"Vampires?"
The Student Council—Seika Kohinata personally led Kira to the council's storeroom, then followed him in.
She was surprised when Kira picked out several Vampire cards.
Vampire Grace, Level 6, ATK 2000.
Effect: If this card is in the graveyard, and an effect of a Zombie-type monster allows you to Special Summon a Level 5 or higher Zombie, you can pay 2000 LP to Special Summon this card. Once per turn, declare Monster, Spell, or Trap; your opponent must send one card of that type from their deck to the graveyard.
It was a rare card. The Student Council had received one a year ago, but not many students at the academy used Zombies, so it had stayed in storage.
Kira had seen it before but wasn't interested; he hadn't picked it then. Now, it seemed, he remembered and came specifically to get it.
"Didn't you say you weren't interested in Vampires before?" Seika asked.
"Yeah, but back then I was missing too many cards, couldn't build a deck."
"So you can now?"
"Pretty much." Kira smiled.
"So, does that mean we'll soon see your new deck?" Seika looked expectant.
By now, Kira had practically become an icon at Duel Academy. Everyone knew that every so often he'd suddenly whip out a new deck, always surprising people with his creative builds.
If the Yellow Lord once had a loyal following, after becoming Duel King, Kira had become a national idol. Some students even set up a website just to record all the decks he'd used.
Every time Kira dueled, it was like a new album release. Students waited eagerly for him to reveal a new deck. Every archetype he used would skyrocket in price—assuming it was a theme you could even buy.
And everyone knew he was close with Industrial Illusions and KaibaCorp, so many of his cards couldn't even be bought.
Not to mention, he had his own lab, and many cards were produced there, never available to outsiders.
So naturally, everyone now wanted to get into Kira's lab.
Of course, it wasn't easy—there was fierce competition, not just from students but from the outside world as well.
With so many vying for a spot, the lab was never short of talent; not everyone could get in.
"Alright, that's about it for today." Kira turned to Seika. "So, about the credits..."
Seika laughed.
"Come on, Kira, it's an honor for the council that you still come pick out cards. Why talk about credits—ruins the mood."
"I insist. Can't have people saying I don't follow the rules."
Kira was firm.
Besides, he didn't really need those credits anymore.
In the end, Seika reluctantly agreed to accept Kira's DP points in exchange for the cards. But as she left the storeroom, she pouted, looking a bit unhappy.
Maybe she felt Kira was being too formal.
No sooner had they stepped out than a Student Council member came running up.
"Slow down!"
Seika stopped him.
"What's got you in such a hurry?"
"Monster!" the student exclaimed. "I saw the Shut-in Revolver!"
Seika was stunned, then realized what he meant.
"Shut-in Revolver" was a nickname students had given a certain Duel Monster.
Don Zaloog—infamous alongside Machine King's Cycroid and Submarineroid—was one of the academy's shared nightmares.
Don Zaloog was infamous in the hands of the Yellow Lord, often paired with the three famous hand-destruction cards. His revolver could discard cards from the opponent's hand, and with various combos, he could strip an opponent's entire hand of cards.
Hence the nickname "Shut-in Revolver."
"So what? Maybe someone just used a similar monster," Seika said.
"No, not a similar monster—a real one! A spirit!"
The boy insisted.
"Huh?" Seika was surprised. "Are you sure you didn't see wrong?"
According to their classes, spirits do exist, but not everyone can see them. Unless they're summoned in a duel, most people can't see spirits.
"I'm positive!"
The boy was adamant.
"And a bunch of other people saw it too!"
"Soon everyone will be talking about it!"
Kira squinted, smiling with interest.
This could be fun.
….
Behind the academy, in the forest, at the dry well.
"What have you all been doing here!?"
Don Zaloog, wearing a coat and hat, glared sternly at his gang.
"I just got on the island, barely took a few steps, and some kid started yelling that I was a monster."
"I finally convinced him I just looked like that cool, dashing, powerful monster 'Don Zaloog' and dressed up like him on purpose..."
"But then, a few steps later, more students started yelling."
"How am I supposed to sneak in like this?"
This was nothing like the plan.
Don Zaloog had faked a police inspector identity, claiming he was investigating the Shadow Riders event, hoping to gather intel and steal the keys.
But from the moment he landed, before even reaching the main building, at least a dozen students had already recognized him.
As the leader of the Dark Scorpion Burglars, he'd never faced such a tough mission.
"Boss, maybe your face is just too recognizable..." Chick murmured.
"What did you say!?" Don Zaloog roared.
"Nothing, nothing." Chick lowered his head.
The others stayed quiet, though they secretly agreed.
The rest of them could disguise themselves, change clothes, and if they kept a low profile, might avoid being identified as monsters.
But Don Zaloog was different. He had a fierce look, plus his single eye—the other was the distinctive Eye of Horus.
With that face so famous at the academy, hiding was nearly impossible.
The burglars were fretting when suddenly, a laugh came from the shadows.
"Who's there!?"
The gang jumped, all turning to look.
"Ahaha, sorry... sorry."
Out of a shadowy corner of the well—where no one should have been—Kira walked out, smiling.
"Your plan is clever, very creative, but you seem to have missed one thing."
He swept his gaze over the burglars with an amused smile.
"When you took the job, didn't anyone tell you?"
"The stolen seven keys are useless."