Chapter 857: Praying Mantis Catches Cicada
Chapter 857: Praying Mantis Catches Cicada
Duel Academy Island.
The surging waves crashed against the island, and the sparse moonlight barely illuminated the moss and ferns on the ground through the dense canopy, as if this was the only faint sign of life in this quiet place.
Professor Cobra from the Western Academy walked through this forest, with dry branches cracking under his feet. An indescribable heaviness and oppression filled the air, as if even breathing had become labored.
Professor Cobra held a device in his hand. He walked and stopped intermittently, seemingly relying on it to identify his location.
This was his first time on this island. The feeling he got from Duel Academy Island so far was quite indescribable, especially at midnight in this dense forest. The towering ancient trees cast massive shadows, intertwining to form an invisible net that tightly enveloped all outsiders.
It didn't feel like a school but rather the forbidden territory of some demon king.
However, Professor Cobra eventually found what he was looking for.
Buried deep within this island, an abandoned laboratory.
The rusted metal door was ajar, like a gateway to another world. Dim moonlight filtered through the broken glass windows, and a chilly breeze whistled through the cracks, emitting a mournful low wail.
You would never imagine how many bizarre things were hidden on this island that seemed to be just a school.
This place was originally a laboratory focused on animals, aiming to explore the possibility of teaching animals to play cards. It sounded ridiculous at first, but their research had proven feasible.
When Jida and his classmates were in their first year, a card-playing monkey had escaped from this laboratory and even dueled with Jida.
Some scholars believed that animals and spirits had a higher natural affinity than humans, so they wanted to explore the connection with the spirit world by teaching animals to play cards. However, the project was later deemed to have animal abuse tendencies and was ordered to stop.
The lights soon turned on, illuminating the control room's computer screens and Professor Cobra's stern yet chilling face.
"Old equipment," Professor Cobra muttered with disdain, "Well, at least it's still usable."
He tapped on the control panel, bringing up surveillance projections. Each projection displayed scenes from within Duel Academy.
These were the surveillance devices he had secretly deployed throughout the academy, along with some mobile cameras. Tiny cameras, almost invisible to the naked eye, roamed the academy, helping him quickly grasp the latest situation within the school.
With this, he had control over any movement in the school.
Thinking of this, Professor Cobra's lips curled up, revealing a dangerous smile like that of a cobra.
Although the situation had deviated slightly from expectations, it was still under control.
Duel King You Xuan, I didn't expect his influence on the surface of this school to be so significant. Judging from this, if he were to rebel against the principal's rule, all the teachers and students would probably support him. No, even Jiao Island himself might endorse it.
And he specifically asked to duel with me; could it be that he already suspects me?
Professor Cobra stroked his chin in thought.
Well, it doesn't matter.
His goal was merely to absorb enough duel energy to revive that noble person. The original plan was to step in personally if the energy was insufficient. Professor Cobra was quite confident in his dueling abilities.
Duel King, a title he holds with pride. A duel with this guy should generate some quality energy.
Everything is under control.
But Professor Cobra, who was obviously unaware of an old saying, had never heard such a phrase.
As the saying goes, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole's approach.
Professor Cobra, who was monitoring every move of the entire Academy, was completely unaware that his lecherous grin at the surveillance projection screen was also being watched by others.
You Xuan looked at Professor Cobra on the hovering projection screen in front of him and muttered to himself, "After all these years, I haven't misremembered the plot. This old fox has indeed hidden himself in this broken-down lab."
Qian Jin, holding a parasol, peered curiously from the side.
"This guy doesn't seem like a good person. Master, do you want me to..."
She paused mid-sentence, flashing a small tiger tooth and gesturing a throat-slitting motion at her pale neck.
You Xuan glanced at her helplessly, "Can you stop being so bloody all the time? You're going to get us rated R."
Qian Jin feigned weakness, "But I'm a vampire, after all."
"Still, she has a point."
Mina, the school nurse in her white lab coat, chimed in from the side.
"This guy clearly has ill intentions. Do we really need to go through with this?"
"It's fine," You Xuan smiled, "I know what he's up to, and I'm prepared."
Hearing his words, the spirits fell silent, understanding his determination.
(Chapter End)
As You Xuan stood up and left his lab, he had barely taken a few steps when he bumped into his senior, Kohinata Hoshina.
In truth, Senior Hoshina had already graduated from the Academy some time ago. However, You Xuan's lab had become closely connected to the student council, and Senior Hoshina was often helping with various tasks.
Later on, You Xuan felt that Senior Hoshina had become adept at many of the lab's operations, and it would be troublesome to find a replacement if she graduated and left. So, he decided to directly hire her at a high salary to continue her work.
Senior Hoshina now considers herself quite fortunate. Her research talents were average, and while her dueling skills were exceptional among regular people, they seemed mediocre compared to the Academy's elite.
Nowadays, You Xuan's lab is one of the top workplaces in the entire dueling world, with talent from all walks of life clamoring to get in each quarter. For Senior Hoshina to have joined the lab during its early stages and still hold a management position is indeed a remarkable feat, worthy of an elite in society.
"Senior Hoshina," You Xuan greeted her with a smile.
Kohinata Hoshina felt a bit awkward, "You're too kind. I'm no longer the student council president; you're the boss now. Since you're here, there's something the school wants me to consult with you about."
"Go ahead."
"Well, as you know, many of the Academy's new students are here because of your reputation. The younger students really want a chance to interact with you.
So, the freshmen have united and applied to the Academy to send a student representative to duel with you. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this."
"Oh, that's all? Sure, but the student representative..."
You Xuan pondered for a moment.
"The first-year students this year? I recall it should be..."
Kohinata Hoshina handed him a student file.
"Reiko Ayegumo, a new student from La-Huang Dormitory."
You Xuan's expression changed.
Huh? Huang Dormitory?
Isn't it Osiris Red?
(End of Chapter)
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