A/N Longer than the last couple but I wanted to put it out on Christmas, though at some point the frequency of updates will probably go down. Here's Chapter 3 when the story really gets moving, I'm not the happiest with the start of this but I'm hopeful it's alright, though one of the transitions bothers me. Please R&R, I'd appreciate some criticism.
Edit - Formatting messed up, fixed now. Apologies for any issues this may have caused
Chapter 3 – Home Away from Home
Ringing out loudly the chime of a clock reverberates through the walls of the office, blankets providing my cocooned figure as with tired eyes I raise myself up, hours to spare until all needs to have been done. '6:30' I register the time as, splashing cold water on my face with the kitchen sink to help me wake. 'Boss will be here at about nine…'.
I soon find myself double, triple checking my luggage, taking a note of anything that might be missing but the job's thorough, and with the level of organisation I get the distinct impression it was not solely Boss' effort to pack everything right, apt forethought having left me more than contented.
Turning on the kettle I prepare another warm glass of water, just to provide me heat, part of me fretting over whether I'd manage in the Academy… 'There's no way they won't have a close kettle, calm down'. It'd be ridiculous, but thoughts like that are all I can manage with little to pass the time.
A thought occurs to me, figuring out a productive means of passing the morning I raise myself, getting out a lined notebook from my luggage. Putting pen to paper I separate my deck onto the table, grouping cards by type then by name and write down each name; seeing as it's my first week's deck it'll be good practice. Creating my 'Week One' decklist I quickly asterisk cards in the deck I see as problematic, largely being the weaker normal monsters, sighing a tad irritated at myself over being critical of the deck I was given.
Rationalising it, even though the deck is a gift the point of this exercise is to explore more avenues and to make small but significant changes to the week's deck that expand or tweak the strategy to something of greater effectiveness. That train of thought makes it natural for me to identify cards of the deck I wish I had more of, whether that by 'Gagagigo' and 'A Legendary Ocean' or cards the deck is lacking like 'Tornado Wall' and 'The Legendary Fisherman'.
My eyes go a little wide as I write the latter down, and start searching on my phone, recalling Boss' Battle City matches. He'd mentioned often opposition he'd faced, though he strayed away from the latter parts of this tournament the qualifying rounds he was happy to talk about. The duel with Mako Tsunami, former professional duelist turned esteemed sailor, had played a similar strategy as I was thinking.
Feeling my stomach rumble, I reluctantly head to the kitchen and prepare toast, reading a transcript of the bout between them, though before I can note anything significant the ring of the door chime greets Boss, coming in with a warm but cocky expression. " 'Ya Ready Kid? I aint risking you missing this plane."
I wipe my mouth carefully before flashing a peace sign lazily with the hand free of toast. "Just having a little breakf-" I'm cut off as my shoulder feels his firm grip and he looks seriously straight at me.
"Can ya make it quick then? …Eat yer toast and I'll carry everything else to the truck," His serious look elicits nothing but a swift nod before I force my food down quickly, and grab everything I took to the kitchen to put into my bag.
The truck I end up in the back of supposedly used to be used for gigs, and from the scent I find myself agreeing with the notion, grateful there's a small chair… I'd have used a seat if one was free, but it's pretty beat up and I'm not really bothered about the travel. 'I'll be on my ride soon enough anyway.'
The truck is filled before I know it, and quickly headed down the main street once he has made it past the potholes from downtown. Boss taps impatiently at the wheel and muttering 'C'mon, c'mon. Move it already', taking every cut-off he can, only getting worse when he accidentally knocks the radio up a channel instead of increasing the heat ending up on another damn classical channel. I cannot make out his face from where I am, but it's clear enough that he's stressed over this, more than I am even.
I would have asked something but distracting a stressed-out man who has been known for occasionally letting his anger get the best of him isn't what I consider a genius plan, so I just keep an eye on my luggage and hide my sigh of relief when I hear his mix-tape start playing rather than the radio.
The drive is frantic but soon enough we arrive at the airport, and I do the heavy lifting unloading, while Boss discusses the relevant details with the plane crew, two members of which help me with carrying the luggage on board. Before I know it I'm giving Boss a thumbs up through the window, as he waves back… I think he shouted something, but I couldn't hear so I just smiled at him as the plane flew off.
Far from what I expected the journey was incredibly short, only an hour or so from the airport to the island albeit I guess it makes sense to make one of the big five dueling schools close to Domino City. I'm on and off the plane faster than I get out of my bed on most days, which while impressive for the school leaves a lot to be desired on my end; I get briefed on how they'll move my luggage to my allotted room and that I should meet up with Chancellor Sheppard on the top floor of the Academy in his office.
Looking around from the airport the island is everything the brochures and advertising have made it out to be, a beautifully golden beach, an active volcano, a vibrant forest, the natural landmarks alone would make the place an incredible destination point… as dangerous as having a volcano on the island feels like. Beyond the ecological splendour is what the academy is prided upon.
As I walk into the main building, through the marble sculpted school gates and well-maintained courtyard I can see a few students sitting on blankets on the grass, predominantly ones in red outfits raising an eyebrow at my appearance. Having not put on my allotted uniform as of now I feel self-consciousness hold me for a moment making me hurry slightly faster inside. An elevator on the ground floor has the relevant rooms noted by a diagram, directing me to floor six, the Chancellor's Office.
'Breathe… it's just a normal meeting.' A bald man enters the elevator while I think, tilting his head down to get a better look at me. The almost six-foot tall presence smiling peacefully on one side of the elevator, not rushing as I gather myself and tentatively press the elevator button, packing away my phone and headphones to give an impression of being focussed. Hand over heart I shake a little, feeling my throat go dry, tapping my foot again as I look down at the floor.
The ride seemingly takes forever as I slouch down in thought, feeling the man's eyes on me though I struggle to make out any intent, leaving the elevator with a spring in my step as signs lead me to where I'm supposed to be, and I knock on the door. No answer.
A moment passes and I knock again a little louder until I feel a light touch on my shoulder and jump back a little, flinching and finally meeting the man's eyes with my own from beneath my hat. "Ah, hello there, you must be the new student correct? Take a step inside my office and I'll introduce myself properly.' His inviting tone stops me from leaping out of my skin as my embarrassment grows and I thank him, curling strands of hair from around my neck as I take a seat opposite the large chair in the office.
"Thank you Sir, I'm the new student, Robin Ainsworth" I lower my head as a small bow, before sitting up straight with a neutral expression.
"It's nice to meet you, I'm Chancellor Sheppard of the Academy. Do you have a preference on what you want me to call you?" He tilts his head with a kind look in his eye, "Though I imagine you prefer to be called 'Robin', correct?"
I nod in affirmation, though my speech is less decisive "That'll do Chancellor. Thank you for being understanding about my circumstances with Boss- urm, I mean Joey and attending this year, I'm grateful that you made an exception for me." I put a hand on my chest, perking up thanks to his easing me in.
"It's quite alright, from what I've been told of the situation it's a good bit of fun, and an opportunity for a promising duelist, while we're at it we'll have to have you change into an outfit… but just the blazer will do for now, your hat will make it clear too" He claps his hands together, opening a draw at his desk with a key from a pencil holder, reaching out he passed over the table a medium blazer that I stand up and quickly fashion onto my form, albeit it hangs rather loosely on me it's only until I reach my room. "Be sure to visit the card shop when you have time, we give all students 1500DP at the start of each semester as a little boost, it doubles as currency on the island… kind of like arcade tickets, just scan your student ID, or Duel Disk, they'll keep track. You'll be under the tutelage of Dr Crowler this year, class is currently in session, but we can have you pop on in at a break and introduce yourself then, they're aware largely of your situation… though we have some other matters to discuss before then."
He leans back against his chair, from a different drawer revealing a notebook of his own that he flicks halfway through, finding it through a bookmark. Nodding in response I try and match his position, remembering to adjust my posture "First of all being Joseph Wheeler's protégé, it says here that you're something of an apprentice of his? I'm aware that he's been trying to benefit duelists of poor family situations, and that taking you under his wing is a part of that."
"Apprentice is apt, I've been working under him for the past year at his office, and as such I've been very experimental as a duelist… using decks that he has built to get me used to different strategies." I brief him on it, seeing a light in his eyes as I elaborate "I know it's not common in the Academy to drastically overhaul your deck, but Boss thinks that it'll help me grow into a better duelist than if I pigeonhole myself to an archetype and end up stagnating… something about the Red Eyes Black Dragon symbolising potential?"
Clicking his fingers he moves forward "That request makes more sense now, I've been told to make sure that you change your deck regularly; the academy duel-disks make this more convenient, when you put your deck in it scans for any illegal cards but it also makes a note of them, and what you do in a duel due to infrared connection and records what happens. It's… not the best for tag duels but for one-vs-one dueling it is incredibly effective at recording duels for you to replay."
"Tag duels?" I remark, confused slightly "I remember hearing from Boss you were considering something involving them as part of the future of the Academy correct? That there's an initiative to try and develop the tag-dueling scene?"
He responds quickly hands together "That's correct, my 'Boss' if you will, has noticed that there's a shortage of students progressing to the tag dueling scene, and with it gaining traction fast it's essential that we maintain the status of the academy and accommodate for this sort of career path as well don't you think?"
I nod again, feeling a little pain in my neck from the unnatural position before he continues "That's another thing, part of it is that a tournament is going to take place soon, in a few months so it's important you make friends and find yourself a partner for it, maybe from your classes, maybe a roommate? It could be a very promising experience for you, Robin… though with you changing deck so often you'll have a little freer rein than most students if you're willing to accommodate someone else's strategy or balance theirs out." He looks bemused for a moment before getting up with his eye on his watch. "You can find out more in the handbook that will be in your room, or pop on in here if you'd like to talk, but now's a really good time to meet with your class don't you think? Break's approaching." Motioning me out we exchange a handshake before heading our separate ways… only to end up awkwardly back on the same elevator as before, arriving this time at the classroom.
Spacious would be an understatement, hundreds of designated seats cover the area, swaths of remaining students covering the area in colour co-ordinated zones as I look down from the highest point of the area, the classroom so large that it actually spans two different floors, both the second and third. In front of me, muttering to himself with a comical expression and enveloped in a fanciful outfit is someone who I can ascertain from the earrings dangling from his ears the teacher. "Hehe. There's a new student coming today. Their scores on the admittance test were… rather impressive. This may be my chance to get rid of dropout boy. Hahaha…."
"Pardon?" I exclaim, blinking a few times, taking a couple steps back as the educator's face contorts and has me look away for a moment, struggling to meet their gaze.
"H-How long have you been there?!" A moment passes as I remain silent before I hear a cough. "I am Vellian Crowler. I'm by far the greatest teacher in the academy, feel free to brag to your friends about me! You are the new student, Ainsworth?"
I nod, noting that I am not going to brag to anyone about this guy, only to be cut off as from close to the bottom of the class there's a cacophony of laughs, largely coming from a boy with two toned hair leaning back comfortably, relaxed. "Silence! Or it's detention for you again! Robin, don't become a slacker like him.". Alright, that's drop-out boy. Still looking slightly away I listen and walk down the corridor after being told to introduce myself to the class.
I decide to go from top to bottom, thankfully with it being break most students had made themselves scarce or were intently writing or studying so I'd need not interrupt them. The latter of which largely wear blue or yellow uniforms, and 'those in red in the courtyard are from here as well' I wager.
Speaking of red, I find the 'drop-out boy' talking with two of his friends, one like a teddy bear; tall but seemingly cuddly, though that might just be his hair looking a tad soft – and the other like a blue bush; short and bespectacled, but the closest thing I've seen so far to someone my own size. Walking over I offer a small wave, walking down the steps to meet the three and bow slightly. "It's nice to meet you, I'm the new student, Robin Ainsworth… it's nice to meet you."
"Hey! You're the new kid! I heard all about you! I'm Jaden Yuki. It's sweet to meet you. Hope we get to duel soon!" Vigorously outstretching his hand, the group leader responds first with the others following suit soon after as I shake Jaden's hand.
"I'm Syrus Truesdale… it won't be long until you're better than me in class soon" Sighing he looks away downcast "I hope I can keep up with today's lesson" I give a sympathetic look though the taller one interjects "I'm Chumley, Chumley Huffington. I flunked a year so I'm still a freshman." I take my time and nod. Before responding.
"It seems we're in the same dorm, so I guess I'll be seeing the three of you often… would you mind if I came to see you later today?" I take a momentary look up to so Dr Crowler glaring down and quickly walk away, sweating as I spy another solitary Slifer student looking at the front, and I approach.
It's weird to be approaching so many people like this, but I figure it's best to approach people now than end up lost later, especially with a tournament coming up that necessitates co-operation. Walking over to the observer I get a better look at them, form outstretched gazing down at two students with a dreamy expression. "Hey, I'm the new student, Robin Ainsworth… it's nice to meet you." Offering my hand, he refuses, pulling his hat further down but coughs for a moment as I meet his glimmering honey-like eyes and nods.
"I'm Blair, it's nice to meet you. If you don't mind, I'm a little busy right now… we can talk another time though, alright?" with that he turns back, and I don't have much choice but to move on, heading to other seemingly free classmates.
"I'm Bastion Misawa, nice to meet you." I was just walking past him, and a Ra student who I saw going over some sort of complex formula breaks his concentration to introduce himself. "Class'll start soon. I'll see how bright you are." And with that he returns to formula writing before I can get a word in, or even give my name. It was curt, but I find myself walking to the Obelisk section next.
"Whattaya want? Stop bugging me. Step off!" If the blue haired boy from before was like a bush the jagged hair on this raven-haired snob was half as sharp as his tone as he barks out as I look confused. "You don't know who I am? I hate slackers!" I flinch a little at the hostility emanating from him and just shuffle down the stairs quietly, ending up on the ground floor.
I recognise the two as the duo Blair was looking intently at before, clad in a blue Uniform, a kindly blonde giving me a smile seeing me speeding down the stairs "Hey, you're new here aren't you? I can tell a lost puppy when I see one, I'm sorry about Chazz being so hostile, I promise not all of us Obelisk students are like that. I'm Alexis Rhodes, hope we'll be friends. If you ever feel lost feel free to ask me, alright?" The soft smile on her face is relaxing as I respond.
"Yeah, I'm Robin Ainsworth, it's nice to meet you Alexis, I hope we can be friends too." I nod back and turn to her darker haired friend, who appraises me with a stony expression.
"…So you're new." He asks, looking me over intently enough I instinctively take a step back, Alexis sighing and telling him there's no need to glare, and introduces me to him. "This is Zane Truesdale, the top duelist at the academy." 'Then why's he in a third-year classroom… oh yeah, break.' I note that he has the same surname as Syrus, though from his demeanour I can tell that he doesn't have much to say to me, though he soon starts walking off as a bell rings, nodding at Alexis before heading out.
"Take your seats. Time for class!" I hear the voice of Dr Crowler reverberate through the classroom, having walked down and used his position to magnify the sound of his voice, and he begins a dueling tutorial. I end up seated next to Blair on a far row, though his eyes are fiercely focusing on me… 'did I upset him?' I wonder, since he was looking over at Alexis and Zane maybe that ticked him off? I focus on the lesson for a while, getting my notebook out before I see Blair pass me a neatly written piece of paper, under the guise of sharing a textbook that reads. 'Did you talk to Zane? I've been wanting to.' I write 'yes, kind of' back on the parchment underneath and Blair's eyes brighten up with a smile that feels different to the whimsy of before. 'Would you mind talking to me later? I'll see you at the dorm since we're both Slifers".
Crowler's looking up indicates we're less discrete than I believed us to be, asking a question up at me. "Ainsworth, what attribute and level is the Normal Monster 'Dark Witch'?" I take a moment to reply before responding "Level five, Light Attribute."
"Good. Follow up question, which of the following equip spell cards can you not attach to 'Dark Witch'; 'Book of Secret Arts', 'Horn of Light' or 'Silver Bow and Arrow'?" He smiles clapping his hand slightly.
'It's a fairy type monster, so…' "Book of Secret Arts" I respond with confidence, Blair giving me a look and writing 'Nerd' on the paper while Crowler praises me for being right. When I see him target Chumlee next I write over to Blair 'I like the card alright? It's super good in some dueling games, even though it's really bad in drafts.' And while the look I receive changes it's not the greatest praise. We carry on until a bell begins to ring again.