"I really do want to give it back to you."
No matter how many times he tried, Miles couldn't switch souls with Krista. It felt as though a skill he could normally activate at will had suddenly been sealed off—utterly inexplicable.
"Seriously… there's no other way!"
Helpless, Miles could only return the Millennium Puzzle—still wrapped around Krista's arm—to Aisha.
This couldn't go on.
Shooting Quasar Dragon had to be summoned by Krista herself for it to mean anything; Otherwise, what had Viel stirred up such a terrifying woman for… to make her awaken Trinity Accel Synchro?
"Aisha, I'd better head back for now."
Since he couldn't exchange souls, he'd have to leave Krista's body himself.
"Eh? Mr. Miles? What's going on?"
From that quite familiar tone, Aisha could tell Miles and Krista had swapped bodies. But Miles shouldn't have needed her help this time, right?
Though she felt puzzled, Aisha still obediently took back the Puzzle from Miles' hand.
This time, he came back so fast—it might just be a new record.
If only every time Mr. Miles went off to see another woman, he'd come back this quickly.
Of course, it'd be even better if he just didn't go see other women at all!
Placing the Millennium Puzzle back around her fair neck, Aisha re-established their Soul Link and only waited for Miles to return.
One second, two seconds… ten seconds passed.
Miles still hadn't come back.
"(￣ー￣) Why isn't there any response yet?"
While Aisha waited for Miles to re-link their souls, on the other side, his expression grew increasingly grave.
"I… I can't go back."
A sudden crisis far worse than expected—Miles couldn't just fail to switch souls with Krista, he couldn't even re-establish his Soul Link with Aisha after returning the Puzzle.
It was as if he were trapped inside Krista's body.
"What do you mean you can't go back, Mr. Miles?! Miles!"
Aisha clung to his arm in panic—clearly, she was several times more terrified than he was.
Or rather, the very thing Aisha feared most had just happened.
"Uuuuh, my Miles got stolen away by another woman!"
Aisha & Krista: "Give him back! Hurry and give him back!"
The cries of Krista's voice in his mind and Aisha's voice in his ears overlapped, echoing all around Miles in stereo.
"Both of you calm down, you're too loud!"
Cutting off both their wails, Miles furrowed his brow, thoughts racing through his head as he analyzed the situation.
"Mr. Miles…"
After being scolded, Aisha should have been crestfallen—instead, she seized up, staring blankly.
Krista's appearance was already androgynously beautiful, but with Miles controlling her, the aura she gave off shifted entirely.
Whether he was scolding her or frowning in thought, Miles-in-Krista was captivating in a totally different way.
Even Mokey Mokey's face turned red, secretly wishing that this version of Miles would yell at her a little more.
"Just like this… isn't so bad either…"
Unable to swap back with Krista or reconnect with Aisha, Miles had first assumed the Millennium Puzzle was suppressing his spirit body.
However, if it were only suppression, there was no reason he couldn't even return.
The only clue he had left was the massive star that had forcibly absorbed him when he crossed the Stardust Tunnel while linking souls with Krista.
That star… might be the key.
"Krista, what are you dawdling for?"
Lost's shout came from afar, snapping Miles back to reality—he'd wasted too much time already.
Korys Diane from XYZ Academy was already waiting on her D-Board at the starting line.
With the situation as it was, Miles had no choice but to… go for it!
The D-Wheel's engine roared to life, the sound blending with Krista's startled voice in his mind.
"Eh? Miles, what are you doing?!"
"What else? I'll just finish this duel for you."
"You'll… finish it for me? Is that even possible?!"
"Relax, I'm a pro."
Your professional substitute duelist, Miles, is now online.
Krista's worry came from the fact that Miles was using her deck for the first time—he might not be familiar with how to fight.
Even though after scanning through her Main Deck in record time, Miles already had a full grasp of its playstyle.
Next up was the Extra Deck.
"What the… this thing's thick!"
Even Miles couldn't help blurting it out. Krista's Extra Deck was several times thicker than Aisha's or even Ren's HERO decks.
All Synchro white cards—definitely more than fifteen.
As expected of the girl known as the very incarnation of Quasar itself… her compatibility with Synchro Monsters had to be the highest in the world.
"Here we go!"
Having finished analyzing the Extra Deck, Miles revved up Krista's sleek D-Wheel and charged toward the Turbo Duel circuit under Aisha's awestruck gaze.
Finally facing her opponent, Korys, standing on her D-Board, felt her heartbeat suddenly skyrocket as she looked at the D-Wheel beside her.
"Krista Shia?"
Korys Diane should've been meeting Synchron Academy's ace duelist for the first time.
So why did this intense flutter in her chest feel so familiar?
It was exactly the same as when she'd lost to Ren Austin days ago—pierced through the heart by an arrow of ice.
"Why… am I so easily moved?"
Krista's looks alone would already make her extremely popular among women who liked women.
Even so, Korys's quickened pulse made her doubt her very self.
"No way… am I really the kind of woman who falls for anyone she meets?! That's not me at all!"
"Hmm?"
Miles noticed the strangely expressive look on her face—regardless, knowing Korys, she'd always been weird to begin with.
A little weirder now didn't make much difference.
"Can we start now, Korys?"
"O–Oh… yeah!"
Forcing herself to calm down, Korys reminded herself again and again: she was here to represent XYZ Academy, not to look for love in Axet.
Besides, the reason she'd been drawn to Ren Austin had been that unshakable strength shining from deep within his soul.
Even if Synchron Academy's ace Krista Shia was attractive on the surface, her soul couldn't possibly be the same.
She was not falling in love again!
"Looks like both duelists are ready!"
Commentator Takehiko Izumi worked the crowd, hyping up the atmosphere.
"Then let's all shout that line together!"
[Speed World – Novel] activated.
"Turbo Duel! Acceleration—!"
With the activation of the brand-new Field Spell [Speed World – Novel], Miles's D-Wheel and Korys's D-Board shot forward simultaneously.
Miles could immediately feel the difference in handling between the D-Wheels.
Though the D-Wheel crafted by Viel was of undeniably high quality—one of the best in all of Axet—there was still a clear gap compared to the one built out of respect for Alester.
It really showed just how far Alester-senpai's influence extended.
What truly shocked Miles, though, was the skateboard beneath Korys's feet.
Krista: "Miles, is that kind of speed even possible for a board?!"
Her acceleration rivaled a D-Wheel's, her graceful figure gliding as if she were literally riding the wind.
Forged by XYZ Academy's master craftsman and equipped with a military-grade Varian Empire engine, that small D-Board was far more powerful than it looked.
Still, since his D-Wheel was built by Viel, if he actually lost to a skateboard, Miles would feel guilty toward her craftsmanship.
Cutting the corner with acceleration, Miles narrowly overtook Korys and claimed the first-turn advantage in the Turbo Duel.
Takehiko Izumi: "Whoa! Even the opening lap is this intense! A duel between Synchron and XYZ Academies—this is gonna be good!"
The atmosphere inside the arena was electric. Principal Orcus's judgment had been spot-on; even without charging purposes, a true duel could bring smiles to everyone.
Apparently, some spectators had seen how exciting it was and messaged friends and family through their Beaconbugs; more and more people were arriving as the duel began.
"Guess I was still too slow."
Though losing the first turn irked her, Korys's heartbeat refused to calm. The speed itself thrilled her—though she wouldn't admit it.
'I am not falling for someone else!'
"My turn—draw!"
Drawing her starting card for the first turn, Miles now had full access to Spell Cards under [Speed World – Novel]'s rule—no drawbacks this time.
That made the opening setup much smoother.
"—I activate the Spell Card [Tuning]!"
Miles slammed the Normal Spell onto the virtual track.
[Add 1 Tuner monster with 'Synchron' in its name from your Deck to your hand, then shuffle your Deck. After that, send the top card of your Deck to the Graveyard.]
A Spell that both searches a Tuner and mills a card—an unquestionable plus.
"I add the Tuner Monster [Junk Synchron] to my hand!"
After searching the classic monster, Miles glanced at the card that had been randomly sent to the Graveyard.
Perfect mill.
"I Normal Summon [Junk Synchron] in Defense Position!"
[Junk Synchron] Level 3│DARK│Warrior│1300 ATK│500 DEF
The short, orange, stocky monster materialized beside Miles's D-Wheel, hovering as it revved up to match speed.
"Then I activate [Junk Synchron]'s effect!"
[When this card is Normal Summoned: You can target 1 Level 2 or lower monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target in Defense Position, but its effects are negated.]
The Level 2 or lower monster in Miles's Graveyard was the very one milled by [Tuning].
A perfect combo.
"I Special Summon from my Graveyard, Level 2 [Rush Warrior]!"
[Rush Warrior] Level 2│WIND│Warrior│300 ATK│1200 DEF
Rolling onto the track on its built-in wheels, Rush Warrior burst forth, kicking up a synchro storm beside Miles.
"Level 3 Tuner [Junk Synchron] tunes with Level 2 [Rush Warrior]—Synchro Summon!"
Junk Synchron's orange body revved its booster pump, transforming into a ring of light that enveloped Rush Warrior.
3★ + 2★ = 5★!
"The gathered starlight will now awaken a new power! Become the shining path of light—Synchro Summon! Appear! [Junk Warrior]!"
[Junk Warrior] Level 5│DARK│Warrior│2300 ATK│1300 DEF
Leaping out of the synchro vortex, Junk Warrior struck a stylish midair pose before landing onto the virtual battlefield.
"Lastly, I Set three cards and end my turn!"
With one Synchro Summon and three face-downs, Miles ended the first turn of the Turbo Duel.
"My turn—draw!"
Speeding along on her D-Board, Korys began her turn, drawing through her Spirit Eyes.
Since a D-Board didn't have a card slot system like a D-Wheel, she could simply hold her cards in hand as in a standard duel.
"I Normal Summon in Defense Position, [Exosister Stella]!"
[Exosister Stella] Level 4│LIGHT│Spellcaster│300 ATK│800 DEF
The pure and adorable Exosister monsters matched Korys's own cute and elegant aura perfectly.
But Miles had already experienced the power of the Exosisters firsthand in his duel against Ren.
"Then I activate [Exosister Stella]'s effect! I can Special Summon one 'Exosister' monster from my hand. Come forth—[Exosister Elis]!"
[Exosister Elis] Level 4│LIGHT│Spellcaster│500 ATK│800 DEF
And thus began the yuri combo.
Once two Exosisters wearing matching outfits appeared together on the field, Korys's so-called 'affection bonus' would always trigger.
"When [Exosister Stella]'s effect activates while [Exosister Elis] is on the field, I can gain 800 Life Points!"
The two girls clasped their hands together tenderly, fingers interlaced—showing off their love to everyone.
[Korys, LP: 4000 → 4800]
Takehiko Izumi: "Ah, what a lovely sight! And with two Level 4 monsters on the field… could it be time for an XYZ Summon from XYZ Academy?!"
Korys swung her arm with flair while riding her D-Board, stacking her cards as the dazzling overlay light of Exorcism filled the track.
"I overlay my two Level 4 Exosister monsters! Construct the overlay network and transform through light! Xyz Change!"
Four glowing orbs—representing her two Level 4 monsters—spun together and merged into the Xyz card held between Korys's pale fingertips.
"Banish all evil and shine upon the world! The transforming Exosister takes form—Xyz Summon! [Exosister Mikailis]!"
[Exosister Mikailis] Rank 4│LIGHT│Warrior│2500 ATK│1800 DEF
[2 Level 4 monsters]
The evolved Exosister appeared—a shining maiden wielding a lightsaber, draped in a white cloak, radiant and valiant.
Krista: "What a magnificent Xyz Summon… So this is how XYZ Academy duels."
If not for the earlier accident, Krista herself would've been the one facing Korys and her Exosisters right now.
"Then I activate [Exosister Mikailis]'s effect!"
[If this card was Xyz Summoned using an 'Exosister' monster as material (Quick Effect): You can target 1 card your opponent controls or in their GY; banish it.]
At this moment, most people thought Korys would banish Miles's Synchro Monster, [Junk Warrior].
But she didn't.
The Millennium Necklace around her neck glowed faintly, and Korys's lips curved in triumph.
"I've seen it—the future itself!"
Through the Necklace, she saw a future where she banished [Junk Warrior] and attacked directly… only to have her assault repelled by Miles's set Trap Card, [Drowning Mirror Force], returning her card to the Deck.
"I banish your center Set card instead! Let the light dispel all darkness—Radiant Holy Drive Blade!"
A slash of holy light cut through the track, striking down the card Miles had set.
[Drowning Mirror Force] was banished.
"Sorry, but that pitfall of yours won't catch me this time! Then I activate Mikailis's other effect—by detaching [Exosister Stella], I can add 1 'Exosister' Spell or Trap from my Deck to my hand. Finally—step forward!"
Having avoided danger and searched her key card, Korys charged into her Battle Phase.
With 2500 Attack, [Exosister Mikailis] already surpassed [Junk Warrior]'s 2300 Attack—she didn't need to banish it to win.
"Battle! Attack [Junk Warrior]! Go, Mikailis—Exosword: Holy Severing Slash!"
The Exosister leapt high across the racing circuit, her lightsaber gleaming as she sliced down at Miles's monster.
Takehiko Izumi: "Whoa! Synchro versus Xyz—a direct clash between academies! Will XYZ Academy take the lead?!"
Miles muttered, "So the Millennium Necklace really does differ from the Millennium Eye."
Though it could glimpse the future, it could only show one possible timeline among countless others.
Korys had foreseen the future where she banished [Junk Warrior] and got repelled by [Mirror Force], but not the one where she destroyed [Mirror Force] and attacked head-on.
"You can't win by clinging to only one possible future, Korys!"
As Mikailis's blade descended, Miles flipped another of his face-down cards.
"—Trap Card, activate! [Synchro Regeneration]!"¹
[Target 1 Synchro Monster you control; add 1 monster used as its Synchro Material from your GY to your hand.]
"Did you see this future, Korys?"
"A Trap that retrieves a monster from the Graveyard?" Korys's brows knitted. "Even if you add one back now, it won't change this battle!"
"Oh, but it will! Every card brings a new variable—every variable, a new worldline! That's not something your Necklace can perceive!"
Miles selected a card from his Graveyard and revealed it.
"I return to my hand the material used for [Junk Warrior]—[Rush Warrior]!"
Krista: "He actually retrieved Rush Warrior at the perfect timing?! Miles, is this really your first time using a Synchro deck? How are you this smooth?!"
Well, that's why they called him a professional substitute duelist.
"You've got this, Miles!"
"Effect of [Rush Warrior], activate!"
[During damage calculation, if your 'Warrior' Synchro Monster battles an opponent's monster: You can send this card from your hand to the GY; that monster's ATK becomes double its original ATK during that damage calculation only.]
The very card he'd just retrieved—instantly discarded as a hand trap.
A massive surge of power flowed into [Junk Warrior], his iron fist swelling as his Attack doubled.
"Charge forward toward the road of shining light, Junk Warrior!"
Leaping high with a heroic split, Junk Warrior raised his colossal fist overhead, power amplifying again and again—
[Junk Warrior, ATK: 2300 → 4600]
With an Attack of 4600, his giant iron fist dwarfed [Exosister Mikailis].
"Counterattack, Junk Warrior!"
Racing full speed ahead, Miles roared as he brought the colossal punch crashing down.
"From the future you failed to foresee—take this!"
The impact shattered the Exorcising blade's light, crushing [Exosister Mikailis] and even blasting Korys off her D-Board into a burst of dust and sparks.
"Take this!—Scrap Fist!"
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"
[Exosister Mikailis] destroyed.
[Korys, LP: 4800 → 2700]
Takehiko Izumi: "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Synchron Academy versus XYZ Academy—their first head-on clash ends in a stunning turnabout with a single Scrap Fist! Beautifully done!"
…
¹ Had a hard time finding that "Synchro Regeneration" card. There's no info on official resources. Most likely, it's from a 5D anime (or a mistake); please, confirm if u know.
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