Amagi Hikaru's Appeal

A new semester, a new academic life, but before that comes the arrival of the freshmen.

Normally, recruitment for new clubs happens after the semester starts. Just like last year, when Hikaru had just arrived in this world, he found a chance to write his application, then participated in the Fusion Club's duels, and finally joined the club.

But after everything that happened last year, the current president of the Polymerization Club (formerly Fusion Club), who was a second-year Obelisk Blue student last year, vowed never again to be overshadowed by Hikaru.

So before the school year even began, he quickly rallied the Polymerization Club members to launch a preemptive "offensive."

That is, to quickly recruit new members before the freshmen orientation.

Last year's events still haunted him: the Polymerization Club was a massive organization, overflowing with active members, numerous third-year seniors, and excellent upperclassmen like Kaname Kanbayashi. Each of the three dorms had its representative ace. Yet even with such a lineup, they were utterly crushed by Hikaru.

Now?

Those seniors had graduated, joined the Fusion Army, and begun working for dimensional affairs. As the now-second-year representative and new club president, he was under immense pressure.

While the Fusion Club also lost some third-year members, the sheer difference in numbers was overwhelming.

Last year's third-year students were the core of the Polymerization Club, having been under Professor Crowler the longest. On the other hand, the Fusion Club only had a few third-year students.

The only consolation: Zane Truesdale had graduated.

Otherwise, he couldn't even imagine defeating the Fusion Club.

Last year, the Polymerization Club still had advantages in numbers, facilities, cards, and access to dimensional gates.

Now, their numbers had plummeted, while Hikaru's side included several duelists who had won the Friendship Cup in the S-Dimension. Hikaru, Jaden, and Chazz had all delivered eye-catching performances.

Hikaru once again had shouted "Fusion is the noblest summoning method!" before the entire world, while Jaden, in front of both worlds, coolly said, "That was a fun duel," after winning, a perfectly timed flex.

Ironically, it was Chazz, with his constant grumbling, who seemed like the most "normal" one.

Keep in mind, these new Duel Academy freshmen weren't clueless bookworms. They were duelists, all of whom had watched the Friendship Cup.

So in terms of fame and strength...

He couldn't confidently compete with the Fusion Club led by Amaki Hikaru. And now that Hikaru and Chazz had reportedly secured funding to expand the Fusion Club, they might even catch up in terms of facilities.

If they didn't act fast now, what then?

Still, he wasn't charging in blind.

During the summer, while Hikaru and others were off dueling in another dimension, he spent time researching and studying both clubs' situations.

He prepared a three-phase recruitment strategy.

First: promote Fusion Supremacy without mentioning Hikaru. Then, tell all prospective students they could receive a special deck upon joining the Polymerization Club.

Though Hikaru's side had support from Professor Crowler, who provided Ancient Gear decks for club use...

They had one advantage.

They previously received "Gladiator Beast" decks from Professor Akaba. Now, all Fusion Club members had stopped using Ancient Gear and switched to Gladiator Beasts. Partly because Hikaru's side couldn't provide those decks, and partly because Machine-types struggled against Hikaru.

Beyond that, they offered other small gifts.

Stuffed lions, wolves, and tigers, supposedly based on monsters from various card archetypes. These might even appear in future Polymerization Club giveaways.

He and his clubmates set up a large welcome booth at the academy entrance. Rather than actively recruiting, they waited for curious freshmen, then eagerly explained their perks and let them choose.

After happily yet discreetly luring in a new member, he saw a group approaching.

Amaki Hikaru, Chazz Princeton, Atticus Rhodes, and... Bastion—what was his last name again?

Several regular Fusion Club members tagged along as well.

He was startled.

He hurriedly coughed and waved. "If it isn't President Amaki! Long time no see. I'm the new president of the Polymerization Club, Mizuo Fukasui."

Hikaru raised an eyebrow.

Last year's Obelisk Blue second-year.

Honestly, a bit of a shame.

He got along quite well with last year's Ra Yellow second-year from the Polymerization Club. If that guy had become president, Hikaru might've had a chance to absorb the entire club.

But of course, that was wishful thinking. No way the bald one would choose anyone but a Blue as president.

Hikaru glanced around. A freshman spotted him and gasped.

"Absolute Fusionist!"

"Amaki Hikaru?!"

"Whoa, it's really Senpai Hikaru!!"

A crowd of freshmen instantly forgot everything the Polymerization Club had told them and swarmed Hikaru, even shoving Bastion aside.

"Hey!"

Bastion wiped sweat from his brow, nearly falling over.

Sure, he lacked presence. Even so, this was too much.

Meanwhile, Hikaru and Chazz tried to squeeze out of the crowd.

Fukasui watched enviously.

Regardless, he understood.

Hikaru's popularity was earned. After all, not only did he rise to fame in the Friendship Cup, but the title "Absolute Fusionist" had also spread all over the net. Add in the fact that he held the legendary Dark Magician, of course students would go wild.

The welcoming frenzy lasted several minutes until the experienced Atticus finally calmed the crowd and casually coached Hikaru on how to handle such situations in the future.

"Senpai Hikaru, if we join the Fusion Club, can we see your Dark Magician card?!"

"Senpai Hikaru, if we join, can we use Fusion like you?!"

"Senpai Hikaru, I want to be a Fusionist too."

The freshmen hadn't even asked about the Fusion Club's benefits yet. They were already rushing to apply.

Compared to the Polymerization Club, where Mizuo Fukasui had to tirelessly talk day and night just to get one recruit.

One of the freshmen Fukasui had barely convinced looked at the application form, then back at Hikaru, hesitation written all over his face.

Wouldn't it be better to join Hikaru's Fusion Club?

Damn it, Amaki Hikaru.

Hikaru gave a sheepish laugh.

What could he say?

He had only come to check things out. The Polymerization Club was doing its usual recruitment. He wasn't trying to poach anyone. Yet this happened anyway.

Such is the pull that comes with fame and performance.

Any freshman even slightly interested in Fusion would surely have heard of the Absolute Fusionist, Amaki Hikaru.

Seeing how Hikaru could sway new recruits just by showing up, Fukasui cursed inwardly.

Damn that Amaki Hikaru. Every time he shows up, nothing good happens to the Polymerization Club.

But he still had Phase Two of his plan.

...

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