Echoes of Eternity

by Enigma2187

Meet Kazuyuki Sora, a somewhat skilled duelist attending Duel Academy. Unlike his peers, Sora doesn't dream of the Pro Leagues; he wishes for a stable job and a comfortable life. But as personal conflicts intensify and ideals are put to the test, a greater threat looms, blurring the boundaries of Light and Dark. Will Sora's unconventional approach be a strength or a liability? (OC)

10. Shared Pasts

Inspecting the cards quickly, I noted a mix of unfamiliar and familiar cards.

Some from friends, some from foes that I happened to duel, and a few I'd seen in passing.

The thought of dueling with this mishmash was daunting, but the challenge was intriguing.

But it was still ridiculous.

OK, I know this deck is borderline unplayable because of the monster-spell-trap ratio being way off!

I have too many monsters!

"But before that," Zane continued his smirk widening, "there's another small matter of tradition. You'll need to jog around the entirety of the Obelisk Blue dormitory. Three times. You know, to get your blood pumping."

I raised an eyebrow, incredulous.

"Seriously, dude? Are you just making this up as you go along?"

Zane feigned shock.

"Me? Make things up? Never! It's just... I may have forgotten to mention it earlier. My apologies."

The twinkle in his eyes and the smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips betrayed his true intentions.

You dick...

I let out a huff of frustration.

"Of course you did."

The assembled students snickered, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Inwardly, I was torn between annoyance and amusement.

On one hand, it was evident that Zane was taking a perverse pleasure in my discomfort.

On the other hand, I had to admit that if our roles were reversed, I might have done the same.

And honestly, thanks to that luxurious bed, I felt rested enough to take on the world or at least jog around a dormitory.

With a resigned sigh, I set the deck down.

"Fine. Let's get this over with." I cracked a smirk of my own. "But Zane? When I'm done, you better be ready. Because after this, I'm not just aiming to win against those three. I'm coming for you next."

Zane chuckled, clearly entertained by the challenge. "Bold words, Sora. Especially from a guy whose deck looks like it was scrambled together from a couple of booster cards. I look forward to it."

Argh!

He knew about this deck, too?!

As I started my unexpected midnight jog, I couldn't help but think that, in a strange way, this was just the kind of unpredictable challenge that made Duel Academy so thrilling.

The cacophony of voices and laughter echoing through the chilly night air was punctuated by two contrasting voices.

Mindy's cheerfulness stood out like a beacon, even in the sea of people.

"You can do it, Sora! Keep going!" she called out every time I rounded a corner or passed by her.

Jasmine, on the other hand, had a completely different approach.

"Move those legs, Sora! If you're this slow during a duel, you're gonna get steamrolled!" she hollered, pushing me to pick up the pace.

Honestly, the contrast between the two of them was almost comical.

Mindy with her endless encouragement, and Jasmine with her fiery taunts...

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, feeling the simultaneous pull of motivation and challenge.

As I jogged, my mind was already moving at a million miles per hour, sifting through the deck Zane handed me.

The balance was off — too many monsters, not enough spells, and the traps?

There were some I hadn't even seen before.

I'd need to think of a way to play offensively, taking advantage of the monster-heavy strategy, all the while protecting myself with the limited spell and trap cards available.

I was mulling over potential strategies when a flash of silver caught my attention.

That same girl from earlier, her distinct silvery hair cascading down her back, was observing me.

Those deep violet eyes of hers were analyzing every move I made, every breath I took.

There was an intensity about her that felt oddly captivating.

And, despite the rather unfriendly interaction we had earlier, I found myself intrigued by her.

I noted the striking similarity between her gaze and Alexis's.

Both of them had this depth in their eyes, but hers had a kind of world-weariness that seemed out of place in such a youthful setting.

Not to mention, she was eerily off-putting, and I had no idea why.

Not before long, I had finally reached the last lap.

The third lap was the hardest.

My breath grew ragged, and my legs felt like lead.

But with Mindy's cheers in one ear and Jasmine's taunts in the other, I pushed through, spurred on by the challenges that lay ahead.

As I completed the last stretch, I couldn't help but send a wave in the direction of the silver-haired girl.

The momentary interaction with the silver-haired girl only deepened my intrigue.

I watched as she displayed an overt distaste for me.

There was that roll of her eyes, that curl of her lips.

It was clear she wasn't impressed.

Still, every gesture and every glare she threw my way only fueled my amusement.

Why?

Why was I so fascinated by her, by her evident disdain for me?

My mind began to wander, but I quickly brushed aside some uncharacteristically superficial thoughts.

It had to be more than just her noticeable... physical attributes, right?

Catching my breath, I decided to shed my sweaty jacket and wipe the accumulated sweat off of me.

As I did so, I heard a mix of reactions.

From the men, there were hearty cheers, a salute to my perseverance and determination.

And from the ladies?

A few embarrassed squeals.

Some admiration, perhaps?

I mean, I had been working out, mainly to keep my physique for my part-time job before I enrolled, but I didn't think it was that noticeable.

Nevertheless, I began stretching to alleviate the tension in my body.

My momentary revelry was interrupted by a cold sensation on my face.

"Umpf!" I let out as a blue fabric covered my surroundings.

Recoiling in shock, I realized it was a damp towel.

Pulling it away, my eyes found Alexis, her usually confident demeanor now replaced with an awkward shyness.

The rosy hue on her cheeks told the story.

I blinked, trying to process her reaction.

Why would Alexis, of all people, act this way?

She and I had had our fair share of interactions.

We'd sparred in that duel, shared conversations, and considered each other to be friends, yet... this was new.

"Uh, thanks for the towel," I said, genuinely grateful but equally curious. "You okay, Alexis?"

She cleared her throat, her brown eyes darting to mine for just a split second before looking away.

"Yeah, of course. Just... stay hydrated, okay? You don't want to pass out during the duels."

I chuckled.

"Noted."

The towel in my hands became my shield, wiping away the sweat but also serving as a momentary barrier between me and the sudden change in the air.

The night was still young, and with the promise of challenging duels on the horizon, I mentally prepared myself.

The distractions, be they silver-haired mysteries or Alexis's inexplicable reactions, would have to wait.

My heart racing from the run and the adrenaline pumping through my veins, I found myself doing something a little out of character.

Inspired by an animated character I'd once seen on a show back home, I dramatically whipped the towel in the air, flexed, and let out a rather enthusiastic battle cry.

"Woooooo! Let's do this!"

Yep, that runner's high was definitely kicking in, and it feels pretty refreshing.

This is amazing!

I feel incredible!

"Yes, yes, yes, YES! I can win! I feel great! I. Can. Do. This!"

However, my brief moment of triumph was abruptly interrupted when an object hurtled towards my face.

"Ghuf!" I blubbered out as it hit my nose.

Instinctively, I caught whatever hit me.

On inspection, it was an Obelisk Blue duel disk.

Glancing up, I saw Alexis looking as flustered as ever.

She yelled, "You idiot! Will you stop messing around?! This duel is serious business, and it doesn't help that it's almost 1 in the morning!"

It took me a moment to process her outburst.

"Right, my bad. Thanks for the disk," I said, genuinely grateful but also slightly taken aback by the sudden hit of the duel disk and Alexis's reaction.

It seemed like her usual confidence was replaced with... what was that?

Annoyance?

Embarrassment?

Both?

And all because of a little flexing?

I couldn't help but smirk a little at the absurdity of it all.

"Is there something on my face?" I cheerily asked, gripping the duel disk in hand, a playful grin stretching across my face. "Or is it because of the flexing?"

Alexis groaned and rubbed her face, now seemingly irritated and refusing to meet my gaze.

"Just get ready for your duel, moron," she muttered, turning on her heel and walking away.

Shaking my head in amusement, I geared up, mentally preparing for the challenges that lay ahead.

The duels awaited, and there was no time to get lost in the small yet amusing misunderstandings of the night.

The cool breeze ruffled my hair, and the laughter from the gathered crowd echoed; I caught a glimpse of Zane, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Wish I could take a picture of this moment for... future use," he mused aloud, his tone teasing.

I blinked, my euphoria momentarily disrupted.

"Blackmail? For what?" I asked, genuinely curious about what he'd want to leverage against me. "Wait, what did I do?"

He simply shrugged with an enigmatic smile.

"You never know when it might come in handy," he said cryptically.

His words made me uneasy.

Not knowing what he was plotting or if he was just pulling my leg was typical of Zane.

But before I could mull over it further, he clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.

"Alright, everyone! Let's get this duel started! The opponent goes first; cards and life points carry over to the next duel. But on the third duel, everything gets reset." Zane announced, the air immediately thickening with excitement. "If our new Obelisk Blue loses, then he has to start dueling from the beginning... after another 3 laps around campus!"

My back shivered at the thought of doing another 3 laps around Blue territory.

If I lose, then I know I'm gonna be sore the next morning...

I shifted my gaze to my first opponent, a fellow Obelisk Blue student.

He had a smirk plastered on his face, but I couldn't recognize him from the crowd of students in the dormitory.

"Didn't think a freshman would get into Obelisk Blue so early in the school year. It's not too late to run back home to mommy!" he taunted, his voice dripping with condescension.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check.

Memories from the past, ones I had tried to suppress, threatened to resurface.

I replied evenly, "I don't have a mom."

The confident smirk on the blue student's face faltered, replaced by a look of surprise.

"W-Wha...?"

It seemed he wasn't expecting such a response.

Taking advantage of his momentary confusion, I inserted my new deck into the duel disk.

The familiar weight of it strapped to my arm felt good, a reminder of the countless duels I'd faced before.

I raised my hand, the disk illuminating in response.

"Come on! Duel!" I shouted, the electrifying energy of the game pulsing through me.

Now was the time to prove my worth and show everyone, especially Zane, that I belonged among the ranks of Obelisk Blue.

(Kazuyuki 4000/ Duelist 4000)

We both drew our cards and examined them.

Hmm...

Let's see here.

My hand's not that great, but luckily, I got a Reload to help switch things up if my draw isn't good enough.

And fortunately, I got some traps, too.

"Hey, freshman! It's my turn! Draw!" He bellowed as he swiped a card out from his deck, studying it. "Heheh! I play Berserk Gorilla in attack mode!"

He slapped the monster card into his deck, to which a holographic card appeared.

Out came an orange gorilla, roaring and pounding its chest as it looked for a target, which happened to be me.

Berserk Gorilla (2000/1000)

"Watch this, kid! I play Gaia Power! This card can give my Berserk Gorilla a nice bump in attack!"

The tray on his duel disk popped open, to which he slid the card in, activating it.

In an instant, our surroundings were covered in a lush, dense forest with a massive tree behind the Blue.

The tree happened to give off a radiating aura, which empowered the monster.

Berserk Gorilla (2500/600)

"And then, I play Big Bang Shot! This baby powers up my monster even more, and I can inflict some piercing damage, too! Say goodbye to your facedown monsters!"

The blue inserted the spell, and in an instant, Berserk Gorilla whipped its head back and let out a mighty shout as a red aura now encased the gorilla.

"I end my turn! Come on, little man! Are you ready for a taste of the power of Obelisk Blue?" The cocky Blue across from me sneered, clearly pleased with his Berserk Gorilla equipped with Big Bang Shot, boosted further by the field spell Gaia Power.

I had to admit, his monster's attack was looking pretty beefy.

But...

That's it?

That's his setup?

That strategy might work if he was playing his deck against kids in the playground.

Well, it's time to break it down.

As I glanced at my current hand, I felt a pang of nostalgia.

These weren't my go-to cards, but they were reminiscent of old strategies I had used before I decided to adopt my mill and control strategy.

I didn't have the perfect combo in hand, but I had a few tricks up my sleeve.

Drawing for the turn, I looked at the new card.

Not bad, but I need something more.

A change in strategy, I guess.

"I'll start by setting two cards face-down," I declared as two cards locked themselves onto my Duel Disk's field.

The duel arena's system brought them to life as two blank, ominous holographic cards.

Without hesitation, I slapped the spell card on my Duel Disk.

"Then, I activate Reload!" I announced.

I then inserted my hand into my disk's slot, and three new cards popped out.

I picked them up and glanced at them, trying not to let my expression give away any hints.

Not bad.

Not bad at all.

I was onto something here.

The Blue smirked, "What's the matter? Scared already? Planning to hide behind those cards?"

Oh, man...

I wish Jaden was here to see this.

This is exactly what I want to do!

Put these punks down!

I smiled wryly, enjoying the duel already.

"It's called strategy. You might want to look it up sometime." I sarcastically retorted.

The crowd around us let out various murmurs and chuckles, enjoying the banter as much as the duel itself.

I needed to keep a level head.

It was early in the game, and one wrong move could tilt the balance.

The gorilla on the opponent's field was menacing, but it had its downsides.

If it were ever forced into defense mode, it'd automatically be destroyed due to its effect.

I also needed to remember that the Big Bang Shot gave the gorilla piercing damage, but if I could get rid of that card, his monster would be banished instead.

Should I stall out a little bit and use my Lightning Vortex?

I have some defense set up in case he tries to attack me.

Or should I just go in for the kill?

So many possibilities...

I guess I'll go with the ol' classic.

Man, it's nice to have this card in your starting hand!

I felt a small grin tugging at my lips.

"I summon Breaker the Magical Warrior (1600/1000) in attack mode!"

As the holographic figure of Breaker materialized before me, a glimmering spell counter manifested on it.

Breaker, with his mystical sword, always had a counter ready to break any spell.

Breaker the Magical Warrior (1600-1900/1000)

It's an incredibly versatile card if used right.

Without skipping a beat, I declared, "I'll use Breaker's ability. By removing its Spell Counter, I can destroy a spell or trap card on the field."

Breaker's sword glowed as it aimed at the Big Bang Shot.

In a flash of light, the special Equip card was obliterated, taking the monster along with it.

And just like that, his gorilla, in a swirl of dimensional energies, vanished from the field.

A ripple of realization spread across the Obelisk Blue's face.

"Wait, what happened to my Berserk Gorilla?"

...

Does he seriously not know?

"That's the thing about Big Bang Shot," I said, feigning a contemplative tone. "When it's removed from the field while equipped, the monster it was attached to gets banished."

The crowd erupted in a mix of gasps and murmurs.

The Blue looked deflated, his powerful monster gone just like that.

"That's... impossible," he stammered.

"You should have read your card effects more carefully," I responded, shaking my head in mock pity.

My eyes shifted to my hand, settling on a card that gleamed with potential.

Wait, I'm doing the same exact thing!

But in all fairness, I'm not using risky cards like Berserk Gorilla or Big Bang Shot.

Not that I have a choice though.

"Next, I'll equip Breaker with Mage Power!"

"Heh, didn't you say that strategy is for... kids?" He retorted.

I shrugged.

"I don't have a choice. Kinda had to improv on the spot. Besides, you could've used safer cards. Like... Fairy Meteor Crush? Or Axe of Despair?"

Magical energies swirled around Breaker, amplifying his might.

The Obelisk Blue was clearly flustered but tried to maintain his composure.

"So what? A minor power boost, that's nothing!" He stated with bravado.

But as the energy settled and Breaker's power amplified, his attack points soared from 1600 to 2600.

"Minor? Let me show you how minor it is." I pointed forward, "Breaker, direct attack with Mystic Energy Slash!"

The magical warrior lunged forward, his sword crackling with energy, and struck a direct blow with a sonic boom.

The impact echoed throughout the field, with even the crowd feeling the force.

Cheers erupted, with Mindy's voice piercing through the loudest.

(Kazuyuki 4000/ Duelist 2400)

It felt good to turn the tables so early in the duel, especially given the Blue's arrogance.

As I ended my turn, my opponent gritted his teeth, fury evident in his eyes.

"This duel isn't over, newbie! Don't get too comfortable!"

I simply leaned forward slightly, beckoning him on.

"Then bring it on. Show me what Obelisk Blue is really made of."

He growled as he drew his next card, but instead of showing any signs of relief, his face grew even redder in anger.

"I..." He struggled to say without yelling. "I set my monster face down and end my turn."

It looks like he doesn't have an answer to my Breaker.

Alright, let's end this duel quickly.

Drawing my card, I couldn't help but crack a small smile.

The next few moves were crystal clear to me.

Heh, I remember the kids playing these cards when they saw the King of Games play them.

And it looks like they only got stronger with time.

"I summon Silent Magician LVL4 (1000/1000)!" I announced.

The ground on my side of the field rumbled as a mage with a white staff and an air of grace materialized in attack position.

The Blue's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but didn't comment.

Maybe he wasn't familiar with this particular card, or perhaps he was just too flustered by my previous move.

Before he could analyze further, I played my next card.

"And now, I activate Level Up! This allows my LVL monster to summon its successor from my hand or deck while ignoring its summoning conditions!"

A blinding light enveloped Silent Magician LVL4, wrapping the mage and encasing it in a ball of light.

The light intensified, becoming almost too bright to bear.

As it began to fade, in place of the LVL4 stood the magnificent Silent Magician LVL8 (3500/1000), her aura exuding strength and wisdom.

The Blue's confident facade was cracking.

He stared, eyes wide, at my new monster. It was clear he hadn't anticipated this move, and from the looks of it, he wasn't sure how to counter it.

And then, the Blue's face contorted, his previous arrogance replaced with disbelief.

He had a certain smugness just a few turns ago, but seeing Silent Magician LVL8, a towering figure exuding mystical power, clearly threw him off.

The holographic figures of Breaker and the Silent Magician LVL8 stood side by side on my field.

The combined presence of both these monsters was a sight to behold.

I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath.

"You seem... surprised," I teased.

It was unlike me to be this forward, but there was something about the Blue's attitude that just riled me up.

And I wasn't one to back down when challenged.

The Blue stammered, "W-where did you get that card?!"

...

Where was he when Zane gave me this deck?

I shrugged nonchalantly, "I dunno."

Technically, it was from Zane's mismatched deck, but that was a detail I wasn't willing to share.

Silent Magician LVL8, with her flowing robes and ethereal staff, held an imposing 3500 attack points.

Taking a moment to admire the card, I thought of my next move. "I'll go to my battle phase," I announced.

"Breaker, attack his face-down monster!"

With a flourish, Breaker launched an energy beam from his sword, targeting the Blue's face-down card.

It flipped to reveal a Botanical Lion, which was promptly destroyed.

Sensing the duel's impending climax, I directed my newly summoned monster to make her move.

"Silent Magician, direct attack with Arcane Silent Arts!"

She levitated, gathering an orb of energy with her staff before taking aim and launching it directly at the Blue.

The explosion from the attack was blinding, causing even some spectators to shield their eyes.

The dueling field was filled with the sounds of clashing energies and the Blue's scream of disbelief.

"Nooooo!"

As the smoke cleared, his life points had taken a fatal hit, and the duel's outcome had already been determined.

(Kazuyuki 4000/ Duelist 0)

(Kazuyuki Wins.)

He clutched his duel disk and his confident facade completely crumbled.

I relaxed my posture, awaiting the next opponent.

Though I enjoyed using these cards, a part of me hoped he'd find a way to make it more challenging.

It was always more satisfying to earn a win rather than steamroll over an opponent.

Regardless, one thing was certain: The Blue had severely underestimated me, and I made him regret it.

Hmm, Silent Magician's hair reminds me of that girl.

Not to mention, this monster is also kind of pretty.

"I... lost. No! I can't believe this!" The duelist lamented, snapping me out of my thoughts before looking at me with heated eyes. "Y-You cheated! There's no way you could have won! Obelisk Blue doesn't have room for cheaters!"

I turned to Zane, who was shaking his head at the scene, before looking back up.

"Obelisk Blue doesn't have room for sore losers either. You, out. Now." He simply said.

The lumbering Blue was baffled that Zane took my side instead of his.

His lips quivered to try to formulate a response, but all couldn't.

And so, he simply retreated.

In his place, a thin, confident Blue appeared.

The new Obelisk Blue adjusted his glasses, peering over the rim with an air of smugness that seemed to emanate from him.

"Observing your previous duel allowed me to make some... predictions," he declared.

His voice carried a distinct hint of condescension.

Jeez, is there anyone in Obelisk Blue who isn't an arrogant jerk?

I did happen to come across another bespectacled Obelisk Blue, but he was actually quite nice.

A bit of an occultist, though.

I couldn't help but smirk.

"Is that so? Well then, show me your hypothesis."

I waved a hand for him to proceed, ready to see just what this Blue had in store.

He nodded, drawing his first card with a flourish.

"Witness, the true might of Obelisk Blue! From my hand, I shall play Snatch Steal! I will take your Breaker for myself!"

The equip spell card targeted my Breaker, and from nowhere, a sack materialized in his hands.

When he opened the bag, a gold light flashed before his eyes.

It was obvious that he would have to do my opponent's bidding.

But didn't seem to be the case for too long.

"Next, I will tribute your monster to bring out my own! Witness the Monarch of the winds! I will flay your skin with... Raiza the Storm Monarch.

I watched as he confidently tribute summoned my Breaker for Raiza the Storm Monarch (2400/1000).

As the sky darkens, gusts of winds pick up, swirling leaves and debris.

Clouds gather rapidly, forming a fierce tornado.

From the very heart of this maelstrom, Raiza descends, his presence causing the winds to blow even stronger.

With a flourish, the tornado disperses, revealing him in all his glory, standing majestically on the dueling field.

Okay, that was a decent play.

I have to admit that, even if it was the monster he used.

"Raiza! Send his monster to his deck, where it should belong!"

The green-armored monarch raised his palm and focused his gusts toward my magician, who tried to withstand the blasts but to no avail.

She flew right onto me, and I expected to feel recoil, but she disappeared as she came into contact with me.

When he sent my Silent Magician LVL8 back to the top of my deck, I frowned slightly.

Great...

It was a smart move; I'd just be redrawing that card next turn without much immediate utility.

The crowd let out a collective gasp as the series of plays unfolded.

"Bold move," I remarked, trying to sound unperturbed. "But I'm not out of tricks yet."

Interesting.

It was a cautious start, potentially setting up for a defensive play or some elaborate combo.

He was definitely a thinker; I'll give him that.

Not to mention, he knows how to counter my Silent Magician.

"Is that so? Raiza! Attack with Storming Gale Fury!"

As he declared his attack with his Raiza, I had a momentary flashback to all those times I'd been cornered in duels before.

But, like then, I wasn't about to give up.

"I activate a quick play spell card, Poison of the Old Man!" I interrupted. "Out of the two effects, I choose to inflict 800 points of damage!"

(Kazuyuki 4000/ Duelist 3200)

A few members of the crowd cheered, Mindy's voice distinct among them.

"Go, Sora! You can dooooo ittttt!"

I gave her an appreciative smile for the support she had been showing me.

The Blue, however, didn't seem bothered.

"You think that'll save you?" he questioned, sounding even more smug. "Keep attacking Raiza!"

With a smirk, I revealed my next card.

"Yeah, that's right! Keep attacking! I activate my trap card, Magic Cylinder!" I announced.

Raiza's wind attack was reflected right back at him, causing a substantial chunk of damage.

(Kazuyuki 4000/ Duelist 800)

The cheers grew louder.

The Blue's face turned a shade redder, but he quickly composed himself, pushing up his glasses with an irritated flick.

"Interesting play, freshman," he admitted begrudgingly, clearly not having anticipated that move. "I... end my turn."

With his turn ended, I felt the momentum shift.

Sure, he had managed a strong play with Raiza, but I was lucky enough to have counters.

I drew my next card, which was obviously the Silent Magician that was returned by his Monarch card.

It's a good thing I have something to deal with that card.

I swiftly activated Lightning Vortex, discarding my Silent Magician LVL8.

The sky darkened, and the ground trembled, signaling the imminent destruction.

Moments later, a bolt of lightning struck down the Blue's Raiza the Storm Monarch.

The dueling field cleared, leaving only a slightly singed patch where the Monarch stood moments ago.

The Blue's face paled in disbelief.

"What...? How?!"

I shrugged nonchalantly.

"I was just lucky with getting these cards,"

Without missing a beat, I summoned Des Koala (1100/1900).

The big but fluffy koala appeared on the field with its unassuming demeanor, causing an unexpected reaction.

There was an audible series of squeals and 'awws' from the crowd, especially from the girls.

Guess girls really can't resist the allure of cute creatures.

"Sorry about this, buddy," I whispered to my opponent, smirking.

Pointing towards him, I commanded, "Des Koala, direct attack!"

The Koala, despite its size and seemingly harmless nature, swiped on the Blue, delivering the finishing blow.

(Kazuyuki 4000/ Duelist 0)

(Kazuyuki Wins.)

The shock registered on the Blue's face; clearly, he didn't anticipate such an unassuming creature to bring his defeat.

He gaped, grasping for words, but found none.

With a huff, he turned around and left without saying another word.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

But my mind wasn't on the two victories I just achieved.

Rather, it was on the next challenge that awaited.

I had hoped for a challenge, and as I glanced up to see my next opponent, I realized that sometimes, one should be careful what they wish for.

With that, I took the chance to stretch and formulate more strategies for my next encounter.

Before long, the third Obelisk Blue duelist stepped into the light.

As the dueling field reset and the smoke from the previous duel cleared, a rather unexpected face appeared as my final opponent: Mindy.

She confidently stepped up, her usually cheerful demeanor replaced with a determined, fiery look in her eyes.

There was an intensity about her I hadn't seen before.

"Mindy?!" I blurted out, genuinely taken aback.

The crowd murmured in surprise, too.

"That's right! It's me!" she cheered, adjusting her duel disk. "I'm not just a cheerleader or some background character, Sora. I want you to see me, to recognize me as a duelist!"

I blinked, processing her words.

Of course, I remembered Mindy as one of the girls who'd always hang out with Jasmine and Alexis.

But seeing her here, in this light, it was unexpected, to say the least.

As Mindy stepped up to the field, her gaze unwavering, locking with mine.

Behind her, amidst the hushed murmurs of the crowd, I caught a glimpse of the silver-haired girl.

Hmm, I still don't know her name.

Her eyes were cold, glaring at both Mindy and me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

For a fleeting moment, her stare unsettled me.

What had caused her to look at us like that?

But as quickly as the feeling came, it was gone, and my focus returned to Mindy.

The usual playful spark in her eyes had been replaced with determination.

She wasn't the same girl who would often be seen giggling with Jasmine and Alexis anymore.

"Sora," she began, pausing briefly as if searching for the right words. "I've been training a lot recently. I want... no, I need you to see me differently. Not just as another face in the crowd or some chatterbox. I've poured hours and hours into dueling and building my deck. And I want you to recognize that, to see me as something... more."

The intensity of her words caught me off guard.

I could sense the genuine passion and the desperation behind them.

It was clear that this duel meant a lot to her.

The word "more" lingered in the air, and although its deeper meaning eluded me, I couldn't ignore the earnest plea in her eyes.

I gave her a nod, respecting her spirit.

"Mindy, everyone's effort deserves recognition. I promise to take this duel seriously and give it my all. If you've truly honed your skills, then let's see it. Prove to me, and everyone else here, the results of your hard work."

Her eyes shimmered with a mix of gratitude and determination.

"Thank you..." she whispered, her voice filled with newfound confidence.

The duel was about to commence, and the air was thick with anticipation.

Beyond the cards and the strategies, it was clear that, for Mindy, there was much more at stake.

"Duel!" We both shouted as we drew our cards.

(Kazuyuki 4000/ Mindy 4000)

Since the duel had reset for the third round, I drew a fresh hand and shuffled my other cards into my deck.

"Alright! I draw!" I announced as I entered the draw phase.

I looked at the hand I had and winced.

This hand...

This is what pro players would say is a semi-brick.

The only usable card here is Marshmallon and Sakuretsu Armor.

"I set one monster facedown and set one card. I end my turn."

This should buy some time until I get something like Reload or a Pot card.

Mindy put her fingers over her deck and exhaled as she pulled a card out of her deck.

Once she studied the card, she placed it in her hand and pulled out another card.

"I'm gonna play Swords of Revealing Light!"

The field illuminated as Mindy's Swords of Revealing Light took effect, piercing through the shadows and causing my face-down monster to be flipped up.

The small, fluffy figure of Marshmallon came into view, its squishy adorable blob bouncing up as it was revealed.

I couldn't help but mentally groan.

Out of all the cards I could've set, it had to be this one.

Sure, Marshmallon had its uses, but in a match like this, where I wanted to assert a strong field presence, I would have preferred something a bit more... intimidating.

Besides, I would rather have a Smashing Ground or a Heavy Storm instead.

Mindy smiled, not missing a beat.

"King Tiger Wanghu, I choose you!" she declared, placing the card on her duel disk.

The imposing figure of King Tiger Wanghu emerged as an armored silver saber-toothed tiger who locked its eyes on me.

Its growl echoed across the field, which didn't have an effect on my monster, yet.

"Next I'll play Smashing Ground!"

Hey, that's one of my favorite cards!

A huge fist from nowhere appeared and crushed Marshmallon into oblivion.

Usually I would save that card for a bigger monster, but Marshmallon is annoying to deal with...

Still, have to admit, the speed and confidence with which she was dueling showed a marked improvement from what I remembered of her past duels against her friends, which I happened to spectate.

She had indeed put in the work.

Without hesitation, Mindy raised her arm.

"King Tiger Wanghu, attack him directly!"

I felt a rush of adrenaline.

It was time to put a stop to her assault.

"Sakuretsu Armor, activate!" I declared.

The trap card flipped up, and a force field appeared in front of me, pushing back the monster and then unleashing an energy beam toward Wanghu.

In an instant, her monster was obliterated, scattering into particles of light.

A gasp went through the crowd.

The momentum had shifted so quickly.

One moment, Mindy was in control, and the next, her powerful monster was no more.

Yet, Mindy's face didn't show an ounce of disappointment or surprise.

Instead, her determined expression remained.

"You fought against way worse and saved me... So, I won't give up!" she stated confidently as she set one card, signaling the end of her turn.

It was then that I truly recognized the change in her.

So that's what it's about.

Ever since I saved her from Titan after that Shadow duel, she was looking for a way to make it up for me.

I guess this is one way to do that.

Mindy is no longer dueling just because she needs to pass her classes; she is dueling with purpose and drive.

And while her play just now was a bit of a surprise, her resolve was admirable.

Drawing my next card, I took a moment to think.

I had to strategize and plan my moves more carefully.

I wasn't just dueling against any other Obelisk Blue now.

I was facing an opponent who was willing to put the work in.

If this was the result of her hard work, I was eager to see more.

Alright...

Let's hope something good comes up!

...

Nice!

Feeling the rush of my next draw, I quickly played Pot of Greed.

"I play Pot of Greed! Allowing me to draw 2 cards!"

The iconic jar's grinning face materialized for a split second, granting me two more cards to work with.

Surveying my new hand, I tried to formulate some sort of strategy.

"I summon Defender, the Magical Knight, in attack position!"

The battlefield darkened slightly as old, magical runes appeared, glowing with a soft blue light.

They formed a large circle on the ground, and out from it, a brilliant beam of light shot upwards, materializing into a protective magical barrier.

Inside this barrier, the knight appeared, his armor shining and shield held high.

As he plants his shield on the ground, the barrier dissipates, and the runes fade, leaving the powerful knight ready for battle.

With newfound confidence, I moved to attack, aiming to further my advantage.

"Defender, attack her directly with Arcane Barrier Strike!"

But before my monster could strike, Mindy played her trap card.

"Wait! I activate Threatening Roar!" she called out, and an eerie sound wave surrounded the field, bringing my monster's attack to a halt.

The unexpected interruption forced me to re-evaluate my strategy.

What kind of deck is she using?

"Hmm, I'll set one card and end my turn."

As my turn ended, Mindy began hers.

"OK! I draw!"

She drew another card and studied it.

"I summon Gyaku-Gire Panda in attack mode!"

The atmosphere becomes dense with tension, and suddenly, in a flurry of bamboo leaves, the panda appeared on the field, carrying a bamboo stick with an air of unexpected fierceness, before snapping it in half with his bare strength.

Its eyes gleamed red with an enraged determination, belying its otherwise cute appearance, and snarled at my monster.

I felt a pang of uncertainty.

That panda was troublesome, especially when the field was populated with multiple monsters.

My suspicions were confirmed when she played another card, one that I was not familiar with.

"And after that... I'll play Bamboo Straws! This card lets me summon a bamboo token on your side of the field if I'm playing a Panda card!"

Huh?

What kind of card is that?!

The card then planted two bamboo tokens on my field, defenseless and ripe for the taking.

As each straw figure settled, my unease grew.

I remembered dueling Alexis, and something like this happened.

She had played Cyber Ballet, which boosted the effectiveness of her Cyber Angel archetype cards by giving them direct attack capabilities.

This was putting me in a similar predicament.

I had won that duel, but it hadn't been easy.

Could I navigate this one in the same way?

Mindy's voice snapped me back to the present.

"Gyaku-Gire Panda gains 500 attack points for each monster on your side, Sora. And with those tokens and your Defender, Panda has 2300 attack points! Ehehe! Panda, attack the bamboo token, Panda Blitz!"

With surprising agility for its size, Gyaku-Gire Panda lunged forward, closing the distance between itself and the token.

Its massive paws are raised, crashing down in rapid succession as it unleashes a torrent of powerful blows.

Each strike showcases raw strength, backed by the panda's wild, inherent animalistic rage; his red eyes weren't doing him any favors.

The ground quaked slightly with each hit, embodying the sheer force of the panda's fury.

With one final slash, I felt the attack break through the token.

I braced myself as the piercing damage hit, feeling the sting of the impact.

(Kazuyuki 1700/ Mindy 4000)

"Since Panda attacked a bamboo token and destroyed it, I can draw 2 cards!" She stated as she drew.

Mindy's tactic was smart.

She was not only dealing damage but controlling the field, preventing me from making significant plays without risking even more damage from her panda.

Also, she's getting a plus-in-hand advantage.

Wait...

She's...

She's kind of playing like me with all these field manipulations!

She smirked confidently, ending her turn.

"How do you like that, Sora?"

Drawing my next card, I tried to shake off the unease.

Mindy was indeed a different duelist than the one I remembered, and I had to rise to the challenge.

The crowd's murmurs and the intense atmosphere only fueled my determination.

"Yeah... That was pretty cool. Using a monster that grows stronger can do some piercing damage, and setting up the right tools is a neat strategy."

Mindy's lips parted slightly, taken aback by my acknowledgment.

Then, a deep blush that spread across her cheeks was impossible to miss.

"Thanks, Sora," she replied, her voice softer than I had ever heard it. "I've learned a lot just by watching you duel. But I wish I was dueling you with your actual deck..."

Her cheery demeanor quickly waned once she mentioned that particular fact.

Ugh...

I hate seeing girls like that...

Midori's words flashed in my mind, making me smile to myself.

I remember Midori would do something like that if I didn't happen to pick up her favorite yogurt during a grocery run...

"Ehhh? Why didn't you pick up the yogurt, Kazzzy?! You know it's one per customer, and it's my favoriteeee!"

And I also remember going out to buy that yogurt and then seeing her happy again.

Not to mention that she would hug me.

Then, I would purposely not pick it up so the whole cycle could repeat.

...

Wow, now that I realize it, I was one manipulative kid.

Besides, Koyo would almost never bring her that yogurt if he forgot to.

"Hey, if it's any consolation, I got a feeling that the duel would still go the same way if I were using my deck. Besides, you're doing great so far! I'm having fun!"

"R-Really?" She uttered, surprised by my honest opinion, to which I gave her a curt nod.

The Obelisk Blue lass flashed me an adorable smile in response.

"M-Me too! I'm having fun dueling, too!"

Maybe all girls did like compliments.

So, that means older girls like compliments about looking younger?

Hmm...

Maybe it wasn't just a silly old wives' tale.

As the thought crossed my mind, I realized the nuance in Mindy's strategy—parts of it reflected the style I was known for.

It was as if she'd taken pieces of my techniques and crafted them into her own approach.

"It would definitely been fun if I dueled against her with my actual deck," I muttered under my breath, thinking of the synergy and flow I was accustomed to.

The deck in my hands now felt like a borrowed shirt—comfortable, yet not quite the right fit.

I'm playing a complete beatdown deck since all the cards are all over the place...

Shaking off the distraction, I played my cards with conviction.

"I summon Mystical Tomato in attack!"

The crowd gasped as my Mystical Tomato (1400/1100) emerged, its eyes glowing menacingly.

His nightmarish features, such as having a demonic face and a tongue too big for his mouth, emphasized its creepiness.

Jeez, I wonder what this card is doing in this deck.

And honestly, I really don't like how it looks...

Other than that, I don't have a lot of monsters to even turn to if Tomato gets destroyed!

Without hesitation, I played the next piece of my improvised strategy.

Looks like I'm gonna have to go for a pure beatdown win.

I flicked my hand to reveal the set card I played, which was Call of the Haunted, causing the ethereal Marshmallon to rise from the graveyard.

The playset was complete with one more card.

"And here's one more! I equip United We Stand to my Tomato!"

The spell card glowed as it equipped itself to the Tomato, a bright yellow aura enveloping the freakishly large Tomato.

The astonished murmurs from the audience fueled my adrenaline.

I relished in their awe, knowing that this move would turn the tide of the duel.

"Mystical Tomato, take out that panda!"

With some ominous snickering, my powered-up monster hovered over the monster and squashed Gyaku-Gire Panda into oblivion.

(Kazuyuki 1700/ Mindy 2200)

I kind of expected the tomato to use some mystic powers...

And not just squash monsters.

Without missing a beat, I ordered Defender to strike.

"Go!"

The knight's blade gleamed as it made contact, further dwindling Mindy's life points.

(Kazuyuki 1700/ Mindy 600)

"You're next, Marshmallon!"

Lastly, Marshmallon bounced gleefully toward Mindy, its soft form contacting her and dealing the final blows.

Didn't that monster bite down on opponents?

Maybe it is taking into consideration that it's a girl and this is a friendly match.

(Kazuyuki 1700/ Mindy 300)

The dust settled, and I saw Mindy's life points drop, leaving her with a mere 300.

She looked dazed but determined.

Meeting my eyes, there was a fire in her gaze that told me she wasn't out of this duel just yet.

I eyed the cards in my hand and the situation on the field, calculating my next move.

"I set one card face-down and end my turn," I declared with a determined tone, inserting a card vertically into my Duel Disk.

"Ugh...! I don't think I can, but...!"

Mindy's eyes lit up as she drew her card, a newfound confidence emanating from her.

"I activate the Spell Card, Level Limit - Area B!"

As the card illuminated, a spark of orange electricity appeared on the field, shifting the atmosphere of the duel.

Its effect was immediately evident as Defender, the Magical Knight, shifted into a defensive posture.

Mindy had managed to halt my monsters in their tracks, and I knew this spell card had the potential to be a game-changer.

Without missing a beat, Mindy declared, "Now I summon Des Wombat in attack mode!"

The creature, resembling a ferocious marsupial with razor-sharp claws, leaped onto the field.

Eying Marshmallon with determination, Mindy commanded, "Des Wombat, attack Marshmallon!"

Anticipating the assault, I quickly retorted, "I activate my Trap Card, Doble Passe!"

A shimmering barrier surrounded Marshmallon.

I could feel Alexis' influence in the card, her signature strategy of bypassing defenses evident.

The trap allowed the attacking Des Wombat to bypass Marshmallon and strike me directly.

Still, Marshmallon wasn't left defenseless and prepared for its counter-attack.

"Thanks to Doble Passe, your Des Wombat can attack me directly, but Marshmallon gets a direct shot at you too!"

Mindy's eyes widened in realization as her Wombat's attack brought my life points down to a mere 100.

Almost simultaneously, Marshmallon's counter-strike hit her directly, its soft but relentless form sealing her fate and ending the duel.

(Kazuyuki 100/ Mindy 0)

(Kazuyuki wins.)

Catching her breath, Mindy's eyes shone with pride and maybe a hint of disbelief.

"I can't believe I got so close," she exclaimed, a smile tugging at her lips. "You really are something, Sora."

I chuckled and couldn't help but smile.

"You almost had me there. If this duel had gone on for one more turn, I wouldn't have had an answer to your Level Limit. You've come a long way, Mindy."

She gave a genuinely cheerful smile, taking my words to heart.

I hope she realizes that in dueling and in life, progress wasn't solely about the outcome but the journey that led there.

"Everyone," Zane called as he walked over to where I was. "For passing the tests, I believe Sora deserves to be in Obelisk Blue. Anyone who thinks otherwise, please speak up."

In an instant, his eyes leered over to the sore losers who were trying not to draw any attention to themselves.

"And so, we hereby declare you, Kazuyuki Sora, an honorary member of the Obelisk Blues."

The roar of the Obelisk Blues resounded around the dueling arena.

I could feel the palpable energy of acceptance, a stark contrast to the beginning of the evening.

As I soaked in the cheers, my gaze naturally settled on the silver-haired girl from earlier in the day.

Her violet eyes weren't on me anymore but instead directed heatedly at Alexis.

The raw intensity of her glare was enough to send shivers down anyone's spine, yet Alexis seemed blissfully ignorant, clapping and cheering for me with the rest of the crowd.

I wondered what had transpired between the two of them to cause such animosity.

Zane approached me with a triumphant smile.

"Congratulations, Sora. Welcome to Obelisk Blue."

With a nod, I began to unstrap the duel disk.

"Thanks, but I think I'm done with this for the night."

He held out his hand, stopping me.

"Actually, that's yours now. Both the disk and the deck. Consider them a reward for enduring the hazing."

I looked at the deck in my hand, reflecting on the evening's events.

"What with putting a bag over my head, then tying up my hands and legs? This whole initiation was a bit overdramatic, don't you think? And thanks to you, my sleep schedule is probably ruined."

Zane chuckled lightly and crossed his arms, seemingly pleased with what he had accomplished.

"Sorry about that. How about a friendly duel as compensation?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"With this mismatched deck against your Cyber Dragons? I think I'd rather get my beauty sleep. Speaking of which, where's my Obelisk Blue coat?"

He widened his eyes, feigning surprise.

"Do I look like a tailor to you?"

I shot back, matching his tone, "Why, looking for a career change? You'd make an excellent coat rack."

We both laughed, the tension from the duels melting away.

---

The soft morning light bathed my room in a warm, golden hue.

I felt snug and comfortable under the plush blankets, appreciating the fact that the bed in Obelisk Blue was significantly more comfortable than what I had at the Ra dorm.

With no alarms blaring and the knowledge that it was a Saturday, my mind was firmly on catching some more sleep.

A knock sounded on my door, a dull background noise as I was halfway between sleep and wakefulness.

Annoyed, I mumbled something unintelligible and turned over, clutching my pillow tighter.

My body still ached from yesterday's duels and the unexpected midnight jog.

I deserved this rest.

Just as I was drifting back into a deep slumber, I heard the doorknob start to rattle and wobble.

My first thought was maybe I hadn't locked it properly.

However, the fatigue weighed heavily on my eyelids, and the coziness of the bed persuaded me to dismiss the thought.

The soft creak of the door opening and the sound of footsteps didn't register in my sleep-addled brain.

I was jolted awake, however, by a sharp voice, its icy tone unmistakable.

"Wake up!"

My eyes snapped open to the familiar silver-haired girl, her face a few inches away from mine, radiating intense fury.

I rubbed my eyes, trying to clear the sleep out of my system.

Was I dreaming?

However, the cold fury in her eyes made it clear this was very much a reality.

"Wha-? How did you get in?!" I stammered, still disoriented.

She held up a hair clip that looked suspiciously like a lock pick.

A chill ran down my spine, and I sat up straighter.

"You picked my lock? With... that?"

The question was ignored.

"Why are you so friendly with Zane and Alexis?" she demanded.

"Uh... because they're nice?" I replied, rubbing my temples, trying to get my thoughts in order. "What kind of question is that?"

Her sudden appearance had caught me completely off guard.

"Wait, do Mindy and Jasmine count too?" I added with a cheeky grin, trying to lighten the mood.

She narrowed her eyes.

"No."

Sheesh, that's cold.

I let out a sigh, trying to figure out her endgame.

"Look, I don't know what your deal is with Zane or Alexis... or with me. But I don't have any hidden agendas or whatever you're thinking."

The intensity in her gaze lessened slightly, but the air was still thick with tension.

"You don't get it, do you?"

I sat up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, still trying to process the sudden intrusion.

She stood there, hands on her hips, glaring at me with a fire I couldn't comprehend.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to get a grip on the situation.

"Alright, before we continue this," I started, pushing my messy hair back, "Can I at least know your name?"

She hesitated, her stance softening slightly.

"Tch... fine. Hikari," she said curtly. "Hikari Fujimoto."

"Well, Fujimoto," I replied, not missing the proud way she held herself when stating her surname, "what's the deal with Zane and Alexis?"

Her piercing gaze locked onto mine. "Stay away from them," she warned. "You have no business being around them, especially after last night."

I felt a twinge of annoyance, my morning grogginess rapidly dissipating.

"Listen, Fujimoto," I started, narrowing my eyes, "I don't know what your issue is, but Zane and Alexis are my friends."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting this line of defense.

"Zane helped restore my faith in dueling," I continued, pushing myself to sit upright. "And Alexis smoothed things over between Jaden and me after I decided to quit dueling for a bit. They've done more for me in the short time I've known them than most people ever have."

Fujimoto sighed, her stern expression into one of exasperation.

She looked away, seemingly lost in thought.

"Things... things have changed so much more than they should have," she whispered, almost to herself.

Then she turned to me, her expression earnest.

"Why did you have to interfere with the timeline?"

I blinked, genuinely baffled.

"The what now?"

Her frustration was beginning to intensify.

"The timeline, idiot. You're not supposed to be here. Or if you were, then you're supposed to be some mob character, not like this. Every move you make, every interaction, it's changing things. This hazing ritual was supposed to be for Syrus! Not you!"

I shook my head, feeling utterly lost.

Mob character?

Syrus?

I don't think Syrus passed the advancement exams with flying colors.

I mean, I can say for sure he did better than usual.

"Fujimoto, I have no idea what you're talking about. I came to Duel Academy to duel, make friends, and learn. And maybe make my resume stand out a little more. That's it."

She looked at me, her eyes searching for any hint of deceit, but grimaced once she couldn't find what she was looking for.

Without another word, she left my room, leaving me to process the whirlwind of confusion she brought with her.

Whatever Fujimoto was talking about, it seemed way bigger than just personal grudges.

The word 'timeline' echoed in my mind, making me question what exactly I had unknowingly gotten myself into.

As she closed the door behind her, I sat there, trying to process what had just happened.

Her cryptic warning played on my mind, but the more immediate concern was how easily she had broken into my room.

Looks like I'll be investing in a better lock.

I got up, stretching my sore muscles.

The bizarre morning encounter with the silver-haired girl, whom I didn't even know by name, was just another addition to the ever-growing list of mysteries at Duel Academy.

But first, breakfast.

Maybe after taking a five-minute nap...

Unfortunately, reality is often disappointing.

I felt the presence of someone stomping into my room.

Blinking in confusion, I stared at Alexis, who looked a touch irked.

Her normally warm brown eyes were now pointed, clearly troubled by Fujimoto's unexpected visit.

I tried to read the expression on her face, but her emotions remained a maze I couldn't navigate.

"Seriously, Sora? Already making friends with girls who just waltz into your room?" she asked, her tone edged with sarcasm and something that resembled irritation. "What was she doing here, huh?"

Err...

What's her deal?

"She? You mean Fujimoto?" I gingerly asked.

Her lips curved into an annoyed frown.

"Yes, her! Who else do you think am I talking about?!"

I waved my hands to ease her.

"My bad, my bad. Look, I genuinely have no idea why she was here," I replied earnestly. "She just... barged in. You see that hair clip on that table?"

She walked over to the table and studied the hair clip in her hand with a frown.

"So she used this to pick your lock? That's... different. Hmph, just as I expected from her."

Whoa... what is that supposed to mean?

After a pause, she added, "You need to be more careful around her."

I nodded, my confusion still evident.

"I will, maybe, switch out the locks, but... what's the big deal? Why the sudden aggression over my interaction with Fujimoto?"

Her gaze flickered, and she looked like she wanted to say something but thought better of it.

Instead, she sighed heavily.

"It's just... never mind. It's complicated."

I tilted my head, pondering.

Girls are always a mystery to me.

There was a time, back at the orphanage when a particular girl with a beanie would get miffed every time she saw me talking to any other girl.

She'd act like nothing was wrong, but her purple eyes would flash in this strange mix of irritation and sadness.

Was Alexis exhibiting the same kind of behavior?

Was there something similar at play here?

Rubbing the back of my neck, I tried to sound as nonchalant as possible.

"Look, Alexis, I've always been straightforward with you, at least for the most part. If there's something on your mind, just tell me."

She hesitated, then shook her head.

"Just... be careful around her, okay? She's... she's not like the other girls here."

That only served to stoke my curiosity further.

"Come on, what did she even do to tick you off? Let me guess, she duels a little differently than the average joe?" I teased, crossing my arms in mock exasperation.

Alexis's cheeks flushed, and she looked at me, exasperated.

"That was a one-time thing, Sora. Really. Water under the bridge," she said, referencing her past urge to get me to duel with her.

I smirked slightly.

"Sure, sure. Because if there's one thing I know about you, Alexis Rhodes, it's that you don't care about dueling,"

She playfully punched my shoulder.

"Okay, Mr. Sarcastic. Sorry for pushing you to duel me. It's just... your dueling style back then brought up memories of a kid who dueled like you."

Someone like me...?

"But look, it's not just the dueling thing with Hikari."

I tilted my head, curious.

"Go on."

She took a deep breath.

"From the moment she came to the academy, she's been... odd. During the entrance exams, I tried being friendly. I sat next to her, and she instantly stood up and took a seat far from me. I thought maybe I'd imagined it, but then I invited her to a party with some friends, and she declined so rudely. She gave a nasty look and said she didn't want to be part of my 'posse'."

I grimaced at the amount of venom Fujimoto held.

"Ouch, that's harsh."

Alexis nodded, "And then there was that one duel between us. I tried my best, but she wiped the floor with me and just... left. No handshake, no talk, just walked away, didn't spare a second glance. It was so disrespectful. And it's not just about losing; it's how she did it."

She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. "And you know what? It's not even just the way she treats me. It's like she thinks just because she has a bigger chest, she can walk all over people. Ugh, what a bitch!"

I blinked, suddenly very uncomfortable.

"Err, Alexis..."

She waved a hand, "Oh, come on! You seen how big her chest is! Even though she doesn't bring it up, everyone knows how big they are! But big bust doesn't give her the right to be mean. I mean, it's not like it's a personality trait! Maybe she's so miserable because her back aches from carrying those around! Or maybe she just pads them!"

The conversation was rapidly going off the rails, reminding me of the time Nurse Emi went on a rant about her age and being single.

But this... this feels far worse!

I've never seen Alexis get so angry before!

I tried to find words, any words but was interrupted by Alexis's deep sigh.

She leaned back, looking a bit more relaxed, possibly from releasing the tension.

"Sorry, that just... it had to come out. I feel better now. I didn't mean to dump all that on you. Still, I think she pads her chest."

I nodded, taking a moment to process the rant I'd just heard.

"It's alright. Sometimes, you just need to let things out. And hey, it was... educational."

If Alexis is insistent that she pads her chest, then...

I guess that's educational.

Girls have a knack for that sort of thing, I guess.

It was hard not to think about how eerily similar this was to Emi's rant.

"But just remember, everyone's got their err... baggage. Maybe she's just... handling hers differently." I tried to reassure her.

Alexis gave me a grateful smile.

"Thanks for listening, Sora."

I gave her a weak thumbs up.

"Yeah... don't mention it," I replied as I tried to think of something to change the topic.

Hmm...

Ah, that's right!

There was something that I wanted to ask her when she brought up my dueling style.

"Uh, hey, Alexis. Do you mind if I ask you something?"

She motioned me to continue with my line of questioning.

"I think Zane mentioned that you dueled against someone who dueled like me as a kid, right? Could you tell me more about it?"

For a moment, a brief sense of amusement flashed on her face.

"Sure. Hehe, it's been a while since I had to dig that deep into my memories." She answered. "He dueled almost like you, using tricks, milled cards, and switching control of cards. He was basically the king of the playground. And since he was on a winning streak, I wanted to duel him. It looked like fun to duel against him. Or maybe it has to do with how I wanted to show my way of dueling was better. Or maybe it was because of something else. But then he said he doesn't like dueling against girls. So, I kept pestering him until he gave up. Long story short, he won in a way that went against my principles back then. Jeez, what a jerk."

Wait a minute...

I remember dueling against a girl who just really wanted to duel me.

At the time, I didn't want to duel girls because back then, they would cry if I took their favorite monster and morphed it with Metamorphosis.

But man, even though I said no so many times, she would not give up.

There was something that had been nagging at the back of my mind ever since Alexis mentioned my dueling style.

A memory stirred in me, taking me back years ago.

---

A sunny day in a park, the gleaming metal of a playground, and the distant laughter of other children.

There was this one girl, incredibly persistent.

She had approached me with a challenge, and I had initially declined.

"Hey, hey! I want to duel you! Let's duel!"

I remember telling her...

"I don't duel girls."

It wasn't out of malice or even a belief in gender roles.

It was because, back then, girls would get so attached to their monsters.

And with my Metamorphosis card, I had a knack for transforming their favorite creatures.

Or just sending their favorite monsters into the graveyard with my mill cards.

Maybe it was also because I thought there were girls dueled like Midori, who crushed any opponents as if they were paper mache with her legendary Darklords.

If Koyo can't beat her, then I'm obviously out of the question.

And who knows who I may find in the playground.

Either way, some cried, and some got really angry, but either way, I didn't want that drama.

But this girl, she was different.

She didn't cry.

She didn't shout either.

She just stood there, waiting.

When I moved to a different spot in the park, she followed.

If I sat down, she'd take a seat a few feet away, giving me a stare that could have rivaled a lion hunting its prey.

It wasn't creepy, just... incredibly determined.

It was like a duel was the most important thing in the world to her.

Hours seemed to pass, and I could feel my patience waning.

I had tried everything - distractions, changing spots, even trying to get lost in a crowd of kids.

But she always found me.

For a bit after that, she stopped asking for duels but instead opted for a different approach.

I remember our first actual interaction being anything but ordinary.

"Hey, can I watch you play?"

"Okay."

Alright, maybe that is ordinary.

But when she started following me around, that's when things got different.

This girl would follow me around after my duels and sometimes play with me.

I couldn't turn down a girl who wanted to play.

Not to mention how she would always be happy when I shared with her some of the candy that I would steal from Midori.

That being her beloved sakura mochi.

I always loved eating that candy because of the comfort it provided me while I was in the Hibiki household.

Comfort was something I always associated with warmth, love, and homeliness.

I figured that I could share it with someone who kept me company.

"Waaah! You have candy?! Can I have some? Can I have some?!"

Her brown eyes glowed with innocent delight over the candies that I would smuggle over.

I was always no match for them, so I shared it with her, leading to her giving me a thankful hug.

"Ehehe! Thank you! Thank you! You're the best!"

She would have this smile that I liked because of how cheery it was.

And seeing it meant that I was doing something right.

There were times when some kids would start to tease her too much, and I would step up.

I think this during the time when my fists were starting to lose their edge, so it wasn't any surprise that the local bullies would start their business up again.

And I would comfort her until she felt better.

Giving her some candy that I "borrowed" from Midori helped.

We never knew each other's names, but that was fine.

Things continued like this for a while until one day, she asked if she could duel me.

Like before, I would decline and move on, but that day, she was absolutely insistent that I duel her.

"I brought my deck! I want to duel you!"

Anytime I wanted to talk to her, she would bring up the duel.

"Come on, let's duel already!"

"Duel me!"

"Heyyyy... Duel meeee!"

My younger self wasn't as patient as I currently am, so I gave up.

"Fine! Fine!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in exasperation. "Let's just get this over with."

She looked saddened for a moment but then grinned triumphantly, setting up her hand.

"Yay!"

We were playing analog, so duel disks were out of the question.

The duel itself was a blur, but one moment stood out.

She had a monster out, one she was particularly proud of.

Using a control switch card and my Metamorphosis card, I transformed it into something that didn't even resemble her original monster.

Her face had been a mix of shock and anger, but she played on.

The game ended with my victory.

There wasn't much celebration.

She gave me a glare that I still remember to this day, turned on her heel, and left.

Now, as I listened to Alexis recount her own memory, the parallels were too evident to ignore.

Could it be?

Was that determined little girl Alexis?

No way.

It couldn't be.

The world was too big for such a coincidence.

Plus, I never knew her name, and she never knew mine.

But the similarities, the nuances of the story, they were uncanny.

I shook my head, banishing the thought.

Yet, as I walked away from that duel, the memory of that duel and that fiercely determined girl lingered with me.

---

The soft glow of early morning sunlight filtered through the windows of the room, casting a serene atmosphere.

Yet, with every word Alexis uttered, that calm was replaced by a storm of emotions.

"Now that I realize it... I loved watching him," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes distant. "There was just something about him... the way he played, the way he smiled, the way he would share his candy with me. Now that I realize it, maybe it's not the way he dueled that angered me..."

She looked through the window with a smile that I could see a long time ago.

"He was lonely before. Everyone was so afraid to go near him because of how he would lash out at others. He would play by himself and not cause trouble for anyone. That boy looked so sad, and I wanted to help him, but I never had the courage. And then, all of a sudden, he was the happiest boy in the world. He started dueling everyone in the playground and teaching them new strategies. He was... cool. And he was also really kind, always so nice and thoughtful to everyone around him."

That... sounds a lot like what I did as a kid.

Back when I started playing Duel Monsters, the playground kids would just use the biggest beat stick they could summon and win by brute force.

They had no idea that Spells and Traps existed...

"I was just a kid when I got to see him be so happy. I think I might've had a crush on him. No, I definitely did. And the funny thing is that I didn't even know his name, but just being around him made me happy."

I listened, hardly daring to breathe, each word making the weight in my chest heavier.

My mind raced, trying to recall that day, trying to fit the pieces together.

"I actually didn't want to duel him, but I wanted to be his friend. But I wasn't brave enough to say that. I thought maybe I could confess to him after we dueled. So, when we did duel and when he used Metamorphosis on my favorite monster... It wasn't just about the game anymore," she continued. "I felt like he betrayed me. It sounds silly now, but back then, it was like my world collapsed. He pretty much ended the duel and our relationship with that card. I thought if he liked me back, then he wouldn't use that card..."

A silence stretched between us.

But I did...

The moment was poignant.

I could visualize a younger Alexis, her tears glistening under the setting sun, crying her heart out, feeling the weight of both a lost duel and a lost connection.

"My brother tried to cheer me up," she went on, "Zane and Atticus, they were there. They took me home, got me ice cream, and tried to make me laugh. But nothing worked. I remember going to bed that night, hugging my favorite stuffed toy, wishing that duel never happened."

It was a lot to take in.

I felt guilt, nostalgia, confusion, and a myriad of other emotions.

This wasn't just a casual recollection.

It was a memory that had shaped her childhood, a moment that left a lasting impact.

"Alexis..." I started, struggling to find the right words.

A part of me wanted to tell her that the kid she remembered was standing right in front of her.

Another part felt it was better left in the past.

She smiled a small, sad smile.

"It's okay, Sora. It's all in the past now. But I've always wondered... What if we met again? Would I recognize him? Would he remember the girl who cried over a duel?"

...

At this point, I had enough of her somber reminiscing and wanted to get her head out of it.

She's like this because of me when I was younger.

Ugh, why didn't I have the emotional intelligence to see her feelings?!

"Look, Alexis. I think I might have been the boy you dueled against." I stated.

But as expected, she didn't buy it.

"It can't be. It would be too much of a coincidence if you were my first love anyway."

Wait... first love?!

For a moment, my mind blared warnings that pretty much translated that it would be best not to push.

No, I can't back away now!

If I keep putting this off, then I won't ever get back to it!

I put my hands on her shoulder and leaned in.

Her eyes widened, and her cheeks started to flush from the distance we were sharing.

"Listen," I whispered. "I am that kid, Alexis. I remember using Metamorphosis on your card. That card was Princess of Tsurugi, wasn't it? You loved that card. I remember turning it into some generic fusion monster."

Once she processed what I had said, her lips parted in a shocked gasp.

Her eyes shook from the revelation I offered her.

She slowly lowered her head, which made it difficult to ascertain how she was feeling.

I pulled my hands off of her shoulders and gave her some time.

A couple of seconds passed, half a minute, then a full minute, and she didn't seem to wake up from her stupor.

"Uh... Alexis? You there?" I called.

No response.

Instead, she began to tremble, which began to worry me.

"Hey... are you feeling alr-?"

"YOU!" She boomed, cutting me off, raising her head to reveal a searing glare, reddened face, and gritted teeth.

She raised her hand.

"JERK!"

*SMACK*

The stinging sensation spread across my cheek, and the echoes of Alexis's slap still rang in my ears.

I blinked in surprise, trying to process the events that had just unfolded.

A flurry of emotions raged within me - shock, pain, confusion.

Alexis's piercing glare was unyielding and filled with hot energy, nothing like icy glares from a few months ago.

"You have no idea how much that day hurt me!" she growled. "And now I find out it was you? After all these years? After everything we've been through? Do you have any idea how much I cried because of you? Now I know you're this... that boy who I liked so much, maybe even more than just that, and then you just shattered everything with that stupid card. Ugh!"

I could feel the weight of our shared history between us, a tangled web of feelings and memories.

"Uh... so, is that your way of dealing with our past?" I managed to say, pressing my hand against the reddening, still stinging mark on my face. "It kind of hurts. A lot."

But before I could find the right words, Alexis spoke again, her voice shaky,

"I'm glad it hurts! That slap... was for the younger me, the girl whose heart you stole and then broke. That's for playing Metamorphosis and not taking my feelings seriously. And this..." She took a step closer, her eyes searching mine, "Is compensation for the present me."

She closed her eyes and leaned in.

I felt a soft, warm sensation wash over my cheek.

For a moment, my heart was jolted awake from what was going on.

Not to mention, I could smell the shampoo and flowery scent of her dark blond hair.

She then pulled away and placed her fingers on her lips, seemingly embarrassed by what she had just done.

What...

Just happened?

I turned to ask her what in the world she just did, to which she frowned.

"Hey, don't get any ideas, you jerk." she huffed, her defensive walls rising again and cutting me off. "I don't have any feelings for you anymore. That was just... closure."

The weight of our shared past, of that one fateful duel, weighed heavily on me.

"I never knew how much that duel affected you. If I had, maybe things would have turned out differently. I probably wouldn't have that card either." I muttered, still frazzled from the kiss.

Her scarlet face, her eyes ablaze, was inches from mine.

I raised my hands defensively, trying to calm the storm brewing between us.

"Look, Alexis, I never meant to hurt you. Back then, it was just a game to me. I never realized the impact it could have. I'm sorry."

My explanation seemed to pacify her, even if just a little.

But before I could continue, she cut in, her voice slightly quivering, "You remembered Princess of Tsurugi... How did you know it was my favorite?"

I sighed, feeling the weight of the moment.

"Because I remember a young girl, so persistent and so passionate about dueling. Even though I found her annoying back then, I couldn't help but admire her spirit. I remember her barely holding back the tears when I transformed her beloved Princess. And I remember when she took her card back and ran away. It's a memory that's stayed with me."

The intensity in Alexis's eyes softened, replaced by a hint of tears.

But before any words could be exchanged, she raised her hand again.

I instinctively braced myself, but instead of another slap, her fingers gently traced the reddening mark on my cheek.

"If only you saw how much I liked you..." she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Pulling away, she straightened herself, trying to regain her usual composed demeanor.

"And just so we're clear, I have zero feelings for you now, Sora. Absolutely zero."

I nodded, even though I wasn't entirely convinced by her statement.

Yeah...

After what I did to her, it makes sense she doesn't want anything to do with me romantically.

"I... understand."

The turbulent sea of emotions between us was too deep, too vast to be simply brushed aside.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady the swirl of emotions that her story had stirred within me.

The weight of her words pressed on me, the realization that I had inadvertently played such a significant role in her past — a role I wasn't proud of.

"I... I really am sorry, Alexis," I began hesitatingly. "If there's anything I can do to make it up to you, please let me know. I might not be an expert in love or relationships, but I genuinely want to try and amend the pain I caused you back then."

I put my hand over hers to show how sincere I was.

"Anything you want, I'll do it. I promise."

It's the least I can do, too.

There is really no way to help pay her back for the damage I caused, but if I put her at ease, then I will do it.

Her eyes, which had been a storm of emotions a moment ago, suddenly twinkled mischievously.

A sly grin crept onto her face, one I wasn't familiar with.

Or rather I haven't been too familiar with it recently.

"Anything, Sora?" she asked, a teasing edge to her voice.

Uh...?

Why am I getting a bad feeling about this?

Her grin widened as she saw my hesitance.

Swallowing, I nodded, a nervous knot forming in my stomach.

"Yes, anything."

Maybe it was naive of me, but my sincerity in wanting to make things right had emboldened me.

She leaned in, her grin never fading, eyes glinting with mischief.

She pressed her hand on my mattress and leaned in further, moving next to my ear.

I soon realized that I was now prey to a predator.

"So, I can ask for anything I want?" She whispered, her words and breath tickling my ear. "And you'll... do it?"

My instincts screamed at me that I was wading into dangerous territory.

Why did I have to say anything?

Why couldn't I have just stuck to apologizing?

"U-Umm... yes," I stammered, feeling a growing unease, "B-But it has to be within reason!"

She chuckled, clearly enjoying the control she suddenly had over the situation.

"Oh... Sora, this could be fun." She panted as I heard her licking her lips. "So... very fun."

I gulped, realizing I might've just painted myself into a corner.

Trying to salvage my dignity, I added, "Just... you know, nothing too... wild?"

I attempted a smile, though it probably looked more like a grimace.

"Just kidding."

...

Huh?

Alexis laughed heartily.

"Relax! I won't make you do anything too crazy. But I'll think of something, and when I do, be ready."

Her playful demeanor did little to alleviate my nervousness, but deep down, I felt maybe this was a chance for us to truly reconcile and move past the shadows of our shared history.

I just hoped her idea of "fun" and mine weren't too far apart.

As her giggles filled the room, my cheeks reddened further.

There was something about Alexis's laughter, especially when it was directed at my expense that made me feel exposed and vulnerable.

It wasn't a feeling I was used to, especially not in the realm of dueling.

But at the same time, it was nostalgic, as it seemed her laughter from when she was younger hadn't changed a bit.

"Come on," she said playfully, her eyes shimmering with mischief. "Every guy your age has some sort of... stash where this sort of thing happens. This was pretty much the perfect setup, don't you think?"

"Stash?" I echoed, genuinely clueless.

What was she on about?

Not waiting for an answer, she dived under my bed, rummaging around.

"Oh, come on. Where's the stash, Sora? Under here?" she teased. "Atticus thought this was the best place to hide his stuff until Mom found it."

Something to hide...

Ah!

It dawned on me what she was looking for, and I felt the blood rush to my cheeks, even hotter than before.

"Wait! I don't... I've never owned books like that!" I stammered, the words tumbling out in haste.

She straightened up, her eyebrows raised in genuine surprise.

"Really? Nothing? At your age? I find that hard to believe."

A mischievous grin tugged at the corner of her lips, betraying the fact that she was struggling to hold back laughter.

"I've had other things on my mind," I protested weakly, feeling more vulnerable than ever. "Between part-time jobs, school, and studying, when would I have had the time to... you know?"

Back in middle school, my friends would talk about the newest books of these sorts of things.

I would be lying if I really wanted to buy a book or two, but finances were pretty tight.

Besides, I always bought something else to make up for it.

Her playful look softened for a moment.

"Hmm, didn't take you to be that innocent..." she said, shaking her head with a smile.

Trying to turn the tables on her, I tightened my gaze, "Look, any normal teenager would think about those things. I am no different. Besides, how do you even know about these stashes? Got one of your own?"

She looked momentarily flustered, her rosy cheeks deepening a shade, but she quickly composed herself.

"T-That's none of your business! Besides, girls don't read those sorts of things." She countered suspiciously.

Right...

She regained her bravado and cleared her throat.

"L-Look, since you don't have any, would you like to go shopping for some of those books with me?" she retorted with a cheeky grin.

Wait... shopping for naughty books with a girl?!

I covered my face with my hands, completely mortified.

Nope!

No way!

Not happening!

The mere suggestion was enough to send my head spinning.

She laughed even louder, clearly reveling in my embarrassment.

"Hehe! I'm just teasing you, Sora." she giggled, taking a moment to catch her breath. "Or... am I?"

Peeking through my fingers, I saw her trying to hold back another bout of laughter.

"You're too much," I muttered, shaking my head but unable to suppress a smile of my own. "You win..."

Even in my discomfort, I had to admit, Alexis now had a unique way of making things lively.

I can only wonder how far her reawakened side will change our interactions.

---

As Alexis's footsteps echoed away from my room, the finality of her parting words still hung in the air, teasingly playful, "Wonder how Zane or Mindy would react..."

I groaned, rolling my eyes. "You better not tell them anything," I had retorted, half-jokingly threatening to expose her own secrets.

I wondered if she'd actually share this tidbit with them or if it was just her newfound mischievous side talking.

Stretching out on my bed, I couldn't help but notice the marked difference in Alexis's behavior.

The mischievous spark in her eyes, that light teasing tone; it was as if the spirited child from our past had resurfaced.

The girl who had been so persistent, so eager to prove herself in a duel, simply because she enjoyed my company and, perhaps, the thrill of the challenge.

My younger self had been less tolerant, easily irked by her relentless pursuit, but now, with age and hindsight, I could see it for what it truly was – a young girl's innocent affection.

It was the same way kids with crushes would try to get the other's attention.

Letting out a long sigh, I sank deeper into my pillow.

It's strange how life's twists can make you revisit the past in a new light.

I never realized that in her young heart, I had been her first love.

A tinge of guilt washed over me, remembering the way I had crushed that affection, even if inadvertently.

Yet, this morning's revelation seemed to have worked in our favor.

Our relationship felt redefined, with a sense of camaraderie that I cherished.

If anything, the playful banter and the light teasing all hinted at a bond that was only growing stronger.

The sense of regret for the past was replaced by warmth and hope for the future.

It was comforting to see Alexis letting down her guard and being her younger self around me.

A soft morning light streamed in through the window, casting a golden hue over my room.

It held the promise of a new day, new beginnings, and endless possibilities.

Perhaps, in this new chapter, Alexis and I could forge memories that were free of past regrets and full of genuine camaraderie.

The thought brought a contented smile to my face as I drifted into a light nap, the morning's events replaying in my mind, punctuated by Alexis's joyous laughter and teasing remarks.

---

AN: That's all for this chapter. I wanted to include a little more, but I figured that it should be saved for the next one. The next chapter will change accordingly depending on the reception of this chapter.

To XenoLucifer, I agree so I changed the chapter accordingly and decided to give him more of a spine. Thanks for pointing that out! I really appreciate the criticism, I had no idea!