"Aisha, I'm heading over to Krista's."
"(?Д?) What happened?!"
Still groggy and weakened from overexerting herself summoning Future Utopia, the newly awakened Aisha's first reaction was panic—someone breaking into her home.
"...Did I do something wrong, Mr. Miles? If you're upset that I sleep too much, I promise I'll wake up on time from now on."
The poor girl looked utterly terrified.
To calm her down, Miles quickly explained and reassured her—it was necessary for him to accompany Krista in her Turbo Duel that afternoon so they could finally lift the soul-binding.
Since Lady Aisha, you wouldn't want Miles's soul staying bound to another woman forever, would you?
"If that's the case, then go, Mr. Miles. Just come back safely."
Even though this wasn't the first time Miles had gone away, Aisha couldn't help but worry each time she was left home alone.
The more precious someone is to you, the easier it is to become anxious; that's only human.
…
That afternoon, at the Turbo Duel Tournament venue.
Just as Krista had predicted, the stands were sparsely filled, a far cry from the lively crowds of the past.
Even though Synchron Academy had waived ticket fees for this special occasion, the danger revealed by the magic stone overcharge had deterred most people from attending.
At a time when the Axet Republic's future still hung in uncertainty, few were in the mood to watch a Duel.
Even so, as Vice Principal Orcus had said, the darker the times, the greater the need for light to pierce through.
All three academies were already assembled in the preparation area, with Aisha and Krista being the last to arrive.
Given their current soul-bound state, they'd been keeping a low profile to avoid suspicion.
Moreover, Aisha had insisted she wouldn't hand over the Millennium Puzzle to Krista until the Duel began.
Thus, in the eyes of Synchron Academy's students, it looked like Krista—who hadn't returned last night—had spent the night with Aisha Carlos, and the two were now arriving together.
"What's going on here?"
As usual, Lost had swapped into a brand-new delinquent coat today—the bold lettering on the back read "Burning Soul."
"Krista, do you even remember which school you're from? Why are you always hanging around those Fusion Academy people?" Lost demanded.
"And Krista, you really stayed out all night? Unbelievable," murmured Aoyao, blushing a little. "Could it be... you've finally stepped onto the path of adulthood?"
Adjusting his sunglasses that hid the Rune Eyes, Nid commented dryly, "The 'path of adulthood'... you mean starting a Duel at dawn? You all saw it too, didn't you?"
This morning's Duel had lit up all of Axet; as elite Duelists of the Tri-Academy, none of them could have missed it.
The sight left the XYZ Academy students with increasingly complicated looks toward Aisha Carlos.
To wield [Number 39: Utopia] with such overwhelming power… someone like that didn't belong in a bottom-ranked academy like Fusion.
Coincidentally, Synchron Academy's Professor Takehiko thought the same.
Nevertheless, today, Takehiko had been assigned another important task—
"Ladies and gentlemen! Up next is the long-awaited second match of the Tri-Academy Turbo Duel Exchange Tournament!"
Shouting into the microphone, Takehiko—appointed by Vice Principal Orcus as the Duel announcer—was responsible for firing up the dismal crowd.
Unfortunately, that was proving extremely difficult.
With so few spectators, half of whom were janitorial staff, how was he supposed to stir enthusiasm?
Still, with the mic in hand, he had no choice except to push through.
"Let's see which academies will face off in our second match of the day!"
He gripped the mic in one hand and the roster in the other.
Yesterday's Duel had been Synchron versus Fusion, leaving the remaining two matches as Synchron vs. XYZ and Fusion vs. XYZ.
This structure ensured each academy dueled twice in the first round.
"The second match will feature Krista Shia from Synchron Academy against Korys Diane from XYZ Academy!"
Krista's consecutive entry was already part of Synchron's plan.
As for XYZ Academy, sending Korys first was a tactical choice to gauge the other schools' power levels.
That, of course, had been yesterday's plan.
"Hey, Korys, snap out of it! It's your turn—get out there!"
Lloyd shook the dazed girl slumped in her seat.
Since yesterday, Korys had been absent-minded and deep in thought.
For her, what she'd witnessed the day before had utterly shattered her worldview.
The Millennium Necklace might predict the future for moments at a time, but Korys had truly seen Ren Austin… from ten years in the future.
And she'd witnessed, with her own eyes, the fusion of the two Rens.
After seeing the anguish in future Ren's eyes, she no longer knew how to face the present one.
"Oh, is it my turn already? Who's my opponent?"
"Didn't you hear? Krista from Synchron."
"Ugh... not Ren, huh."
By all probability, Korys had a fifty-percent chance of facing Ren today.
Nonetheless, fate clearly had other plans—the odds had cleanly skipped over that possibility.
Though disappointed, Korys also felt an odd sense of relief.
Patting her cheeks, she forced herself to refocus. "Even if my opponent is Synchron's ace, I won't lose. I'm going!"
Fully equipped, Korys grabbed the D-Board behind her seat, activated its engine, and stepped onto it.
Not a D-Wheel, but a D-Board.
The reason was simple… Korys couldn't ride a motorcycle.
Still, she was a skilled skater. In preparation for the tournament, XYZ Academy had outfitted her with a D-Board built specifically for Turbo Duels.
A bright, youthful girl gliding in on a board, long pale legs in motion—it was enough to finally stir some energy in the quiet stands.
In terms of crowd impact, she was a hundred times better than Takehiko's announcements.
"Is it my turn now? Sorry, Lost. About last night… I'll explain after the Duel."
As long as she could summon [Shooting Quasar Dragon] in this match, Krista would regain her freedom.
As for how to explain her 'night away' later... she'd improvise something.
Walking with Aisha to the garage, Krista mounted her brand-new D-Wheel and exchanged a glance with her.
"I'll be counting on you, Aisha. Let me borrow Miles for a bit."
Reluctantly removing the Millennium Puzzle, Aisha placed it solemnly in Krista's hands.
"It's only a loan, you hear."
"Don't worry. A Duelist never deceives another Duelist."
Krista didn't wear the Puzzle around her neck but instead wrapped it around her wrist.
That would make it less conspicuous, and with the high speeds of a Turbo Duel, no one would notice it anyway.
—Soul Link!
Miles's task was far simpler.
Not Soul Exchange—just Soul Link.
He didn't need to control Krista's body during the Duel; he only had to remain connected to her to prevent her from being teleported away by card rules.
In other words, he'd basically scored the best front-row seat imaginable.
From his link with Aisha, Miles now shifted to a Soul Link with Krista.
It was his first time experiencing such a different kind of connection.
Normally, linking souls with someone felt like passing through a tunnel of darkness and emerging into light.
However, linking with Krista felt like drifting through stardust—only to be drawn helplessly into the gravity of a blazing sun.
It was as if a massive star's pull had seized him completely.
"?!!"
When Miles opened his eyes again, it was from Krista's perspective.
And she wasn't moving—he was.
"Weird..." Miles blinked her violet-blue eyes. He shouldn't be controlling her body; this was supposed to be a passive link.
Then Krista's panicked voice echoed in his mind. "What's happening, Miles? Why can't I move?!"
"Because... I think the body's under my control?"
He hadn't meant to take control, but somehow he'd been forcibly pushed inside her body. This was new.
"Then give it back! Give me back my body, Miles!" Krista's voice trembled with frustration—and unmistakable embarrassment.
After all, what girl wouldn't feel mortified having her body fully controlled by a man?
"If I could, I'd have done it already, Krista."
He tried to perform Soul Exchange several times—yet nothing happened. The body refused to return.
There was only one explanation.
Krista didn't possess a human body… she had a spirit body.
And the Millennium Puzzle, the Pharaoh's relic housing countless Duel Spirits, exerted far greater dominance over spirits than over humans.
Once the Soul Link was established, Krista had been absolutely overwhelmed by Miles's spiritual force—unable to reclaim her body.
"Wahhh! Give it back! Give it back!"
Her tearful protests echoed helplessly in his mind.
That day, Krista Shia... lost even her own body.
...
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