Unknown location.
A grand hall, vast enough to hold an army. A towering ceiling pierced the heavens; white light poured from every direction, drenching the hall in dazzling brilliance.
Men and women in white uniforms gathered in the hall facing a high dais, upon which stood a man in a long white coat, handsome, with a little handlebar mustache.
This was the headquarters of the Society of Light.
In truth, the Society was loosely organized; members of different branches rarely gathered—there was no need.
Most served their own divisions and seldom met others. But they all knew whom they served—or even believed in.
Sartorius, the founder—like a god to them. Everyone who joined believed, unwaveringly, that Lord Sartorius represented the universe's ultimate truth; he made them believe that destiny had a right and wrong path.
And joining the Society of Light, following Sartorius, was the right destiny.
But now, they had received bad news.
Lord Sartorius had fallen.
"Impossible—that's absolutely impossible!"
Someone shouted.
"Lord Sartorius's destiny is absolute; his existence is the justice of the universe. I don't believe it—his destiny cannot end, must not end!"
"Agreed!"
"Nonsense—it must be rumors spread by ill-intentioned people!"
Their words drew a chorus of support. Many shouted it was a conspiracy—Sartorius could not be harmed.
Then another voice piped up.
"But I heard it was the Duel King himself," he said. "He set a trap at Duel Academy; Lord Sartorius was caught off guard and ambushed."
Someone immediately retorted: "Nonsense. I sent people to check—Lord Sartorius is in the hospital recuperating. He only suffered minor injuries."
The hall buzzed with conflicting claims, when a voice came from the entrance.
"Sartorius will not return. The one you saw in the hospital is but an empty shell devoid of a soul."
Everyone started, turning together. Some hotheads barked:
"Who are you?!"
But when they saw the man, they fell silent.
A man in a white suit, leaning on a black cane, walking unhurriedly. His movements were slow but exuded a confidence and superior air that defied words.
As he approached, everyone he met felt their words die in their throats. By the time they realized, their bodies had already moved aside for him.
The crowd parted like the Red Sea before Moses. The man in the white suit walked straight to the dais, ascended, turned gracefully, and faced the crowd.
"Regrettably, the news is true," he said evenly. "Sartorius was indeed ambushed by the Duel King and has fallen. But you are also right.
Even if Sartorius falls, the universe's destiny will not end."
From his mouth, the words carried a persuasive power none could match. The hall fell silent; no one dared question, none dared object.
Everyone felt it.
This man felt the same as Sartorius—something that made their souls tremble, that compelled submission.
The mustached man beside the dais asked carefully, "Then… you are…?"
"My name is Mello. From today, I will take over the Society of Light. I will lead you to complete what Sartoriuscould not; the world's destiny remains on its rightful track.
And first, your task is this."
He flicked his fingers; something flew toward the mustached man.
The man caught it— a silver Medallion with "GX" engraved.
"This is…"
"The GX Tournament—location: Duel Academy. Registration closes today."
Mello said coolly.
"I want all of you to enter."
…
Meanwhile—
["Link system matched. Both players entering the online arena…"]
Kira's opponent appeared with the virtual ID "Pro League Season 2 Rank 121"—likely the real pro.
He came in cocky: "Off-season for pros, so I'm online to keep my hands warm. I hear duelists here are decent… not expecting pro level, but don't disappoint me too much."
"Oh, a professional," Kira replied respectfully. "I'll tread carefully then."
"…"
Three minutes later.
"Activate Power Bond, fuse two 'Cyber Dragons'—Fusion Summon 'Chimeratech Rampage Dragon!'"
"Power Bond doubles the ATK of the summoned Machine—Rampage goes to 3200."
"Then Quick-Play 'Limiter Removal'—Machine monsters' ATK doubles again—Rampage goes to 6400."
"Go, bicycle—direct attack!"
And Pro League Season 2 Rank 121 screamed off-screen, still yelling about "Cyber Dragon turned into a bicycle" as the system whisked him away.
Another one driven mad.
After finishing his daily warm-up, Kira glanced at his record: 64 straight wins—he'd only played that many. His "JoyfulDuelist" ID had become somewhat famous in the Link system; forums had posts like "Beware 'JoyfulDuelist'," "Link's No.1 Troll," and so on.
He was used to it, even seeing it as praise for his skill.
Leaving the system and returning to his dorm, he heard a knock.
He opened the door; a long-legged beauty in a white coat with a generous figure—the school nurse—walked right in.
A closer look: Dark Scorpion - Meanae the Thorn.
"Meanae?"
Kira asked, puzzled.
"Why aren't you at the infirmary on duty, coming to me instead?"
"Of course I have something to report to the boss."
Meanae closed the door, lowered her voice conspiratorially.
"Boss, have you heard of… the one-turn-kill Reaper?"