Facing Off Against a Pro Duelist

For just a moment, Aster Phoenix's thoughts hit a brief snag.

As someone world-famous, even called the fourth greatest Duelist in the world by Maximillion Pegasus himself, Aster Phoenix never lacked for composure or insight.

And precisely because he had both, when Syrus called out "Hikaru," and the others referred to that person as "Hikaru," Aster immediately realized—

'Crap. Did I just duel the wrong guy?'

"Hikaru! Bastion!" On the other side, Dimitri, who had been watching the Duel, burst into laughter at Syrus's inability to beat a freshman and quickly ran over, pointing at Aster, who was trying to blend into the background. "He's the freshman who just came to check out the Fusion Club and said he might join us in the future!"

"Huh?"

"Seriously!?"

Bastion and Chazz cried out in shock.

Was their Fusion Club really that well-known? Even someone like Aster Phoenix, a pro Duelist, was interested in joining?

Aster forced a polite, though awkward, smile—the so-called "professional smile," a default expression for senior pro Duelists like him.

Hikaru noticed the badge pinned to Aster's chest.

It was an alchemically made badge that Hikaru had rushed to craft overnight upon hearing of the exchange event. It didn't have any special powers, just mildly enhanced Spirit Compatibility—but only for low-tier spirits.

It was designed simply to identify members of the Fusion Club.

And this guy had pinned it onto his blazer?

Even Hikaru was baffled.

Could it be that this world's version of Aster really was here to check out the Fusion Club?

He remembered that in canon, Aster came to the island because Sartorius divined that someone there would make him stronger.

That person was Jaden Yuki—or so it was.

As for Sartorius himself, because he had been possessed by the Light of Destruction and its Waves of Light, he developed a second personality and eventually walked the path of world destruction.

Although not blood-related, Aster and Sartorius were sworn brothers, and Aster had long been searching for his father's killer with Sartorius's help, while Sartorius believed Aster could save him from his destined ruin.

But...

Considering that in this world, Darkness had already been defeated early on, who knows what the Light of Destruction might've been up to in places Hikaru hadn't seen?

After all, even now, Hikaru still had no clue what exactly caused the Spirit World Collapse that every Duel Monster Spirit had experienced.

Of course, there was another possibility.

In Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V, Aster Phoenix joined Duel Academy and even became the Supreme Commander of the Fusion Army. Maybe he was just really into Fusion.

So in that world, he joined the Fusion Army, and in this one, he simply found his way to the Fusion Club and became a member?

Hikaru thought it over for a while and found it quite plausible.

'Haha. Looks like all my efforts in building up the Fusion Club, even stealing the Polymerization Club's shine, have paid off!'

Hikaru greeted Aster, his face stiff with a forced smile. It was the best he could manage.

Not greeting him wasn't an option either—a Duelist had to stay true to their word—No way could he flip-flop so easily!

Just then, Aster's phone rang—he bowed halfway toward the students, then hurried off to take the call.

"Probably a parent, huh?"

"Or maybe a manager?"

"Pro Duelists sure are busy."

Aster ducked into a corner, looked at the caller ID, and finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"Hello? Sartorius!" he answered, his tone tinged with rare frustration.

"Aster, how's the Duel on the island?" Sartorius's gentle voice came through the phone.

The irritation Aster had felt was forcefully swallowed down. He looked back toward Jaden and Syrus, his face twisting between embarrassment and disbelief. "Don't even ask. It was... ugh—"

"Disappointed?"

By now, Aster had overheard enough to realize that Syrus was this year's Fusion Club representative—meaning he was the top freshman in Leo Akaba's faction.

Top student?

That guy?

Honestly, Aster had been polite. When he saw Syrus charge in recklessly, he'd almost activated his set card to win without taking any LP damage. However, he thought that might be too harsh on a regular student.

He'd come to scout, after all, so he held back.

Of course, if Sartorius had told him to go all-out, he wouldn't have played it like that.

Still, the fact that this was the Fusion Club's best freshman left him a little dizzy.

'Why did they want me to go to that place?'

"Leo Akaba should've sent someone to find you," Sartorius continued. "They said they would take you to his Fusion Army. But judging from the reading I just did—you might have already encountered someone who can change your fate."

'What?'

Aster looked at Dimitri.

'No way.'

Then at Syrus.

'No.'

'Could it be—'

He glanced over at Hikaru, Jaden, and Chazz.

'One of them, maybe?'

Though thinking about his current mess, he decided to put that aside and said, "No—Sartorius, listen—things here are a bit complicated."

"Hm?" Sartorius sounded puzzled.

What's so complicated?

Find the Fusion Club. Join the Fusion Club. Seek enemies. Duel. Win.

All very straightforward.

Aster noticed a group of students in purple uniforms approaching and hurriedly added, "Sartorius, I'll explain everything when I get back. I can't talk about it here!"

"Uh, alright—"

The Fusion Army reps had already spotted Aster and began cheering.

"Found him! Aster Phoenix!"

"Syrus is here too! As expected from Syrus, he found the elusive Aster Phoenix so easily!"

Everyone turned to look.

Besides the Fusion Army members, the group also included several tall adults not in uniform but adorned with impressive medals—clearly people of status.

There were also two very tall, rather curvy girls with odd hairstyles: one blonde, one silver-haired, running over to join them.

'Pro Fusion Army graduates?' Hikaru figured it out instantly.

Since other pro Duelists and corporate staff were allowed to visit, it made sense that the Fusion Army could, too.

"Wh-What do you guys want with me?" Aster asked, forcing the question out.

It wasn't that he cared about appearances—It was just that, at this point, he had already talked with Fusion Club members, even taken a badge from Dimitri. There was no way he could now run off and say, "Haha, fooled ya!"

That'd be idiotic. And totally unbecoming of a Duelist.

"Aster Phoenix, come with us. The professor should have already contacted you, right?" one of the pro Duelists said casually.

"Hey!" Jaden jumped in front of Aster. "You Polymerization Club guys are too much! Trying to steal a student who hasn't even enrolled yet?!"

"Yeah!" Chazz snapped, equipping his Duel Disk. "Don't think you can do whatever you want in front of our Fusion Club!"

Aster covered his face.

What was this? He only came for a casual visit!

"You again!" One of the Fusion Army members recognized Hikaru and the others and flinched, but seeing pro Duelists and even Fusion Army Elite Warriors around them, they steeled their courage and said, "You better not think this is like before! Aster Phoenix's manager personally contacted our professor—he's joining us!"

"Really?" Jaden looked at Aster in disbelief. "Doesn't seem that way at all."

"Besides, he's already agreed to join our Fusion Club!" Chazz added.

Hearing this, the Fusion Army members went pale.

They had no idea about any deal between Sartorius and Leo Akaba—All they knew was the professor had arranged something with Aster's manager.

Aster's own wishes? They were clueless.

"I get it now!" Hikaru's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward. "This all makes sense!

Aster, you love Fusion, don't you? So you wanted to join a Fusion-related club at the Academy. Your manager helped arrange it?"

"Uh—Yeah." At this point, there was no way to say no.

Aster could barely breathe.

Meanwhile, Hikaru felt like all the pieces had clicked into place.

He understood it. All of it!

So, if everything had gone according to plan, Aster in this world would have joined the Polymerization Club because of his love for Fusion, proven himself, earned Leo Akaba's trust, become the Fusion Army's Supreme Commander, and eventually invaded the Xyz Dimension—everything connected!

Which meant they could not let the Polymerization Club take him away!

Not for any reason!

This Commander absolutely could not be stolen!

Without him, how would they fight in the Dimension Wars?!

"I, Amagi Hikaru, will never allow a Duelist who loves Fusion to be deceived!" Hikaru equipped his Duel Disk decisively. "He has to understand the difference between our Fusion Club and your Polymerization Club—and choose for himself!"

"Again with this?! Always with this—Amagi Hikaru!!" The Fusion Army members were fuming.

Suddenly, a burst of clear laughter echoed.

"Hahaha~~" The two nearly identical girls laughed in sync.

The blonde—seemingly the elder sister—said, "We'd heard that Amagi Hikaru from the main Academy was a real headache for professors."

"Seeing it in person, it's actually kinda fun," the silver-haired younger sister added.

'Them. Were they the Tyler Sisters from Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V—the Fusion Army's infamous twins?'

Hikaru finally recognized them.

"In that case, Senpai, why not settle this the way he likes best?"

The two spoke in unison, glancing at a medal-wearing adult in their group who appeared to be in his twenties.

"Fine. Amagi Hikaru, let's do it your way—a Duel!" he said, casually taking a Fusion Army Duel Disk that looked more like a sword. "Even though I'm a pro Duelist, today's an exchange day, right? What do you say?"

"Heh, a pro Duelist challenging a student? Interesting." Chazz scoffed.

"Sure, I'd like to see what level you Fusion Army pros are at," Hikaru said, unfazed.

Aster was already dialing Sartorius, hoping for a new reading.

'Could he skip this Academy?'

Sartorius didn't answer. Probably busy.

Aster let out a long sigh.

'Forget it—'

'A Duelist of destiny, huh?'

He looked over at Hikaru, preparing to Duel.

Leo Akaba's thorn in the side. The "Absolute Fusion Duelist" known far and wide.

'Interesting.'

If Amagi Hikaru could really beat a pro Duelist, then joining the Fusion Club wouldn't be so bad.

"Let's Duel!"