The following week, Duel Academy introduced a special event: the Duelist Gauntlet. All first-years would participate in a tournament-style test, designed to assess potential.
Dr. Crowler stood before the students in the lecture hall. "Those who fail to impress will be... reevaluated."
Kaito narrowed his eyes.
The first round was easy. Kaito's Blue-Eyes deck steamrolled his opponent with minimal effort. The second, slightly tougher, but still ended with a clean finish.
In round three, he faced Jasmine from the Ra Yellow dorm—a strategic player with a burn deck.
"Ready to lose, dragon boy?"
"Try me."
Her traps and spells chipped away at his LP quickly. For the first time, Kaito was pressured. But then he activated Soul Charge, summoning three dragons from the graveyard.
He absorbed the cost—dropping to 100 LP—but cleared the field.
"Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, end this."
Victory.
Later, as he rested under a tree, Alexis approached.
"You're reckless. That duel could've gone either way."
"It didn't."
She crossed her arms. "Where did you learn to duel like that?"
"I've played my whole life."
She studied him. "You duel like someone with something to prove."
Kaito said nothing.
"Whatever it is... just don't lose yourself in the process."
As she walked off, Kaito looked at his deck.
Lose himself?
He already had.