The next day, in Synchron Academy's classroom—
"I didn't think exchange students actually had to attend classes."
Aisha lay slumped on her desk like a lump of mochi, listening to a teacher she didn't recognize passionately recount the history of the Axet Republic's development.
After all, if it's called 'exchange study,' then studying is obviously unavoidable.
The class was specifically prepared for foreign exchange students—subjects you couldn't normally learn in their regular courses.
Which really meant: courses designed to flaunt one's own national history and academy prestige, political from top to bottom.
So even Aisha Carlos—usually one of the top students in cultural classes—couldn't bring herself to be interested.
If Aisha couldn't, then no one else even stood a chance.
Irena had already lowered her witch hat to cover her eyes and had cleverly fallen asleep.
Lishia was sneaking spicy snacks under the desk.
Ren, meanwhile… seemed to be exchanging glances with a pretty girl sitting across from her?
In reality, Ren was merely trying to avoid the overly passionate stare of Korys Diane, the Xyz Academy girl sitting beside her.
The Xyz Academy's visiting group consisted of three boys and one girl.
Miles had already met Korys and Lloyd yesterday, which meant one of the remaining two boys must be the team's leader, "Leon."
"Mr. Miles, Xyz Academy really is as uptight as they say," Aisha whispered in her mind, observing them.
Aside from Korys, whose focus was entirely on Ren, the other three Xyz boys sat perfectly still—arms crossed, posture straight—even through this dreadfully boring politics lecture.
Their synchronized seriousness carried a strange sort of aura.
"Being able to focus on something this dull… I have to admire that," Miles said.
As the saying goes: only by enduring what others cannot can one achieve what others cannot.
Having held the top rank among the Three Great Academies for years, Xyz Academy's rare defeat must have spurred them to recover some lost pride by coming to Synchron Academy as exchange students.
On the podium, the middle-aged teacher continued waving his hands energetically, practically spraying spit as he boasted about the nation's history.
"In the fifty years since the discovery of Magitek Stones, the Axet Republic's technological progress has astonished the entire Spirit Continent, granting this free nation a power far surpassing any other!"
"Yeahhh—!"
Applause rang out, led of course by Synchron's own students.
After all, it was their academy's curriculum—politically loaded or not, they had to show support.
Unlike Xyz's lineup, Synchron Academy's visiting team this time was three girls and one boy.
There was Aoyao, the withdrawn girl, Lost the delinquent girl, and the only somewhat normal one… well, Krista, though knocking her teammates off their D-Wheels probably didn't count as 'normal.'
These three Miles had met yesterday.
The last member of Synchron's team, however, was a man wearing sunglasses during class—someone Miles and the others hadn't seen before.
"Mr. Miles, is wearing sunglasses in class even allowed?"
"Who knows? Maybe he's blind."
"Oh… that makes sense."
After the polite applause faded, the middle-aged teacher cleared his throat.
"Now then, let's discuss the Axet Republic's progress over the past fifteen years!"
'Still more?!'
The faces of all twelve students twisted with barely contained despair, including even the steadfast Xyz Academy trio.
And just then—like salvation descending—a gentle male voice came from the doorway.
"Professor Darwin, you've worked hard lecturing all morning. Allow me to take it from here~"
A handsome young man stepped elegantly into the classroom, undoubtedly another instructor from Synchron Academy.
At least in terms of looks, he was leagues ahead of the self-congratulatory old man bragging about national greatness.
"Professor Takehiko Izumi? What are you—"
The older teacher indeed wasn't thrilled about having his prized lecture interrupted.
"Now now, Professor Darwin, leave me some time too. I'll buy you a drink tonight to make it up to you."
Smiling, he gently ushered the older man out of the room. Takehiko Izumi, the young and refined instructor, had evidently realized that if this went on, the exchange students' enthusiasm would die on the very first day.
His tactful use of the universal bribe, drinks, kept things perfectly civil.
"Takehiko Izumi?"
During their exchange, Aisha caught the name and felt it ring familiar somehow.
Abruptly, though, before she could recall why, the Xyz students' reaction made it clear.
"That's him?! Takehiko Izumi?!"
The three boys who had been sitting stiffly with crossed arms all jumped to their feet at once.
"The Takehiko Izumi… 'The Sword Dragon of Great Spirit Peak'!"
"The Sword Dragon of Great Spirit Peak?"
At that phrase, even the Fusion Academy students caught on.
The Sword Soul user who secured Synchron Academy's victory in last year's senior ranking war with a single decisive strike—that was Takehiko Izumi.
No wonder he seemed familiar… this legendary duelist had seamlessly transitioned into a Synchron Academy professor right after graduation.
And no wonder Xyz Academy was so agitated.
After all, he was the one who'd broken their years-long championship streak—no doubt seeing him again stirred up some resentment.
"Heh, looks like I don't even need to introduce myself. Excellent, excellent."
Well, perhaps only Xyz Academy felt that way; victors rarely hold grudges.
With a smile as gentle as a spring breeze, Takehiko Izumi—an elegant man with a distinctly Eastern air—took the podium.
"Why does he look kind of familiar?" Miles murmured. Though they'd heard his name before, this was their first time actually seeing the famous Sword Soul user.
Before they could dwell on it, Takehiko spoke first, smiling warmly toward the Fusion Academy students.
"My younger sister's personality may have caused you some trouble before. Allow me to apologize on her behalf."
"Your… sister?"
Everyone exchanged looks, realization dawning almost immediately.
All eyes turned toward the introverted girl crouched beneath her desk—Aoyao.
Aoyao, who preferred confined spaces and often listened to lectures from under her desk, did indeed share a clear resemblance with Takehiko.
So they were siblings.
"Aoyao Izumi, could you please come out from under there? Skulking about like that isn't proper conduct."
His tone toward her was completely different—stern and commanding, like a strict older brother.
"Just get on with your lesson, bro. Don't mind me."
Hugging her knees under the desk, Aoyao's stubbornness matched his sternness perfectly.
Quite the distinctive siblings indeed.
The brother—a master of the Sword Soul deck from the Eastern nation. The sister—who carried a samurai sword on her hip everywhere she went.
"Sigh… fine, fine. No point airing family business in public."
Knowing his sister well, Takehiko sighed helplessly.
If it weren't for the recent spate of Turbo Duel hunts and the panic over Shadow Games, which had kept Synchron's students from leaving campus, he wouldn't have sent these particular four to host the exchange program.
Among them, aside from Krista, not one was what you'd call 'normal'—Takehiko knew that better than anyone.
Fortunately, the Xyz group hadn't caused any trouble so far.
"As compensation for yesterday's inconvenience, Synchron Academy has decided to hold a special duel lesson this morning for both Fusion and Xyz Academies."
Miles's eyes widened, "A special duel lesson? Sounds great!"
Aisha grumbled, "As long as it's not another boring history class, I'm in."
"C'mon, Takehiko, just tell us what it is already!" Lost said casually, still addressing him by his old upperclassman nickname.
After all, just a year ago, the two of them had been junior and senior.
Incidentally, Lost's white coat had new lettering on the back today.
It no longer read "Red Dragon Archfiend," but "Crimson Lotus of Wrath."
The font was just as loud as ever.
"This one's for the visiting students. It doesn't concern you," Takehiko explained. "Synchron Academy's special customized course: Tuner Monster Summoning Lesson."
"Tuner Monster Summoning Lesson?"
Not just Aisha—even Irena was hearing such a thing for the first time.
So was Xyz Academy.
Ren asked, puzzled, "A summoning class that only allows Tuner monsters?"
According to the Spirit Continent's summoning rules, the summoning of monsters was normally random.
Academies could provide mana assistance for summoning, but not control what kind of monster appeared.
Fusion and Xyz Academies were the same.
"That's why it's our specialty," Takehiko clarified. "Because Synchro Summoning is… unique."
The key difference in Synchro Summoning lay in its requirement for a specific kind of monster—Tuners. That set it apart completely from Fusion and Xyz Summons.
Any monster could serve for Fusion or Xyz as long as it met the conditions… but Synchro? Without a Tuner, it was impossible.
Takehiko drew a special card from the podium. It emitted a radiant light that formed a glowing circle inscribed with stars upon the floor.
"Standing here allows a 100% chance of summoning a Tuner monster."
"Wait, seriously? A guaranteed Tuner summon?" the Xyz students exclaimed.
"Indeed. Any monster summoned from within this array will be a Tuner… that said, only if you can summon one. In other words, you must possess the innate aptitude for Synchro Summoning."
Takehiko spread his arms invitingly.
"So then, does anyone wish to step forward and explore this new frontier?"
"This is way too suspicious," Leon muttered. "Would Synchron Academy really just hand over their Tuner secrets so easily?"
Every academy's summoning method was not only its hallmark—it was its pride, even a kind of state secret.
And as one of the Three Great Academies, would Synchron really give away the core of Synchro Summoning so freely?
"Korys, you try first," Leon ordered.
Korys's face instantly turned sour. "No way! You go if you want to… I'll just fail for sure."
"I'll give it a shot," Lloyd volunteered, stepping boldly into the glowing summoning array.
Mana focused through the stars within the circle, flowing and resonating—summoning.
Albeit in the final second, the light collapsed.
"Too bad," Takehiko said regretfully. "It seems Synchro Summoning isn't your forte, Lloyd."
"Tch." Clicking his tongue, Lloyd stepped back to his seat.
Korys was then pushed forward, but she too failed.
Two straight failures from Xyz Academy drew Leon's eyes into a cold, suspicious glare.
Was this polite, smiling man trying to show them up? To tell the other academies, 'You lack the talent for Synchro Summoning'?
"Anyone else want to try? Step right up—no fee required," Takehiko chirped, doing his best to hide where his real attention lay.
Miles jumped up, excited. "Aisha, it's our turn!"
A Tuner Summoning… this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to add a Tuner monster to Aisha's humble HERO deck.
And with his Stardust Dragon at their side, surely this would succeed.
"I'm ready, Mr. Miles!"
Understanding exactly what Miles was thinking, Aisha stepped forward as the third challenger, walking into the shining circle.
"Oh? Even the bottom-ranked Fusion Academy wants to give it a try?" Lloyd scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain.
However, Takehiko's expression grew far more serious than before.
Though he masked it well, his eyes betrayed the tension within.
'So it begins… Aisha Carlos,' he thought, exchanging a glance with Krista.
This 'special lesson' was all for one purpose.
It was a ritual crafted specifically for Aisha Carlos… the Duelist who bore Stardust Dragon.
According to Synchron legend, the Duelist who commands Stardust Dragon can summon the most vital Tuner of all…
Majestic Dragon.
...
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