Endorsement

"Aster, what happened on the island?"

In a pure white room, Sartorius gently shuffled a deck of cards. Seeing Aster return, he spoke up.

"Mm. It's a bit complicated. Let me explain."

Choosing his words carefully, Aster relayed everything—from the moment he set foot on the island to all that followed.

"Such a thing happened, huh?" Sartorius's smile never wavered. "Perhaps, that too was destiny guiding you, Aster."

"Destiny?" Aster pulled out his Deck, staring at the monster names printed across it. That glaring [Destiny HERO] label made his thoughts waver.

"Then, Sartorius, what is this 'destiny' guiding me toward?"

Sartorius gently spread the cards across the table. Aster stepped up and drew one, flipping it over.

"The Sun." Sartorius frowned. "Upright Sun."

"Isn't that card beneficial regardless of orientation?" Aster recognized it and looked to Sartorius.

He nodded softly.

"The Sun represents light and hope."

"Light?"

"Light."

And with that, Aster understood Sartorius' hesitation.

Had it been before, Sartorius would have been worried.

This card wasn't necessarily a good omen—it could mean the force of destruction within him was growing stronger and hungrier to consume his body.

However, today, Aster had encountered someone: Amagi Hikaru.

What did this "light" truly signify now? Even they couldn't say.

"Anyway, Aster, it seems you were satisfied with your trip to the Academy Island?"

Aster nodded.

"That's good. Don't worry." Sartorius drew a card. It shimmered with radiant light—yet when it reflected in his eyes, it seemed cloaked in thick black mist. "As for Leo Akaba, you don't need to concern yourself. I'll take care of it.

After all, I am your manager."

"Heh—whatever you say." Aster smiled and packed away his Deck.

He still had to head to the next city to continue chasing clues about the man who murdered his father.

…

Back at Duel Academy, inside the Fusion Club.

Hikaru slapped a few photos onto the club's blackboard and declared, "Putting everything together—Aster Phoenix is the legendary Phoenixman!"

"Ooooooh!" Jaden was too hyped to form real words.

"Eh? How did you come to that conclusion?" Bastion was still confused.

"Yeah, really?" Chazz frowned in disapproval. "Sure, Aster does travel the world dueling, and Phoenixman rumors do pop up where he appears. Still, there are also sightings in places where he didn't go, and vice versa.

With such flimsy evidence, Hikaru, this sounds like pure speculation.

Most of all, he's a famous, undefeated pro Duelist. Why would someone like that go after petty crooks and small-time thugs? It makes no sense."

As the group's designated detective, Chazz didn't buy the theory even though his instincts told him Hikaru was probably right, the logic simply didn't add up.

After Aster left, Hikaru and the others returned to the Fusion Club. Seeing everyone idle, Hikaru brought up an urban legend: Phoenixman.

According to the stories, Phoenixman was a hero who traveled the world, catching criminals. Said to arrive amid fiery effects, he was a favorite among hero buffs and lovers of strange tales.

Jaden had heard the legend, though never thought to link it to someone as public as Aster Phoenix.

"More importantly, what about motive?" Bastion looked upward, deep in thought. "What would drive Aster Phoenix to do this?"

"A strong sense of justice!" Jaden shouted.

"Maybe something from his family history?" Hikaru stroked his chin, feigning uncertainty.

Of course, he knew.

In both the GX anime and manga, young or older, Aster always shared one trait: a father who died under mysterious circumstances.

It sounded like a grim joke, and maybe it was.

Considering how Elemental HERO archetypes were likely based on Marvel, their opposite, dark, destructive, brooding characters leaned more towards DC. Perhaps Aster was built as a Batman-type.

In the anime, someone invaded Aster's home as a child, killed his father, and stole a rare card; What his father left him was the unreleased HERO "D" series. Ever since, Aster styled himself as a dark avenger, punishing card thieves while hunting his father's killer.

This stood in contrast to Jaden, who simply loved HEROes for what they were.

But in this world, things were more complicated—Dimensional development had started much earlier.

Hikaru had no idea why this world's Aster might still act as Phoenixman in secret.

"News! Big news!" Atticus burst into the club room mid-conversation, holding up a videotape. "Zane's debut pro match results are out!"

"What? No livestream for Kaiser's first match?" Chazz grumbled.

"Well, he hasn't technically graduated yet. Even if he's high-profile, not many would watch," Bastion said.

"Ohhh! So, after Hikaru, is it now Kaiser vs. a pro? Let's go! Play it!" Jaden was fired up.

Atticus blinked at the mention of Hikaru vs a pro but shrugged it off and loaded the tape.

The footage was a little blurry, though watchable.

After watching for a while, everyone sighed in relief.

Zane Truesdale, professional debut: Victory.

"As expected of Kaiser!" Chazz had been secretly nervous. Watching the whole duel finally relaxed him.

"Haah, Kaiser really is amazing!" Even though Hikaru had beaten a pro today, that was a one-off. Until they saw Zane win, Jaden had been nervous.

"By the way, did anyone talk to outside companies today?" Atticus asked with a grin. "It's only a week-long exchange event, but it's better than nothing."

"Nope."

"Me neither."

Jaden and Bastion both looked down, disappointed.

"As for me..." Chazz pulled a stack of business cards from his pocket. "I got this many."

"WHAT?! Lightning! Did you pay them?!" Jaden shouted.

"Heh heh, big bro's a superstar! The moment they heard his name, they swarmed him!" Ojama Yellow floated in and chimed.

Everyone turned toward him, and the pieces fell into place.

"So shady, Lightning!" Jaden banged the desk. "Too shady!"

Twice!

"Shut it, you pest!" Chazz shooed Ojama Yellow away and shouted, "This is necessary! I'm going to be the next president of the Princeton Group!"

"Whoa, Chazz, you actually have goals?" Atticus said, impressed. "So, Hikaru, how about you?"

"Uh... well..." Hikaru scratched his cheek awkwardly, while Tierra floated over with a mischievous grin, threatening to spill.

"Actually, I signed a short-term contract with a ramen company."

"WHAT?!"

"You're already a brand ambassador?!"

"But we're still students!"

Even students outside the club rushed over at the commotion.

"What? The club president got a sponsor?"

"Hikaru's only a freshman and already got a deal?! Even Kaiser didn't do that!"

Hikaru grew more flustered, trying to explain. "It's just a short-term deal, and I still have to duel one of their appointed Duelists. If the flavor I create isn't good, they won't accept it.

Plus, I need approval from Professor Magitech, and I'll have to visit the Spellcaster village. If he refuses, the whole thing's off."

Regardless, his classmates had already started cheering.

None of them were thinking that far ahead.

After all, in their eyes, Hikaru never loses.

Jaden looked to the sky and dreamed aloud, "I wonder if there'll be shrimp tempura flavor. I'd love that."

"That means we'll have endless ramen and can spend all our money on card packs!"

"Joining the Fusion Club is the best decision of my life. I'll even get my brother to join!"

"Hold up, your intentions are too obvious. Your brother has to like Fusion at least!"

"He will like it!"

"Hahaha, Hikaru won't let you through with that!"

As his classmates erupted in chatter, Hikaru tilted his head, thinking...

'Hm.'

Now that he considered it, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea.

Always eating curry was getting a bit dull, having ramen once in a while might actually be nice. Plus, it meant more budget for materials and cards!

Maybe he could even upgrade his battle gear like Aster.

With that thought, Hikaru stopped resisting the idea of partnering with the ramen company.