much of the duel do you want to see? I have no problems with speeding this along if you want since its two npcs.]
"Fufu." As her turn switches, Felicia lets out a giggle. Not really because of the card she drew, which will help a little with her combos. But because of the irony. After all, a dragon destroying a city is the bread and butter of a good fantasy story. I'd rather save Force Resonator for its effects, but no matter. Go all out, right, partner? The red-head puts on a fierce grin as she starts her play, "I summon Red Sprinter in attack position. Then I activate its effect to special summon Force Resonator from my hand!" She exclaimed as she places her cards on her monster zones. Waiting for the two monsters to appear on the field. Spoiler: Red Sprinter Spoiler: Force resonator "Then I use them both to Synchro summon the Red Rising Dragon!" Felicia calls upon one of her dragons, but as soon at it appeared on the field, "Then I follow up with its effect, allowing me to target a resonator monster in my graveyard, and special summon it to my field." She grins as she continues her play, "I use them both to Synchro summon the Red Dragon Archfiend!" Once again she exclaims as she calls upon her iconic card. Spoiler: Red Rising Dragon Spoiler: Red Dragon Archfiend And as a red dragon appears on the field, I wanted to at least use Scarlet Security, but I haven't drawn it yet. Felicia thinks to herself as she moves onto the battle phase. "Red Dragon Archfiend, attack the Silent Magician!" She gave her order, waiting for her dragon to roast the puny mage. And if everything goes as planned, Felicia moves onto her second main phase, "I place two cards face down, and end my turn." King Scarlet won't be as effective unless I draw a level 1 tuner, and the Red Screen can only stall. But there's the chance he'll overthink himself anyway. She thinks to herself as she waits for Alex to do his turn. Spoiler: King Scarlet Spoiler: Red Screen (Alright, how'd I do?)
Julia stood in the middle of the hologram, unperturbed by the sudden change into an ocean kingdom. If nothing else, she had to respect this girl's choice in types. Julia for her part, it wasn't just that she was so used to seeing fields at this point, she looked completely adjusted and comfortable as holographic fish swam by her. Though...there had to be much better uses of this kind of funding to develop this than to play pretend monsters. Julia could see her take an early lead, but didn't look all too impressed it, still enjoying the show. Seeing her confidence, Julia said nothing verbally, but it could read on her face. Umimaru couldn't know it, but if a duel spirit had been used, there's no way Julia wouldn't notice. As much as Julia appreciated her taste in them, these were just common cards in her deck. ...but that still wasn't the card, was it? For her part, she could see Takashi's frustration build at apparently bricking so early, but she wasn't actually allowed to really help in any real way. The most she did was just smile encouragingly at him, hoping that would help rebuild his composure. "Uminaru has taken an early lead, but the match has only started. He still has room for a good comeback!" (Yeah, we can fast forward a bit, otherwise it might take too long to go through all of them step by step.)
