Chapter 8 – Burning Cerulean Spirit! An Apprentice Offer?
Bold words: Name Introductions; Card names; Monster Stats; 'Special Attacks'; Player(s) Life Points.
. (A) / (FM): Anime / Fan-Made - Cards used in the Anime/Manga; Cards created by the author.
. Italic: Non-English words; Epilogue and Prologue.
. " " - Normal Talk
. ' ' - Thoughts; Summon Chants
Special Thanks: Zeon Paralysis Crystal (Story Proof-Read)
– PROLOGUE –
Syrus Flashback: Seven Years Ago
"Are you guys ready for what's coming?", Masao asked.
Syrus was sitting at a desk with four more kids; Alex, Colin, Johnathan, and his friend, Masao. It was lunchtime, and they were finished with their meals; and what other better way to pass the time, than a little chat about card crushes?
Emily, Freya, and Mariah; Three girls not too far away were staring at the conversation with unimpressed looks as if seeing boys comparing card crushes would seem a bit inappropriate in a place like… a classroom.
"How shameless, at least do it somewhere else"
"Hmph… Dorks will be dorks…"
"So weird seeing it on the other side of the fence"
Ignoring the comments from the girls in their class, the boys pulled out their decks and placed them on the table.
"Ready?", Alex asked, pulling the card from his deck.
"Set!", Colin answered, as he raised it to the air.
"DRAW!", Johnathan oddly placed two Monster Cards on the table, unlike his friends did.
… All except Syrus had a card to show off.
"Here's my card crush! A level 6 Fusion, it has 2100 Attack Points… Mystical Sand!", Alex declared, revealing his Fusion Monster.
"And this is mine; A level 4 Normal Monster, her Attack Points are 1800 ATK! Dunames Dark Witch!", Colin showed his card on the table.
"I just can't choose; A Level 6 Ritual Monster! With 1950 Attack Points! Performance of Sword! The other one, with an attack power to rival the legendary Dark Magician; Saffira, Queen of Dragons!", Johnathan excitedly says in glee. "They're soooooo cool looking! What about you two; Masao, Syrus?"
Masao smiled while revealing his monster card.
"Why of course, my crush is my partner, Wingweaver!", he says while he shows off his High-Level Monster, the other boys were impressed by his choice.
"A Level 7 monster card!"
"A Fairy-Type monster with good looks. Lucky you…"
"And she also has 2750 Attack Points; Wow! Comparing Levels, she's stronger than the Dark Magician!"
Masao laughed at those comments, not expecting a lot of compliments from his friends.
"And what about you, Syrus? Don't you have any card crush on your deck?", he turned around to ask the blue-haired boy.
"… I 'forgot' it in my room. Sorry…", he answered with a nervous look on his face silently pleading to the others to not push the subject further.
"What? But we promised today to show our card crushes.", Alex said, Colin adding.
"It's only for fun here. And it's only fair to ask about our card crushes when we agreed…"
"Not telling us your card crush will make us wonder what do you really like, Syrus. And it feels like you're taking advantage of our tastes…", Johnathan with a face puffed up in rising embarrassment talked like he thought Syrus was about to mock them.
"You're just being worrywarts…", Masao says interfering with that line of thought. "Syrus isn't the type of guy to mock others for their feelings. Right?"
Syrus, still too nervous to answer, just nodded. Masao walked up to him, asking again but more politely.
"Say… even though you forgot the card, would you mind telling us what card you did have a crush on?"
"…", Syrus was silent for a few moments, looking at the fellow students in embarrassment. "D-Dark Magician Girl."
The answer was to be excepted, but the real shock came to the person saying it; After all his deck was more the Technological side of things. But not too surprising due to the Dark Magician Girl's popularity.
Even Masao, Syrus' closest friend, didn't expect that kind of answer…
The trio in the back of the room started laughing after Syrus' confession, while the boy stood frustrated and embarrassed on the spot. If it wasn't for Masao standing next to him worried, he would've run out of the class at that moment. But as they calmed down a bit the laughter was more benevolent yet teasing.
"Shooting a little high there, aren't ya!?"
"I can't blame you… but the Dark Magician Girl is a little overrated for me."
"Next you'll tell me your favorite show is Raiding Stars!"
Those comments made Syrus look down in shame for even bringing up his card crush to their 'for fun' time.
"I don't know why you boys are laughing!", Emily confessed from the afar group; Syrus turned around to see her staring angrily at the three boys mocking him, hands on her hips.
"Dark Magician Girl is a good card to like. She's cute; I could see it working for Syrus."
Freya and Mariah, who were first uninterested in the boys' conversation, started approaching Syrus after making known his affection for the card crush.
"You like Dark Magician Girl too? She's so cool!"
"Please tell us, Syrus; what do you like about her? I'm curious."
Looking at the two curious girls made the shy blue-haired boy tremble nervously.
"U-uh, I like her shiny blonde hair. Her sparkling green eyes and the pink marks on her cheeks make her look… very pretty. Her serene smile brightens up any bad day I have. And, her hat and clothes fit her too well; She just seems so confident and unafraid, despite how silly she looks. I just think the way she's dressed in blue; makes her feel 'special' to me, because of my blue hair. And…"
The way Syrus kept describing the famous Monster Card had gotten the standing girl with a proud smile, while Freya and Mariah had a slight blush on their cheeks. He noticed it; Covering his reddened face, and looked shyly to the other side.
"I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! It just spilled out. Please don't look at me…"
However, the girls had differing opinions about his thoughts on the Crush Card.
"Hmph, see? It's nothing too much to get mocked about!", Emily said to the trio of boys; Freya and Mariah smiling at the shy boy.
"It's at least not completely shameless."
"Makes her seem like an angel~."
Masao chuckled while patting Syrus' back as if trying to perk up Syrus' spirits.
"It wasn't that hard to admit why you have a crush on Dark Magician Girl, was it?"
"It's embarrassing because they're right, Masao. She belongs to the King of Games, I cannot have her in my deck. A little frustrating…"
"Take your time, my friend.", Masao consoled him. "You might not have it today, neither tomorrow… but keep believing that one day, you'll get a surprise of having her in your deck."
"Do, do you think so?"
"Probably not; But it's like they told you, Syrus. Depends on how you live your life. You are who you are.…"
Syrus finally smiled at his childhood friend.
"Thank you, Masao."
"Why, you're welcome!"
Location: Slifer Red Dorm; Time: 10 am
"Ugh… Ouch!", Syrus rubbed his hand over his face, the feeling of being tossed by Jaden through a weird portal wasn't a pleasant one.
It felt so weird to him, how he was able to feel his body become lighter; as if he was weightless for an instant, remembering how he and Jaden were running away from students who wanted to hurt him.
He opened his eyes to look around and get his bearings, getting up from the floor he was lying down on.
"Is this my room? Why, and how did I get sent here?"
A female voice started giggling, making the Slifer Red boy turn his face. His eyes widened in surprise, his cheeks becoming redder with surprise; it was hard to believe his eyes but, Syrus could see the famous Magical Girl sitting on the top bunk of the bed.
"How are you feeling, pumpkin?"
A moment of silence stood between the two, the sorceress waiting for Syrus' answer.
"… Okay then? This is my room, right?", Syrus nervously looked around one more time, and by the look of his and his roommate baggage's lying on the ground. It was confirmed, he was in his room.
The real anomaly was standing in front of him…
"Did Jaden invite a cosplayer to our room by mistake? Because you look like the Dark Magician Girl; Is this a special day for him, and I wasn't aware of it?"
Speaking of which, the door opened; and Jaden walked inside with his dark friend next to him.
"All clear. Nobody is that suspicious of our escape route back from the hall.", he said confidently, and then he watched Syrus fully awaken but very bewildered at the situation.
"Big Bro… what is going on? Why am I seeing someone dressed as Dark Magician Girl in Chumley's bed?"
Jaden smiled at him, walking close to him…
"You're not being fooled here, Sy. She isn't a DuelyFans celebrity or influencer. Dee is the real deal here."
"Eh? Dee?! Is that her… name?", Syrus looked back at her once again.
"You don't believe it yet, sweetie?", the sorceress raised her hand to cast a spell, and with a flash of pink her wand was teleported to her grip in an instant. "What about now~?"
He stared in awe for a few moments; his next reaction was to step back to get his back facing the wall. Letting out a small laugh, his mind concluded.
"Then I must be dreaming. If I pinch my cheek and doesn't hurt, that means I get to wake up for real…"
"This is problematic, my Prince~. It seems our sweet child doesn't believe in us yet.", another female voice sounded playfully hurt by the denial, this time coming from behind Jaden. Syrus was able to see her, the demonic woman with giant bat wings, heterochromatic amber, and cyan eyes, and the red draconic eye in the middle.
"Would you blame him, Yubel? He just met the two of you in the first two he woke up. I would be shocked the same way you would be, right?"
It was real. All this, before Syrus could pinch himself. It would wake him up since he finally remembered.
That last night's dream; he could swear he saw her draconic eye there, talking to him. Not only that but the spirits… who asked if he wanted a new power were...
"It was you; Yubel, right?", Syrus asked the demoness. "Were you the one who gave me… this, right? The way I get to see and talk to you, Spirits?"
Yubel smirked at his answer, so she decided to play with Syrus' expectations a bit.
"… Unfortunately, you're wrong.", she says with a playfully dark smirk, as she approaches him with her sharp claws. "I'm a demonic spirit that consumes the souls of innocent boys like you!"
Dee shot a deadpan look in Yubel's direction.
"Ok, Yubie. You can stop to not scare Syrus more than he is…"
But the Slifer Red wasn't scared of Yubel approaching him; Instead, he could tell. Although she was approaching in a way that could make him afraid, the golden aura billowing from her; Was gentle.
The same golden aura he saw in her fist during the entry duel…
"Oh fiiine; You're no fun, I'll stop playing around. More perceptive than my Prince…", Yubel shrugs with a playful look on her face.
"Your hand…", Syrus talked to her. "Could you close it into a fist, please?"
"Close my hand, you ask…", Yubel looked at her hand, showing it to him closed into a fist. "Like this?"
Syrus nodded and closed his hand into a fist too; gently punching Yubel's.
"'Nightmare Scorcher'…!", the kid declared. He then returned his hand with a shy look. "Uhm, did I say it right?"
"Nightmare… Scorcher?", the demoness pondered upon the name. With a sudden snap, a certain memory came to mind, making her chuckle a bit. She walked close to Syrus with an impish smile…
"Hmm~… What's the meaning of it, kid? Are you trying to mock me?"
"Ah, no… it's not what you're thinking. Right; remember that awesome battle you had, against Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem in Dr. Crowler's field?", Syrus could see her shadow covering his body in the room, making him panic a bit.
"Please, don't hurt me; I promise I won't talk about it again."
"Syrus Truesdale…", Yubel called him for his full name with a serious tone. She extended her arms around his face and body and pulled close to her body. "You… YOU'RE SOOOOOO ADORABLE~!"
"EEHHHHHHH?!", Syrus shouts in shock; feeling Yubel grip his body tightly, cuddling him as if he was a cute teddy bear. "Big Bro, what's going on?"
"Simple, Sy.", Jaden smiled with his crossed arms. "It seems that my best friend took a liking to ya, and I mean it the good way~."
"Yubel… likes me? B-But I don't know her; I just met her this weird dream, yesterday.", Syrus excused himself while seeing the demoness' sparkling eyes. "I hope it's not romantic, Big Bro. No offense to you… Yubel, but I'm not into Fiend-Types."
"You don't need to worry about that, cutie~.", Yubel rubbed his cheeks. "My heart and soul are already sworn to Jaden Yuki, so I can only look at you as a guest. A cute pet, if you wouldn't mind."
"P- Pet? P- Please don't. I want to be known as a duelist, not a duel mascot…", he said embarrassingly, while feeling Yubel's face now rubbing his cheek.
"I wonder, I wonder… you're just too cute~!"
Dee trembled while the exchange went on, her cheeks red from embarrassment and irritation. This wasn't a part of the plan…
'I was getting so excited to finally meet him, the boy yesterday who made me feel like a Great Moth made a home in my stomach; the one who Yubel kept teasing me over, who is currently hugging him like a Kuriboh. It was supposed to be me hugging him, not her. ME!'
"Are you feeling okay, Sis?", Jaden asked, resting on the bunked bed.
"… I'm fine, nothing to worry.", the sorceress says curtly as she turns her head embarrassed. "I just feel like they're having too much contact, while I can't do anything."
"Really? If you feel like it, why don't you ask Yubel to get your chance?"
"I… If I could, I would. But it just feels like Syrus still doesn't look at me as THE Dark Magician Girl. He's probably thinking that I'm just a model cosplaying as her."
"Are you sure about it?", Jaden asked her seriously. "Have you forgotten that Yubel formed the 'Neuro Link' contract with you two? Or did you forget that you're able to listen to Syrus' thoughts?"
That sentence came to make sense to her.
'But wouldn't that be an invasion of privacy? W… Well, it wouldn't hurt if I try a little, right?', the Magical Girl let her mind focus on Syrus' thoughts. Hearing what the embarrassed boy was thinking at the moment.
'This is not happening; I refuse to believe it. Although I'm getting hugged and pet by one of Jaden's closest friends… The Dark Magician Girl is real, and she's HERE in my room. She's HERE! B-But how? And why am I seeing her!?'
A very luminescent blush came to Dee's cheeks. So, she wasn't alone in this kind of yearning; Syrus also held feelings for her tightly as if he couldn't tell anyone.
Not even his closest friend, Jaden, or else, he would have suspicious thoughts of his roommate…
'I wished that she would be the one hugging me this tight when we met. To let me embrace this long-awaited love I've been having with her. But I'm afraid to tell her, or else she would think I'm a creepy guy who wants nothing else but her… Aw, Crap.'
Dee couldn't take it anymore…
She got off the bed and walked to the panicking boy and her handsy best friend.
"I'm sorry, Yubel. But I would kindly ask you to let me introduce myself to my Apprentice."
Yubel could tell by her look. Dee was frustrated for listening to Syrus' thoughts, as well as she did. But unlike the Magical Girl, Yubel was waiting for her friend to be true to her feelings…
"Serve yourselves, love birds~.", the demoness pushed Syrus to the other side, the boy controlling his stepping to fall over the Magical Girl's arms, hugging him tight. His face was stuck over her cleavage, Syrus getting utterly flushed and confused…
"Ah-Ah, D… Dee, wasn't it?", he asked her with teary eyes. "This feels awkward to me, you know? It feels like I can't look another way, but your… pretty face. Also, I should apologize. You thought I was doubting your existence, but I'm honestly surprised. And my heart is racing too much, I-"
"Shh… Calm down, Syrus. I'm right here~.", she said while patting Syrus' head. "You can relax now, let your heart breathe."
The boy could feel his blood pressure go back to normal. Getting his head fresher, as if hugging his crush was a new feeling for him.
'I'm in paradise. This is what feels like when I hug Dark Magician Girl, in real life.', Syrus felt himself getting drowsy as a sheepish grin came to him. "… Thank you, for this."
SNAP!
The sound had the shocked Dee turning around; Seeing Jaden and Yubel taking a picture of the couple, complete with mischievous grins.
"Dad is going to love this."
"My bestie tried to find gold; she found sapphire~."
Her cuddling time with Syrus turned into a mix of awkwardness and irritation.
"YOU TWO! Don't take pictures while I'm comforting my new apprentice, please."
"Whatever you say, Sis~.", Jaden says rolling his eyes playfully. "I may not listen too much to alchemy or chemistry lessons, but you two just had that 'charge'. A good one, if you catch my cold~."
"Don't let Syrus know how much you thought about him yesterday.", Yubel added. "Or else, you two might end up overindulging your 'studies' a bit tonight and who needs a sleepy sorceress and a sleepy student~."
"W- WE WON'T!"
…
Location: Obelisk Blue Dorm; Time: 10:30 am
A variety of rumors started to spread about the Blue Dorm. The main topic was now different from the one they talked about before; Zane Truesdale, the Kaiser (Emperor) of Duel Academy, 3rd year Obelisk Blue. He was the older brother of the young blue-haired Slifer Red boy, who was hanging out with their Obelisk Blue Queen, Alexis Rhodes.
This news escalated for the 1st year Obelisk Blue students; they were always aware that Slifer Red wouldn't be a threat to them when it came to lessons, ranking, or the duel challenge difficulty. At least not now…
Since Syrus was Zane's younger brother, and he was in Slifer Red… that meant trouble for them.
"Does this mean that we're at a disadvantage?"
"What if that kids' been learning a thing or two with the Kaiser? We may have given an honest effort here…"
"Not to mention this… but if Zane knows his younger brother and Alexis are a couple, he would defend it; heck, we're on the verge of a tiny Slifer Red becoming THE Obelisk King!"
That last comment made a good bit of the Obelisk Blue students grasp their fists with anger, while the minority were mixed to it; some laughed at the thought, some were excited, and others thought they were making mountains out of anthills. Especially some of those who earned their way here the hard way.
But before the topic could gain further discussion…
"NO WAY! WE WON'T ALLOW THIS!"
Footsteps could be heard from another room, and a tall senior walked in. He had a long scar on his right eye, and a small bush over his chin; his brown hair was long and messy. With a long nose, he always looked at every male student with a pessimistic look.
"Will you guys shut up with all those disturbing comments?", he asked. He was showing his muscular torso, only wearing his pants; he had his black shirt and the Obelisk Blue jacket on his arm.
"Ah, you've returned Gerald - Senpai!", Albert told him.
"I never left. I just returned from shower and breakfast, after doing my morning routine at the gym."
"Why, yes. You're indeed our 2nd-year Berserker student.", Ralph indicated with pride.
"I already told you, folks; I'm not a Berserker!", Gerald sighed. "I'm just bored of facing Slifers and Ra Yellow weaklings since yesterday."
Dennis sweat smiled at his comment.
"We had an idea of your second day here in the Academy, knowing how you were during middle school. That's why we came up with a proposition for you…"
"Tell me, that I'm all ears…"
Location: Obelisk Blue Girl's Dorm
Alexis, Jasmine, and Mindy were in Alexis' room after their refreshing morning walk; The three girls in the room were simply having some small talk.
"So… Alexis and a "lowly" Slifer having a nice breakfast together~? I can already hear the Blues howling", Jasmine teased, while tending to the blondie's hair.
"Syrus and I are friends, nothing else.", Alexis explains calmly, the mirror reflecting her face's irritation to her friend. "Nothing too formal or shocking, just two new friends having breakfast together, right?"
"Should we know?", Mindy asked with a coy look, doing a manicure on Alexis.
"You are the Queen Bee of Blue. You are very... intense around every boy that had approached with a confession, crushing their hearts with your heels. You're more married to dueling if anything. Didn't you want that Slifer boy to be your 50th rejection since yesterday?"
"Syrus is a different case. He didn't even approach me for romance yesterday, and I insulted his friend in front of his face the second time we met. That ship sailed and crashed into an iceberg, and I prefer to stay next to Syrus for another chat like we did this morning."
"But is Syrus usually alone?", Jasmine asked curiously. "As far as I remember, he spends almost all his time together with his roommate; Jaden Yuki, right? Why would you need his assistance, anyway?"
"… My older brother, Atticus.", Alexis concluded. "It seems that his brother and mine used to hang out together as best friends. Why not continue the trend, I guess."
"Wait, really?", Mindy finished her manicure, focusing on that topic. "You know who his brother is?"
Alexis gave a proud smirk.
"It's an open secret if you aren't looking?"
Location: Outside the Slifer Dorm; Time: 12 am
After Yubel and Dee explained the conditions for a duelist to hold a Spirit Monster as their partner, the two Slifers decided to walk towards the Main Academy building. After all, they were hungry from everything that happened since morning…
"Are you going to buy lunch today with Duel Points, or cash?", Jaden asked curiously.
"Good question, Big Bro. I didn't take a look at my PDA since yesterday night…"
Syrus turned on his device, the screen showing him the missions he accomplished and the currency he currently had.
('Duel against an Obelisk Blue duelist' = +25 DP;
Play a total of Spell Cards (3 / 30);
Play a total of Trap Cards (3 / 30);
Normal Summon (2 / 35) Monster Cards;
Duel ends in a Draw = +50 DP)
(S = 175 – 250 DP)
"250 Duel Points. Well, that's a nice start; right, Big Bro?"
"Why don't check this out?", Jaden smirked, showing off his DP Score on his PDA.
('Duel against an Obelisk Blue duelist' = +25 DP;
Play a total of Spell Cards (7 / 30);
Play a total of Trap Cards (6 / 30);
Normal Summon (5 / 35) Monster Cards;
Winning a Duel (Obelisk Blue) = +100 DP;
Winning within 5 turns = +25 DP)
(J = 200 – 350 DP)
"350 Duel Points! You won a duel against an Obelisk Blue yesterday; And within 5 turns?!", Syrus looked admired at his results. "Are you seriously learning here in the Academy, Big Bro? It just doesn't look like it."
Jaden felt flattered by his comments.
"Don't sweat it.", he shrugs scratching his back with a sheepish look on his face. "Let's just say that duel wasn't a proper one in my books."
Yubel and Dee were looking at the two boys talking, feeling like they should join in to console the little guy.
"Winning in 5 turns, against an Obelisk Blue, one of Alexis' friends by the way, wasn't proper enough for you. How high are your standards?"
Jaden shrugged.
"Well… I just wanted to have fun, and this girl called Mindy had the wrong deck. And… Syrus?", Jaden saw him in a flash and had his back turned towards him, feeling a little down in the dumps while holding his knees with his arms in response to Jaden's sentence.
"Big Bro is lucky, having an easy duel with an Obelisk Blue with a handicap. While I had to Duel a Broadway Performer with knives"
Yubel gave Jaden a deadpan stare, while the Magical Girl walked closer to her apprentice to support him.
"You need to read the room, my Prince." The demoness facepalmed wanting to smack Jaden right now. "Didn't you say two days ago that you were both still learning?"
"Geez, it's not my fault that our opponent wasn't at her fullest. If she had her real deck, I think our duel would take all night…"
"Syrus is still scared of the Blues, Jaden.", she explains calmly. "Or did you forget how he answered Alexis's question about being worthy of the garb? Your answer about defeating them easily; it's like telling him that he should do the same, which might be a mistake later on if he overextends himself."
"I get it… It was my bad, I didn't mean to go that way." Jaden scratched his head listening to Yubel's words. The demoness sighed…
"Don't worry now. Dee has finished consoling him.", she looked at the other Slifer boy, walking towards them with a shy smile. "Feeling better, Syrus?"
He scratched his back with a nervous laugh.
"I'm fine. This was just me thinking that I MUST try harder next time. Yeah, I believe it! Even I can also do the same thing as you did, Big Bro. New Day, New Me!"
"Good to know, Sy. How about this? I'll treat you to lunch today, what do you say?"
"If you don't mind it, be my guest."
Location: Duel Academy Main School; Time: 12:30 am
Walking inside the building, the two Slifers were staring at a crowd of Obelisk Blue students covering the main building, which made Jaden and Syrus get confused about what was happening.
"Did we miss something?", Jaden asked curiously.
"Why do I have to be this small to look at what's happening in the middle?", the blue-haired boy asked, trying to jump over the backs of the other students.
"Want a piggyback ride?", Jaden asked while offering his back to Syrus, while receiving an embarrassed look from him. "I won't judge you by your height, gotcha?"
"… If you don't mind, then.", Syrus hugged Jaden's neck, while his taller Slifer got up to carry him. "Am I heavy, Big Bro?"
"Light as a feather; you need to eat more meat. I'm getting worried about your health, bro."
"Right… let's go then.", Syrus looked over, checking out the ringleader of this gathering the face of an Obelisk Blue student with a scar on his face in the middle. "That student, he looks so familiar. I think I know him."
"You do?", Jaden asked. "What kind of ruckus is he causing over there?"
"I'm getting to that… if I get to avoid these guys.", Syrus focused his sights on the other side of the crowd. His eyes couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Big Brother?"
"Hmm? Did you call me?"
"No… no, not you. That's Zane, my biological Big Brother; the target of whatever this is. Please, Jaden; could you put me down, I need to help."
After doing what his friend asked, Jaden saw Syrus passing through the wall of students to get to the middle.
"Syrus had a Big Brother here in this Academy?", Jaden asked the two Spirits.
"How should we know? He never mentioned it…", Yubel shrugged, while Dee had a thoughtful look aimed at the situation on her face.
"Another brother? We gotta meet him too!"
The three agreed with each other and passed through the barrier.
(Somewhere close)
"IMPOSTOR!"
"OBELISK TRAITOR!"
"OBELISK BLUE, NO MORE!"
Those were some of the examples of the thing students were shouting at the teal-haired 3rd-year teenager who had his arms crossed; merely annoyed at the situation he found himself thanks to a familiar nuisance.
"This is getting ridiculous…", Zane thought while looking everywhere, and to the one standing in front of him.
The 2nd-year student Gerald was raising his arms to his admirers, who respected his way of thinking. Unlike some of the Obelisk Blue students, Gerald wasn't scared of Zane's threatening aura.
"Lay your eyes, everyone. What you see in front of you, is nothing more than a student who's devoted to looking after someone inferior to us, the highest rank of the school. Obelisk Blue is, and always will be, the most recognized dorm in terms of strength and ambition!"
"THAT'S RIGHT!"
"TAKE THE KAISER DOWN!", some of the 1st-year blue students shouted to the smirking 2nd-year student.
"You came too late to the party, Zane Truesdale. I've heard from the freshmen students, that your brother was abducted by a Slifer Red; all when they wanted to greet your brother after what he's done during that morning. Why didn't you come to that Slifer's place? Are we the ones supposed to be afraid of you, or are YOU afraid of us?"
"GERALD IS RIGHT! ZANE AIN'T SCARY AFTER ALL!"
"HE'S NOTHING MORE THAN AN IMPOSTOR!"
Gerald was on a high with all the admiration he had gained from his little speech. His determination was boosted to the point of feeling like he could take Zane down with just Public Opinion let alone a duel.
"And this comes with an important question. How come you're the Kaiser of the Academy if your little brother is nothing more than a weakling from Slifer Red? Aren't you ashamed of having your brother, who will always be a footnote, always dependent on someone else for protection?"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
All chattering, hollering, and shouting stopped for a moment that felt like an hour had passed. A part of the crowd had parted to reveal a small but very furious Slifer Red; to both Zane and Gerald's surprise, the former's amusement and the latter's irritation, Syrus walked to the middle of the two older students with little to no fear, adrenaline running high.
His determined glare targeted the 2nd-year student.
"I don't know what made you convince this crowd to talk trash about me, and honestly, I couldn't care less. But if you plan to insult my Big Brother when I'm not around… I'm afraid we'll have a problem on our hands!"
He then felt a hand caressing his shoulder, coming from his approaching older brother.
"It's fine, Syrus.", Zane answers calmly. "His words mean nothing since the new guys don't know this fact. Should I turn this around, Gerald Norman? That every time you've challenged me to a duel, whether during Middle School or here in the Academy… you've proven yourself to be nothing more but a wild beast in a well-dressed suit with a lot of hot air? Time after time, you proved yourself lacking with me."
"You're kidding?", Syrus looks at his smiling brother and then the 2nd year's darkening face in curiosity and surprise.
A good portion of the angry blue student's groupies gasped at the little tidbit and whispers spread about, doubts of Gerald's strength echoing throughout the room. After all, wasn't HE brave enough to not only withstand Zane's calm but overwhelming aura but also call him out in the open making a scene like this?
"Y- You're lying, Truesdale! Not only did you scare the freshmen… by protecting your little brother; you also spread lies about me losing to you as well."
"You're avoiding the question", Zane remarked with a cold glare. Which then turned colder and fiercer to signify his irritation with this blowhard's farce; "Do you have any superior or partner that can prove this claim? Because I'm far beyond bluffing now."
"That…", the scar-faced student tried to answer.
"And I'm surprised with how much you can't hear yourself right now. But I suppose I can't let insults towards my younger brother go unanswered", Zane continued with a hint of glee sparking in his eyes, as he angrily pointed at Gerald. "So how about it; Do you wish to make a lie a reality with that pride of yours?"
"You're one to talk about pride…", the scar-face student retorts, that same pride pushing him forward but wanting to aim below the belt in this verbal exchange metaphorically. "Then how about your little brother duel me in your place? After all, he can't hide behind your coattails forever."
Syrus was looking at both of the formidable students, his adrenaline leaving him because he was the center of attention now due to the challenge thrown out. The crowds' eyes looked in anticipation as they chattered, curious about the decision.
"Hey Sy!", Jaden calls out, pushing his way out of the crowd and close to him. "Tougher crowd than I thought. Let's get out of here and get some lunch."
"I'm guessing you're Jaden Yuki?", Zane asked with a more amicable tone, a small grin on his face. "You're my younger brother's roommate, right? You have my thanks for getting my brother out of trouble this morning."
Jaden gave an interested glance at meeting the older brother of his roommate for the first time as if gauging the older student.
The Slifer can't help but give a respectful nod and grin as he senses a powerful force emitting from the Obelisk Elite as if meeting the King of Duel Academy at least on the student side of things. But then he sets his focus on the current situation with a slight verbal jab.
"Nice! Your little bro here is a great friend of mine. We already got into a lot of crazy stuff, and it's been a blast. Sy's a good guy but a little antsy at times through."
"HEY! Eyes over here Truesdales, and you Slifer Tagalong!", Gerald shouts from his side, ruining the moment between the two Slifers and the Obelisk Blue and getting their irrigated attention. "I'm waiting for your answer."
"And we've heard everything!"
This female voice came from Alexis, together with Jasmine and Mindy; The Azure Trio stood between the wall of students, who approached their friends in the middle of the hall with faces that ranged from annoyed to restrained anger.
Gerald gave a confident smirk seeing the Obelisk Blue Queen's annoyed glance aimed at him.
"Alexis Rhodes, I'm so glad to see you again; It just feels like you've missed me. But you shall worry no more, darling; I'm right here."
Alexis facepalmed, Mindy felt a familiar disturbing feeling, and Jasmine was glaring in anger and annoyance at the lovesick Blue's audacity. Zane gave an uncomfortable snort of amusement at the scarred student's antics, and Jaden showed visible confusion at the guy's confession.
Syrus suddenly had a look of realization as he remembered who Gerald was…
"My 1st year of Middle School. He was in 2nd-year of the class above mine, Gerald Norman. And Zane was a year above him as well…", he placed his hand over his chin. "I remember him now; during lunch breaks back then, when I went to get my food, I usually saw him doing his best impression of a wallflower and stalking the girls a lot."
He then looked at his blonde friend. "I just never thought you would be his target, Alexis."
"You have no idea how long he's been doing this…", Alexis sighed irritably with her hand over her hip and the other rubbing her temples. "It's been over two years since middle school. Back when my old brother was looking after me, before going to Duel Academy with Zane; and then next year, I asked Jasmine and Mindy for their company because of his obsession over me."
"What's next? He marked you like those werewolves from Dread-Light!", Jaden deadpans, creeped out by that confession. "That's just ridiculous…"
"The most 'ridiculous' thing we heard when we returned, was knowing what happened to you and Syrus during this morning.", Mindy claims, while looking at the taller Slifer with a softer expression on her face. "Although I still despise your cheeky attitude, I can respect helping your friend get away from..."
She took a moment to give a side glare at the other blues, aimed at the Gerald's Groupies and said ringleader especially as she nearly growled out her continuation of her sentence. "Childish freshmen who wanted to cause nothing but trouble in the morning, without us looking. Alexis still feels guilty for leaving him alone at that table; we would've brought him to you, or his dorm if we had known that was going to happen."
Then, Mindy gave a sigh that signified that she was just tired of the situation they were in regarding Gerald, especially now. "So, for that, please accept our apologies."
Jasmine then picked up, after Mindy gave their collective apologies for something unexpected...
"Instead of seeing us bowing down on our knees, asking for mercy; Please allow me to stand in the frontlines. Just so I can deal with this 2nd-year, creepy scar-face obsessive idiot with a very satisfying duel!", she walked past Syrus and up to Gerald with a very irate look on her face.
Jaden saw her walking away, memories of the duel that he had yesterday night at the forefront of his mind as he turned to his previous opponent.
"Oh~? So that's the Jasmine girl you talked about…", he spoke idly towards Mindy.
"Your point?", she asked cordially.
"Not much. But I can tell by her determined face, that she's every bit as Noble as the Warrior Deck you showed off against me yesterday.", Jaden says giving a wry grin and then closing his eyes while receiving a flat stare of irritation from Mindy as he continues glibly.
"Of course, when I was facing you, I didn't sense much ill will from her cards you tried brute forcing together against my heroes"
"SH- SHUT UP! YOU ALMOST LOST THAT NIGHT BY MY HANDS ALONE!" Mindy shouts, flustered by the Slifer Red's jokey confidence.
"Heheheh! Easy there, your willpower is impressive; but anger, recklessness, and overconfidence are very slow sabotagers, aren't they?" Jaden jokes with his tongue stuck out childishly by the end of the sentence at the twitchy Obelisk Blue Student.
While Jaden and Mindy's argument just went into full swing in front of the crowd; Syrus, Alexis, and Zane were looking with varying levels of curiosity at the events.
"… And that's how Jaden won his duel in 5 turns.", Syrus muttered to himself.
"Mindy sometimes loses her cool, her hot temper is a double-edged sword she can get carried away with when she competes.", Alexis says with a quick chuckle at the argument her friend was caught in. "But I'm surprised to see Jasmine taking charge for once. She usually looks reserved when it comes to this…"
"Every day, everyone experiences a new side of people no matter how hidden away; Or it seems that way…", Zane idly concludes while looking at smiling Syrus. 'You've gotten involved with interesting people, little brother.'
As the red-haired Elite Obelisk Blue girl angrily stood face to face with the 2nd-year Obelisk Blue student, Gerald felt his anger flow through his body.
"Well, well… Looks like the Queen's 'Royal Guard' gained some resolve ever since I left middle school.", Gerald remarks as he glares at Jasmine right back. "It's been 2 years ever since I've got my chance to confess to Alexis, but neither you, that spiteful Mindy, or that poor excuse of a brother allowed me a shot."
"Forget it with your lost collection of bad pickup lines.", Jasmine shot back. "It seems like, during all that time away, you still couldn't read the room between you and our best friend. How unfortunate, it seems like her brother couldn't tell you this, so let me answer for him – Alexis is NOT interested in you, she NEVER was."
She continued. "You were just an annoyance to her, a pest in better clothing. And when we heard today that you were the leader of the Alexis Fan Club, it nearly made me puke."
"As if you could understand.", Gerald told her dismissively. "You've been one of her closest friends since the very beginning; and knowing that a small fry Slifer could be as close to Alexis just like you and your friend, it made every Obelisk Blue student see that you're the ones in the wrong here."
"'Small fry'? Are you talking about Syrus, one of Alexis' newest friends, a person she can trust?", she asked pointedly, pride mixing in her angry tone. Then in a second, her tone of voice flipped from irritated, prideful, and angry to a calmer voice that sounded sweet but was condescending and promised a hard time.
"Poor creep. Comparing yourself with a cutesy Slifer boy, when you don't know anything about him~. I've been feeling a bit rusty thanks to Summer Vacation; And as one of Alexis' best friends, someone as trusted as me in her small circle has to clean up the trash the queen leaves in her wake."
Some of her words got stuck into Syrus' ears, leaving him confused
"I… I think I heard something off.", he says as he scratches his ears to get better hearing. "Was Jasmine, complimenting me?"
"Yes, she did…", Alexis nodded at him.
"Ah… Any reason to do so?"
"That's a secret~ Not telling.", the blondie answered playfully.
"Aw, please tell me…", the boy begged with pleading eyes and hands.
Zane looked at Jasmine, then back at Syrus. And then back at Jasmine with a stoic but interested look.
"… Looks like I'm out of the loop for yesterday. But whatever it was, my little brother was involved and somehow made these two more...proactive than they were before.", the older brother mutters to himself as he gives a curious glance at Syrus once again.
'Just what did you do this time, Syrus?'
"ENOUGH WITH THIS!", Gerald suddenly screamed out bestially getting everyone's attention and ending Jaden and Mindy's little duelist measuring argument to look at what was going to happen.
"Enough Bullshit, No comparing Obelisk Blue with Slifer Brats! If it's a Duel you want against me, I'll do it! But it's on my terms, if I defeat you, your friend… and Alexis, she'll have to date me!"
All the students in the crowd gasped at his declaration, and Jasmine gave a silent look towards Alexis and then Mindy awaiting their permission to take this bet. Their word is their bond after all, Mindy gave a confident nod and glanced at a displeased Alexis looking like she had just been dared to eat something rancid gave a nod but gave her condition to the wager...
"If we win, you will never ask or stalk us ever again," Alexis states simply.
"I'll accept it then!", Jasmine declared. Noise and whistling spread over the hall. And then a familiar finger-snap for Zane, Syrus, and some of the 2nd year Obelisk Blue Students rung throughout the hall silencing the commotion quickly but from a different source...
One of the teachers finally arrived; it was a very calm but stern and displeased Nurse Fonda Fontaine, who saw and heard the confrontation between the two Obelisk Blues.
"If that's the case, then allow me to be the judge.", she declared with a tone that brokered no argument. "Elite 1st-year Obelisk Blue, Jasmine Makurada. 2nd-year Obelisk Blue, Gerald Norman. You two will start your duel in the next 10 minutes at the Duel Arena Stadium. Whoever won't show up there, it'll be considered an immediate surrender by default."
A good bit of the riled-up crowd of students immediately walked away to the Stadium, and so did the laughing Gerald. Fonda sighed, as she walked up to the group at the center…
"What in Duel Monsters' good name were you all thinking?"
"Would you like to hear the short, or the long story from beginning to end?", Zane offered to answer her question, then he added, "Make sure you have popcorn."
"Give me all the details, I'm all ears…", the Nurse asks with hands over her hips.
The next five minutes were spent by the two Slifers and the three Obelisk Blue students telling the whole story about what happened that involved Gerald on this day so far.
"Ugh, this can't be right. And all this started… from yesterday's love-letter incident."
"Y- Yeah… right.", both Syrus and Alexis looked away nervously.
"And to think the freshmen Blues would get this rowdy. If it wasn't for Jaden Yuki and Zane Truesdale…", Fonda looked back at the two boys, bowing ashamed. "I'm sorry to hear how you two had to endure this. I'll make sure to report all this to Chancellor Shepard."
"It's no skin off my nose, I'm just glad that I can pull Syrus out of the fire.", Jaden says smiling, placing his hands over his head in a more relaxed way.
"It's no sweat", Zane added on. "But this situation just leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
"Anyways… It looks like my duel is about to start.", Jasmine smiled at all her friends as she walked to the stadium. "I hope you all can support me with all you have."
"You got this, Jazz!", Jasmine felt Alexis' hand over her shoulder with an excited smile on his face, wishing her luck.
"Y… Yeah, you got this, Jasmine.", Syrus said lastly, seeing how everyone else was leaving for the stadium. "We'll be rooting for you."
– To Be Continued –