Youmi's monthly exam ultimately ended with him getting OTK'd by Zane Truesdale.
Although he felt a little unwilling, being blown up by an opponent who opened with the nuts, lost is lost. He wouldn't complain.
It just meant he couldn't move into Obelisk Blue this month. And if he did move into the Blue dorm, all of his spirits would end up sleeping on the floor together.
He stepped forward to shake Zane's hand, sighing as he thought that if only he could afford three copies of 'Harpie's Feather Duster,' he wouldn't have been stuck in that frustratingly close-to-lethal situation.
"By the way." Youmi pointed at the 'Rivalry of Warlords' Zane had just retrieved from the Duel Disk's Graveyard. "Did you put this in only for today, or have you always…?"
His meaning was obvious.
"Ah, that one was added after I learned I'd be dueling you. There are many students at the Academy who run single-Type Decks, so at first I thought this sort of card wouldn't see much use. If my opponent had been Jaden Yuki, I also have a Continuous Trap that counters him."
Zane already expected the question and held up 'Rivalry of Warlords.' "After all, 'Elemental HERO' Decks use many different Attributes of HERO monsters."
Got it. So 'Gozen Match,' huh?
With how thoroughly Zane prepares, at this rate, he wouldn't even have to wait for Aster Phoenix to turn him into "Hell Zane"—he'd turn Aster into Evil HERO Phoenix Guy first.
Also… Aster Phoenix, a pro-league celebrity who doesn't even know his opponent's Deck before the match? That's a bit much.
"Why, realizing your Deck has limitations now?"
On the walk back to his dorm, the mini-sized 'Ten Thousand Dragon' flew out and hovered beside Youmi.
"Not really. It's just different from Duel City. I've been here over a month. No matter how much I like one Deck, I'd want to change things up eventually."
Youmi held his Deck in hand as he tilted his head toward Ms. Dorothy's shop. "I really do want to play something flashier. Wonder if Ms. Dorothy still has card packs left… If nothing else, I don't mind pulling packs."
"Speaking of which, hasn't Jaden gone three days without hitting the jackpot? I haven't gone these last three days. Did he really not pull it?"
'Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous,' visible only to Youmi, appeared at his side and nodded vigorously. "I've gone to check! Jaden Yuki hasn't drawn that delicious-smelling bread for three days straight! This morning, he even got fish-flavored bread."
"Eh? You're really familiar with this, huh… That bread is good but… I'm honestly not that into bread."
Having eaten bread for breakfast for two months straight due to certain past circumstances, Youmi now had no fond feelings for it.
He wasn't at the point of losing his appetite at the sight of it, but unless something was fun or especially tempting, he wouldn't buy bread voluntarily. "Anyway, looks like that upperclassman who practices God-tier topdecks still exists. I'll mention it to Jaden sometime."
Chatting like this with Ecclesia and Ten Thousand Dragon, Youmi spotted Chazz dragging a suitcase across the path.
They weren't particularly close, but since he saw him, Youmi still walked up to greet him. "Chazz? It's not spring break yet. Where are you headed?"
"Youmi… I watched your duel just now. Didn't expect even you would fall behind against Zane."
Instead of answering the question, Chazz first commented on the duel. "Zane Truesdale's ace should've been the Fusion Monster 'Cyber End Dragon,' but this time he actually used a Special Summon monster I've never heard of. He must've taken things seriously because you were his opponent."
Listening to his analysis, Youmi blinked. "Wait, so even you guys didn't know he had 'Cyber Eltanin'? I thought I'd just overlooked something."
"Anyway… what's with the suitcase? You going home?"
Only after mentioning the duel did Chazz follow Youmi's gaze toward the suitcase and lift it a bit.
"This? The school has an exchange program with other branches, and I was chosen for the final spot. I'll be studying abroad for about a month.
"During this time, I've realized I overestimated my own strength… especially in that duel against Jaden you saw. Even though I had a monster as strong as 'Light and Darkness Dragon,' my strategy wasn't built around it. I only aimed to Summon it."
Saying so, Chazz pulled out 'Light and Darkness Dragon' from his Deck.
"This card was given to me by Seto Kaiba himself, yet I'm not strong enough to wield its true potential. Youmi, I remember you and Jaden still live in Slifer Red and won't move to Ra Yellow just yet, right? Can you give this card to Jaden for me? Just tell him that until the day I defeat him, this card will stay with him—until I take it back."
Chazz handed 'Light and Darkness Dragon' to Youmi.
"Eh… we're really doing this trope? I have zero resistance to this kind of scene… Don't worry, leave it to me. I'll definitely pass it to Jaden."
Youmi accepted Chazz's ace with a smile. "Believe me. At the other branch, you'll meet new ace monsters of your own. When that happens, you'll become an even stronger version of yourself."
"Then I'll take your word for it. My ship leaves soon, I'll be going."
Chazz smiled, then dragged his suitcase toward the harbor. Halfway there, he suddenly turned around. "Youmi… you're also one of my targets. Even though you lost to the Academy's No.1 today, unless I defeat both you and Jaden, I'll never become our year's No.1."
Youmi nodded lightly. "I look forward to that day. And for that day… I'll also prepare a brand-new Deck."
"Yeah, you'd better. Also… what's that? Some new kind of hologram? That's a Dragon monster I've never seen."
Chazz pointed at the 'Ten Thousand Dragon' perched on Youmi's shoulder, then left without asking further.
After watching him leave, Youmi lifted the mini Ten Thousand Dragon off his shoulder with one hand and raised it before his face.
"You said there's a way to obtain a new Deck in this world without triggering repulsion, right? I'm ready."
...
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