Legal Note: I do not possess any rights to Yu-Gi-Oh GX!, Yu-Gi-Oh!, any Yu-Gi-Oh related characters. All characters depicted which are not under characters under ownership of Konami and the legal right holders to all Yu-Gi-Oh and Yu-Gi-Oh GX! characters are owned by myself.

Author's Note: This will be the second fanfiction for Yu-Gi-Oh that i've written. The first I had published on this page before, but removed it for various reasons. I might take up writing it again someday if I every find myself having the time. But without further ado, the start of my new fanfiction.

(x)

(Chapter 1 - A Day in the New Life)

"What are you doing? You have to play better!"

"I.. I know, I just.. it's so hard. He's such a good duelist.."

"Suck it up! I never taught you to think like that. So what if he's a good duelist, beat him anyway!"

"But.. what if i'm not good enough..? I'm still just playing catch up, dad!"

"... Dad...? Dad!"

(x)

The disturbing dream had come to an abrupt stop, the endless nightmare which had persisted the entire night's rest. Another horror filled sleep where his duel training had gone awry, those days were never good ones. Rubbing his forehead slightly, the familiar setting of the room around him brought some comfort.

Raisaiken had grown quickly used to living in the Obelisk Blue dorm of Duel Academy. The rooms were spacious, the food was gourmet, and the overall conditions were near royalty. It really gave him the feeling like he'd never left home.

Home.. that hadn't even been a passing thought since his arrival. Even though it was mostly his choice to come here, the day his father told him he was finally ready to attend school it was pure joy, he was going to study at the famous Duel Academy. The place where professionals learned, where his father had learned.

These thoughts were interupted when he noticed what time it was, two in the morning. Class was in six hours, if he couldn't get enough sleep then he'd have a hard time focusing in class. That was the last thing that he needed, the professor breathing down his neck because he was late.

With a groan Raisaiken laid back, his eyes staring at the biege ceiling over his bed. Closing his eyes and slowly turning himself over, he reached for the sleep which continued to claw away from him.

(x The next morning x)

"Sai, wake up it's almost time for class!"

The screech was familiar, in a sense that the person it was coming from had not missed a single day when it came to joyfully waking him from his unpleasent slumber. With a soft moan he rose from the sheets, staring up at the shiny blue eyes staring him down from behind long red hair. The outfit was the uniform garb of female Obilesk Blue students, the girl inside the clothes was his friend Rena.

(x)

If there was anyone that you ever wanted to know at Duel Academy, Rena was your girl. As far as knowledge went, she was far beyond her years. If there was any information on a computer somewhere on the island, she'd read it. If a card had been played, she knew about it and who used it. In a single weekend before classes she probably knew more the nmost of the senior students. Add in beauty, an ample bust, and a smile you'd jump off a bridge for. This was a girl that any guy would line up for. If it wasn't for the fact she was mean as a scorpion underwater if you irritated her she'd be almost perfect. Though as far as friends went, the girl was like digging a gold mine only to find diamond and oil too.

(x)

Slowly Raisaiken woke up and rubbed a hand through the short blonde spikes on his head. The time on the wall said it was only five minutes till the beginning of his first class here at the academy. Rena hadn't taken a note to give him any real time to get there on time.

"All right Rena, give me a break. Just let me get dressed, all right? And stop calling me Sai. If you're going to give me a nickname, at least give me one that fits. Not some poker weapon ninjas use".

Rena frowned, shoving her hands against her hips and leaning forward mid-pout. "Quiet, i'll call you whatever I feel like whether you like it or not. Sai is in your name and it's a good nickname! Now hurry up and get dressed, i'm not waiting around if you're late".

Her scalding and lecturing job finished, she made her exit out of his room and out into the grounds towards the center building for the Academy. In a flat thirty seconds Sai had rushed a dress job and forced himself outside as if demon spawn were at his heels.

Welcome to Duel Academy.

(Chapter 1; A Day in the New Life - End)

Author's Note: I know that most of these fanfictions start with the main character attending the actual entrance exams, but I wanted to try something a little different. Hope anyone reading really enjoys this, I had fun writing it. Depending on how much positive feedback it gets, it'll probably keep going as long as people like reading. Reviews are loved.