Duel Academy, Yellow Dorm Rooftop.
"Sigh~"
The translucent Jinzo floated above the roof, looking down over the Academy from the edge. Watching the energetic students bustling below, he couldn't help but sigh wistfully.
It's been so long since I've had a chance to appear…
Back when I first showed up, I had some boss vibes—mysterious rituals, sacrificed students, Jinzo in the night like the Grim Reaper…
When did I start becoming a background character?
"You're just too weak."
A cold voice sounded from behind, as if from the depths of darkness.
"It's because you're so weak that you're useless."
Jinzo turned irritably, glancing at the equally boss-like ancient evil god, Shadow Monarch Caius. His translucent form was indistinct, a sinister silhouette that would scare anyone senseless if they met him on a dark night.
Yeah, he looked powerful, but he'd been benched for ages too.
"As if you're any better," Jinzo sneered. "Haven't you been out of action for ages?"
"I'm different from you. I'm too strong. Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? You, on the other hand, are cannon fodder even if you do get deployed."
Jinzo, angry: "Who are you calling cannon fodder?"
Caius: "I'm calling you cannon fodder."
But then he realized he'd fallen into the trap, became furious, and lunged to fight.
Kira sat cross-legged on the rooftop, working on his deck, ignoring the commotion behind him. Maid Alice quietly sat beside him, occasionally handing him cookies and tea.
"Master finally decided to come out at night. I was getting so bored,"
Vampire Fraulein said, sitting elegantly under her parasol.
"I don't dare come out during the day."
She hated the sun.
"By the way, when can we vampires get some action?" Vampire Fraulein leaned in and whispered. "I'm really strong too, you know. If you don't believe me, you can try me anytime."
"I know," Kira smiled. "We'll see when the time is right. When destiny calls, your time will come."
Alice quietly poured more tea for Kira, setting it beside him like a tireless tea-serving machine.
"By the way, Miss Doll's behavior during her sentence has been pretty good, right?"
Vampire Fraulein smiled at Alice.
"If you keep it up, maybe you can go back soon?"
Alice shook her head frantically.
"N-no, I can't yet," she stammered. "I still need to… banish darkness! Yes, there's a big chunk of darkness in my heart—I need to stay with Master to get rid of it!"
Besides, she'd realized she had more of a future following Master.
Trying to plunge duelists into despair on her own was slow and risky—if she met anyone strong, she might lose and end up as their toy…
But it was different with her current master.
Almost every day, she saw duelists being driven into despair, including pros and legends. The duels were delightful to watch, and seeing it every day had cleared away almost all her old gloom.
Alice loved it here. Now, if anyone tried to send her back to the display case as a doll, she'd kick and scream and refuse to go back.
The Eye, nearby, eyed Kira sidelong. "You really are a sinful man, making so many cute spirits obsessed with you…"
"Really? I hadn't noticed."
Kira didn't look up, sipping his tea. As soon as he put down his cup, Alice took it and poured another.
"By the way, you're already this strong," Eye blinked curiously, "so why do you keep seeking new cards?"
At this, Kira finally looked up, speaking sincerely.
"There's a saying—learning is endless, and so is the way of cards. How can you not know that, as a spirit?"
Eye showed a blank look.
"Huh? Really?"
"Dueling is about constant progress and evolution," Kira explained. "Maybe I have no rivals now, but what about ten or twenty years from now?
There will always be new cards, new spirits, stronger systems, and invincible combos. Even summoning methods will evolve.
If I don't prepare, I'll fall behind when the new era comes, won't I?"
"Is that so?"
"Of course," Kira said seriously. "Besides, what if I meet a duelist from the future?
If a future duelist shows up with a deck and strategies far beyond today's, what will I do?"
Eye held back for a while, then couldn't help saying, "Aren't you a bit paranoid?"
Kira shook his head.
"Anything is possible, especially in this world full of the extraordinary."
Besides, there really were time travelers and duelists from distant, destroyed futures in the world of Yu-Gi-Oh! It wouldn't be surprising to meet them at any time.
"You think I seem strong now, but that's just because you haven't seen the ocean's vastness and are content with a trickle before your eyes."
Kira lowered his head, continuing to build his deck as he went on.
"If you'd seen true power, you'd know that what I have now—what others think is invincible—is just a caveman waving a grass fork."
"Is… is that so…"
Eye pondered for a few seconds.
Then suddenly realized something.
"Wait! Did you just say I lack experience?"
Kira ignored him.
Vampire Fraulein's eyes curved into crescents as she leaned almost against Kira's face.
"Master, do you know? Your drive is really attractive."
"Thanks," Kira smiled. "Just don't be attracted into biting me."
Vampire Fraulein giggled.
"How could I?"
She flashed her little vampire fangs, then glanced playfully at the nearby Silent Magician, who looked unfriendly.
"If I ever had such thoughts, Sister Silence would skin me alive."
"Hey, don't make it sound so scary. Silence is actually really gentle."
Kira put away his deck and, when standing, patted Silence's head.
"Right?"
A fleeting blush flashed across Silence's icy face. She quickly dodged his hand and straightened her hair, signaling not to mess up her style.
"Alright, sorry, I won't do it again."
Kira laughed, put his deck in the case, and stood up.
"Alright, looks like the new out-of-town friends have arrived. One of them seems very interested in our island's facilities—he's almost at our alchemy lab."
As he spoke, he used his duel disk to project a surveillance image.
In the dark forest, a figure crept through the shadows—it was Adrian Gecko, the young master who'd just arrived on the island.
"Bold human," Vampire Fraulein narrowed her eyes. "Here with a purpose, are we?"
"Master, should I…"
She didn't finish, but flashed her fangs and made a throat-slitting gesture with her pale hand.
"Haha, no need. This is a school—no need for bloodshed. Besides…"
Kira smiled at the image of Adrian.
"This young master might still be of use. I'll go talk to him myself."