The room was silent. A single, powerful white spotlight illuminated the poker table and teacher, leaving the rest in deep shadow. The atmosphere felt thick and elegant, heavy with tension, like an exclusive underground casino where only what happened under that light mattered.
Only four students remained:
Dolo Tanuki: 118 chips Kael (black dragon): 78 chips Lira (goblin): 89 chips Seraph (Flügel): 45 Chips
The teacher paused, letting the moment settle. Then she spoke in a grave voice:
—This is the final hand. The one who accumulates all the chips will be in first place. There will be no second chances. Let's begin.
The tension in the air was almost suffocating. No one spoke. Chips clinked softly. Occasionally, someone took a sip of their drink.
Kael, gripping his glass tighter, took a long, measured sip of fire wine, then calmly slid 25 chips forward with steady claws.
Seraph called with elegance, placing chips smoothly and nibbling delicately on a light pastry, sharp eyes flicking between opponents.
Lira, ears twitching and tail flicking, hesitated briefly before pushing her chips forward and calling, swallowing hard.
Dolo called, looking bored. He sipped his warm milk and thought:
"No need to be aggressive yet. Let them fight each other first… and when they're weak, I'll finish them."
Flop (7♠ - 9♥ - 10♦)
The tension grew.
Kael raised 30 chips, cutting a piece of smoked meat with precise movements.
Seraph called without hesitation.
Lira raised another 25 chips, trying to apply pressure.
Dolo examined the community cards, finished his dark chocolate, and, almost imperceptibly, tapped his belly with one paw, activating Tanuki no Tsuzumi (Level 1).
A blue window appeared only in front of his eyes:
[Tanuki no Tsuzumi (Level 1) Activated]
Auditory and visual illusions unfolded.
Affected targets:
Kael (black dragon) → Fully affected Seraph (Flügel) → Fully affected Lira (goblin) → Not affected
The illusion swept across the table.
For Kael and Seraph, each believed they had a winning hand. Kael thought he had a full house. Seraph was convinced he had a flush.
Lira, unaffected, played normally, using her discreet cheating skill.
Dolo called calmly, keeping an innocent expression.
Turn (J♣)
The tension rose. Another level. Everyone felt it.
Kael raised 45 chips, confident because of the illusion.
Seraph, also under the illusion, pushed an additional 40 chips.
Lira hesitated but called.
Dolo called, calm.
River (Q♥)
The board now showed: 7♠ - 9♥ - 10♦ - J♣ - Q♥
Lira had a straight (8-9-10-J-Q).
She pushed all her remaining chips: 89 chips.
—All-in —she said, her voice trembling but full of determination.
The teacher made a dramatic pause, letting the silence stretch under the bright white light.
Dolo held a set of eights from the flop.
He played the hand with classic human poker: slow play. By feigning weakness, he let Lira grow confident and bet hard, springing his trap at the perfect moment.
It was a way of playing that no race in Falsía fully understood. It wasn't detectable magic or a physical cheat. It was pure psychology and pace control. Therefore, no one could call it a foul.
Dolo met Lira's gaze and tilted his head, a calm smile forming on his lips.
—All-in.
Lira flipped her cards, her hands shaking.
—Straight —she said quietly.
Dolo slowly turned his cards over.
—Set of eights… full house with the king on the board.
Lira stared at the table with wide eyes, processing what had just happened. She had bet everything believing she had the winning hand, but Dolo had let her build her confidence only to trap her in the end.
Lira stared at her empty stack. Out of chips. Finished.
The teacher announced solemnly:
—Lira (goblin) → 2nd place.
Dolo Tanuki → 1st place.
The room fell silent. Seconds passed.
Dolo rose, pausing to collect his thoughts, then walked over with short, purposeful steps and extended his paw to Lira.
—Good game —he said clearly and sincerely. You really made me sweat. You're strong.
Lira looked up, surprised. Her green cheeks flushed a little.
—Th-thank you… —she said softly, but with a growing smile—. I've never gotten this far. You… you're amazing.
Dolo smiled more gently than usual.
—We can be friends.
Lira smiled widely, showing her small fangs.
The teachers watching from the shadows smiled with approval.
The teacher announced:
—Due to the exceptional performance of both, Dolo Tanuki and Lira will be admitted on the same day into the Special Class. They will receive all the benefits corresponding to their rankings:
Dolo Tanuki (1st place): Full access to the Hall of the Gods, personal tutor, 500 chips per month, and the right to choose an additional skill at the end of the year. Lira (2nd place): Specialized tutor, 300 chips per month, and full access to advanced rooms.
Dolo watched Lira hold his paw and thought, softly smiling inside:
I've never had one…"