My bad, gang.
For the late update, I fell asleep.
— X —
Judai was yawning as he walked home after school.
"I thought my stamina had increased… guess I still need more energy," he muttered to himself.
He was well away from the school grounds when the atmosphere suddenly shifted. The ambient sounds of the town cut off, replaced by an unnatural silence. The sky overhead darkened ominously.
The moment he noticed the change, his Duel Disk was already materializing on his left arm. He drew five cards in one swift motion and looked up.
Three figures hovered above him, each with a pair of stark black feathered wings.
A smirk tugged at Judai's lips. He recognized one of them.
It was the same blonde girl who had killed him: Mittelt.
This time, however, she'd brought company. A woman with long blue hair, wearing a maroon trenchcoat that left little to the imagination, a short skirt, a necklace, and high heels, Kalawarna. And a man dressed in a full grey trenchcoat over a white shirt, black pants, a black fedora, and gloves, Dohnaseek.
"It's you! I remember you!" Mittelt hissed, her eyes narrowing. "I was certain you were dead. How did you come back?"
"What?" Dohnaseek sounded genuinely startled. Kalawarna's expression shifted to one of sharp surprise.
"Did you miss me, little girl?" Judai taunted, already placing a card on his Duel Disk.
Mittelt's face twisted with irritation at the nickname.
A bolt of thunder struck the ground in front of Judai. From the crackling energy, Elemental HERO Sparkman emerged, standing tall and ready.
Sparkman's gaze swept over the three Fallen Angels, instantly understanding the situation.
"His Sacred Gear can summon other beings?" Dohnaseek murmured, shocked. Mittelt and Kalawarna exchanged worried glances.
The only Sacred Gear they knew of that created creatures was Annihilation Maker. If this was something similar… they might be facing a Longinus user.
"We can still take him out. He probably just unlocked it," Mittelt argued, clinging to the memory of having killed him once.
"But he fought Raynare and came out unscathed," Kalawarna countered.
The three Fallen Angels began a tense, silent debate among themselves.
Judai quietly set a Trap Card in his Spell & Trap Zone. Sparkman glanced at him, and Judai's gaze communicated a clear order: Wait. Observe. He had no idea how strong they were, and recklessness could be fatal.
"Let's not engage," Dohnaseek said finally, his voice low. "If that truly is a Longinus, we stand no chance."
"What are you saying?" Kalawarna's voice rose in disbelief.
"Do you think that's the only being he can summon?" Dohnaseek pressed.
Mittelt clicked her tongue in frustration, remembering Raynare's report of a powerful magician at the boy's side.
The confrontation deflated. All three Fallen Angels beat their wings, soaring into the darkened sky. Mittelt shot one last, venomous glare at Judai before disappearing into the distance.
The oppressive barrier shattered, and the normal sounds of the town rushed back in.
"What? That's it?" Judai was utterly bewildered. He turned to Sparkman. "Did you catch what they were saying to each other?"
"No. They seemed tense. Anxious."
'Did they get scared? That can't be right,' Judai thought, baffled. "Alright. If that's the case… thanks. See you next time."
"Stay safe," Sparkman replied before vanishing.
Judai deactivated his Sacred Gear and let out a long sigh of relief. He then closed his eyes to check his interface. Sure enough, his Gems had increased by 1,000.
'I guess thanks for running away,' Judai thought, but another, more pressing concern surfaced. 'If they're this cautious, they might come back with reinforcements. Looks like I really do need to ask for help.'
With that decision made, he turned and headed back toward the school. As he walked, he pulled up his interface and used his newly acquired Gems for another draw from the All Pack. He skipped the animation, anxious to see the results.
The cards appeared in his mind's eye:
1. [The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak] (Effect Monster)
2. [Mist Bird Clausolas] (Synchro Monster)
3. [Shinobaron Peacock] (Ritual Monster)
4. [Widespread Dud] (Continuous Trap)
5. [Doodle Beast - Tyranno] (Effect Monster)
6. [Shining Silver Force] (Normal Trap)
7. [Magical Arm Shield] (Normal Trap)
8. [Legendary Six Samurai - Mizuho] (Effect Monster)
Judai sighed heavily. "Man, what is with these shitty pulls?"
'I really hope a better pack unlocks soon,' he grumbled internally.
As if on cue, a new pack appeared in the shop: the Master Pack. His hope flickered, then died when he saw the price: 2,000 Gems.
"Brother, what's with this insane cost?" he muttered, annoyed, before the memory hit him. 'Right… I forgot this is basically under Konami. Of course it's ridiculously overpriced.'
He arrived at the school and made his way to the back, heading for the Occult Research Clubroom.
On the path, he passed two girls. One was about his height with short black hair and glasses, Sona Sitri. The other was slightly taller, with long black hair, heterochromatic eyes, and also wearing glasses, holding a file, Tsubaki Shinra.
They glanced at him as he passed.
"Is that the one Gremory-senpai mentioned?" Tsubaki asked quietly.
"Yes," Sona confirmed before they continued on their way.
Judai soon reached the back of the school where the exclusive clubhouse stood, a two floor, impressive building for a club. He entered, pulled out his phone to double-check the room number Rias had texted him, and found his way to a meeting room.
He knocked.
"Come in," Rias's voice called from inside.
He opened the door. The room was spacious and well-appointed. Rias sat behind a large mahogany desk. Akeno was lounging on a nearby couch, sipping tea. A handsome blonde boy, Kiba Yuuto, sat in a chair opposite the couch. Beside him, a petite girl with snow-white hair, Toujou Koneko, was quietly eating youkan from a paper bag.
"Hi," Judai said, feeling a bit out of place as he stepped inside.
"Welcome, Judai," Rias said, her smile warm and genuine.
Akeno gave him a cheerful wave from the couch.
Kiba and Koneko both offered him polite nods.
Judai nodded back at Kiba and Koneko and returned Akeno's wave.