The good thing about reincarnating in a a body that already had a life is that you don't have to shop for anything. Luckily I had a small piece of paper in my bag with the address of an apartment that I guess was my own now?
Hey! Upsides! I don't have to worry about a living situation and from what the small little note that was left for me in my bag, the apartment's rent was being handled by Alex's….. my parents? I guess they're my parents now?
Anyway, it was being handled by them.
The apartment wasn't the biggest. About the size of a small studio apartment and while it wasn't in the tops, it's still in the city itself! I'll take it! The room was already decorated in a lot of grey and black, some posters here and there which were all posters of different duelists that I didn't really seem to recognize.
I'll change the room around when I know exactly what my hobbies are. Hopefully this universe has good bands. Be
[Congratulations on completing the tutorial! In the drawer near the bed, 'The Guide' has left cards for you to update your deck! And you can now access more cards by using the 'Shop' menu.
"Oh lovely! This deck is like… 80% battle traps anyway."
While I scrolled through the shop I began to think. If I'm in the world of Yugioh 5ds, the time in where I am matters HEAVILY. Right before Season 1 would be the most opportune time. It can't be before the Ener-D explosion since everyone calls this "New Domino".
Shit. What am I gonna do about the Dark Signers? I won't have to do much right? If I just let Yusei and Co. do their thing everything should be fine. But what if me even being here changes things.
….NAAAAAH! It should be FIIIIIINE!
Anywho! The cards that The Guide sent me are actually game changers. I can get rid of the mass amount of Normal Zombies in my deck and now I have a slight strategy. Still not able to do much but it's better than 'Set three, pass'.
[Shop: Recommended Cards]
[Zombie World: Field Spell (1000 DP)]
[Red Eyes Zombie Dragon: LV 7, 2400 ATK/2000 DEF (1500 DP)]
[Goblin Zombie: LV 4, 1100 ATK/1050 DEF (500 DP)]
[Book Of Life: Normal Spell (ON SALE: 500 DP)]
"Hm… as much as I would like Zombie World right now I feel like getting Book of Life is too good to pass up at this price. I can get Zombie World later!" I tapped the screen, purchasing both Goblin Zombie and Book of Life.
I want to go with a pure Zombie World strategy. With so many villains having Type based decks in this series it probably would help out a lot. All except Akiza that is.
[You have received a Message!]
[Opening Message….]
[Look at you go, Bitch! Completing the tutorial like a champ. The tutorial was supposed to be easy but hey, at least you weren't a total disappointment.]
[The reason you're here is simple. I reincarnated a person to this world a couple years ago cause I accidentally killed them on earth, but they completely have gone off the rails and now they fully intend on changing the story. They're a pro duelist now so getting to them might be a challenge but your main mission is to just make sure the story goes as plan! Simple! Look for the guy, don't let him insert himself as the main character of 5ds, and do NOT let him beat Yusei. You'll know him when you see him.]
[Simple!]
"Cool…. That's just…. Great." Now I have to make sure some Mary Sue doesn't try and overtake the story. Not even a hint on who it is just 'You'll know when you see him' doesn't truly help. And why do I have to fix a mistake this person made?!
Deep breaths…. I got a second chance at life so I'll make the most of it. And me sitting around isn't gonna accomplish anything so I'll go out and do something!
*Knock knock knock*
"Um… give me one second!" I called out, putting the cards that I just gathered into the deck as I ran over to the door.
"Hey Buds! You wanna go shopping with me? My treat!" I heard Erika's voice call out from outside the door.
"Yeah sure! Gimme a sec and I'll be out!" Shit. Okay. Now I just gotta play along so no one gets suspicious. Take a deep breath in…. And…. Let's go.
"Yeah let's head out!" I said as I walked out the door.
"Did you see the King's new Turbo Duel?! It was insane!"
"The King?"
"The King….. Jack Atlas? You feeling okay buddy?"
Bingo. I've been doing this for the last couple minutes to try and farm information from wherever I could get it. It seems that I got dropped right before Season One, given the fact that the Fortune Cup hasn't happened, the Black Rose Witch is still a rumored, almost cryptid like being, and Jack Atlas is still the 'Master of Faster'.
"Yeah I'm fine. Sorry. I've just been not feeling the best."
"Well I know exactly what will make you feel better! Another victory!" Erika yelled, pumping her fist into the air with a giant grin. Is all this girl thinks about is dueling? Well I am in a world where the entire fate of every dimension rests on a children's card game so that makes sense.
"But we have no one to du-"
"We'll find someone then! I have to get my record up if I wanna compete in the School Rep Tourney!" She exclaimed with joy and a giant grin.
"School Rep Tourney? This is my first time hearing about this. What is that exactly?"
"You're joking. Right? Are you sure you're okay? This is something that we've known since the beginning of our time in Duel Academy."
"I wasn't listening-"
"….that tracks. The School Representative Tournament is basically a tournament where all the upperclassmen get together, have a huge duel, and then get to have an exhibition match against a random Pro Duelist. This is to get eyes on you as a duelist and show the finest Duel Academy has to offer. And I'm winning it all! That will get me a step closer to getting my Duel Runner!"
"Oh shit! When is it?"
"Like… a month? Are you thinking about competing? I don't know if they'll allow you to join…. With your grade and all." Uuuuugh. Why must I be in a body with someone who can't win SHIT.
"Cant I just duel some first graders and be done with it?"
"You're okay with that but not someone throwing games?"
"….touchè."
Erika began to rub her chin as if there was a beard, thinking. "Even if we're to do that, you can't raise your grade from someone below your age and you can't raise it from someone you've dueled in the current month. Sure you can always get a rematch but it doesn't count towards your grade."
"This suuuuuucks-" A duel with a Pro Duelist sounds definitely like a shortcut into the eyes of various characters in the series. And by anime rules, this feels like my shot at the guy I'm looking for. Two birds with one stone.
[Story Quest Obtained]
[School Representative Tournament!]
[Objective: Raise your duel record to a positive score (by dueling people of your age or higher, that are registered duelists), Compete in the School Representative Tournament, win, and make a name for yourself. Reward On Success: +10,000 DP, +10,000 XP, Reputation (Erika) Up, Reputation (New Domino) Up , Reputation (?) Up]
Oooooh. I see. That's a whooooole lot of DP and XP.
"Erika. I'm feeling motivated!"
"Oh? That's…. Never happened. This is new!" She laughed, looking at me with a wide grin. If I could win this Tournament, that means I get a one way ticket to the pro circuit.
"I'm gonna get my record up, beat everybody in that tournament, and make my name known!" In other words, quickest way I can make sure the story goes as planned and make sure that the guy I'm looking for doesn't fuck it up.
"And, not to bring the mood down buds, how are you going to do that?" Erika asked with an eyebrow raised.
"….I don't know! But I'll figure it out! Anyway, where are we going? I feel like we've been walking for hours now." I asked. Erika just shrugged and put her hands in her pockets. "I dunno. I was following you."
"Cool."
"…"
"…"
"Wanna go to Rathie's?"
"Sure!" I have no clue who that is.
OH I KNOW THIS GUY!
As me and Erika entered the shop, the Shop Owner Rathie, shot up. "Ah! My most loyal customers!" The man was shorter and very…. Well, neckbeard was a good way of describing him. There were wall to wall posters of the Dark Magician Girl, pristinely cleaned cases of figurines that actually looked badass like the Silent Swordsman and Silent Magician, but behind the counter with a HUGE 'NOT FOR SALE' sign was a slightly used Judgement Dragon that was graded and displayed in a beautiful case.
"Heya Rath. How ya doing?" Erika asked as she leaned on the card counter, taking off her bag and placing it on the counter.
"Oh I'm doing well, M'lady!" Ew. "And Alex, nice to see you again." Rathie said. Man if this guy had a fedora he'd be tipping it right about now. You can't really tip that strange… cap this guy is wearing.
"Rathie! I have come to trade! I see that you have some new synchros and I NEED them!" Erika said, digging through her bag.
"Well let's see what you have to trade, madam."
As this very…. Strange discussion happened, I began to wander across the store. Staring at whatever caught my eye. There wasn't a lot of cards that would fit my deck, mainly just staples that were WAY to expensive and probably cheaper in my own Shop.
The figures are cool. Maybe I'll become a collector. "Hey Alex! Anything catch your eye?" Erika called over as Rathie inspected the mass amount of Cards and Figures that Erika had placed on the table.
"No not really. What's the Judgement Dragon about though?" I asked, to which Rathie rose up and moved his way towards the card.
"This…. Is my prized possession. The one of a kind, graded, holy grail of my collection. This Judgement Dragon was the last card designed and created by Maxamillion Pegasus. May he rest in peace." Rathie said.
Right. Little known fact, Pegasus is dead by the time Yusei and the gang roll around. "Judgement Dragon is the last card he created?" I asked.
"The whole Lightsworn archetype was designed by him and him alone as he was nearing the end of his life. That card is literally the last card created by Pegasus. Everything else is a copy of the card." Erika replied, putting some new Dragon Synchros in her bag as she walked over.
"Shouldn't that be in a museum? And how'd you get your hands on it?" I asked, to which Rathie have a small chuckle.
"Heheheh….. I sold all my worldly possessions besides my store."
Jesus Christ-
"But anyways! It's not for sale! So choose something else!" I looked around, trying to find anything else that caught my eye. "How about-"
I was interrupted by the sound a door swinging open and the figure of a young man, around my age, panting as he stood in the doorway. He had dark, dark green hair and brown eyes. Sweat poured down his face as he looked at me and Erika.
"I… I need your help."
Erika was the first to greet him. "Oh hey Liam! You good dude?"
"Observe."
[Name: Liam]
[Age: 17]
[Title: New Domino Duel Academy Student (60% Win)]
[Origin: Yugioh Duel Links]
[Relation: Neutral]
Another duel links character. Do they even have last names?
"It's…. It's Maggie."
"Oh greeeeeat. What's her deal?" Erika asked, rolling her eyes as she slung her bag over her shoulder. Liam gritted his teeth as he looked at me and Erika.
"I… I made a deal with her. And now she has my cards."
"WHAT?! WHY?!" Erika exclaimed. Gotta admit, rookie mistake from Liam's part. Liam looked down at his feet, his hand tightening into a fist.
"She said that 'Commoners had no right to be at the school' and that I'm only there because of pity on my parents for having such a failure of a child.." Liam looked down sadly while Erika was fuming. "OH! Oh when I get my hands on her I'm going to-"
[New Side Quest!]
[Liam's Cards]
[Objective: Get Liam's cards back by any means necessary from Maggie. This quest's reward will be given depending on how you deal with the situation. Maggie has an [Negative] relation towards you. Social Interactions with her will make her more hostile to talk to from the start. Rewards on Success: +100 DP, +200 XP, Reputation (Liam) Up, Reputation (Erika) Up, Reputation (Maggie) Up]
[Bonus Objective(s): Duel and win with no damage taken, Summon (3) Monsters in a Single Turn, Do (4000) Damage in a Single Turn. Rewards Per Completion: +50 XP, +100 DP Per Objective Completed]
I love side quests. And while make friends and allies with the main cast is majorly important; making friends with side and minor characters couldn't hurt at all! "I can speak with her if you want."
Both Erika and Liam whipped around to me, looking at me like I was insane. "What?"
"I can talk to her. Take a more friendly and diplomatic approach than a fight." I said. Everyone deserves another chance! Don't they?
"Buds, did you hit your head? This is Maggie Kitaki we're talking about. Duel Academy's Golden Prodigy or some shit like that. She's not gonna want to speak." Erika explained. Liam came up beside her. "She's right. Maggie isn't one to listen to reason. She'll probably just laugh at your face."
"She LITERALLY made fun of you like…. 3 hours ago at school."
I tried to give the most warm smile I could. "It's fine! There's good in anyone and everyone." My mom used to say everyone can be a good person.,,, you just have to help them out if they need it. And while she's not here with me in this world, I can still carry on our ideals.
"I'm telling you, Buds. This is a bad idea."
"It'll be fine. I promise. Hey Liam, could you lead us to her?" I asked the brown eyed duelist. He looked at me with a confused and worried look but he nodded his head and walked out the door. I followed suit as Erika looked at me with a questioning gaze.
"You really think this is gonna work?"
"Hahahaha. Nope."
We walked for around 10 minutes as we finally wound up at a beautiful park near the heart of the city. Sitting on a blanket with another person by her side, enjoying a small cup of tea, was Maggie Kitiaki. She kept her eyes closed as we approached.
"Hi! I believe I've never formally introduced mysel-"
"Who said you could speak to me?" Maggie interrupted, opening her eyes to meet my gaze. "I was enjoying my tea before you disturbed my peace with your presence."
I could see Erika ball up her fist but I put a hand on her shoulder. I tried to speak again. "Maggie. I-"
"That is Ms. Kitaki to you!" One of the people at her side, a man who seemed to be a bit older than myself with sandy blonde hair. He had beautiful teal eyes and wore a designer red shirt under a jean jacket. He stood up immediately from the blanket and looked at my group.
"Enzo. Sit back down. Do not let the commoner's audacity get the best of you, ahaha-" She began to laugh but stopped when she finally noticed Liam's presence. "Oh! I see the little dog went for aid. That's so sweet. But honestly, you must be desperate going for these two. Did no one want to help you out? Ohohohoho!"
Wow. Okay. Finding the good in this girl is gonna be… very difficult. I gave a sigh but I could feel Erika about to explode. "Give me a couple more minutes, Erika. I'll be alright."
I took a few steps forward. "Listen. We are just here for Liam's cards. I'd like to take this in the most diplomatic approach as possible. So ple-"
"Do not take another step toward's Ms. Kitaki!" Enzo said, immediately stepping in front of her. "Your friend agreed to our terms and lost to her. So leave us be or I shall take matters into my own hands." He puffed up his chest to make himself look bigger than he actually was.
"Are you like…. Her boyfriend or something?" I asked, to which Maggie choked a bit on her tea. "How dare you ask such a personal question!? And of course not. He's my bodyguard! Ew!"
"Wow. Could have been a little less harsh, don't you think?" I asked, to which Enzo activated a duel disk. "If you wish to keep bothering Ms. Kitaki, then I shall duel you! Then you will leave us to our tea!" He exclaimed.
"Observe."
[Name: Enzo Mitagawa]
[Age: 23]
[Title: Bodyguard of the Dueling Prodigy (70% Win)]
[Origin: Yugioh Tag Force]
[Relation: Negative (Bully's Ally)]
"If I win, can I please have Liam's cards back?" I asked, fishing out my duel disk and putting my slightly upgraded deck into the slot. Enzo laughed as he took a stance.
"Hmm… if you win I shall give Liam's cards back. But what would be a fitting punishment if you lose to Enzo… Oh! I know! If you lose, you'll leave New Domino's Duel Academy!" Maggie said, taking a sip of her tea as she sat cross legged on the blanket.
"What!?" Liam and Erika exclaimed. They both stepped closer as Erika pulled me and Liam into the huddle. "Alex. Love you like a brother and really proud of ya for being able to pull a win out from underneath me but this is your schooling we're talking about. I can take this jerk no problem."
"Yeah, with all due respect, you don't have the best track record." Liam whispered. I leaned out of the huddle and stared at Maggie and Enzo. Maggie seemed to have the upmost faith in her bodyguard. "Clocks ticking, commoner. Ahahahahaha!" She laughed a haughty laugh.
"I accept your terms." I said with a beaming grin.
"Alex, you don't have to do this-" Erika spoke but I turned around and put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it! Ye have little faith, my green haired friendo. I can beat this guy!"
As I walked towards Enzo I activated my duel disk. He glared in my direction, retaking his stance. "Let's begin, shall we?"
"Sure!"
""LET'S DUEL!""
{Alexander Cross: 4000 LP}
Vs.
{Enzo Mitagawa: 4000 LP}
Turn 1: Enzo Mitagawa (5 Cards in Hand)
"The goddess of victory already smiles down on me. I draw! I set one monster face down and set three cards face down and end my turn!" He said as the cards appeared on his field. A defensive play? This early into the game? What kind of strategy is he playing.
"If I didn't know any better I'd think you're playing Labrynth. Thank god I don't have to worry about that anymore." I joked. Everyone kind of just blinked at me in confusion. "That doesn't make any sense to you. Nevermind, forget I said anything."
Turn 2: Alexander Cross (5 Cards in Hand)
"My turn I guess. I draw!" Not a terrible hand. I'll take what I can get. "First things first, I activate the spell card Foolish Burial to send one monster from my deck to grave. So I send my Mezuki to the grave. Now I think I'll copy you! I set a card face down and set a monster. That's my turn!"
Could have used more monsters but hey, such is life.
"You aren't going to win just copying me. You know that right?" Enzo glared.
Turn 3: Enzo Mitagawa (2 Cards in Hand)
"I draw! I flip summon my face down! Rise, Golem Sentry! [LV 4, 1800 DEF] And since it was flipped summoned, I can return a monster back to your hand! So I will send your face down back to your hand."
Well shit.
"I can still have you be given mercy, Commoner. All you have to do is ask nicely!" Maggie called from her blanket. I rolled my eyes and looked at the field. "You know he hasn't done any damage to me, right?"
"Well that's about to change. I activate the spell Card Destruction! Very basic spell but I'll explain it to you. We each-"
"We each dump our hands, then draw as many as we sent to the grave. I'm not stupid."
"Just making sure." He said as we each sent our cards to the graveyard. He grinned at his hand and mine was… not the best. Man, if only I had a plan that involved my cards being in my grave.
Oh wait.
"I now banish two rock monsters in my grave in order to special summon a monster!" Enzo exclaimed as the ground began to shake. "I summon GAIA PLATE THE EARTH GIANT!" [LV 8, 2800 ATK]
The ground began to shatter and split as two large rocky fists began to climb out of the surface of the earth, and coming to full height was a large rock giant that towered over my field. "NOW BOW BEFORE MY MONSTER COMMON-"
"Torrential Tribute? Response?"
"Huh?"
From the ground that the giant rose out of a large geyser of water shot up, breaking the giant and the Golem Sentry into small pebbles before they exploded solid vision bits. Thanks to the guide giving me a good collection of staples, my deck wasn't horrible since I had things like Torrential Tribute and a few other removal spells.
The three spectators stared at what just happened and gave a collective. "…what?"
"Oof, my dude. Sorry about Gaia. Got any reborns or something?" I asked with a smirk as he stared at where his monster was. "How…. HOW DARE YOU?"
"How dare you, how dare you, you say that a lot. Can you end your turn now?"
Turn 4: Alexander Cross (2 Cards in Hand)
"Thank you! I draw!"
"Immediately, Im getting rid of your back row. I activate Heavy Storm!" A torrent of wind blew all of the face down cards, his revealing to be Negate Attack and Ordeal of a Traveler.
"I now summon Zombie Master [LV 4, 1800 ATK] and activate their ability! I can discard a card and special summon a monster that's level one to four! So I'll discard this Sangan in order to special summon my Goblin Zombie [LV 4, 1100 ATK] from my grave! Then I'll activate the Mezuki from my grave! I can banish it in order to special summon a zombie monster from my grave! "
"Enzo, I would like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine. Ryu Kokki [LV 6, 2400 ATK], say hello to our new friend Enzo!" As I placed the card on the disk, a large, hulking figure made out of human skulls took position beside my two other monsters.
"HES POPPING OFF! LET'S GO ALEX!" Erika screamed from the sidelines as Liam gave a happy clap. Maggie was fuming from behind Enzo, now standing up on her blanket. "ENZO! YOU HAVE A PLAN RIGHT!? ENZO!"
Enzo was staring at the three monsters with an empty field and barely any cards in hand. "I… You…"
"And swing for game?" I asked, the three monsters shooting out a hurricane of slashes, magical blasts, and punches, all aimed at Enzo.
{Enzo Mitagawa: 4000 – 1800 = 2200 – 1100 = 1100 – 2400 = 0}
{WINNER: Alexander Cross}
"HA! YOU DID IT!" Before I could celebrate, I was lifted up from the ground by Erika and spun around. "You could barely remember how effects worked last week and look at you! Two wins in one day! I never thought it would happen!" Is she…. Crying?
"Um… thank you. I really appreciate what you did." Liam said, looking at me with a small smile. I tried to respond but my spine was being crushed by Erika. "I- No prob-" I squeaked out.
Enzo watched as his duel disk deactivated and fell to his knees, his eyes wide as the realization hit that he had lost. "M-Ms. Kitaki… I'm so sorry." He honestly looked like he was about to start crying. His deck could have been a problem without Torrential if he had stuff like Guardian Sphinx and Megarock Dragon but if Gaia Plate is his ace it's a VERY jank deck. How'd he have a 70% Win Record!?
"You…" Enzo stumbled up to feet as Erika put me down on my feet. "You…. CHEATER! THAT MUST BE IT!" He called out as he looked to Maggie, who as she saw her bodyguard lose to a 'commoner', had been dead silent. "Ms. Kitaki! We must leave now! We are not going to honor some deal with a commoner-"
"Hmph! I didn't want these stupid cards anyway!" She exclaimed as she threw the cards, which Liam barely caught. Maggie crossed her arms and began to walk away. "A hodgepodge of garbage that belongs to garbage has no use in my care, Ohohohoho! Enzo. Gather my things. Our business here is done." And with that she walked off with Enzo scurrying after her.
[Side Quest Completed]
[Rewards on Success: +100 DP, +200 XP, Reputation (Liam) Up, Reputation (Erika) Up, Reputation (Maggie) Up. (3) Bonus Objective(s) Completed: +150 XP, +300 XP]
[Liam Relation Upgraded! Neutral to Positive (Thankful)]
"Well, that could have went better." I said with a stretch as I put my duel disk back into my bag. So far this duels have been kinda easy but I'm still in the beginning stages. These will probably get harder later but I'm CRUISING!
"Buddy. If you keep dueling like this, you'll have enough duels to qualify for the tournament!" She exclaimed. I gave a beaming smile back to her as we turned to look at Liam, who was still looking at his cards, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Th-Thank you… you didn't have to do this." He was getting choked up as Erika looked to me, then back to him.
"It's no problem! I'm here to help anyway I can!" I said, with Erika giving a proud smile.
"I feel like we deserve some victory Ice Cream to celebrate the win! My treat!" Erika called out as she began tugging my arm, grabbing Liam's as she ran by, and sprinting to the nearest Ice Cream store.