Duel of the New Cards

The day of the new card pack release arrived fast.

With a thunderous hum, five or six planes flew in from overseas toward the island.

A large group of students gathered outside the campus store, watching the planes in excitement, cheering loudly.

A new series, even an entirely new category of Monster Cards, had sparked excitement among the students.

Even girls like Alexis and others came over, eager to buy some packs. No matter if it didn't immediately boost their strength, pulling a powerful, rare Tuner Monster might make for a valuable trade. And, for Duel Academy students, that was a huge draw.

Meanwhile, the representatives from the Polymerization Club's three dorms, Slifer Red, Ra Yellow, and Obelisk Blue, finally squeezed to the front.

To be honest, they didn't want to do this.

Though they'd obeyed Leo Akaba's orders all this time, lately, they were starting to question their three-year experience.

The Blue dorm rep had it easier, his time in the club was smooth sailing so long as he followed orders. But the Red and Yellow dorm reps had begun doubting things.

Were their actions really right?

Nonetheless, after three years of pressure and threats, they had long since become accomplices. At this point, they couldn't just walk away. So, even when facing such ridiculous orders, they gritted their teeth and obeyed.

Before long, the card packs arrived at the Academy, escorted by black-suited agents. The students looked on as if witnessing a national treasure, while the agents carefully handed the boxes over to Tome-san.

She ordered her team to carry the boxes inside, then hung promotional banners outside the shop.

"A Level 3 Tune Warrior with 1600 ATK!?"

"Whoa, look at that Mist Valley Shaman, so pretty, no, wait! I can't betray Dark Magician Girl!"

"Wait, what? Psychic-Type? That's a whole new race, right?!"

The students were ecstatic as they gawked at the poster reveals.

Even without Synchro Summoning, these Tuner Monsters and related cards were clearly superior to this world's usual low-level monsters.

While many students were still using Normal Monsters with just 1000 or 1200 ATK, these cards started at 1500 and had effects. So, naturally, they were more than worth a pull.

Even without Synchros, this was a huge advantage!

Of course, student interest in drawing packs skyrocketed.

Just then, Tierra suddenly appeared beside Hikaru, pointing at a card. "Hikaru, try to get that one."

Hikaru glanced over and spotted the card she meant, narrowing his eyes in thought.

It was a Genex Controller. Level 3, DARK Attribute, Machine-type Normal Tuner Monster with 1400 ATK.

"Genex, huh?"

Hikaru remembered.

In card lore, Genex were creations made by Tierra after she was defeated by Sophia, designed to restore and reshape the environment. Their goal was to transform Sophia's world into Tierra's world.

Unfortunately, due to various factors, alien invasions, Elder Gods' awakening, they got dragged into disaster and perished.

Even so, they reshaped much of the Duel Terminal world.

In short, that card was related to Tierra.

"You could use that one as a base for other monsters," Tierra said casually. "Of course, if you get extras, you can give me one. I quite like the little guy."

As a robot who had once made major contributions to her, Tierra was very fond of Genex Controller.

If she ever revived again, she wouldn't mind awarding Hikaru a title and building a monument to the card.

Hikaru also waited to buy new card packs.

He wasn't short on money anymore. Drawing extra cards he didn't have and stocking up Fusion materials for Super Polymerization? That was great.

Even if he didn't pull a Genex Controller, he could trade with someone who did. No big loss.

Despite being a new Tuner Monster with a solid 1400 ATK, it wasn't even a high rarity in this set.

As Hikaru waited for the shop to open and stepped forward, a sudden commotion broke out at the front.

There were faint sounds of shouting, girls screaming, and something crashing.

"What are you doing?!"

Jaden, sensing trouble, used his superhuman reflexes to force his way through the crowd and saw the scene inside.

A few students had pinned two people in purple uniforms, one of whom was actually swinging punches.

Jaden didn't hesitate. He dove in and separated them to prevent things from escalating.

Hikaru took the chance to push inside and looked on curiously.

The ones getting hit were from the Polymerization Club, which Hikaru recognized; they were the third-year dorm reps: Kurama Ame of Red, Maruchi Hayato of Yellow, and Yamaguchi Kota of Blue. Hikaru had chatted with Maruchi Hayato before; they got along decently, but Hayato had refused to leave the club when Hikaru did.

So basically, it was an ambush.

"What happened?" Hikaru asked the two students who'd been hitting. Judging by their looks, they were in the same grade as Hikaru.

What could've caused something this serious, underclassmen attacking upperclassmen, on a hierarchy-obsessed island like this?

"That guy tried to buy all the new card packs!" One student roared. "How is that fair?!"

"What?!"

"It's those Polymerization Club guys!"

"Pah, of course it is!"

"Can't believe they call themselves Duelists."

"What's Professor Akaba teaching these kids?!" Even teachers trying to buy cards looked furious.

The student reps lowered their heads, clearly ashamed.

Hikaru rubbed his temples.

'Absurd.'

Technically, buying card packs early wasn't that big of a deal. Even Professor Crowler once secretly bought the VWXYZ cards ahead of time. Nevertheless, even Crowler didn't buy everything, just the rare ones.

Buying everything? Never mind the money, it's just wrong.

And Hikaru knew these guys. They didn't have the money to buy all the packs.

Obviously, this was Leo Akaba's doing.

But…

What did he want the cards for? Was he going to use Synchro Summoning?

No. Hikaru realized something.

Of course! The Sacred Beasts!

Hikaru pieced it together.

These new monsters likely synergized well with Sacred Beast cards, granting them new lifeblood.

"Seniors, why would you do something like this?" Hikaru asked.

"Professor Akaba said these monsters are enemies!" Maruchi muttered. "He said only Fusion Summoning should exist because Fusion is the noblest summoning method!"

Many students around them showed disgusted expressions.

Even Jaden frowned.

That same line, spoken like that.

"Ridiculous!" Hikaru instantly shot back. "It's precisely because other summoning methods exist, because Fusion is different and unique, that its nobility shines through!"

"Seniors, your mindset needs correction!"

Maruchi shrank back, but still muttered, "But, we already paid!"

Hikaru scratched his head.

"No." At that moment, the black-suited agents finally spoke. "You haven't."

Everyone turned to them.

Normally, they'd leave after delivering cards. This was the first time they stayed.

Chazz waved at Hikaru from the crowd. Hikaru blinked, then understood.

So that's it, Kaiba sent them here specifically to investigate!

'Amazing. Seto Kaiba!'

The lead agent adjusted his glasses and said, "The President predicted chaos from the launch of a new card set and monster type. So, KaibaCorp has prepared a special card pack contest regulation!"

As he spoke, he unrolled a long document and displayed it.

"According to the rules, each student can buy a maximum of five card boxes. If students argue over the same cards, they can Duel for them." As he spoke, another agent brought out a box of packs.

"Any student who loses a Duel while trying to monopolize packs will be disqualified from purchasing. The winner, however, will receive a special rare card."

Hikaru grinned and looked at the three dorm reps.

The Blue rep stepped forward, straightened his clothes, and declared, "The Polymerization Club has over a hundred students. I'm buying for them. So I'll take them all."

"What a joke! You actually said that with a straight face?!" Hikaru snapped. "Then I'll reserve them for every other student in this school!"

"Hikaru, don't force us!"

"Seniors, don't force me!"

Hikaru shook his head, raised his left hand, and with a flick, his Duel Disk sprang open.

"Enough! I'm done talking. You don't deserve explanations! If you're really going to keep forcing this, then let's settle it with a Duel!"

"After all, based on what you said, you want to buy all the packs. That means you'll have to Duel for those special rare cards too, right?"

Exactly!

The watching students all nodded.

They knew how the Polymerization Club worked.

If "orders from above" had to be followed, then they'd have to face Hikaru head-on.

Some students even burst into laughter. "Nice! We get to see Hikaru crush the Polymerization Club again!"

Soon, the students cleared a wide space in front of the store for the Duel.

The Blue rep's face turned crimson with rage. He stepped forward and snarled, "Don't get cocky, Hikaru! The professor gave us new power! Even you can't beat me now!"

His tone was arrogant, though his posture screamed cowardice.

"Enough talk!"

"Duel!"