3rd POV:
Silence lingered over the duel field as the last holograms dissolved into motes of light. The bodyguard stood frozen, duel disk dim, his Life Points reduced to zero beyond any doubt. A moment later, his shoulders slumped and he stepped back, acknowledging defeat without a word.
Mr. Heartland walked forward, his polished shoes tapping lightly against the ground, his expression calm yet unmistakably pleased. 'Although he is not showing his monster effect but for now that is enough.'
"Excellent," he said warmly. "Truly excellent."
He stopped a few steps away from the duel field, folding his hands behind his back. "You didn't just win." Mr. Heartland continued, his voice smooth and measured. "You controlled the flow of the duel from beginning to end. Resource management, timing, psychological pressure… all of it far beyond what I would expect from a child your age."
The defeated bodyguard lowered his head. "I accept responsibility for the loss, sir."
Mr. Heartland waved a hand dismissively. "There is no shame in losing to talent." His gaze sharpened slightly. "Especially this kind of talent."
He turned fully toward Ryuji now, studying him as if appraising a priceless artifact. "I don't interest in how and where you get your xyz monsters." 'As long as they're not Numbers.' A faint smile curved his lips.
Mr. Heartland stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough to feel personal. " Ryuji, congratulations. You have not only passed the test—you have exceeded it." He straightened. " From today onward, you will enter my academy under my direct sponsorship."
He pauses a little and then his smile turning sharper, more political, "I look forward to seeing just how far your potential truly reaches."
Mr. Heartland then raised his hand, and the noise around the duel field gradually died down. His gaze swept across the gathered children before settling once more on the three standing together—Ryuji, Dextra, and Nistro.
"Tonight, you will remain here at the orphanage," he said calmly. " Consider it a final opportunity to rest… and to say your goodbyes."
The words caused a stir among the children. Some looked relieved, others anxious, and a few wore expressions of quiet envy.
"I will return tomorrow morning," Mr. Heartland continued, "to personally escort the three of you to my academy. From that point on, your lives will change." His eyes briefly lingered on Ryuji. "Make sure you are prepared."
Dextra stiffened, clutching the hem of her shirt. Nistro straightened his back, excitement barely contained. Ryuji simply nodded, his expression unreadable.
"That is all," Mr. Heartland concluded. " Enjoy your last night."
With a snap of his fingers, his bodyguards moved into formation. Mr. Heartland turned on his heel and walked back toward the sleek black car waiting at the gate. As the door closed behind him, the vehicle pulled away, leaving the orphanage buzzing with emotion.
Cheers erupted around the three chosen children. Some rushed forward with congratulations, others with tearful farewells. Amid the chaos, Ryuji quietly stepped back, watching the scene with detached eyes.
Children crowded around Dextra and Nistro almost immediately—voices overlapping, eyes filled with envy that wasn't even bothering to hide itself.
"So lucky…"
"You two get to leave this place."
"Mr. Heartland himself chose you!"
Some tried to sound happy. Others didn't bother. The jealousy clung to their words no matter how politely they wrapped it.
Dextra shrank under the attention, gripping her sleeves, her eyes darting around uncertainly. Nistro, on the other hand, stood taller, chin raised, trying—and failing—to hide his pride.
Ryuji expected the same, but it never came. Instead, children approached him one by one with genuine smiles.
"That was awesome, Ryuji!"
"I knew you'd win."
"Make sure you become famous, okay?"
A small boy hugged his waist without warning. Another handed him a worn card sleeve like it was a good-luck charm.
No envy.
No bitterness.
Only warmth.
Ryuji froze '…Huh?'
The noise slowly settled as the children were guided back toward the dormitories. Laughter lingered in the air, mixed with quiet whispers and unspoken emotions.
Ryuji stood near the edge of the courtyard, hands tucked into his pockets, when a familiar presence stopped beside him.
The orphanage manager. He watched the children for a moment before speaking, his voice gentle but firm. "You did well today, Ryuji. I knew you would."
Ryuji stiffened slightly. "Thank you…"
He turned to face him fully, a warm smile on his tired face. "You know," he continued, "the kids are going to miss you."
Ryuji blinked. "Miss… me?"
The manager nodded. "More than half of the children here were brought back by you." At his confused expression, he chuckled softly. "Every time someone ran away, got lost, or refused to come home—you were the one who went after them."
Ryuji's breath caught.
"You talked them down, shared your food, sat with them until they stopped crying," he said. "Some of them wouldn't even come back unless you promised to walk with them."
The courtyard felt suddenly too quiet.
"That's why," the manager added, glancing toward the dormitory doors where several children kept peeking back at him, "remember to visit them regularly."
Ryuji feel something tightened in his chest. 'So that's how it is…'
The realization hit him quietly, but it struck deep. The boy who used to own this body—the real Ryuji—hadn't just been strong. He had been kind.
Someone the other kids trusted. Someone they rooted for. Someone whose success felt like their own.
Ryuji's fingers curled unconsciously. 'I didn't earn this.'
Their smiles weren't meant for him—not truly. They were meant for the person whose life he had stepped into without permission.
Guilt crept in, heavy and unwelcome. 'Damn it…'
If he had been reincarnated as a baby, this would have been easier. He could have grown into the name naturally. Built these bonds himself. Instead, he had inherited them—borrowed something precious without understanding its value until now.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Ryuji wished the god had made a different choice.
Not because of danger.
Not because of power.
But because this feeling was far heavier than any duel.
And it was one he couldn't escape. That night was destination to be sleepless.
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3rd POV:
Morning light filtered through the thin curtains, painting the dormitory in soft gold. Ryuji stirred as a quiet knock echoed beside his bed.
"Ryuji…?" a familiar voice whispered. "Breakfast is ready."
He opened his eyes to see Dextra standing there, hands clasped behind her back, her expression shy but warm.
"You'll sleep through it if I don't wake you," she added, trying to sound casual.
Ryuji pushed himself upright. "Thanks. I'm coming."
She nodded, relief flickering across her face before she turned and hurried out.
Breakfast passed in a blur of noise and warmth—the clatter of dishes, laughter, children trying too hard to act normal. Ryuji ate quietly between Dextra and Nistro, listening more than he spoke, letting the routine ground him.
Afterward, the three of them waited near the front yard, bags packed, the morning air cool against their skin. The orphanage was unusually quiet, as if holding its breath.
"Mr. Heartland should be here soon," Dextra said softly.
Nistro kicked at a pebble, arms crossed. Then suddenly, his eyes widened.
"Hey!"
Both of them turned toward him.
"The time capsule!" Nistro blurted out. "The one we buried three weeks ago!"
Ryuji's heart skipped.
Nistro spun toward him, clearly annoyed. "Why didn't you remind me? You were the one who suggested it!" he complained. "You said we'd dig it up when we were about to leave the orphanage."
Ryuji felt it again. That heavy, sinking weight in his chest.
Three weeks ago… 'Of course I wouldn't remember. Because it wasn't my memory.'
"Oh—right," Ryuji said, forcing a smile that felt too tight. "Sorry. It slipped my mind."
Nistro frowned at him. "That's not like you."
The words hit harder than any accusation. Ryuji looked away, fingers curling at his side.
He had underestimated it again—the bond the real Ryuji had built, the shared secrets, the promises meant for a future none of them fully understood back then. And now he was standing in that place, pretending he belonged.
Guilt washed over him in another wave, sharper this time. 'I really should've been reincarnated as a baby… Then at least these moments wouldn't feel stolen.'
"Come on," Dextra said after a brief pause, offering a small smile. " We still have time. Let's go get it before Mr. Heartland arrives."
Ryuji hesitated only a second before nodding. "Yeah," he said quietly. "Let's go."
As the three of them started toward the old tree, Ryuji walked a step behind, watching their backs.
Nistro stomped over to the small mound of earth and grabbed a shovel. "Seriously, I still don't get it," he muttered, pressing the blade into the soil. "We buried this thing for our future selves, right? And now we have to dig it up barely three weeks later? What kind of future is that?"
Dextra crossed her arms, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Well… we didn't exactly plan for Mr. Heartland to show up."
" Exactly!" Nistro snapped, shoving a clump of dirt aside. "I mean, come on! This was supposed to be for years from now! Not for 'hey, let's open it before lunch tomorrow!"
Nistro let out a frustrated groan as the shovel finally struck something hard. "Ugh! There it is!"
The three of them crouched near the old tree, the small metal box open on Nistro's knees. Dextra and Nistro began removing the items with practiced motions, their expressions flat—almost bored. They remember exactly what they had put in.
Ryuji, however, leaned forward, eyes scanning each item with growing curiosity.
Nistro take out some figure, an autograph of his favorite duelist. Dextra carefully lifted a folded stack of papers. She didn't show it to anyone, keeping her hands close to her chest. Ryuji caught glimpses of his photos and don't know whether he should be happy or sad.
He turned to the rest of the contents, curious about what the real Ryuji had chosen to leave behind. But the thing inside was simpler than Ryuji expected. Only two letters,
They were tied together with a thin piece of string; he untied the string slowly. The two letters separated, and he immediately noticed the one underneath was a bit thicker and sealed more tightly like something was put inside.
Ryuji's breath hitched almost imperceptibly. He didn't need to look. He didn't need to open it. The weight, the edges pressing faintly through the paper—it was something he had touched countless times before. 'A card'
'I thought the real Ryuji was not interested in duel because I have never found any cards in his room before but look like I was wrong. This card must be very important for him.' Ryuji decide to read the letter on top first before open to see the card inside; but he already decides that he will add that card to his deck even if that card was useless to him. 'Now let's see what he was write inside.'
Ryuji spent a few minutes to read the content inside the letter, then his pupils constricted rapidly. He nearly dropped the letter.
Congratulation on winning your first duel, although there will be a lot of challenge ahead but for now you did great and I don't think you will ever lose because you are 'me' after all.
The main purpose why I write this letter is to let you know you don't have to worry about stealing my body. You can't even exist without my agreement, what I did in the past is also what you did, what you archive in the future is also what I archive. There is no different between us.
In the future you will come to understand more about what I say, but for now just enjoy yourself without any psychological pressure. So go for the harem, become duel king and made me proud.
That's all for now, remember to check the second letter, I left a gift for you.>
Before Ryuji can think about what he has read, a blue screen appears before his eyes once again.
[There is a voice record he want me to give you]
After saying that Ryuji hear a voice in his ears that no one beside him can hear.
"Are you pleasantly surprise?"
'He's like me, a reincarnated!' Ryuji confirm it after hearing the voice recorder, 'but then why does he allow me to take his body? Or did I'm actually a psychopath with a split personality and all that reincarnate thing was my imagination?'
[No need to overthinking, like what he writes for you, just enjoy yourself now. I reincarnate you here so you can create your own harem, not become depressed. I can guarantee that future you will regret all that guilt you have now.]
[Remember, from the start to the end you are always the real Ryuji.]
Ryuji then take a few deep breaths, then he put every wild thought behind his head. 'Then don't mind if I turn on my shameless mod.' With that in mind he directly opens the second letter and found the card inside along with a little message. 'A ritual monster?'
[Demise, King of Armageddon]
And never ever forgot to bring this card, even if you don't add it to your deck, still keep it somewhere in you.>
Ryuji look at the card, feeling the chaotic energy within it before putting it inside his deck. Sign... 'How can I not use the card you left for me?'
Then a gentle but firm voice call out for them, it was the manager, "Ryuji, Dextra, Nistro!"
The three turn back to see the manager run after them, "What are you guys doing here? Mr.Heartland is waiting."
"Ah, sorry I forgot." He turns his head at Dextra and Nistro and say softly "Let's go."
Dextra stun for the moment 'He seem happier?' but then she got erupted by Nistro who is run after Ryuji. "Hey! Wait for us!" She chucked a little before running after them as well, put all the thought behind her head.
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What did you guys think about this chapter, is it better than the previous chapter?