Amagi’s Oppressive Presence

"How curious... what on earth is going on?"

In a laboratory, a man in a white lab coat with a strange feathered emblem pinned to his chest stood before a massive machine, staring at it with intrigue.

It was a "Y-Dragon Head". At the moment, Y-Dragon had lost all vitality, its body slumped on the platform, occasionally emitting crackling sparks.

"What exactly is the principle here?" he murmured, stroking his chin. "Clearly it's a machine, yet it's also a spirit... how can that be?"

His name didn't need to be mentioned. For now, let's call him the "Union Doctor".

In this world, ever since dimensional travel became a reality, many scholars who had no opportunities before, either because of their obscure fields or controversial methods, now found new avenues.

Even among these researchers, there were some not recognized by KaibaCorp, the "special" ones who casually experimented on Duel Spirits.

Whether driven by curiosity about the soul, the pursuit of immortality, or simply obsession, these researchers and their disturbing "hobbies" were rejected by KaibaCorp.

The Union Doctor was one of them.

But then someone approached him, offering funding and resources, and a place beyond KaibaCorp's reach—another dimension—to continue his experiments.

Naturally, he accepted eagerly.

After all, his benefactor not only funded him but even granted him power. In return, all he had to do was provide spirit soldiers that would "never betray" them.

Simple, wasn't it?

He had long since abandoned his scruples.

Besides, they were just machines. What was the big deal?

BOOM!

A deafening explosion shook the lab, and the doctor nearly lost his balance.

"What now?! Those annoying robots acting up again?"

"Hmph, we just captured a bunch last time. Still haven't learned their lesson?"

As he grumbled, a soldier in a purple uniform ran over and saluted.

"Doctor, it's nothing serious. Just an intruder."

"An intruder? A human?"

"Yes, someone in a Ra Yellow uniform. Nothing to worry about," the soldier puffed his chest confidently. "We're proud Obelisk Blue graduates! Some Yellow kid isn't a threat."

The doctor didn't quite understand the academy rankings, however, it sounded reasonable.

Still, how did a student get to this dimension?

Wasn't this world discovered exclusively by Professor Akaba?

Puzzled, he returned to disassembling Duel Spirits.

He had taken apart a few already. Though they looked mechanical, they dismantled like no machine he'd ever known. Attempts to modify or arm them always failed.

One day, he saw a part he'd removed dissolve into stardust.

Was this really a machine?

They seemed more like beings that merely resembled robots.

BOOOOM!!!

This time, the explosion was even more violent. The entire lab trembled as if rocked by an earthquake.

'What is happening?!'

Before he could react, another soldier burst in.

"What happened?!"

"The intruder! They're unbelievably strong—how can a Ra student be this powerful?!"

"We'll call for reinforcements! That Yellow can't possibly turn this whole place upside down!"

The doctor stared.

"Maybe you should call the Commander?"

"What? For a Ra student? Never!"

The soldier's voice faded as he ran off. Moments later, the hallway flooded with soldiers and robot spirits.

"Wh-what is going on?"

On the other side of the lab, in the break room, a pale, masked man with sweat on his brow and a withered, twisted right hand staggered into view.

He'd obviously been asleep, woken by the chaos, he looked terrible.

"Commander Morishima," the doctor greeted. "There's an intruder."

"A Duel Spirit from Union forces?"

"No, apparently a student from Ra Yellow."

"Ra Yellow..." Morishima pondered. Then his eyes widened. "Impossible."

Another crash snapped him out of it.

"Doctor, come with me!"

"Ah, okay—"

However, before they could leave, they heard a scream, "Direct attack!"

A soldier in purple was launched across the doorway like a ragdoll, groaning in pain as he tumbled.

A calm boy's voice followed, "That's all? Really, senpai?"

"Damn it!" other voices shouted, followed by the rapid tat-tat-tat of gunfire. It seemed the soldiers had abandoned dueling and opened fire.

Then—

ping ping ping—

More screams followed.

The gunfire faded into silence.

Sweat beaded on the doctor's forehead.

Something was very wrong.

step... step...

Slow, unhurried footsteps echoed. Someone was approaching.

The doctor and commander stared at the door. With each step, the sweat on the doctor's brow doubled. Morishima's lips quivered as he finally whispered a name:

"Amagi Hikaru!"

Right on cue, Hikaru stepped into view. At the sight of him, the doctor collapsed in terror. Morishima swallowed hard.

"You recognize me? I thought no one here did," Hikaru said with a smirk.

He glanced at Morishima's twisted right arm, then at the disassembled Machine Spirits around the lab, and frowned.

He had considered hiding his identity, but clearly the Fusion soldiers didn't recognize him anyway.

"Heh... the grunts aren't even allowed to watch human world news," Morishima explained. "But you? You're on the Professor's bounty list."

Hikaru shrugged. "So what? I've been attacked more times than I can count. What's one more bounty?"

"To think you abandoned your peaceful school life just to cause trouble for us." Morishima raised his left hand as a Duel Disk expanded on his arm.

"Don't think I'm like those losers. Back at the academy, my Spirit Compatibility reached SEVEN STARS! I'm stronger than you are now!"

Seven Stars—Zane's current level.

Despite that, what did Spirit Compatibility even mean?

"You think you'll just walk away from this?!" Morishima's body sparked painfully. "I'll end you and claim the Professor's reward!

Using the terrifying power the Professor bestowed upon me!"

Hikaru shuffled his deck and casually replied, "So it's the Sacred Beasts, huh?"

"W-what?!"

Hikaru grinned. His eyes gleamed with manic excitement as he slammed his Duel Disk into place.

"Then let me show you the power of my Fusion Deck!"

A purple light flared from him, a fierce gust sending debris and clutter flying.

BAM!

Morishima stepped back instinctively.

Who stood before him now?

Amid flying rubble and spent bullets, Hikaru grinned madly, his body wreathed in eerie violet energy. Puppet strings twisted around him, fluttering like bat wings.

At a glance, he looked less like a human and more like a demon from hell!

'I thought I was supposed to be the villain...'

Morishima gulped.

No! With the Professor's card, "Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder", even hordes of robots couldn't break through its defenses.

It was one of the strongest monsters ever!

He couldn't possibly lose to a student who hadn't even graduated!

"DUEL!"

[Morishima Takeo, Union Commander, LP: 4000]

[Amaki Hikaru, LP: 4000]