It was one month after the new students had enrolled and the returning students had begun their new term.
"Unlucky, unlucky, unlucky!!"
"Late, late, late!!"
Yuki Judai (Jaden Yuki) sprinted out of the Osiris Red dormitory at the fastest speed of his life, racing straight toward the first-year students' classroom.
Today was the day of the once-a-month "Monthly Exam"—a written test in the morning followed by a live practical duel in the afternoon.
Yet incredibly, Yuki Judai had gotten up even later than usual! At this point, the exam had already been underway for about twenty minutes.
"Huh? Did I just see someone who needs help?"
With a screech like a motorcycle braking, Judai came to a sudden halt, turned around, and looked behind him—only to see a slightly chubby-looking lady in a store clerk uniform struggling to push a cart up a steep slope.
"Ah~ what bad luck! Not only did I wake up late, but I, someone who lives by the motto 'Helping others is a source of joy,' happened to run into someone in need of help at such a time! Sigh—"
Letting out a deep sigh, Judai ultimately chose to go over and help the shop employee Auntie. Not only did he genuinely enjoy helping others, but considering the exam had already started and he was nearly half an hour late, being just a little later probably wouldn't make much difference.
With the auntie's heartfelt thanks and their combined effort—though still a struggle—they managed to reach the top of the slope more easily than if she'd been alone.
"Well then, goodbye, Auntie!"
Catching his breath, Judai gave her a friendly farewell, then resumed his high-speed sprint toward the classroom.
"What a kind kid. If only he could fix that habit of sleeping in…"
Like a doting mother worried about her son, this shop employee had built a good rapport with Judai in just a few short minutes.
"Late, but present."
Watching Yuki Judai rush into the school building in a panic, Sakaki Youye (who had only noticed them once they reached the top of the hill) couldn't help but consider giving him a small reward.
"As for his tardiness, I'll leave that to his dorm leader, Professor Daitokuji. But for his kindness in helping others… oh! I'll reward him with the latest card."
From far away, Youye had already spotted the Self-Defense Force helicopter approaching the island academy to deliver the newest batch of cards.
"That reward will be in your hands… Clean Kuriboh!"
"Kurii~!"
A purple illusion of a Kuriboh-like creature appeared on Youye's shoulder. For the task Youye entrusted it with, the little guy patted its round body with its tiny hands as if to say, "No problem—leave it to me!"
—Scene Transition—
"With that, the written test is now over."
"At 2 p.m., the first-year students' monthly practical exam will take place in the gym. Everyone, please remember to be there on time! That's all. (Meow~)"
With the broadcast announcement from Professor Daitokuji, all the first-year students bolted from their classrooms at top speed, only to immediately race just as fast toward the campus store.
To support the monthly freshman exam, the academy had specially brought in a new batch of cards from outside. As long as your student ID contained enough "points," you could test your luck with the newest booster packs.
After a short while, all the freshmen gathered at the shop's entrance. Just as everyone anxiously waited, the shop's shutter slowly rose.
"A whole pile of brand-new booster packs—I wonder what rare cards will be in there?"
"Finally, finally, finally time to test my luck!"
"Yosh! I'm going all in—I'll draw a rare card from just one pack!"
"..."
All the students were full of anticipation, whether they were the lowest-ranked Osiris Reds, the average-to-excellent Ra Yellows, or the elite of the elite—Obelisk Blues.
They all knew one thing: in the afternoon's practical test, students would mainly be dueling their dormmates. In other words, everyone might look cheerful now—but the moment the duels began, they'd turn into instant rivals! Either you lose and help improve my ranking, or I lose and become the stepping stone for your glory.
"Click!"
The shutter door rose to the top, and all the students surged forward, eager to be the first to lay eyes on the new card packs. But when they looked into the display case where the packs were supposed to be...
A simple white note with black characters: "All New Packs Sold Out."
"What?!!"
They had spent an entire month saving up points for this day, just so they could perform well in the practical duels of the monthly exam. And now they were being told the new packs were sold out in an instant!?
Aaaahhh—how infuriating!
"Ahem, don't panic, everyone. That wasn't the only box of new packs. I've got a second box right here."
Trying to use his red cap to cover his face, Youye bent down and lifted a box of card packs he had prepared in advance. Under the gaze of the crowd, he opened the box and presented—
Brand-new, pristine booster packs in fresh packaging!
"No need to rush—one at a time!"
With that quick announcement, Youye promptly slipped away and left the selling duties to the actual shop staff.
"That Chronos guy... always causing trouble!"
Thinking back to Chronos, who had secretly come to buy packs ahead of the students, You couldn't help but sigh and shake his head. Thankfully, he had a particularly unique background—otherwise, these freshmen might've gone back to their dorms for lunch with nothing but disappointment and anger.
"That was too much this time... I'd better report it to Principal Samejima."
Thinking that, Youye reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cards, handing it to the store's lead clerk—Auntie Tome, the same woman Judai had helped earlier in the morning. He asked her to make sure Judai received the card pack, then tugged on his cap and set off alone for the principal's office.
2:00 PM – Duel Academy Gymnasium
"From the Obelisk Blue Dorm, the student Manjōme Jun. His opponent for the Monthly Exam practical duel will be—"
At the sound of the announcement, Manjōme—dressed in his Obelisk Blue uniform—descended confidently from the stands and walked onto his designated duel platform, standing tall as he waited for his opponent: the failing student that Professor Chronos had promised—Yuki Judai!
"Yuki Judai! You worthless slacker, I'll make you fall!"
As Manjōme stood ready on the stage, Professor Chronos watched with a sinister smirk and muttered to himself.
But in the next moment, as the broadcast announced Manjōme's actual opponent, everyone—except for the few who knew his true identity—was stunned.
Kamigami Youye!
The digital screen displayed the opponent's name, alongside a profile picture with a red baseball cap completely covering his face.
"Isn't that the guy who easily beat one of the instructors using a HERO deck a month ago?"
"If I remember right, he was also the first freshman to turn in the test—and had the unique student number 'No. 0'!"
"Now that you mention it... I don't think I've seen him in any of the dorms—Red, Yellow, or Blue."
"Same here! He vanished after that test. Who'd have thought he'd return today—as Manjōme's opponent no less!"
"A surname like 'Kamigami'... Guess he's not related to that person after all. We overthought it."
"..."
The reactions from the first-year students varied. No one expected that the boy who had vanished for a month after handing in his test early would reappear today—as Manjōme's opponent in the practical duel, no less.
"Are you ready, student of the Blue Dorm?"
You spoke in a calm tone, gently pulling the brim of his cap lower.
"Hmph!"
Manjōme didn't know why Judai had suddenly been replaced by this guy, but the duel was going forward either way. He decided to save the questions for after it was over.
"Don't forget! I have a name—it's Manjōme Jun!"
Youye: "…"
No response. Just gave you the silent triple dot.
Manjōme: (〝▼皿▼)
Let's see how smug you are after you lose! Then we'll see how you talk to me!
"Duel!"
Sakaki Youye: 4000 LP
Manjōme: 4000 LP