"Rumors of vampires?"
After distributing the Seven Stars Gate keys, Youmi and the others held regular meetings in Principal Sheppard's office to exchange the information and suspicions they had gathered during that time.
Alexis did not attend, as she was caring for her brother; after the meeting, Zane would relay the details to her.
For example, today someone brought up legends concerning "vampires."
The one who raised the topic was Zane. He took out several A4 sheets and handed them to everyone. "Based on the intelligence Youmi obtained from the self-proclaimed 'Seven Stars' member Nightshroud, combined with what that former Seven Stars member Titan said recently, there is a vampire duelist among the Seven Stars."
"Taking these rumors into account, we can more or less confirm that the second Seven Stars member has appeared. These are some eyewitness reports—Bastion and I organized them."
Jaden took one of the sheets. He looked it over from top to bottom, but no matter how he looked at it, he couldn't make sense of it, so he scratched his head and said, "Come to think of it, Youmi also called us earlier and told us to watch out for being spied on. Has anyone found bats or anything like that in their dorms?"
After receiving Youmi's call, Jaden had dragged his two roommates and turned their dorm upside down, but they still hadn't found any bats or the like. With no other choice, he could only hide under his blanket with a flashlight and work on his Deck.
Zane shook his head. "No. I think once they knew we'd be taking countermeasures, they would've switched to another approach. The number of eyewitness accounts has been increasing recently—they've likely decided to confront us head-on."
Jaden nodded thoughtfully. The pendant around his neck, entrusted to him by Atticus, had already taken on its complete form. "Then, starting today, why don't we stake out the places where sightings were reported? As soon as we run into that vampire, we can duel her and defeat her, right?
"I just finished building a new Deck too. I really want to hurry up and play a match against the Seven Stars~"
"Bottom-of-the-class student, you can just cheer us on," Professor Crowler said, patting Jaden on the head.
After eliciting a yelp from him, Crowler nodded in satisfaction and continued. "Your quiz score from this morning's class was still a fail. Don't sleep through lessons all the time! The previous Nightshroud and the infiltrating Titan were both dealt with by Youmi.
"This time, we teachers will take action. I'll show you the power of educators."
"Excuse me, Professor. This time, I'd like to handle it myself."
Raising his hand to interrupt Professor Crowler, Zane spoke. "If Professor Crowler were to go all out, even just his new ace, Chaos Ancient Gear Giant, might be enough to defeat the Seven Stars. But the Seven Stars Gate keys all need to accumulate power. If we students step in first, we can both test our own strength and probe the enemy's capabilities, right?"
Professor Crowler shook his head. "I'm a teacher. As a teacher, I can't stand by and watch my students put themselves in danger, y'know."
Bastion added, "I agree with what Zane said. Professor Crowler doesn't need to act so early. Let the first few be handled by us students. After all, we represent the stronger students. Since they're enemies of the academy, how could we leave everything to our teachers?"
After a round of discussion, the group ultimately decided that Zane would take the opening duel. However, if Zane were to fall into danger, even the powerful Professor Crowler and Professor Banner would step in themselves.
Together, they headed to the lakeside at night.
Dense fog filled the air. From a small boat, a red carpet stretched all the way to the shore. A vampire noblewoman in a crimson gown slowly approached, speaking. "Oh my, you were already waiting here in advance. How gentlemanly~"
Having already equipped his Duel Disk, Zane stepped forward and asked, "I am a duelist from Duel Academy, Zane. May I ask who you are?"
After introducing herself with elegance, Camula licked her lips without hiding her intent. "Camula, the noblewoman of the Seven Stars, the vampire Camula~"
"Oh my, you're exactly my type. I really want to add you to my collection as soon as possible. Come then, guardian of the Seven Stars Gate key, let us begin our duel~"
"Then may I ask, what rules will apply to this duel?" As he placed his Deck into the Duel Disk and let it shuffle automatically, Zane asked, "Will we be using the shadow games you're so fond of?"
Camula nodded, then took a doll out from her bosom. "In this duel, the loser must have their soul sealed inside this doll. However, since you're my type, I can give you a little special treatment~ If you lose, just give me the Seven Stars Gate key. As for the sealed soul, you can let your companions serve as substitutes. They seem to care about you quite a lot."
As she spoke, she drew five cards and casually pointed at Zane's companions one by one, counting them like sheep—skipping over Professor Crowler alone.
"But that one can be excluded. He's not my type. So? Do you accept?"
Zane also drew five cards and shook his head.
"There's no need. If I lose, I'll bear the price myself. Moreover, I have a proposal."
Zane raised his hand to block his companions behind him.
"If my friends try to take my place, please stop them. Without harming them."
Hearing Zane say this, Professor Crowler immediately tried to step forward, but was pushed back by a swarm of bats.
"Mr. Truesdale, you—what's with these bats?!"
"These are… materialized monsters, aren't they?" Youmi frowned as she sensed the presence of these Card Spirits. "Zane, this isn't what we agreed on, is it? Do you really intend to shoulder everything alone?"
Zane didn't turn around. He merely nodded and said, "Sorry. I can't just stand by and watch you all fall into danger because of me. So… please forgive my selfishness."
Perhaps Zane's composed actions and character earned him quite a few extra points in Camula's eyes, so she agreed to this request as well.
"Then the Shadow Game, meant solely to hunt the Seven Stars Gate key and your soul, shall begin~ DUEL!"
"DUEL!"
Turn.1
"I'll be taking the first move. My turn—draw!"
Seeing that she had the first turn on her Duel Disk, Camula laughed with satisfaction.
"I Normal Summon Battle Ox~"
...
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