It was now 8 a.m. at Duel Academy Island and as usual Jaden was still asleep as classes went on.
'' mmhm '' Jaden whispered before slowly waking up '' WHAT ?! 8 YUBEL HOUR WHY YOU DIDN'T WAKE ME UP? ''
'' I told you for over an hour 'Jaden wake up' ''
'' Well you should have said it louder 'he said before slamming the door and starting to run
Do you think he will ever change? asked Neos appeared next to Yubel.
"Uh frankly. . no ''
A few minutes later Jaden was in front of the Academy and entered
'' Uh sorry for the delay Crowler '' he apologized
"Oh this. . it doesn't matter Jaden,. . you, you were so shaken up yesterday I can't blame you, '' Crowler replied in a very nervous voice before giggling.
Astonished Jaden went to sit down, when someone arrived someone shyly pulled the chair up for him. He then looked around and saw that everyone was looking at him nervously, it was not fear but rather the anguish of making a mistake in front of him. It didn't take Jaden any more to realize that the rumor had already spread around the academy and that everyone was aware of his identity and he could only sigh.
'' Guess who is there? someone asked just putting their hands over Jaden's eyes.
'' Uh let me guess she is the one who revealed my secret to all my friends, who harassed Yubel for hours to find out what happened about my life and who used it as blackmail and that I had to kiss reluctantly, in front of everyone! I have good? he replied with a very annoyed look.
"Is it that horrible kissing me? Mana asked with a pout before she looked guilty. "And how many times am I going to have to tell you I'm sorry? "
''ONCE ! Just once do not stop saying it was for a good cause ''
And that's true in a way, after all now you've got nothing hidden and then everyone will know that he was lucky enough to learn with a Muto. YOOPIE! she said comically as she hopped around but that only annoyed Jaden.
"Listen to Mana while I haven't forgiven you, OUT OF MY SIGHT," he ordered as his eyes turned emerald and orange.
Completely terrified she could only run with tears in her eyes in front of the whole class.
"Master Jaden don't you think you went a little hard? Remember Mana is still young '' Mahad told him appeared next to him
''Young ? I point out to you that she is almost 5000 years old ''
'' Well for a caster it's not much, in human age it must be roughly. . 15 years old. ''
'' Mmh well, I'll think about it ''
''Thank you . . see you later '' he said before disappearing in a cloud of black magic
''Good . It's the day of the test and according to my papers today it's Jaden's turn. Awesome . Crowler said whispering the last one left being very afraid of being wrath
At these words Jaden looked at him tired and bored
'' First question: 'How many varieties of trap cards are there? ''
"There are 3 of them, the regular trap cards, the continuous traps and the counter traps and I hope your questions will get a little more difficult for a while" he replied with ease, as everyone looked at him. in astonishment
'' Uh. . . correct. "said the doctor with an air of astonishment but above all relieved" Good second question: 'Which magic card of very special equipment allows to divide or to multiply by two the power of a monster according to our point of life? ''
'' Easy the 'Megamorph' which doubles the power of a monster if its owner has lower hit points than its opponent because otherwise it is instead halved '
''It's exact . "said the doctor who gnawed by curiosity could not help but perform a test" And finally last question there are already five gifted duelists who have not succeeded in answering it: "Our opponent has 2000 life points and 3 monster with 3000 attack points and it has the 'Hidden Fate' card which makes its monsters immune to card effects, on our side we have a monster with 2000 attack points and 1100 attack points. life . What is the only card that can make us win the duel? ''
'Mmh said Mr. Crowler are you sure that 5 gifted students failed to answer such a simple question? ''
"Well uh Jaden. . '' began Bastion '' I must admit that I myself do not know the answer ''
'' What? But it is however very simple it is about 'World of toons', we must pay 1000 life points to activate it reducing our life points to 100, our opponent's monsters are not affected by the effects of card but ours if, therefore 'World of toons' will transform our monster into a toon which have the ability to directly attack our opponent and since he has only 2000 points of life left and our monster has 2000 attack points, he will lose the duel ''
"Uh well .." Crowler said in amazement looking at the answer "This is .. the correct answer Jaden you are the first to answer it"
'Woaw! Jaden revised you all night or what? Alexia asked astonished
`` No Alexia I always knew this kind of thing but now that everyone knows who I am no need to hide it ''
"No are you kidding Jaden? "Asked Bastion" "And does your hidden knowledge only involve the duel? ''
`` No, she is also involved in any other category requiring intellectual capacity ''
''Is that so ? What is the square root of π? ''
'' 1 ‚77245385091 ''
'' Woaw got stunned ''
'' Oh that's nothing I can do even better ''
3 hours later the short ended
"It's okay you can all go. . except you Jaden I would like to talk to you ''
"Very well," he said as he approached the desk in the now empty room.
A few minutes after the interview Jaden and came out with the Ancient Gear Golem card in hand.
"But how did we come to this?" Jaden sighed, remembering Crowler being totally terrified handing him this card and making him promise to tell his father about himself.
'' Hello '' said a soft voice behind him
'' Oh hey, hello Alexia '' he replied, taking her hands and bringing his face closer to hers
"Jaden don't you think it's too public here?"
'' Oh come on Alexia we are in front of the Academy on a Friday evening there is no one there ''
'' That's what he thinks '' said at the same time Jasmine and Mindy hiding in a bush not far from here
Said Jaden are you ashamed? she asked
'' No, I'm not hiding out of shame Alexia but out of fear. . for fear that it will not be accepted by others. ''
"But Jaden since when do you care about what other people think of you? ''
'' Ever since, but it will surely also change their opinion of you ''
"But let's see me too I don't care what other people think of me" she said with a proud look
'' Oh please you once you locked yourself in your room for four whole days sulking because Jasmine said your shoes were out of fashion, '' he said jokingly making Alexia blush and doing laughing Jasmine and Mindy in the distance
'' Ah ah ah jas Jasmine we should stop or we will hear us '' said Mindy not being able to stop laughing
'' You're right '' she said forcing herself to stop laughing
Said Alexia? Jaden asked
'' What? ''
Didn't you hear someone chuckle? he asked startling Jasmine and Mindy for fear of being discovered.
Alexia having noticed them sighed inwardly but still tried to cover them `` No Jaden you must have been dreaming ''
''Is that so ? Well if you say so ''
'' But you know Jaden, the others will have to learn it one day ''
'' I know Alexia, but this day is not for now. . so please tell no one about it ''
"Alright Jaden" she said before kissing him softly.
"Woaw Alexia is really lucky," Mindy said jealously.
'' Yes really very lucky '' said Jasmine with stars in her eyes
For their part Jaden and Alexia were still kissing and it gradually started to intensify. Jaden gently began to stroke Alexia's hair and she did the same.
"Uh Mindy maybe we should go now" Jasmine said awkwardly.
''You laugh ? It's just starting to get interesting ''
At this moment Jaden was moving his hands down and started to stroke Alexia's buttocks who was starting to get worried.
'' Listen Mindy, we really have to go, it's starting to get awkward ''
`` You go if you want but I don't want to miss a thing ''
Jaden on his side started to rummage in Alexia's skirt but got pushed back
'' STOP JADEN '' yelled Alexia
'' Who has Alexia you don't want? Jaden asked
It is not that it is that. . it's too rushed. . and we are a little young we are only 17 years old ''
`` My mother was 32 when she had me she was younger than that ''
"Ha ha ha I didn't know that face of Yugi. . But sorry Jaden I can't ''
As you want, we are in no hurry. Shall I take you home? ? He asked, holding out his hand
"Of course" she said taking his hand
"By the way your two friends can come out of their hiding place now"
''WHAT?! Alexia asked as Jasmine and Mindy came out of their hiding place caught in the act.
So did you know Jaden? ''
'' Yes I didn't say anything because I wanted to see how far you were able to go in the presence of someone ''
'' Know that I found it very embarrassing ''
"Ah yes you still let me put my hand in."
'' SHUT UP I strongly advise you not to finish your sentence '' - she said dead of shame falaughing everyone
'' How did you know about the two of us? Jaden asked now serious.
'' Don't get angry '' started Mindy '' In fact it was the dark magician who told us that ''
At these words Jaden's eyes turned emerald and orange
"I think he's angry." Mindy whispered.
'' And I guess Isidore also knows about it ''
''Yes . . how do you know ?''
Because at night he tends to listen at the door of the girls' dormitory. . . and also and above all because for a while as soon as he sees me he hits me on the back calling me little brother ''
'' Oh I see '' said the three girls laughing
"Okay, we're gonna have to go" said Jasmine "Goodbye Alexia. . Goodbye Jaden '' she said hugging Jaden
'' Goodbye Alexia, goodbye Jaden, '' said Mindy, hugging Jaden in turn and leaving followed by Jasmine.
'' Uh why is she doing this? Jaden asked
"Ah know" sighed Alexia quite aware of the reason.
'' Well if you will excuse me I must go and kick the buttocks of a certain caster ''
''NO STOP ! she cried as she grabbed his arm "I don't think you should be so harsh about it"
'' Say so you start talking like Mahad now ''
'' Listen to Jaden in my opinion if you act like that with her it is because she revealed your identity but since you do not know why it makes you angry you are looking for another argument to be so ''
Jaden's eyes returned to their normal color and he said '' You are probably right I admit that when Mana said who I was it got me beside myself but. . I do not know why ''
`` If you want my opinion it is because you are afraid of being alone ''
'' What? But what does being alone have to do with my identity? ''
'' You think that since your family reputation is much higher than that of others we will all see you as a master or someone intimidating instead of seeing you as our friend and that is probably the real reason why you used a false name in the first place ''
"Woaw are you a psychiatrist or what? Jaden joked before thinking back to that morning, "Yeah that's probably what I thought and I was right. You saw how everyone was looking at me this morning, it's like I'm Lucifer. "
It will take a while for them to get used to it but in Jaden eyes no matter where you are from you will always be the one I love. "She said before hugging Jaden which comforted him a lot." But know that it is not by behaving like that that we will continue to see you the same way so, please go. see Mana and settle things between you. ''
'' Alright I'm going. he said before running to the girls' dormitory but once there a young girl stopped him.
'' I'm sorry but you don't have the right to enter ''
''Who are you ? ''
'' I'm just a student I'm Sophie Lee and you who are you to believe you have the right to enter? ''
Jaden. Jaden Muto ''
"Jaden Muto? Like in Yugi Muto? ''
Jaden nodded making Sophie move right away
'D. . So it's you the rumors keep talking about! I'm so sorry go ahead. "
Jaden wasted no time, he ran quickly inside with a small smile.
"Ultimately it has its advantages that everyone knows who I am," he thought before reaching Mana's door and knocking.
'' Mana are you there? ''
'' Who is it? ''
'' It's me Jaden '' the door opened but Mana was not behind '' Where are you Mana? ''
'' BOO! Mana yelled appeared in front of Jaden making him jump "Ha ha ha you forget I can disappear Jaden"
'' Mmh like this is the first time this has happened '' he said looking at her big smile "Are you not sad anymore?"
'' You know me Jaden I never stay upset for long. she said before resuming a little sad expression "Why? Are you still here to yell at me?"
''No . . i just want to apologize '' he said shocking Mana '' you know Mana when i enrolled in this academy under a false name i thought it was because it would have scared all my opponents away but i was lying to myself myself . If I did it, it was because I didn't want to be like a Christ, I wanted to be the equal of other duelists so that they could see me as a friend. . but Alexia made me understand that the way we are perceived does not depend on our origins but on our choices ''
"So you forgive me for revealing your identity?"
"Only if you forgive me for being mean to you"
In this case it's all forgiven. she said before kissing him on the cheek in surprise.
I thought I told you never to do that! "he cried a little flushed while holding her cheek" Why are you continuing? ''
"Because you're so cute Jaden" she said in a teasing voice making Jaden laugh.
'' Makes me think I have 3 dear friends present to you EH FRIENDS APPEAR ''
At this command Yubel, Neos and Winged Kuriboh appeared before Mana
`` So I present to you my three spirit friends here is winged Kuriboh, he is a monster that daddy gave me just before I entered this academy ''
"Hi adorable little furball" she said stroking Kuriboh's head.
`` Kuri kuri (Hello) ''
`` Here is Neos an elemental hero that I created and who fought for a long time alongside your brother ''
'' Hi Mana '' said Neos holding out his hand.
"Hey bodybuilder elementary heroes" she joked as she squeezed his hand.
'' And you know Yubel the spirit who told you everything about my life here ''
'' Hi little electric battery '' said Yubel waving to him.
"Hi Yubel" she said before paying attention to Yubel's eyes "Uh said Yubel? ''
'' What? ''
"Your eyes, that's exactly how Jaden's turned out when he got mad at me"
'' Ah what I see Yubel did not tell you everything Mana ''
Jaden then told him the whole story about the fusion of his mind and Yubel's.
'' Oh okay '' she said with a big smile '' Besides, it makes me think that yesterday I crossed a duelist who also has these golden eyes ''
''Is that so ? ''
"Yes and he looked a lot like you but he had emerald hair and he used a crystal beast deck"
'' Jesse ''
''Who ? ''
Jesse, the champion of the academy of the north, was present at the festival yesterday. Did you face him? ''
'' Yes but I lost. . he beat me in one round '
'' One round? Jaden said rather surprised.
''Yes ''
Last night
Mana arrived in front of her older brother's room and knocked on the door
'' Yes who has it? Mahad asked after opening the door.
'' You can come tuck me in Mahad you know very well that I can't sleep without it ''
'' Really little sister you will never grow up '' he sighed '' Okay I'm coming but in the meantime go back to your dormitory ''
"Alright, see you now" she said happily as she left
A few minutes later almost arrived at her dormitory she bumped into someone
"Ouch my head"
The person she had just hit being much stronger than she felt anything
"Jaden? she thought before taking a teasing look before she saw this person turn around and kiss him quickly.
This person was not Jaden but Jesse
"Can I know why did this to you?" Jesse asked all red.
"Oh I'm sorry I took you for Jaden" Mana said scratching her head in embarrassment "You look a bit alike physically but mostly you have exactly the same aura."
"You are not the first to say that" he said before recognizing Mana "But I know you, you are that girl who beat Jaden"
"Yes my name is Mana," she said with a wink, "Although I have to admit I was lucky during this duel, Jaden has beaten me dozens of times in the past."
`` Nice to meet you Mana, you know you can brag about this one victory because since Jaden joined this academy he has only lost twice once against Zane and once against Aster ''
`` For Jaden, it's already a lot because in 10 years I have only seen him lose one duel against Seto Kaiba ''
JADEN CONFRONTED SETO KAIBA! ''
`` Of course 2 times, a victory and a defeat ''
So there it takes my breath away. . Mana please face me! ''
''Why ? ''
"I can't resist measuring the strength of someone who beat Jaden"
'' Well if you want Jesse '' she said as she conjured up a dueling disc with her magic.
'' IN DUEL ''
Mana: 4000
Jesse: 4000
'' I'm starting '' said Mana '' I'm picking! Interesting, I activate 'Value reduction'! This card decreases the stars of the monsters in my hand by two, so no sacrifice is necessary to summon me to the field. ''
Dark Magician girl : level: 6. ATK: 2000. DEF: 1700
(This card gains 300 attack points for each black magician in the graveyard of the 2 players)
'And I activate Sage's Stone as I have a' Dark Magician 'on my field I can Special Summon from my' Dark Magician 'deck
Dark Magician: level: 7. ATK: 2500. DEF: 2100
'' I now activate 'Consecration by Light and Dark' as the Dark Magician is on the field I can sacrifice him to summon 'Dark Magician of Chaos'
Dark Magician of Chaos: level: 8 ATK: 2800. DEF: 2600
(When that monster is summoned you can return a graveyard magic card to your hand. When it destroys a monster, it is removed from play instead of going to the graveyard.)
'I now activate his special ability when summoned I can bring back a magic card from the graveyard and I choose' sage's stone 'which I immediately reactivate in order to summon a new Dark Magician' '
Dark Magician : nv: 7. ATK: 2500. DEF: 2100
'' And finally I activate polymerization and I merge my three magicians in order to invoke '' Lord Alakazam master magician ''
Lord Alakazam master magician: level: 12. ATK: 5000. DEF: 5000
(This monster cannot be summoned except by Fusion Summon. You must pay half of your life for it to attack. This monster is not affected by your opponent's card effects. You can discard a card to destroy all of your opponent's face down cards and inflict 500 damage points for each of them.)
'' This is where I end my turn ''
'' Very well to me I draw! After looking at his cards Jesse looked disappointed, "Your victory against Jaden was just fluke indeed."
''What do you mean ? ''
"You sacrificed all of your cards to summon this one monster and you leave it unprotected. It will cost you dearly, I activate 'scaffold of despair' that allows me to draw 5 cards provided that I send my hand to the graveyard in 5 turn. . . I now activate 'crystal release' this card allows me to summon all crystal beast monsters in my hand as long as I sacrifice 500 life for each of them. . I therefore summon topaz tiger, amber mammoth, sapphire pegasus, scarlet turtle, cobalt eagle, amethyst cat and ruby carbuncle. ''
Jesse: 500
Topaz Tiger: level: 4. ATK: 1600. DEF: 1000
Amber mammoth: level: 4. ATK: 1700. DEF: 1600
Sapphire Pegasus: nv: 4. ATK: 1800. DEF: 1000
Scarlet Turtle: level: 3. ATK: 0. DEF: 1800
Cobalt eagle: nv; 4 ATK: 1400 DEF: 800
Amethyst Cat: level: 3 ATK: 1200 DEF: 400
Ruby Carbuncle: level: 3 ATK: 300 DEF: 300
Seeing the seven monsters perfectly aligned Mana was shocked.
''WAITS ! The regulations state that it is forbidden to have more than 5 monsters on the field '' says Mana
"Not with crystal beast monsters because they can be summoned in magic card / trap areas" Jesse replied "But back to the duel. . as I have 7 crystal beast monsters I can specially summon 'Rainbow Dragon' ''
The ground split open and a huge all-white serpent dragon burst forth, almost knocking down Mana.
Rainbow dragon: level: 10. ATK: 4000 DEF: 0
(This monster can be Special Summoned if you have 7 crystal monsters with different names on your field or in your graveyard that cannot be summoned otherwise. You can send any crystal beast monsters you control to the graveyard and increase the attack. of this 1000 card for each of them. You can banish all Crystal Beast monsters from your graveyard to return all cards on the field to their owner's deck)
"This monster is very impressive Jesse but he is no match for Alakazam" said Mana
'' Mmh you're really naive little magician '' Jesse chuckled leaving Mana confused '' I activate the special ability of 'Rainbow Dragon' all I have to do is send all my monsters crystal beast in the graveyard in order to increase its power by 1000 points for each of them ''
Jesse's seven monsters changed into colorful energy that powered the great dragon causing it to double in size.
Rainbow Dragon: ATK: 11,000
'' 11,000 ATTACK POINTS! ''
''And yes . Rainbow Dragon attacks Alakazam with your colorful nova! ''
Rainbow Dragon let out a huge multicolored ray from its mouth which destroyed Alakazam with one blow and brought down our little magician.
Mana: 0
"I expected more from someone who beat Jaden," he said disappointedly before leaving leaving Mana on her knees.
Just after the departure of Jesse Mahad arrived and found his little sister squatting
"What happened Mana? ''
'' Let's say I fell on stronger than me ''
'' I told you Mana the duelists do not all have the compassion of Jaden '' he said before the statement '' Come on I will tuck you in ''
''Yes ''
But what Mana is, Jesse was watching her go with a smirk.
"Stage 1 of the plan is complete."
Back to the present
'' And this is how it went ''
Jesse really is a very talented duelist and apparently he's made some progress. . but rejoice by telling yourself that it could have been worse ''
How for example? ''
'' Well you could have run into Zane ''
"Zane you mean Syrus' big brother? ''
''Yes ''
'' Is he strong? ''
"He is arguably the most powerful opponent I have had on this island. I have faced him twice for a loss and a tie ''
"Woaw! And could I face it too? ''
"Sure, but you better hurry up"
''Why ? ''
Zane is no longer part of this academy he graduated last year , he came here because of the festival following the supplication of Syrus and Isidore but he leaves in a week. ''
''Oh . . very well then I will provoke it tomorrow, but. . don't you have some advice for me? ''
All I can tell you is that his deck revolves around a powerful monster called 'Ultimate Cyber Dragon'
'' Ultimate cyber dragon? I've heard that before somewhere. . ''
`` Good sorry Mana but I have to go I have the tests passed tomorrow ''
"Okay bye," she said before hugging Jaden for a few seconds and letting him go.
The next day afternoon
"Alright everyone's class is done" Crowler said as all the students started to wake up "OH ONE LAST THING! '' he yelled '' In case you don't know we took the entrance test again at Jaden so we really know what he's worth ''
So what is it? Jaden asked
`` I'll be brief, you got 100% in all categories ''
'' Woaw it's even more than me '' said Bastion in amazement
"But you still have the dueling part Jaden" said Crowler "And I'll let you choose your opponent"
'' Zane '' Jaden answered without hesitation
''ME !? Zane yelled "Why?"
'' Because the last time we faced it I wasn't myself that's why I want to show you what I'm really worth. . . so do you accept? ''
"How could I refuse such an opportunity? Just tell me where and when
"Why not right away? ''
"Alright" Zane agreed without asking a question.
"WAIT!" Shouted someone coming to put their hand on Jaden's shoulder.
'' Mana? What's up ? ''
"I really want to face Zane would you be kind enough to let me start? ''
"Oh, if you want," Jaden said "What if Zane is okay with it."
'' Why do you want to face me little magician?
"Because you are the only duelist in this academy that Jaden has never managed to beat so if I can beat you it will mean that I have surpassed my own master" she said as she activated her disc. duel
"I don't quite understand your intentions but know that I have never refused to duel anyone" he said while activating his dueling disk in turn "So let's go!"
'' IN DUEL ''
Mana: 4000
Zane: 4000