Draws Are a Serious Matter #9
Back during his time as a student at the academy, Pollux—who attended the bottom-ranked Fabio class—wasn't exactly one of the high win-rate students in his group.
The reason was simple. His deck was built around staking everything on a single draw.
...Unfortunately, Pollux hadn't inherited his mother's talent for astrology.
His nature leaned more toward dashing through mountains and fields with beasts, much like his father, rather than holing up in a room peering into a crystal ball.
Even so, as a child, he'd begged his mother to teach him astrology and centered his deck around [Astrologer - Carne] because—
He'd seen how she quietly regretted it: able to foresee everyone else's futures, yet blind to her beloved husband's death, unable to prevent it.
He'd caught her, late at night after tucking young Pollux into bed, wiping away tears in secret before her husband's portrait.
Young Pollux wanted to reassure his mother. He wanted her to know he'd master astrology like her, reading the stars to ensure no one left her side so pointlessly.
...But by the time Pollux had grown enough to attend the academy, he knew the truth. He lacked his mother's gift as an astrologer.
His deck was nothing more than a clown stumbling around in ill-fitting clothes.
Even now, training in the forest to overcome that wall of talent, the thought lingered stubbornly in a corner of his heart.
That's why he hesitated.
Facing Alexander, prince of the Belluraca Kingdom that had endured for 800 years—a title befitting his powerful cards.
Pollux lacked confidence he'd draw the reversal key card, [Destiny Draw].
His trembling fingers grasped a card but faltered, unable to pull it.
'I'll test my training's results,' he'd boasted so boldly, and now this. Even Pollux found himself pathetic.
"Pollux!"
Alexander shouted then. Pollux flinched, turning his gaze to him.
"What are you hesitating for! Believe in thy deck!"
"Wh-what...?"
"I know not thy circumstances! But to build such a deck and train in these mountains—surely 'twas born of faith in thy cards!"
"...!"
"Show us the fruits of thy training, as thou hast aforetime!"
A grin split Alexander's rugged face.
Even though drawing [Destiny Draw] now would likely mean his defeat.
Even though losing to a commoner without a family name could be fatal for royalty.
Alexander simply looked purely thrilled by the duel. That's why he waited, expectant of whether Pollux could truly draw his [Destiny Draw].
"Hah."
Pollux let out a hollow chuckle. The muscular brute mirroring himself. In that man's star-like eyes, Pollux saw his past self reflected.
—Right. Pollux had started astrology, talentless as he was, initially for his mother.
But after entering the academy, enduring countless losses yet clinging to his style—there was another reason.
It was—
—"Hmm! These Star Beasts are all high-rank creatures, so packing 'em in weighs down the deck... but every time Carne's summon combo lands, it's such a rush I can't drop 'em!"
—"Destiny Draw, huh! What a monstrous effect... Putting this in screams romance, but winning'll be tough... Still, that thrill when it hits? Gotta keep it!"
—Pure, simple fun.
"...Heh, hahahaha!"
Reminded by Alexander, Pollux burst into genuine laughter. Unlike his prior forced heartiness to shake off tension, this laugh brimmed with pure joy and anticipation.
"As thou sayest, Alexander Wales Belluraca!"
Meeting Alexander's gaze head-on, his eyes overflowed with boyish purity, like starlight.
"Deck and player are one! Faith is only natural! Yet I'd forgotten—how foolish of me!"
"Hahaha! Aye, 'tis so! And now? Art thou still a fool?"
Alexander teased with a smile. For all his massive frame, he had a sneaky soft side.
Pollux found even that endearing. He bellowed a laugh, shaking his head.
"As if! I believe in my cards! This one draw claims victory! Draw—!!"
His fingers, tremors gone, pulled the card without hesitation.
"...Thanks, my deck."
—The deck answered his call, sure as ever.
"What I drew is Destiny Draw! Since I drew this, I destroy all creatures in thy field! And inflict damage equal to their total stats!"
-Kurrrrrooooarrr—!!
[Star Beast - Kerahum] roared majestically. Stars twinkled across the night sky over the Battle Table, unleashing a blinding meteor shower on Alexander's field.
Shooooaaaa...!
As if guarding their sea king to the last, the three Sea Warriors hurled themselves forward, vanishing first in the light.
-......
The last, [Sea King - Nerbarus], glanced at Pollux and Alexander, nodded faintly, then surrendered to the starlight.
"Mm..."
Alexander's Soul Point hit zero, scraped clean.
"Alexander..."
"Aye, a close one."
"Yeah~ just one draw short~."
"Y-yes..."
His companions murmured comforts as he closed his eyes, accepting defeat.
But I clapped instead.
"What a duel!"
It was a game stuffed to bursting with romance. Deserved applause.
At the sharp claps, their eyes widened round.
"...Hahaha! Aye! 'Twas grand fun for me too!"
Alexander clutched his sides, threw out his massive chest, and roared with laughter.
"And thee, Pollux? Didst thou enjoy it?"
"Uh... yeah?"
Pollux, still dazed post-victory, blinked in disbelief.
"Hah, hahahaha! Aye! 'Twas a blast! Hell yeah! Hahahaha!"
He threw back his head, bellowing at the sky. Starlight flickered briefly in his eyes. We all pretended not to notice.
"But next time, I win, Pollux! Brace thyself!"
"Hahahaha! Bring it anytime! Alexander Wales Belluraca!"
The two men, packing cards and stepping from the Battle Table, clasped thick hands in a shake.
Beneath the starry night sky ablaze with stars, a bond was born.
"Oh ho, so thou art the dragon user appeared after 150 years? Impressive!"
After the duel, we were invited to Pollux's place.
Heading straight to the dorms risked running into guards and earning demerits.
Surprisingly, he lived in a stylish log cabin smack in the forest's heart, handmade furniture showcasing real skill.
Crackling warmly in the fireplace, we huddled before it to spend the night.
"Even so, I can't wield it properly yet. One duel drains stamina and spirit dry."
"Hmm, makes sense! High-rank creatures are no joke to handle!"
Pollux nodded, arms crossed in understanding.
"Duels build spirit best... but only a couple at a time. Tough when it's draining."
"Pollux, how'd you overcome it? You handle plenty of high-ranks too."
Alexander asked. Despite commoner roots, Pollux boasted many high-rank creatures—befitting an academy grad.
"You lot haven't had Beltum Professor's class yet? Wait, that old turtle still around?"
Pollux asked, puzzled.