I know it's been a while, but I just wanted to get this short part out of the way. Still looking for a beta if anyone's free. Thanks.

Chapter 2: Gotcha!?

As I exited the duel arena, I felt like a god. I had just beaten someone 13 years my senior without losing a single life point. Making my way through the stands, all eyes were glued on me. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

"Well that was quite a show!" Asuka remarked.

"I expected you to be good, but...wow."

I grinned from ear to ear then sat down, resting for the next 2 and a half hours. Thankfully I woke up in time to see Asuka duel, but most of the other matches were pathetic. From kids not remembering their own card effects to someone unaware that a chain resolved backwards, the majority of the contestants were amateurs at best. It did, however, make sense. There were three test sessions, with this one being the last. You were either cautious, busy, or flat out lazy to have missed the first two. Most of the blue had probably already gotten in. I was snapped back to reality by a finger repeatedly poking my head.

"What!" I almost screamed.

"Sorry to bother you sleeping beauty," she said sarcastically "but the headmaster's about to give a speech."

To be honest, it was what you'd expect. An apology that they couldn't accept all the great talent applying and a basic rundown of what you'd get in your acceptance form and when.

"I'm glad all of you showed interest in our academy. I'm sure with talent like yoursel-"

He was cut off by some idiot running in the door screaming "Sorry I'm late!"

It took me a while to process the sheer stupidity of what had just occurred. Some kid had run into the testing station over 2 and a half hours after its start, he hadn't come in quitley and very quitley ask if there was a chance he could still have his exam. No, he had run in during the headmasters speech lacking any social grace and had yet to explain his actions currently standing there looking like a complete fool.

No one said anything for about 30 seconds, until the headmaster spoke up.

"Well, the exam hasn't actually ended yet.."

The smile on the kid's face and the look of unadulterated rage on 's told the whole story.

"Thanks teach!" the kid said. "Now who do I have to duel?"

Regaining a bit of his composure, the doctor stepped forward. "That would be me." he practically seethed. "You will have one duel, no exceptions." he explained quickly.

The kid's face was priceless: "Allright teach, let's duel!"

"This is gonna be a blowout." I said absentmindedly "Gonna grab a drink, you want anything?" I asked turning to Asuka.

"No thanks, I'm just going to rest and watch." she replied.

"Suit yourself." I said walking away.

After getting a sufficient distance away from the main hall, I began to feel a bit bad for the kid. He obviously loved dueling, and wanted to attends the school, but there was no doubt that he was going to be humiliated in front of thousands by the professor. It still was his own fault, but no-one deserved that. Grabbing my mango smoothie, I took my time walking back to the arena to get my stuff. The closer I got the louder it became, I could have sworn they were cheering. As I finally stepped back into the arena, I was something I would never forget.

"I activate polymerization fusing my avian and burstinatrix to summon flame wingman!"

A purple and green beast appeared on the field staring down Crowler's ancient gear golem.

"Now I attack your golem with my flare wingman!" the kid almost screamed. "When attacking a monster with more attack than it, skyscraper's effect kicks in giving him an extra 1000 attack points!"

Everyone stared wide eyed at the flaming blur barreling down toward the golem. I watched as it smashed into the hunk of metal spraying scraps of metal everywhere. All of the sound in the room stopped as I just focused on this one, damn, kid. This one kid who had just done the impossible without even trying. Ignoring the cheers and awestruck faces from his victory, he turned to the professor.

"Gotcha!" He said with a smile.