"Ahhhhhhh!"
The pain of the Shadow Game pierced through her body, making Alexis's breathing ragged. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.
Camula's delicate brows arched in mild surprise. "Oh? You didn't lose consciousness after your first defeat in a Shadow Game? How resilient for a little girl."
"Vampire... why did you come to the Academy..."
Alexis's consciousness grew hazy. She could barely sense Camula approaching, but her body no longer obeyed her commands.
"Heh heh, knowing that now won't do you any good. Be obedient and submit to me. It'll hurt at first—but after that, you'll enjoy it~"
Her slender fingers brushed against Alexis's pale neck. Camula's red lips parted, revealing the sharp fangs hidden beneath, and slowly sank into Alexis's flesh.
"This way, Master!"
"Let her go!"
The roar of an engine split through the forest air. Led by Illya, Hoshino charged into the overgrown woods atop her D-Wheel.
"Tch, someone just had to show up at the worst possible time to ruin my fun."
Camula pulled back her lips from Alexis's skin and waved her hand toward her servant.
"My dear familiar, eliminate the nuisance!"
The pale-skinned Vampire Fraulein, still materialized even after the Shadow Game had ended, stepped forward in response to her master's command.
[Vampire Fraulein DEF: 5000]
"Wha—!? Five thousand defense?!"
Illya, sprinting forward, froze mid-step, startled by the monstrous defense. She instinctively backed away a few paces.
"A monster with defense like that won't even make a good wall!"
Hoshino yanked a card and slammed it onto the D-Wheel's built-in Duel Disk—though she had no idea why her bike came equipped with one. Still, now wasn't the time to question it.
"—Quick-Play Spell: Magical Girl Bombardment!"
[Magical Girl Bombardment – Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target up to the same number of monsters on your opponent's field as the number of 'Magical Girl' monsters you control. Destroy those targets.]
Brilliant rainbow wings of energy unfurled behind Illya, her starlit magic radiating brightly against the night.
"This is my full power—Saturation Cannon!!"
The torrent of energy roared like a tidal wave, slamming into Vampire Fraulein. Bathed in starlight, the vampire's pained expression twisted before her body crumbled into ash and scattered into the wind.
"You alright, Alexis?"
Jumping off her D-Wheel, Hoshino placed herself protectively between Alexis and Camula, who had been forced a few steps back by Illya's spell.
Camula bit her lip, eyes narrowing warily at the newcomer. "To wield such overwhelming power... who are you?"
"—Headmistress of Duel Academy, Duel King Hoshino Chiyuki!"
As her consciousness faded, Alexis gazed up at Hoshino's back through half-lidded eyes and murmured weakly, "The Duel King... Hoshino... I'm so glad... I finally got to see you in person..."
"Alexis?"
"..."
Camula chuckled behind her hand. "Finally lost consciousness? After enduring a Shadow Game and being fed upon by me, she managed to last quite a while. Such a determined little girl~"
"Did you just say... Shadow Game?!"
It had been years since Hoshino last heard that name—and certainly not in a place like this.
"Just what are you supposed to be?"
"What am I!?" A vein popped on Camula's forehead. "You insolent brat! How dare you address a noble vampire who has lived for over a century in such a crude way!"
"So you really aren't human after all," Hoshino muttered. In truth, she hadn't known how to classify this woman, so "thing" had just slipped out. Though beautiful and voluptuous, Camula lacked even the faintest trace of human warmth.
"Creatures like you don't belong here. What's your purpose sneaking onto Academy Island? This place is full of students—you couldn't possibly be interested in a bunch of kids... unless you've got a thing for younger prey, huh, you old hag?"
"H-hag!?" The vein on Camula's forehead bulged even more. This second girl who'd appeared after Alexis looked young, but her tongue was sharp as a blade.
"Hmph. As a proud and noble vampire, I won't stoop to your childish insults. Ignorant fool—you don't even understand the secret this island holds."
"The island's secret?" Hoshino frowned in confusion.
As far as she knew, this island was simply private property purchased by Kaiba to build Duel Academy and its facilities. She'd never heard anything about "a secret buried beneath it."
"The mission of the Shadow Riders," Camula declared, raising her hand dramatically, "is to awaken the Three Sacred Beasts sealed beneath this Academy! But even if I told you that, a child like you could never comprehend it."
With a flick of her slender arm, countless bats emerged from the shadows, swarming toward Hoshino.
"Bats?! Keep them away from me—I'm not catching any weird diseases today!"
Hoshino grimaced and threw a card onto her Duel Disk.
"—Class: Lancer! Install—Karna!"
Responding to Illya's call, flames burst forth from Karna's spear, forming a wall of fire that surrounded Hoshino and the unconscious Alexis.
The swarm of bats dove straight into the blaze like moths to a flame. One by one, they were roasted midair and fell to the ground, filling the forest with the acrid stench of burnt flesh.
"Ugh… how could anyone enjoy eating something that disgusting? That's just disturbing."
After a brief test, Camula's expression turned serious, her crimson eyes glinting thoughtfully.
"As I suspected… this girl may look young, but she's hiding an incredible power."
"Enough with your cheap tricks, vampire. If you won't duel properly—then I'll make the first move."
On Hoshino's wrist, the Millennium Bracelet lit up for the first time in ages.
Darkness deeper than the forest night began to spread around them.
Camula's eyes widened—probably the most shocked she'd been all night.
"A Shadow Game?! Impossible!"
"It's been a long time, but it looks like I can still pull it off."
The Shadow Game that Hoshino had once spent an entire night mastering—she had only ever used it once before, against Zigfried von Schroeder.
Compared to veterans like Marik or Bakura, her Shadow Game was still beginner-level at best.
But even so, a Shadow Game born from a Millennium Item far outclassed one created through ordinary magical tools. Camula's version paled in comparison.
"Damn it… I already used a Shadow Game earlier today. If I force another one now…"
To defeat Alexis, Camula had sacrificed 3000 Life Points within the Shadow Game. She'd managed to recover some energy by drinking Alexis's blood afterward—but before she could savor much, Hoshino had barged in and ruined everything.
"Trying to run away? Sorry, vampire, but I'm not letting you escape that easily."
"Heh heh… little girl, do you really have time to play Shadow Games with me right now?"
Experience came with age—and having lived for centuries, Camula was as cunning as they came.
"Your friend looks like she's suffering quite a bit, you know~"
"What?!"
Hoshino turned sharply—Alexis, still unconscious, was sweating profusely. Her long legs trembled faintly, accompanied by soft, pained moans.
Camula licked her fingers, smiling wickedly.
"Losing a Shadow Game can be fatal if you don't treat it soon~"
"Damn it—you old hag!"
Abandoning the idea of continuing the Shadow Game, Hoshino drew the card Medea Lily. If she kept dueling now, she wouldn't be able to manifest Medea's spirit through her Duel Disk—meaning Asuka's life could truly be in danger.
"I'm counting on you, Medea. If these wounds were caused by a Shadow Game, your Noble Phantasm should be able to heal them."
"Yes, I understand, Master."
Even when Jonouchi's soul had been burned away by Ra in a Shadow Game, Medea Lily's Noble Phantasm had saved him.
Compared to that, Camula's magic was far from lethal.
As the surrounding darkness dissipated, Camula let out a quiet sigh of relief. Her voluptuous form was quickly enveloped by a swarm of bats.
"The power of the Shadow Riders has already seeped into this island. Your peaceful lives will end once the war begins."
Leaving behind that ominous warning, Camula vanished along with the scattering bats.
Hoshino looked up at the moon veiled behind heavy clouds and murmured,
"The Shadow Rider… the island's secret… the Three Sacred Beasts… Kaiba, just what are you hiding?"
"Ugh… my neck hurts…"
Alexis slowly regained consciousness, reaching up to touch the faint bite marks left on her neck by Camula.
She quickly realized she was no longer lying on the cold forest floor—but on a soft, comfortable bed.
As her memories trickled back, her cheeks flushed bright red.
"I remember… I was rescued by the Duel King… Then… could this place be—?"
"Mm? You're awake?"
Hearing movement from the bed, Hoshino put down her mouse and walked over from her computer, concern in her voice.
"Ehhh!?" Alexis froze in shock. "S–Senpai?! Why are you here?!"
Hoshino tilted her head, hands on her hips. "What do you mean, 'why'? This is my room. You collapsed in the forest behind the Academy after losing that Shadow Game, remember? It took me a lot of effort to carry you back."
Glancing around the cozy room, Alexis finally pieced things together.
"So… Senpai, you're the one who saved me?"
Thinking back, the last thing she remembered before blacking out was a small figure's back—familiar and comforting. So why had she mistaken her senpai for the Duel King?
Hoshino crossed her arms, frowning. "And I should be asking you—what were you doing wandering alone that deep in the woods? Didn't you know how dangerous it was?"
Looking remorseful, Alexis replied softly, "I think… I heard my brother's voice. I followed it, and before I realized it, I was caught in the vampire's trap."
"Atticus? But isn't he supposed to be in America?" Hoshino frowned. "Then it must've been an illusion… that old hag really will stoop to any dirty trick."
Alexis hung her head even lower. "It's all my fault… I acted recklessly and ended up causing trouble for you, Senpai…"
"Don't say that," Hoshino said with a gentle smile. "It's not trouble. And besides, I couldn't just ignore a vampire sneaking onto the island."
She added, "Your body's still recovering, and it's already late. You can sleep here in my room tonight—get some proper rest."
Because Alexis's head was lowered, Hoshino didn't notice her burning cheeks.
(////▽////) S-sleep… in Senpai's room?! Am I dreaming? It smells so nice here… and the bed's so soft and big… but most importantly—
Alexis sneaked a glance at Hoshino in her pajamas. The glimpse of smooth, pale skin showing through the neckline made her brain short-circuit—memories of Akasha's "questionable" classroom talk flashing vividly in her mind.
"You just have to shut Hoshino-nee up—with your mouth—"
Damn it, Akasha! Why'd you fill my head with such weird things?! Now I can't even look at Senpai properly… if she notices, I'll die of embarrassment!
Alexis shook her head violently, but that only made her blush deepen.
"If you're fine now, I'm going to turn off the lights, okay?"
It was already past 2 AM; even if Alexis hadn't woken up, Hoshino had planned to go to bed soon anyway.
"Y-yes! Please do! Turn them off!"
Thank goodness… with the lights off, she won't see how red my face is…
"Alright then—heave-ho~"
Hoshino gracefully jumped onto the bed beside her.
"Well then, good night, Alexis~"
We're… sharing the same bed?!
Well, come to think of it, Hoshino's room only had one big bed.
They were both girls—so it should be fine… right?
Alexis forced herself to empty her mind, trying not to recall Akasha's scandalous "lessons."
But the harder she tried not to think about it, the clearer those forbidden images became.
"(・◇・)? Hmm? It's kinda warm… Alexis, are you okay?"
"N-no… I'm fine… Senpai… I'm fine…"
Alexis's voice trembled as a sharp sting spread from the bite mark on her neck.
Then suddenly—an uncontrollable, instinctive urge welled up inside her.
In one motion, Alexis rolled over and pinned Hoshino beneath her on the bed.
"W-wait! What are you doing?!"