Light

The appearance of new cards was never going to be a quiet affair at Duel Academy.

These fresh monsters weren't just stronger in stats; some even supported Special Summoning, so for students who didn't normally have access to strong cards, they were a huge boost.

Just by looking at the excited atmosphere, Hikaru knew the upcoming exams, especially the practical tests, would be a battlefield.

What surprised him more was that, after this whole card release event, Leo Akaba hadn't sent any "assassins" to cause trouble. No possessed Duel Spirits, no students infused with Sacred Beasts. It was as if he didn't even care.

But in fact, he did. Leo Akaba had his hands tied by another matter.

First, he discovered KaibaCorp was investigating him. As a brilliant scientist, it didn't take long, after two interdimensional transfers, he noticed his teleportation trail being tracked.

Only KaibaCorp could manage that, aside from the late Professor Banner.

He had considered Crowler, but the man never displayed significant research skills. If Crowler did have this ability, Leo would seriously question his presence at the academy.

After all, he chose to hide here for its convenience and secrecy.

Just imagining Crowler smiling while betraying him gave him a stomachache.

Because of that, Leo couldn't visit his "base" frequently anymore. He had to either find the investigators or issue commands remotely for now.

Second, he was in the middle of "meeting" a powerful entity.

In a vast, pristine white chamber, Leo Akaba sat solemnly in a small chair, facing a cloaked figure whose face was completely hidden by white robes.

The figure stared silently at a card on the table. Just as Leo was about to suspect he'd fallen asleep, the man spoke.

"Upright."

Leo immediately refocused.

"Light now bathes you. Your heart will find calm. The cycle of karma shall be laid bare, and the world will reveal its true form to your eyes."

The voice was gentle, while also profoundly eerie.

This jade-toned young man spoke slowly. Every word was understandable, though the phrases strung together into something mystical and strange.

"You're saying, my goal will be fulfilled?"

"It is destiny."

"Destiny?" Leo smirked. "The thing I trust the least."

"Hehehe, regardless, destiny cannot be altered." The man gathered the cards. "If the light never fades, your goal will be achieved."

Leo didn't reply, but his resolve was clear.

"Also, Dr. Akaba, about what you asked of me earlier, after long thought, I must refuse."

"!!" Leo's gaze turned sharp. "Are you sure you won't reconsider?"

The man's face finally cracked into a wide, exaggerated smile. "The destiny I must embrace is not something you can shape. There is only one person who can change my life."

'Only one person.'

Leo glanced at a youth standing quietly against the wall.

He had silver-white hair, blue eyes, and a noble air in a silver suit. Likely younger than Jaden and Hikaru. At the moment, he leaned on the wall, lost in thought.

"Still, for the next entrance exam, Aster can attend Duel Academy."

"That's enough." Leo, though disappointed, accepted it.

Because he knew who that was, Aster Phoenix.

Maximillion Pegasus, the father of Duel Monsters, once named him the fourth strongest Duelist in the world, after Yugi, Kaiba, and Joey.

Aster's deck brimmed with powerful cards. He had a guardian spirit. And most importantly, his best friend was Sartorius, an ally to Leo Akaba. Even if Aster didn't follow Leo, his support alone was valuable.

"Then, I'll take my leave," Sartorius said, rising and leaving the grand divination hall.

Once he was gone, Aster finally spoke. "Duel Academy? You want me to go there? Playing kids' games with children?"

Despite being a year younger than Jaden, Aster was already a professional Duelist, undefeated to date. Being asked to join a school like that baffled him.

"Also, I've heard of this Leo Akaba. His reputation is awful. Even within KaibaCorp, plenty dislike him. His so-called Fusion Club was just recently overthrown by students, wasn't it? What could I possibly learn from him? Embarrassment?"

He couldn't understand his best friend's thinking.

Sartorius was born with the power of foresight. He could see anyone's future, a genius with spiritual compatibility beyond normal comprehension.

"Aster," Sartorius's tone softened, "I've seen it, a future where we escape from fate's suffering."

"Huh? Because of Leo Akaba?"

Sartorius shook his head. "Perhaps someone else. The light of fate now shines so brightly, even I can only glimpse fragments. This world, no, countless dimensions interweave. Fate grows ever more complex.

But I can see one thing: that light is growing stronger!"

Sartorius had once foreseen his destiny to destroy the world in light. Through divination, he found Aster Phoenix, his destined friend who could change that.

Yet as he aged and the world accelerated, he felt his fate solidifying. He even contemplated surrendering to it.

Until two months ago, in a shattered dimension, he met Leo Akaba and saw a new possibility.

In Leo, he saw a reflection of himself.

"I see," Aster muttered, rubbing his brow. After a pause, he sighed in resignation. "Fine. I'll go check it out."

'Duel Academy, huh?'

He called it a childish playground, but having never properly attended an Academy himself, he admitted it might be a rare experience.

Two months from now, he'd visit.

Meanwhile, at Duel Academy, things entered a new phase.

It was time for "Midterm Exams."

With Professor Banner gone, the Alchemy course was discontinued, and Hikaru's best subject for gaining a lead over others was gone. Bastion and Chazz both fired up, determined to surpass him.

But first came—

Combat.

And as fate would have it, Hikaru's test opponent was Bastion Misawa!

"This is our first official Duel in the Academy, right?" Bastion adjusted his uniform, standing tall before Hikaru.

Hikaru nodded. They had tried to Duel or work together before, but it always fell through.

"Whoever wins becomes the top of our grade! This time, it's me, Hikaru!" Bastion declared passionately.

"Heh, Bastion, talk like that after you win!" Hikaru snapped back.

"Go, Hikaru!"

"Bastion, don't let him off easy!"

"Good luck, both of you!"

Friends gathered after finishing their own tests, cheering them on.

"Both Duelists, ready!" The referee, Professor Sartyr of the Yellow dorm, called out. Seeing his two prized students so fired up, even he felt hyped.

"Begin!" Both activated their Duel Disks and shouted:

"Duel!"

[Bastio, LP: 4000]

[Hikaru, LP: 4000]