Inside the Millennium Puzzle's Soul Room, a sudden ripple of stardust made Dark Aisha blink in confusion and glance at Miles beside her.
"Miles, did you just do something?"
Miles shook his head and looked toward Stardust-chan.
"Stardust, was that you?"
Stardust flicked her tail, then turned her gaze toward Dark Aisha.
"Aisha, maybe it was you, and you just didn't notice?"
A strange triangle… none of the three within the Soul Room believed they were the cause of the fluctuation.
Yet somehow, after resonating with the Millennium Puzzle, the legendary Tuner monster [Converging Wills Dragon] had been summoned by Aisha.
Not Majestic Dragon—but Converging Wills Dragon.
Xyz Academy, humiliated after two failed summons, was left grimacing as Aisha's double summon slapped them squarely in the face.
Albeit their discomfort couldn't compare to the sheer confusion on Synchron Academy's side.
[Converging Wills Dragon]? Never heard of it.
And yet, that Majestic's Light was genuine—so much so that the Stardust and Red Dragon Archfiend in their decks had both reacted.
"This card… doesn't have any effect text?"
Holding the Converging Wills Dragon card, Aisha examined it closely. Apart from its name and Level 1 Tuner mark, there was no visible effect at all.
No effect text… yet it was labeled as an Effect Monster.
"Professor Izumi, what's going on? You're a teacher at Synchron Academy… you must know, right?"
Her innocent, inquisitive eyes cornered Takehiko Izumi instantly.
Crap... He had absolutely no idea.
Still, if he admitted that, wouldn't that make him look completely useless as a teacher? If Aisha Carlos thought her instructor was clueless, how could he ever convince her to transfer to Synchron Academy?
Unacceptable!
"Ahem." Forcing himself to remain composed, Takehiko said, "Among the countless Tuner monsters, on rare occasions, anomalies like this can occur."
From her seat, Lost muttered, "Wow, Takehiko's already bluffing to save face."
Under the desk, Aoyao whispered, "Bro, that's lame."
"Anyway!" Takehiko smoothly changed the subject. "Being able to summon two Tuners on your first try proves you have an incredible talent for Synchro Summoning, Aisha Carlos. Why don't you go back to your seat and think over my offer while we let the others try?"
"But Professor Izumi, you still haven't answered my question…"
"I did, but… time's limited. I'll explain everything in detail next time. Next time for sure!"
"Alright then."
After exchanging a mutual "next time for sure," both silently understood there would never be a next time.
The rest of the Tuner Summoning lesson was far more subdued. Ren failed to draw a Tuner, and Xyz Academy's remaining two members added four more failed attempts, slamming the door on any hope of Synchro Summoning.
"Xyz Summoning is still the superior method. This little stunt means nothing," said Leon, the team leader, forcing his voice to stay proud.
He had already seen through Synchron Academy's plan to use this as a way to intimidate Xyz Academy—how petty.
"Fusion Academy, first year—Lishia, ready to start!"
Her dialect completely gone, Lishia spoke in the Spirit Continent's standard tongue, trying to hide her country accent.
Her pronunciation was fine… but that introduction was a disaster.
By proudly announcing herself as a first-year Fusion student, she instantly earned the surprise—and irritation—of both rival academies.
"First year?"
"A second-year would've been bad enough, but Fusion Academy actually sent a first-year this time?!"
"They only just enrolled this semester!"
"They're mocking us."
"No," Leon concluded. "Fusion Academy has simply given up on this exchange and the ranking war entirely."
Lloyd chewed his fingernail, glaring at the stage. "No way she succeeds after we all failed. That'd be the ultimate humiliation."
Even Fusion's own group didn't expect much from Lishia.
After all, Ren had already failed.
In their eyes, only Aisha, who possessed [Stardust Dragon], had any real chance at completing this unique Tuner Summon.
Mana surged through the starry array, light tracing along Lishia's pale legs before gathering in her Spirit Eyes.
"Fate bound by doctrine, shine forth with the light of bonds!—Monster Summon!"
"!!!"
Before everyone's astonished eyes, a Tuner card formed in front of her.
"She… actually succeeded?!"
Even Lishia herself was stunned.
Her result:
[The Golden Swordsoul] Level 4│LIGHT│Spellcaster / Tuner│1800 ATK / 1500 DEF
"'Swordsoul'?"
Before Takehiko Izumi, a Swordsoul user himself, the first-year Lishia had just summoned a Tuner monster bearing the 'Swordsoul' name.
"Professor Izumi, is this card strong?!"
Beaming with pride, Lishia held up her summoned [The Golden Swordsoul].
"Uh, well… probably very strong. I think."
The worst part? Takehiko himself didn't even own a single Swordsoul Tuner card.
You could imagine his conflicted emotions.
"Excellent work, Lishia. You can step down now," he said quickly, half-pushing her off the stage.
First, Aisha Carlos summoned an incomprehensible [Converging Wills Dragon] and asked him to explain its effect. Then Lishia summoned a Swordsoul Tuner he didn't even have and asked him how strong it was.
After just one lesson, Takehiko had gained a deep appreciation for one thing…
Being a teacher to Fusion Academy students was exhausting!
"Alright, last one… Miss Irena, would you like to try?"
"Me? Haha, it's not gonna work anyway."
Adjusting her miko hat, Irena—the leader of Fusion Academy's group—stepped onto the platform with a smile.
"The result will be a failure, so don't get your hopes up."
Mana gathered, released, summoned. A breeze swept through the classroom, and in a blink, the card materialized.
[Windwitch - Glass Bell] Level 4│WIND│Spellcaster / Tuner│1500 ATK / 1500 DEF
"Oh my, it actually worked."
Her effortless tone was that of a top student claiming she hadn't studied—only to ace the exam with a perfect score.
Though she had no real passion for dueling, the Gray Witch's talent was undeniably real.
...
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