"Breaking news! Fusion Academy crushes the other two academies and triumphantly claims the Turbo Duel Tournament championship!"
In the vice principal's office at Fusion Academy, Vice Principal Raiden sat before his desk, staring at the explosive headline on the newspaper. His snowy white beard trembled at high frequency, and the corners of his mouth curved upward uncontrollably with joy.
Three days had passed since Miles won the finals.
Because there was no such overly convenient thing as the internet, most information on the Spirit Continent was still transmitted through newspapers and magazines.
So even though three days had already passed, this newspaper still counted as "firsthand news."
Or rather, in just three days, the news of Fusion Academy's comeback victory had already spread across the entire Spirit Continent.
Vice Principal Raiden read the newspaper while happily stroking his beard.
"Ohohoho, excellent, excellent. Fusion Summoning… the golden era of Fusion Academy is finally arriving."
As the front-page headline, the photograph of the decisive moment alone occupied nearly one-third of the entire layout.
In the photo, Aisha Carlos, riding upon The Winged Dragon of Ra, appeared in divine form with golden hair and golden eyes. Flames engulfed the sky as she unleashed the blazing cannon toward victory.
No one knew who managed to capture such a critical moment, but that single photograph perfectly conveyed the intensity of the final battle and the unimaginable power of the God Card.
The second photo, though not as visually shocking as the decisive shot, was Raiden's personal favorite.
It was a group photo of the five Fusion Academy representatives holding the championship trophy after their win.
Aisha stood at the center holding the trophy, with everyone else touching a corner of it.
The overflowing joy was visible even through the picture.
This was a victory that belonged to all of them after their hard-fought battles.
"It's about time for them to return to school. I need to start preparing for the celebration ceremony~"
Raiden carefully cut out the group photo from the newspaper and placed it into a magic crystal frame he had prepared in advance.
Crafted by Lady Fiona, the magic crystal frame could preserve time to the greatest extent.
Surely, even after hundreds of years, this photograph would never fade.
Vice Principal Raiden hung the beautifully framed photo on the wall of the headmaster's office. Representing the beginning of Fusion Academy's new era, this photo would remain there forever.
Meanwhile, in the Carlos family's territory, Aisha's older sister Alice Carlos also had the same newspaper placed on her desk.
But unlike Raiden's beard-shaking excitement, the smile on Alice's face held a far more affectionate warmth.
"I knew you girls could do it. I've always believed in you, Aisha."
"Always believed?" Elra, residing in the Millennium Ring, snorted. "Weren't you so worried you even sent her a card? Some big sister you are… so much trouble."
"It was just a blank card, nothing more than a symbol of my thoughts. With or without that card, Aisha would've won in the end."
"Fine, fine, whatever makes you happy." Elra couldn't be bothered arguing with a siscon.
"Anyway, regarding that card, I've got one good news and one bad news. Which do you want first, Alice?"
"Good news."
"It's obvious that you two sisters share a bloodline capable of handling such power. Right now, that card in Aisha's hands is performing extremely stably."
"Oh? And the bad news?"
"The bad news is… because Aisha Carlos has been keeping that card on her at all times, by sheer coincidence, it absorbed a portion of The Winged Dragon of Ra's power. Whether it will continue to remain stable from now on… is uncertain."
"The card absorbed Ra's power?"
Hearing Elra's explanation, Alice raised a slender, elegant brow.
"Honestly, that sounds more like good news~"
…
Synchron Academy.
Today was the final day of the two-week exchange study program.
In truth, after the Turbo Duel Tournament concluded and the ultimate winner among the three academies was decided, the main objective of this exchange program was already complete.
Of course, since it was still officially labeled as "study abroad," the formal procedures still needed to be carried out properly and thoroughly.
So in the remaining days, the students of Fusion Academy and XYZ Academy genuinely attended full instructional courses at Synchron Academy.
The course content wasn't too different from that of Fusion Academy.
For Aisha and the others, it mostly felt like… a different environment, different classmates, and a few extra days of lessons.
However, there were still some unexpected benefits.
After the fierce battles, returning to daily academy life—sitting in the same classroom as the people who were previously their opponents made conversations easier, and hearts more open.
"Farewell for now, Kevin Seth."
Especially between Oga and Kevin, two people with similar fates who acknowledged one another through their duel.
Or rather, Oga had fully recognized Kevin's refusal to submit to fate—and was utterly convinced.
"Next time we fight should be in the academy ranking tournament two months from now. And then, I won't lose to you again, Kevin."
"Though I'd like to fight you again too… two months from now, I probably won't have the chance."
Kevin was still a second-year at Fusion Academy. Although there was no rule barring lower years from participating in exchange programs, the Spirit Sanctuary Ranking War had stricter requirements.
"Oh, I see." Oga realized.
"But Oga, the opportunity to fight will always be there… as long as we're still Duelists."
"You're absolutely right, Kevin. Let's fight again… not as students of our academies, but as Duelists."
After dueling with Kevin, Oga Slint truly had changed a bit.
"After that, I won't appear before anyone ever again."
Miles almost forgot that a week ago, Oga had said those words… that after graduation, he would never appear before anyone.
Yet now, he could face his own fate head-on.
"Time to go! No matter how much you two acknowledge each other, that doesn't change the fact he's still your rival."
"Hurry back to the academy and prepare properly for the ranking tournament. Don't embarrass yourselves again."
Leon and Lloyd grabbed Oga by the collar from both sides and unceremoniously tossed him onto the airship heading for Varian.
As someone with gynophobia, Kevin couldn't help but envy XYZ Academy's student composition—mostly men.
In contrast, both his own academy and Synchron Academy…
The girls seemed to have trouble letting go.
"Don't go! Please don't go!"
Krista clung tightly to Miles, refusing to let go. The tsundere who doomed herself by pretending to be aloof finally lost control; on the very last day before parting, the emotions she had suppressed for so long completely erupted.
Now she only felt regret… deep regret.
Why, back then, had she worried so much about the "different academies" issue and forced herself to keep a distance?
And in the end, on the final day, the moment she saw Miles about to leave, Krista could no longer hold it in.
"Stay a few more days. Just a few more days, please, I'm begging you. This time I won't pretend to be all cool anymore!"
"Don't be like this, Krista." Miles, shoved forward by Aisha, looked helpless.
On Synchron Academy's side, not a single person stepped in to persuade Krista.
Instead, they all looked like they had expected this and were fully prepared to sit back and enjoy the show.
After all, for the past while, Krista had already been acting just like a girl hopelessly tangled up in love… and everyone from Synchron had seen it and remembered it well.
At this point of parting, they simply let her be.
"It's not like I won't come back." Miles tried to comfort her. "No—actually, I'm definitely coming back."
"Definitely? Really?"
"Mhm. Because in Axet, there are still things I absolutely have to do."
As long as Viel's Magic Workshop existed in Axet, and if he wanted to freeload high-tier Magic Directory volumes, he had no choice but to return.
And more importantly, Viel could help Miles create a physical body. Once he gathered 2 million gold coins, he would be back here.
Yes… basically just those two reasons.
[Viel: "Wow. Not a single word about the huge debt you owe me!"]
Thanks to Miles's reminder, Krista realized that "I'll definitely come back" wasn't a scumbag's empty promise. It really held weight… and her heart found some peace.
"Then hurry, okay? In two months, we third-years won't be at the academy anymore."
"Two months, huh…"
It was clear that penniless Krista had absolutely no concept of what "2 million gold coins" meant.
Miles gathering 2 million gold in two months? What did she think he was… some kind of divine entity? A money-printing machine?
Compared to Miles's relatively gentle farewell, Ren handled things with brutal efficiency, cutting off any lingering attachments.
"Uwahhh, I don't want to be separated from you, Ren…"
Korys reached out to hug Ren, but Ren coldly pressed a hand to her face, pushing so hard her face almost deformed.
"Your teammates are already boarding. If you don't go now, they'll leave you behind, Korys."
"So cold, Ren… Once we part, who knows when we'll ever meet again! Not even my Millennium Necklace can see our future reunion!"
Unlike Miles, who had to return to Axet, Ren and the Varian Empire, and Korys and Livorden had absolutely zero overlap.
"Then farewell forever, Korys. I'll try my best not to forget you forever~"
"Eh… forever? Try not to forget? That's too cruel! Then I refuse to leave…"
"Get going already. Stop embarrassing yourself, you lesbian."
Unable to tolerate the scene any longer, Leon and Lloyd—the ones who ended up doing most of the heavy lifting during this human transportation session—grabbed Korys by the collar and tossed her onto the airship.
"We should get going too." Irena checked the time theatrically.
In truth, Fusion Academy's departure wasn't scheduled at all.
Unlike the public airship they took to arrive, this time the entire return trip was sponsored by the Seth family's luxury private airship.
Yes. The Blue-Eyes White Dragon Airship.
They could take off whenever they wanted. Irena simply didn't want to watch Miles continue to suffer while being clung to by Krista.
"Are meals included? They HAVE to be included, right? It's a luxury private airship!" Lishia, whose body had recovered, was the most excited of all.
Recovered… though not fully. Since that day, Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Saint Vessel, had never manifested again.
Even Lishia herself didn't know what had happened to the saint.
Because, unlike using the Millennium Puzzle for possession, the sensations of the Saint Vessel state weren't shared. Many things Ecclesia knew, Lishia herself had no access to.
Right now, she was just a cheerful, innocent village girl.
Under Krista's reluctant gaze, Miles boarded the Blue-Eyes White Dragon Airship—and felt surprisingly relieved.
As the airship slowly ascended and Axet's lands spread beneath the windows, Miles felt emotions rise in his chest.
Using the sky itself as a Turbo Duel arena… every part of this land carried traces of his battles.
Aisha: "Mr. Miles, did you enjoy the duels during this exchange?"
Miles: "Do you even need to ask?"
No one who won in the end would be unhappy.
And after fully experiencing Turbo Dueling—speed as magic—his dream of riding a D-Wheel in battle had been perfectly fulfilled.
"I guess… I don't really have any regrets left."
"┌(.Д.)┐ That's a flag, Mr. Miles!"
After takeoff, Kevin spoke briefly with the crew piloting the airship before stepping up beside Miles.
"Miles, Aisha. A last-minute request came in—are you interested?"
"Huh? A request?" Miles stared at him in confusion. "Kevin, since when did you turn into a quest-giving NPC? You don't even have an exclamation mark over your head."
"A while ago, the royal family assigned a mission to the Seth family. The western region of the kingdom seems to be experiencing an uprising caused by a religious faction, and it needs to be suppressed immediately."
"Religious faction? An uprising?"
The moment religion-induced uprising was mentioned, Miles immediately thought of the Church of the Old Dominators.
That said, the Pope of the Old Dominators should've had his soul erased during that Shadow Duel.
"Entrusting the Seth family with this is probably Lord Kaiser's way of letting Duke Seth earn merit and restore the family's reputation."
"Politics again?" Miles instantly lost interest. "Sounds great. Wonderful. Totally not my problem."
"That's what my sister thought too at first. She personally left to suppress the rebels. But it turns out this uprising isn't being caused by ordinary cultists. Even she couldn't resolve it fast."
"Even Kaima can't solve it?"
"Which is why she contacted me earlier. She hopes you and Aisha, both Royal Knights of Livorden, can assist the Seth family in suppressing the uprising."
"I refuse!"
Miles rejected it without a second thought. Getting dragged into political messes was the last thing he wanted. Why should he work for free just so the Seth family could rebuild their reputation?
This was a task assigned by the royal family specifically to the Seth family; it had nothing to do with the Carlos family. Why should he carry that burden just because he had the title of Royal Knight?
"One more thing—my sister said that if you agree to help… she'll pay you personally."
"Payment?" Miles narrowed his eyes. "Knowing Kaima… don't tell me it's something like: 'Your reward is the honor of dueling me!'"
"No. Real payment. Two million gold."
"What the…!"
The number matched perfectly.
[Kaima: "Hmph. Got 'em."]
...
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