On the day of the Dojo Challenge.
At this moment, the students of Takeuchi Dojo stood in the plaza, waiting for the head to explain the match rules.
Takeuchi-san swept a glance across the crowd and cleared his throat twice.
"The Dojo Challenge is held every year. Most of you should already know the rules, but I'll explain them again anyway, since the new apprentices aren't familiar with them yet."
After saying that, he paused briefly and continued.
"The Dojo Challenge uses a points system. Besides our dojo, there are many other dojos large and small participating. Each dojo sends five people.
Members of the Four Great Dojos earn 1 point for each opponent they defeat. Competitors from other dojos will earn 10 points if they defeat a member of the Four Great Dojos, so…"
He chuckled, then added.
"Our five competitors—don't you dare get taken out by those small dojos. Even if you aren't embarrassed, I'll be embarrassed for you."
Hearing that, the students below couldn't help but laugh along.
"This time, the venue is the Old District's shopping street," Takeuchi-san said. "The top twenty by total points will advance to the final ranking battle. I hope all five of our entrants make it to the elimination stage. Keeping a full roster in the ranking battle gives a huge advantage."
Upon hearing this, a newly joined apprentice raised his hand.
"Head, what if one of the Four Great Dojos has none of its entrants make the top twenty?"
Takeuchi-san smiled.
"Then that dojo will be removed from the Four Great Dojos. The dojo that finishes top four in the ranking battle will take its place. As for resource distribution, the eliminated dojo will no longer draw from the front of the line. Only after the Four Great Dojos finish their picks will the leftovers be distributed to that dojo!"
"The rules are harsh. So this year, give it your all and push our dojo up the standings!"
He finished, then looked to the senior student at the very front.
"This year, your big senpai Ushio will lead the team. All right, it's getting late—move out!"
As the head's words fell, the chosen entrants stepped out from the crowd.
"Hm? Didn't they say he only joined a few days ago? Didn't expect he's competing too."
Spotting Yusaku among them, Candle-in-the-Wind's eyes lit up.
Fire-Joy shot him a side-eye. "What are you talking about? With how strong he is, of course he's entering."
"True." Candle-in-the-Wind nodded, then asked, "Think our five can all qualify this time?"
"All five? Unlikely." Fire-Joy shook his head. "Last night I saw a post on the game forum from someone who joined Red Sun Dojo. According to him, they've already teamed up with Lion King Dojo. Their first target is to knock out every Takeuchi entrant!"
"Only the weak need to team up."
Candle-in-the-Wind folded his arms and laughed.
"With Yusaku's strength, you think he's scared of a team-up? Don't forget, we saw a bunch of rare cards in his private shop yesterday! With the dueling level around Satellite, even ten of them wouldn't be enough to stop him!"
"Yeah, fair." Fire-Joy nodded, then remembered something. "After I logged off last night, did you finish that quest?"
At that, Candle-in-the-Wind's smile stiffened.
"C-cough… I had a duel that was almost a win. I was 200 LP short and got reversed. But it's fine, I'm Level 3 now with 600 Crystals. After the tournament, I can pick up a few good cards!"
"Losing gives you 50 EXP, and it's 1000 EXP to go up two levels. You're really grinding!"
"That's nothing!"
They chatted as they walked.
"By the way, you didn't post about him on the forum, right?"
"Are you kidding me? He's a special NPC with a private shop—exactly the kind of hidden merchant who sells items you never see on the market in other Yu-Gi-Oh games. Why would I leak him? I'm guessing he's an important character anyway and will go public sooner or later. What matters for us is getting our Affinity up before the crowd!"
"You're right!"
The two didn't bother to lower their voices. In their eyes, the students walking beside them were all NPCs—basically moving cabbages that could talk.
Nearby students also felt the two new kōhai were odd. Sometimes they'd freeze mid-conversation, and they loved talking to themselves—and dueling. They'd challenge anyone they saw, and even after losing, they'd pop up like nothing happened and ask for another duel.
They also kept doing inexplicable things—walking in a strange way, like the floor was hot, hopping every few steps, sometimes running while bouncing.
Seeing the two act like that, Yusaku pinched the bridge of his nose. He'd underestimated how goofy they were.
Soon, they arrived at the Old District's shopping street, lined with card shops.
Most of these shops were run by the dojos. Extra booster resources from the dojos were sold here to keep their operations running.
"Everyone, this is the venue. We split up here," Ushio said. "If we huddle, we become a target. Early on, no need to rush into duels. Watch other dojos first, then slot in targeted tech."
He added, "If you see a crowd of duelists gathering, leave immediately. Some small dojos, knowing they can't qualify, will band together to ruin things. They'll use a numbers swarm to eliminate Four Great Dojo players!"
Yusaku and the other three entrants nodded. "Got it."
After the group split, Candle-in-the-Wind whispered, "Boss, they've scattered. Where to now? Do we tail Yusaku?"
"We're not here to wave flags like the others. We're here to spectate—and maybe pick up new quests."
Fire-Joy rubbed his chin.
"I also want to gauge the level of the other dojos. Let's split and roam. See if any quests pop."
"Your call, kami-sama!"
…
After parting, Yusaku took a stroll. Ever since crossing over, he'd been holed up at the dojo. This was his first outing.
"Hello, five packs please."
He handed over the coins—the reward Takeuchi-san gave him yesterday for beating Genichiro from Lion King Dojo.
Yusaku tore the seals and slid out five cards.
Pack one: five vanillas. Pack two: also vanillas.
Staring at the ten normal monsters in his hand, Yusaku's brows drew together.
All vanillas? Is it because my Luck is only 21?
Refusing to accept it, he cracked the remaining three. Those three were also all Normal Monsters.
"Whoa, you're lucky! That's a super-rare pull—Battle Steer! Your luck is amazing!"
Seeing one of the cards in Yusaku's hand, the clerk-onee-san's eyes lit up.
Yusaku: "…"
[Battle Steer — ATK 1800 / DEF 1400 — Normal Monster]
He fell silent, staring at the vanilla in his hand.
A card like this… is considered super rare here?
"Excuse me, could you sell me that one? I'll pay 10,000!"
"10,000 for that monster? I'll pay 20,000!"
"Looking down on us? I'll pay 50,000!"
Once people in the shop noticed Yusaku's pull, the offers flew.
Three minutes later, Yusaku walked out with 50,000 in hand.
At this point, he could confirm it: that Luck 21 was truly cursed. He opened ten more packs with the money—still all chaff. Even the Spells and Traps were things like The Gift of Greed—effects that made no sense to include.
"Huh? What a coincidence—ran into someone from Takeuchi Dojo right here!"
Yusaku turned at the voice. A tall boy with spiky yellow hair, wearing a red-and-blue uniform, strode over.
"That uniform?" Yusaku raised a brow. "Red Sun Dojo?"
"Correct." The boy snapped open his Duel Disk. "Running into me is your bad luck. Let's duel! The name's Tanaka Hishou—the one who's about to beat you!"
Yusaku didn't waste words. He stepped back to set proper distance, opened his Duel Disk, and slid in his Deck.
He'd been looking for an opponent. Didn't expect one to deliver himself.
(End of Chapter)
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