Duel Academy, great hall.
Third-years packed the auditorium, gazing up at the giant screen hanging overhead. Though it was blank for now, a palpable tension permeated the students.
It felt, in a sense, like awaiting judgment.
Yes—judgment.
Today was results day.
Duel Academy is infamously hierarchical, and rank is determined entirely by grades—comprehensive assessments of performance: practical dueling scores and written theory.
Today's the final report for everyone present—the culmination of three years, the key stepping stone to the next stage of their lives.
Duel Academy's diploma carries weight in the dueling world; naturally, the final assessment is vital. When graduates apply across the industry, these scores and rankings are critical.
It had the air of students awaiting the release of college entrance-exam results.
Of course, some were perfectly calm.
Like the name after that conspicuous "NO.1" at the top of the list.
Zane Truesdale.
"Mamma mia!"
Professor Crowler's unmistakable voice rang out.
"As expected of Truesdale—nearly perfect in every subject!"
"Without question this year's No. 1—the academy's representative graduate!"
As Crowler spoke, it felt as if a spotlight fell on Zane, and the surrounding students turned with respectful, awed looks.
Zane's expression didn't ripple.
In the original timeline, he might've felt some pride—his best report in three years, proof none could surpass him within the academy.
But now, he felt none of that.
Because to him, this so-called exam wasn't the true graduation test, and his opponents weren't the long list of names beneath his.
In this academy, the ones he considered rivals were few—Jaden included.
Above them all, the only one he regarded as his true graduation test—the greatest challenge of his life—was a single person.
"Then, by academy tradition," Crowler announced, "the representative will duel on behalf of the class."
"You may choose any enrolled student as your opponent. So, Truesdale…"
"It's already decided."
Zane cut in, lifting his student terminal for a glance.
Not only decided—he'd already sent the challenge. Even before grades were posted, he was certain he'd be top graduate and the representative.
Because his opponent was never any student competing with him.
And now, that person had replied.
One character:
"Fine."
Zane couldn't suppress a satisfied smile.
"The Battle of the Century."
That was the headline the academy paper gave this duel.
The academy's three-year "Kaiser," this year's representative, would challenge the man who had become a legend in his very first year.
The Yellow Dorm's once-unspeakable outcast, who had wrought miracles and become the academy's pride.
The Duel King, Fujiki Kira.
It wasn't their first clash. Their Duel City bout had been seen by all. If some had once found it hard to accept that Kaiser lost to the Yellow Monarch, now they saw losing to the Duel King as only natural—it didn't reflect poorly on Kaiser; he had done his best.
Today was the rematch.
And the challenger was obvious.
Though arriving on time per the schedule, Kira found that Zane seemed to have been waiting on stage for ages. The stands had been packed well in advance, making him look almost late.
"You came," Zane said.
"I came."
Kira nodded, then smiled.
"I hear your graduation marks are near-perfect—among the best in academy history. Congratulations."
"If I can't surmount the highest wall I've faced in three years, that's all trivial," Zane shook his head.
He unfolded his Duel Disk as he spoke.
"You're right. I basked in self-satisfaction, trapped in a pitfall called 'perfection.'"
"But thanks to you, I've broken the three-year bottleneck!"
"Then I'm looking forward to it." Kira opened his Duel Disk too.
"Duel!" x2
[Kira, LP 4000]
[Zane Truesdale, LP 4000]
"I'll go first—draw!"
Rarely did Zane seize the initiative.
In this era, Cyber Dragon is almost purely a going-second deck. Even when winning the die roll, Zane often yielded the turn. This time he took first—already a shift from the past.
"I summon 'Infernal Dragon' in Defense Position."
[Infernal Dragon, DEF 0]
"Then I set one and end my turn!"
A terse opening.
The crowd was baffled.
Zane using Dragons?
That alone was odd—no one had seen him run anything but Machines.
And Infernal Dragon in Defense?
It's a Level 4 with 2000 ATK—who puts its 0 DEF up front?
Only Chancellor Sheppard on the stands guessed Zane's intent.
Cyberdark.
Underworld Deck—"Cyberdark"—absorbs Dragons from the GY as equips for power.
He wants his opponent to destroy Infernal Dragon, stocking dragons in GY.
"Zane, are you really going to use that…" Sheppard looked conflicted.
Others hadn't seen Cyberdark, but Kira knew.
Opening Defense Infernal Dragon—straight out of Hell Kaiser's playbook. Different styles, though—Kira wouldn't have played it that way.
Still, if Zane is willing to donate a premium beater just to set up dragon fuel in the GY…
"My turn—draw."
Kira dropped a monster at once.
"I Normal Summon 'Truckroid.'"
[Truckroid, ATK 1000]
"Roid?"
Syrus was the most surprised.
Kira using Roids—just like him—against his brother?
A jumble of feelings welled up.
"Truckroid, attack 'Infernal Dragon'."
The anthropomorphic machine flopped forward, the little truck chugging as it rammed the 0-DEF dragon. It shattered with a boom.
"And at this moment, Truckroid's effect activates!" Kira said. "When it destroys an opponent's monster by battle, equip that monster to this card.
This card gains ATK equal to the equipped monster's ATK!"
Zane: "!"