"So this is Saint Fusion Academy. Hmph, doesn't look all that impressive! It reeks of decay."
"Ace, this is the Bredt Kingdom's most prestigious Duelist Academy! You can't say that right in front of their gates!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know, stop nagging!"
"Everyone, wait a bit—Saint Fusion Academy's people will come to receive us soon. Remember to follow the rules, and don't bring shame to our Starlink Academy!"
"Understood, Vice President!!" ×14
"Drop the 'Vice.' Just call me President!"
"Yes, Vice President!!" ×14
"You guys…!"
In front of Saint Fusion Academy's main gates, a group of young people dressed in white uniforms with blue patterns stood proudly. They were escorted by the Royal Duel Knights of the Bredt Kingdom. These were the transfer students from the Axel Republic.
On the opposite side, another group arrived—students wearing black uniforms with gold accents, escorted by the same Royal Duel Knights. These were the transfer students from the Chaos Empire.
The leaders of both groups exchanged glances and cold smiles.
"Well, well, if it isn't Starlink Academy's Vice President, Arella! Didn't expect you to lead the team this time!"
The speaker was a tall, handsome young man with short black hair and an unclear sneer on his lips as he looked at the blue-haired girl before him. "What's the matter? Could your president sleep without you warming his bed?"
"Hmph!"
The blue-haired beauty, her figure alluring and fiery, scoffed coldly. "As expected, people from the Empire never brush their teeth. Every time they open their mouths, it's only to spit out filth. But Cook, look at yourself—what right do you have to even stand near me?"
Cook merely smirked, unfazed. "Oh, I know exactly what kind of man I am. However, everything I've achieved, I earned through my own strength… not through other means." He paused, his grin deepening. "Unlike some people, who rely on their bodies to get ahead."
"You—!!" Arella's face flushed red with fury, but her upbringing stopped her from cursing back. Instead, she turned her head toward the red-haired boy from earlier—Ace—who caught her meaning immediately.
He looked straight at Cook and sneered. "So you Imperial folks only know how to run your mouths? Or is it that everything hard on you has already been used up by the students behind you?
"Let's see… you've got boys and girls both, huh? Didn't think you swung both ways—impressive. As for me, I only like cute girls, not guys. That said, it looks like the girls in your team already took what's left of you, so I'm definitely not interested. After all, I don't like sharing the same place with others."
At those lewd, mocking words, the younger students from the Imperial Academy looked confused, not fully understanding, while the older ones blushed in rage. Cook's eyes narrowed dangerously, killing intent flickering as he glared at Ace.
"I've long heard the Axel Republic is full of free-spirited degenerates. Didn't expect even little brats like you to talk like that. Seems your country's even more impressive than the rumors say."
"Pah!" Ace spat disdainfully. "How old are you? Still believing rumors? Didn't your great Emperor ever teach you not to believe or spread baseless gossip? Or maybe your Emperor's the one who loves believing it most—like when he executed one of his own royal knights for a rumor!"
The moment he said that, every Imperial student glared at Ace with pure hatred. That particular scandal was indeed one of their Empire's greatest shames… a humiliation known across nations.
Nonetheless, insult or not, it wasn't something the Axel Republic had any right to mock.
In the next instant, Cook raised his wrist, activating his Duel Bracelet. A sinister aura burst forth, and killing intent flashed in his eyes.
"Our glorious Emperor taught us many things… but one lesson above all: to exact vengeance on those who insult the Empire. And to do it in the cruelest way possible. Boy, are you ready to face the wrath of the Empire?"
As he spoke, spectral flames erupted behind him. From within those flames emerged the shadow of a massive, three-headed wolf, the number NO.14 branded on its back. It bared its fangs and roared at Ace.
[No.14 Greedy Sarameya] Rank 5│DARK│Beast│ATK 2500 / DEF 1500
"No.14 Greedy Sarameya!?" Arella's eyes flew open in shock.
The Axel Republic had fought countless wars with the Chaos Empire, and through decades of student exchanges, they had studied the Empire's unique "Number" Xyz Monsters extensively.
As the Starlink Academy's vice president, leading this delegation to Saint Fusion Academy, Arella knew exactly what that kind of monster meant.
Numbered Xyz Monsters possessed the power to draw out human desire itself… and their spiritual power was far beyond that of ordinary Duel Monster Spirits.
Regardless, Ace, the red-haired boy, clearly didn't care in the slightest. Seeing Cook ready to fight, he grinned wickedly. "You think you're the only one with a Spirit? Red Dragon Archfiend!!!"
A surge of fiery energy burst from behind him, and a demonic dragon from the depths of hell unfurled its wings with a thunderous roar.
[Red Dragon Archfiend] Level 8│DARK│Dragon│ATK 3000 / DEF 2000
"It's Red Dragon Archfiend!!"
"That guy… he's one of the Axel Republic's Five Signers!!"
Just as the Chaos Empire had their unique "Number" cards, the Axel Republic possessed their own legendary dragons—the Duel Dragons of legend.
Tension filled the air. The thirty young duelists from both sides seemed ready to clash at any second. Yet the Royal Duel Knights guarding them stood calmly, as though they hadn't noticed a thing.
A short distance away, Alicia, walking with the others, whispered to Yuui, "Yuui-san, they haven't even stepped through the gate yet, and they're already about to fight?"
"You idiot. They won't actually fight."
"Eh? Why not?"
"Because if they start fighting at our school gates, the only ones embarrassed will be us."
...
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