Benji sized up the man. Markus' presence was imposing. His confidence radiated off him, but there was something more—a calm, collected demeanor, like a seasoned warrior who knew exactly when to strike.
Jarek stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Markus, meet your partner for the tournament—Benji."
Markus looked up, his sharp eyes locking onto Benji with an intensity that made him feel small for a moment. But then Markus nodded, a small smirk pulling at the corner of his lips.
"So, you're the Rabbit guy," Markus said, his voice deep and steady. "Jarek's told me about you."
Benji swallowed hard. "Yeah. That's me."
Markus placed his deck down on the table in front of him and took a step closer, towering over Benji. "I don't need much to win. Just time and a few tributes. Think your little rabbits can handle that?"
Benji hesitated, then squared his shoulders. "They can do more than handle it. They can overwhelm anyone who underestimates them."
Markus raised an eyebrow, impressed by the spark of confidence. He crossed his arms. "Good. I need someone who can flood the field while I prepare my beasts. My deck's heavy, but once my creatures are out, there's no stopping them. I hope you're ready for that."
Jarek clapped his hands together, stepping between them. "Alright, alright. Now that introductions are out of the way, why don't you two test it out? Let's see how well you sync up in a tag duel."
Markus and Benji exchanged a look before both nodded.
"Fine by me," Markus said, already reaching for his deck.
Benji felt his pulse quicken. This was it—his first chance to see what kind of duelist Markus really was and how their decks would complement each other. They moved toward the dueling platform, holo-screens lighting up as they positioned themselves on either side.
Jarek grinned, standing off to the side as the system registered their presence.
"I've arranged a couple of test opponents for you guys. Nothing crazy, but good enough to push you a bit."
The air hummed as the opponents appeared across from them. Two duelists with sliver decks walked in to box's glowing a subtle hue.
Benji glanced at Markus, who gave him a nod. "You start," Markus said. "Let me see those rabbits flood the field."
Benji nodded, his heart racing as the pressure built. His hands flew across his cards, shuffling through options, studying the battlefield before finally settling on one. With a deep breath, he summoned his courage.
"I'm I'm going to, I'm going to summon Father Rabbit," he stammered, barely holding back his nerves.
A long, awkward silence followed as the other three duelists exchanged glances. The tension hung in the air until, almost in unison, they sighed.
Markus's disappointment was palpable. He crossed his arms, the gauntlets on his hands gleaming faintly. "Just because you have the soul card of a rabbit doesn't mean you need to act like a scared bunny, Benji."
His tone was calm, but there was an edge of frustration to it. The constant reminder that Benji lacked confidence, even with a powerful deck at his disposal, was grating on Markus. He wasn't trying to bully him, though. In fact, he was trying to push him to stand taller, to own his deck, his abilities.
Benji clenched his jaw, the heat rising in his face. "I know," he muttered, eyes flickering down to his cards again. It wasn't that he didn't understand Markus's point. He did. But it was easier said than done.
Jarek, watching from the sidelines, smirked but kept quiet. He could see what Markus was doing, and frankly, it wasn't a bad strategy. Sometimes, a little push was exactly what a duelist needed.
Markus sighed, a deep, heavy sound that filled the air. "Look, you've got the cards, Benji. You've got the soul for it. Now act like it. If you don't believe in your plays, no one else will." His eyes were sharp as they fixed on Benji. "Get your head in the game."
Benji felt his chest tighten, but Markus's words hit home. With a renewed sense of focus, he straightened his posture, gripping his cards a little tighter.
Benji straightened his posture, gripping his cards tighter. "Father Rabbit's on the field," he declared, his voice steadier.
6 small orbs appeared next to benji's head and one of those orbs entered the card. Causing it to glow.
As the glow faded, a rabbit half the size of a man appeared, dressed in a blue jumpsuit, surrounded by three playful bunnies—one tugging at the shoulder of the jumpsuit, another hanging off his arm, and the last running in excited circles.
"I activate Father Rabbit's effect to summon a Bunny Token!" Benji said, watching as a new bunny materialized, darting away from its father.
With a swift motion, he placed the glowing card on the field. "Now, I activate Gamblers Burrow four orbs of mana floated into the cards. I can target one bunny I control and roll a dice to summon more bunnies based on the roll!"
Yeah if he does well then I will get him some cards to improve his decks randomness. Jarak thought unknowingly, trying to extend his visit to prolong his sanity.
Benji picked up the dice, a mix of anticipation and anxiety surging through him. With a quick flick of his wrist, he let it tumble across the arena floor. It bounced and rolled, the numbers flashing in his mind.
As it finally came to a stop, he saw the number. "A four!"
"Nice," Markus murmured, a hint of approval creeping into his tone."
"I summon seven bunnies!" Benji announced, excitement replacing his earlier nerves. He watched as the bunnies appeared in a flurry of energy, filling the field with their presence.
The arena pulsed with the energy of his growing army. The playful chaos of bunnies surrounded him, each one a flicker of hope for what was to come.
"Alright, let's see what you can do!" he urged himself, confidence beginning to spark within him.
"Each of the bunnies inherited one of their original effects. The shield bunny has two effects so I toss a coin and copy one of the effects depending on which side it lands on. Heads I get the first effect and tails I get the second effect. "
A golden coin with a dragon on the back and a magician on the front materialized then flipped itself. When the coin landed it was dragon side face up.
"So I can copy the second effect where for every rabbit I gain a shield worth 1 point."
I didn't think he would pick up on that card's applications that fast but he might have over extended without proper methods to protect his creatures.
The bunnies started releasing a chant and then the small shields on their backs started floating and racing towards Benjamin and Markus.
4 small shields floated around both of them. Releasing small traces of blue light.
" Then I will set 1 card face down and then end my turn. "
I knew that he would be a fast learner, I also knew he would be a great fit for Markus. I didn't factor in that he would negate most of his decks drawbacks. I figured he would give him some consistency and negate his tribute costs but to also have a way to negate his decks self damaging effects.
"I'm a genius, now I just have to get him some more powerful rabbits. Jarak thought aloud. What about some ritual based rabbits that can count as more than one tribute. Then I need some bunnies with some support effects and we then…"
Benji glanced over at Jarek, who was now muttering to himself, completely absorbed in his own thoughts. From the way his eyes gleamed, it was obvious he was plotting something, no doubt thinking up new cards or strategies. It wasn't the first time Benji had seen him like this, lost in his own world. In class he would regularly sit like this for whole class periods.
The thing was, Jarek wasn't just *thinking*—he was *scheming*. His lips moved silently, his eyes darting between Benji's field and the possibilities no one else could see. A genius at work, sure, but sometimes it was unsettling. Benji shifted his gaze back to the arena, hoping to stay focused, but Jarek's murmuring continued.
"I'm a genius," Jarek whispered under his breath, rubbing his hands together in a way that made him look like he was hatching some elaborate, world-shattering plan. "Now I just need to get him some more powerful rabbits… maybe some ritual-based ones… Oh! Or rabbits that can count as more than one tribute!"
Benji's eyes widened a little as he stared at Jarek, who was now gesturing with his hands as though shaping invisible cards in the air.
"Maybe a bunny with a support effect, maybe even something that lets him—"
"Jarek!" Benji blurted, unable to hold back any longer. "You're creeping me out!"
Jarek blinked, seemingly brought back from his trance. He turned to Benji with a sharp grin, as if he'd just remembered he wasn't alone. "Oh, don't mind me, kid. Just thinking of ways to make your deck… *better*."
"Yeah, well, you look like you're planning world domination or something," Benji muttered, shaking his head. "Focus on the duel, will you?"
Jarek chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll leave you to it, Benji. But don't be surprised when I bring you some new cards next time. You're gonna love them."
Benji returned his attention to the field, trying to shake off the feeling that Jarek's "improvements" were going to be both a blessing and a curse. Still, he couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence after summoning so many bunnies. He'd started the duel off nervous, but now, with Markus's guidance and his growing army on the field, he felt… steady.
Markus was silent for once, his arms crossed as he surveyed the field. Benji's shielded bunnies hovered protectively in front of them, their small, glowing shields adding a layer of defense.
Benji took a deep breath, feeling a bit of pride. He wasn't the most confident duelist, but with each passing moment, he could sense himself growing. The bunnies weren't just tokens on the field; they were extensions of his strategy, and he was learning to make them work together.
"I set one card face-down and end my turn," he announced, more confidently this time.
Markus gave him a nod, the faintest hint of approval in his eyes. "Not bad, Benji. Let's see if you can keep up the momentum."
Benji smirked, his heart still pounding but no longer from fear. He was in the game now, and he wasn't about to back down.
As he awaited his opponent's move, his mind briefly drifted back to Jarek's ramblings. Maybe those crazy ideas of his would actually pay off in the long run.
But for now, it was time to focus. The duel was only just beginning.
" So I guess it's my turn the name is eight. I hope you remember your deal Jarak when we beat these two. 8 exclaimed."
Yeah I remember if you beat these two I'll sponsor you instead, but if you lose I will take 60% out of your cuts.