For those that don't know me, my name is Ryan Vanmatre.

I made my way to the Duel Academy Entrance Exams being held at the Kaiba Dome on the other side of the city with my Elemental Hero deck.

The Academy had three different dorms you're placed in based on your entrance exam scores.

"Obelisk Blue, here I come!" I yell out.

It wasn't long until I see the Kaiba Dome and let out a deep sigh, mentally preparing myself for what was coming.

The inside of the Kaiba Dome bustled with teens that were eager and nervous about their respective exams. There were those who received the luxury of already being accepted into the Academy. They had come there to observe the duels.

"Some of these people seem to be really good." A spectator stated.

"They have no idea who they're up against." A dark-haired boy was leaning back in a chair with a bored expression on his face. "We spent the last three years at duel prep school."

Two girls and a boy also observe the duels.

The boy looked down in the dark-haired boy's direction.

"Let's see if someone here is worthy of going to the Academy." The boy stated to himself.

"I made it just in time." I sigh.

I then lean against a railing next to a short, turquoise-haired boy with glasses to watch the duels in progress.

"Alright, new guy, you got three options. Do you: A) Throw in the towel, B) Beg for mercy or C) Run home to mama?" The proctor taunted the boy on the other side of the field with a Vorse Raider.

"I'll go with D) None of the above!" The dark haired boy retaliated and activated his face down. Ring of Destruction. "With this, I sacrifice my Vorse Raider and you lose!" A collar with bombs appeared on the monster and exploded, bringing the proctor's life points to zero.

"Clever move, applicant." The proctor praised. "Welcome to Duel Academy."

The boy bowed in respect. "Thank you."

"Who's he?" I ask.

"Bastion Misawa. Word is he got the second highest score on the written exam."

"Is that right." I remark. "How did you do on the written exam?"

"Barely passed. Oh, I'm Syrus by the way." Syrus' face faltered as he sighed. "To be honest, I don't know how I won my duel. I always get test anxiety."

I look away, preferring to focus on my upcoming duel.

"I'm about to duel myself." I state.

The small boy's eyes widened. "Wait, you haven't dueled yet!?"

"No." Was my reply.

"That was supposed to be the last one!"

At another part of the arena sat a bunch of Duel Academy's upper chairmen and teachers. "Looks like we've got a pretty good crop this year." One of them said with a smile.

"Yes, indeed." Another agreed.

Right next to them, a teacher sat there silently, not paying attention to the conversation next to him. He's male, but could easily be mistaken as a woman due to the makeup he wore for some bizarre reason. He wore a blue Academy blazer with gold epaulets and a puffy pink collar. He also had his long blond hair tied in a ponytail. This was Dr. Vellian Crowler, headmaster of the Obelisk Blue Dorm and Vice-Chancellor of Duel Academy. He was just about ready to leave when he noticed someone coming his way.

"I'm sorry to interrupt." A man in a black business suit approached the flamboyant teacher. "But we have one last applicant that just arrived, Mr. Crowler."

"Excuse me?" Crowler scowled. "Did you just call me 'mister'?"

"I'm sorry. I'm new here, Miss-"

"I have a PhD in dueling and have earned the title 'Doctor' and shall be addressed as such!" Crowler snapped, full of pride for his PhD. "Now tell the applicant to come back next year!" The others looked at him as if he'd lost his mind.

"Come on, Doctor Crowler, we have time for one more."

"Yeah, he was just a bit late, that's all."

"Late is rude!" The Doctor snapped again, slamming his fists on the table, freaking the others out. "I don't have time for slackers!" Just then his phone rang. He answered it. "WHAT?!"

"It's Sheppard."

"Oh, Chancellor Sheppard." His tone did a complete one eighty as it switched from angry to bubbly pleasant, causing the others to sweat drop.

"Just calling to make sure everything is running smoothly, Crowler." Sheppard said. "We wouldn't want a repeat of last year, would we?" Hearing this made Crowler's eyes bug out as he became nervous. "You cut a third of our applicants for some ridiculous reason. Calling you 'mister' or 'missus'? Whatever, make sure everyone gets a fair shot!"

"Yes, of course, sir!" Crowler said as he hung up. 'Furry-chinned windbag! Doesn't he realize that there are enough talent-less flunkies at the Academy? But... he's the boss. If he wants these slackers to duel, then fine!' He got up from his seat. "Pardon me, gentlemen, I'll be right back." He said as he started to walk away.

"But, sir, who'll be the boy's dueling proctor? And which exam deck should we use?"

Crowler just huffed and walked away. "Leave that to me." He pulled out a deck from his blazer and grinned evilly.