A new semester meant a new school life—but first came the new students arriving on campus.
Normally, recruiting for clubs wouldn't start until after the semester began. Just like last year, when Hikaru Amagi first crossed over to this world, he had to find a chance to write his application, then take part in a duel with the Integration Club before being accepted.
But after everything that happened last year, the current head of the Integration Club—who was a second-year Blue Dorm student at the time—had learned his lesson the hard way. He swore he wouldn't let Hikaru Amagi overshadow them again.
So before school even officially began, he immediately mobilized the Integration Club to launch a new "campaign."
In other words: start grabbing new members before the semester officially started.
Last year's events were still fresh in his memory. The Integration Club had been huge, packed with third-years and powerful duelists like Jinzo's top-tier user, senior reps from each dorm—yet even with all of that, they'd been crushed by Hikaru Amagi.
Now?
All those third-years had graduated and joined the Fusion Army to pursue dimensional goals. As a result, this former second-year found himself now leading the club—and the pressure was intense.
Sure, the Fusion Club had also lost third-year members, but the numbers were lopsided.
Last year's seniors made up the core of the Integration Club and had been with Professor Reiji Akaba the longest. Hikaru's Fusion Club only had a few graduating third-years by comparison.
The one silver lining? Zane Truesdale had graduated too.
If not, he couldn't even imagine what kind of miracle it would take to beat the Fusion Club.
Last year, the Integration Club still had the edge in some areas—like member numbers, space, cards, and control over the dimensional gate.
Now? Their numbers had dropped sharply, while Hikaru's side had several duelists who'd won in the Friendship Cup against S-Dimension, especially Hikaru Amagi, Jaden Yuki, and Chazz Princeton. Their performance was recognized by everyone who watched the Cup.
Hikaru had once again shouted to the entire world that "Fusion is the most noble form of summoning," while Jaden casually dropped lines like "That was a fun duel" after winning in front of both worlds.
In comparison, it was Chazz—grumpy and tsundere—who now seemed the most grounded.
And every new student entering Duel Academy wasn't just some bookworm. They were duelists. Every one of them had seen the Friendship Cup.
So in terms of reputation, strength…
He didn't have the confidence to compete with Hikaru Amagi's Fusion Club. Rumor had it Hikaru and Chazz had secured sponsorships and were about to expand their club space. They might even match the Integration Club in facilities soon.
If he didn't act now, what hope did he have later?
But he wasn't going in blind.
During the summer break, while Hikaru and the others were off dueling in another dimension, he'd spent his time researching, comparing the two clubs in detail.
He'd come up with a three-phase plan to recruit more students.
First phase?
Promote Fusion supremacy—but intentionally not mention Hikaru. Instead, promise every recruit a special starter deck upon joining.
Sure, the Fusion Club had Dr. Crowler backing them and provided temporary Ancient Gear decks for new members.
But they had an edge too.
Thanks to Professor Reiji, the Integration Club had received "Gladiator Beast" decks. All current members had switched to them—not only because Hikaru's club couldn't provide them, but because…
Machine-types had a hard time fighting Hikaru's Fusion plays.
They also started giving away other small gifts—plushies of lions, wolves, tigers—monsters from specific archetypes that might show up in future reward cards.
He and the others had set up a huge welcome booth at the Academy gates. They didn't actively pull people in, just waited for curious students to approach, then enthusiastically explained their perks—and waited for them to choose.
When they joyfully (but tried to hide it) convinced one freshman to join, a group walked up.
It was Hikaru Amagi, Chazz Princeton, Alexis Rhodes, and… Bastion Misawa?
Some regular Fusion Club students followed too, curious about the recruitment.
He tensed instantly.
Then cleared his throat and waved with a forced smile. "Well, if it isn't President Amagi! Long time no see. I'm Suijo Subaru, the new head of the Integration Club."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
Ah, a Blue Dorm upperclassman from last year.
Honestly, a bit disappointing.
He'd gotten along pretty well with one of the Yellow Dorm seniors from the Integration Club—if that guy had taken over, he might've had the chance to dismantle the club entirely.
Of course, that was just wishful thinking. The principal would obviously pick someone from Blue.
As Hikaru glanced around, a few new students spotted him—and immediately gasped.
"The Absolute Fusionist!"
"Hikaru Amagi?!"
"Whoa! It's really him!!"
The crowd of new students instantly forgot all about the Integration Club's pitch and rushed to surround Hikaru. One even bumped Bastion aside.
"H-Hey…" Bastion muttered, sweating. "Give me a break…"
He wasn't exactly Mr. Popular, but this was rough.
Meanwhile, Hikaru and Chazz tried to navigate their way out of the swarm.
Suijo Subaru watched enviously from the side.
But he knew the truth.
Hikaru Amagi's popularity was earned. The guy had become a household name during the dimensional Friendship Cup, declared the "Absolute Fusionist" all over the net, and wielded none other than the legendary Dark Magician. It was no wonder students were going nuts.
The enthusiastic welcome lasted several minutes until Alexis—clearly experienced with this kind of thing—stepped in and calmed the crowd. She even offered Hikaru a few tips for handling these situations.
"Hikaru-senpai, if I join the Fusion Club, can I see your Dark Magician card?"
"Hikaru-senpai, can I learn to use Fusion like you?"
"Hikaru-senpai, I want to be a Fusionist too—!"
Before they could even ask about Fusion Club details, students were already rushing to apply. No sales pitch needed. It was a stark contrast to the Integration Club, who'd worked their butts off to rope in just one new member.
Even that one?
He looked down at the new recruit holding the application form—only to see the kid staring longingly at Hikaru.
Compared to a cool new deck, wouldn't it be better to join Hikaru's Fusion Club?
"Damn you, Hikaru Amagi!!"
Hikaru just laughed sheepishly.
What could he say?
He'd just come to check out the scene, saw the Integration Club doing a normal recruiting drive—he wasn't going to sabotage anything. He hadn't expected it to turn out like this.
This was the power of reputation, of presence—of pulling power.
Every new student curious about Fusion… had already heard of "The Absolute Fusionist" Hikaru Amagi.
Watching the crowd shift with nothing but Hikaru's face alone, Suijo Subaru cursed in his heart.
Damn that Hikaru Amagi. Every time he shows up, the Integration Club's chances vanish!
But—
He still had Phase Two of his plan!