"Xyz Summon, it's really interesting, Gloria sister."
On the second floor of the Integration Department, Grace gently leaned against the window, holding a tablet, repeatedly playing the scene of Cyber Dragon Nova's appearance.
"Hmph, I'm not interested in Xyz Summoning." Gloria was completely disinterested, looking out the window, towards the Fusion Department opposite, and then at her right hand, slowly clenched her fist, saying, "Duels!! I really want to duel!!"
"Oh dear, honestly." Grace put away the tablet, gently rubbing her brow, "If sister wants to duel Tenjo Hikari, just go straight over."
"Hehe..." Gloria heard her sister's words, turned around, put her hands on the window edge, leaning her head back slightly, resting it lightly on the glass, "That won't do, without you, Grace, just by myself, it's impossible, right."
She lightly tapped the wall: "We must become stronger—more fused!"
Grace also put away her playful expression, gently nodded.
After the last tag team duel, they both realized that Tenjo Hikari's fusion was much stronger than theirs.
So, to challenge Tenjo Hikari again, they definitely need to become stronger.
However, neither of them mentioned the recent emergence at the school of the so-called "Light Society" that could supposedly let people see through destiny.
Let's not talk about whether such power could help them defeat Tenjo Hikari, even if victorious, without a stronger fusion, they'd find it boring.
"Draw card—draw card—"
"Hmm? What's up with that person?"
Suddenly, Gloria noticed a figure on the ground floor practicing drawing cards incessantly.
"Marufuji... Shou?" Gloria tilted her head slightly, casually said, "He's the representative from our school's Integration Department, isn't he? Haven't dueled him yet."
"Huh, doesn't this guy usually just play with those ordinary students? Didn't know he'd secretly train card drawing in the back empty lot." Grace moved to the window, looking down.
"Indeed, but..." Gloria's eyebrows furrowed suddenly, "Even though he's the representative, Marufuji Shou has never dueled with the Fusion Army, never shown his dueling."
Moreover... Speaking of which, he often hangs out with Yuki Judai, right?"
"He seems to regard Yuki Judai as his big brother. They have a good relationship."
"Yuki Judai, a friend of Tenjo Hikari, right? Last time it was Manjome who dueled us, so we didn't get to see that guy's fusion." Gloria lowered her head, observing Marufuji Shou.
The two of them stared for quite a while.
"His demeanor is completely different from usual."
"And doesn't have that craziness of the mainstream soldiers from the Fusion Army."
"This guy is really strange—"
The two exchanged observations, realizing one thing.
This Marufuji Shou.
Is peculiar.
But where that peculiarity lies, they couldn't articulate.
Marufuji Shou continued practicing card drawing in the empty lot.
Why—
Why!
As he drew cards, his thoughts were cluttered.
Why did his brother give up on fusion, opting for Xyz Summon!
Why, a brother who was gentle to everyone, would tell opponents to "disappear, losers" after a duel?
Marufuji Shou had always idolized his brother, and when Marufuji Ryo joined the "New Fusion Department," becoming one of its founders, he also wanted to join. But at that time, due to his fear of Marufuji Ryo, despite several attempts, he ultimately did not join Tenjo Hikari's Fusion Department.
It was after Tenjo Hikari and Marufuji Ryo discussed, that Marufuji Shou joined the Integration Department at Tenjo Hikari's suggestion, becoming a duelist there.
Because fusion isn't about factions; fusion is just fusion, even within the Integration Department, there are many students who have a good relationship with Tenjo Hikari.
So, after joining the Integration Department, he actually lived happily.
Although he lost a duel to Ed once before, embarrassed in front of new students, it didn't matter since no "outsiders" saw it, and later Marufuji Ryo also lost to Ed, so he wasn't concerned anymore.
But now—
Why!
His brother, after losing to Ed, gave up fusion, chose Xyz, and even abandoned the respect for opponents?!
He swiftly drew a card.
"Spell Card, Power Bond!" He didn't even look, just guessed what the card would be, flipped it over, and indeed, it was that card.
He is actually quite a talented person.
Even if he sleeps throughout the semester, a short period of cram sessions could get him through exams.
After joining the Integration Department, listening to Tenjo Hikari's suggestion, he also hasn't learned the "style" of the Integration Department, but secretly practiced alone, much like studying.
He wants to use this card, the card given to him by his brother, to achieve Machine-Type [Polymerization]! To bring back the brother of the past!
"Xyz Summon, interesting..."
Obelisk Blue Academy—though named so, at some point, the dormitory building of this academy had been dyed white.
Saiou sat in the chair, gently tapping his crossed leg, lightly chuckled after watching the completed broadcast.
Only a few short days.
Saiou had already, through duels, become the de facto "leader" of Blue Academy, defeating almost all Blue Academy students, completely ruling Blue Academy through the identities and abilities of "Ed's agent" and "able to guide students to go professional as Professional Duelists."
However, this wasn't much to him.
"Lord Saiou."
"Lord Saiou."
Beside him, Gin Ryuusei and Rose Princess, leaders of the academy's "Light Society," saw him appear and hurriedly led the group in saluting him.
Gin Ryuusei, champion of shooting games world, using a "B.E.S." deck; Rose Princess, princess of a certain country, using a "Frog Deck."
The former was one of the best duelists under Manjome, the latter was a girl even Asuka had to respect, yet, after their duel with Saiou ended, they instantly were dyed "white," donned the white-dyed Blue Academy uniforms.
"Lord Saiou, if you need, we can challenge Marufuji Ryo right now!" Gin Ryuusei quickly changed his fingers in front of him, showing loyalty to Saiou.
Although the goal was to become a Professional Duelist, hence challenging Saiou, after being brainwashed by Saiou's power, he was completely loyal to Saiou.
"No—Xyz Monsters or Fusion Monsters, or Synchro Monsters, all are inconsequential." Saiou had a refreshing smile on his face, his eyes lit with purple light, "More important than duelists using Xyz, is the [Wheel of Destiny] within the academy.
Just as it's not I who guide you, but [Destiny]—now, open the door."
In the situation where everyone didn't understand, several students stretched out to open the door, just at this moment, knocking sounded.
"Knock knock knock—"
Two Light Society members opened the door, a duelist with a black top hat, holding a briefcase, wearing a clearly fake smile, walked in.
"You called for me, Lord Saiou."
Professional Duelist X.
A professional duelist specialized in destroying "bonds," many professional duelists who duel him even give up dueling!
Saiou nodded lightly.
Using him to reach for the sun, evidently the best choice.
"Long time no see, seeing you so healthy reassures me." Saiou exchanged pleasantries, then flicked a card to the opponent.
That person caught the card, glanced at it, and their fake smile became markedly more genuine.
"This really is... This really is..." Ex quickly removed his hat to salute, "Then the duelist you want me to deal with? That Yuki Judai from Red Academy? For your contract with Napoleon?"
"No, Judai has others targeting him."
Saiou gently shuffled his tarot cards by his side, casually drawing one.
Death.
He looked up at Ex: "I hope you challenge [Sun]."
"The, sun?" X's smile faltered, glancing at the sky.
You want me to duel with that thing?
"Not that sun, it's the head of the Fusion Department, Tenjo Hikari."
"I see, I understand." X confidently put away the card, organizing his appearance, "That Absolute Fusion Master? I see, no wonder you'd seek me. Then, rest assured.
I will use my deck to destroy decks, and break that guy's so-called [fusion]!"