Even after leaving the Abandoned Dorm, Echo was still dazed.
She couldn't understand how things had developed like this.
Weren't they here to spy on the Duel King's secrets?
The rumored secret facility the Duel King kept on the island, forbidden dark research, and the fact that Professor Viper seemed up to something dangerous this time at Duel Academy.
Those two were their top priorities to investigate. Professor Viper and Fujiki Kira were supposed to be enemies.
And now?
Young Master Adrian left the dorm alongside Kira, looking quite chummy—no, more than chummy. She could even see that Adrian showed this person considerable respect.
Echo had grown up with Adrian and probably knew him better than anyone. Which is why this was so unbelievable—she couldn't recall Adrian ever treating anyone like this.
"...The visiting group at Duel Academy isn't just us student reps."
Adrian spoke to Kira as they walked.
"Our team lead is a professor from Duel Academy's Western Branch, name's Viper. He used to serve in the military and later transferred to teach at the Western Branch.
He's extremely capable, and rumor has it he has access to some very dangerous power."
Adrian paused, then lowered his voice.
"Some unverified intel suggests it may be a spirit—a very powerful dark spirit."
Kira raised an eyebrow.
The Gecko Conglomerate's intel network was solid—they'd even sniffed out Yubel's existence.
"Got it," Kira nodded.
This surprised Adrian. He looked at Kira twice.
"You already knew?"
He smiled slightly. "Makes sense. This island is the King's domain. Nothing that happens here could escape the King's sight. I was being nosy..."
Echo: "..."
Was this still the Adrian she knew?
She even briefly wondered if, in those brief minutes when communications were cut, Adrian had been brainwashed by some unspeakable evil power.
Leaving the grove, Kira parted ways and headed back to his dorm.
Watching him go, Echo finally couldn't hold it in and asked Adrian, "What happened in there?"
Adrian glanced at her, then smiled and adjusted his glasses.
"Nothing happened between us."
"Impossible," Echo said firmly. "I know you, Adrian. You're not like this. Why would you cooperate with someone like him?"
Adrian halted and looked at Echo solemnly.
"Because he helped me remember who I am and what I must do. And he's the only one in this world who can help me make it real."
Echo froze.
What Adrian must do?
Adrian smiled mysteriously, said no more, and walked on.
…
The next day, the academy auditorium.
"Welcome, new students," Chancellor Sheppard said from the stage. "You are the cream of the new generation..."
The usual boilerplate, not much different from the last two years.
Then the chancellor said, "Next, the most outstanding new student representative will speak."
A pretty girl took the stage and the mic.
On the stands, Jaden raised an eyebrow. "Ah, it's her!"
Beside him, Tyranno tilted his head. "Bro, you know her?"
"Yeah, back in my first year..." Jaden scratched his head. "Her name's Blair Flannigan. She was a huge fan of Zane and snuck into Duel Academy underage to meet her idol.
We duelled and then she went back to her own school..."
Jaden blinked. "Wait, she should still be in middle school, right? How'd she get into Duel Academy?"
"You don't know, Bro?" Syrus chimed in. "She's so outstanding she applied to skip grades and got early admission."
"Eh?"
Perpetual borderline-passing Jaden looked impressed.
"That amazing?"
"And she was the runner-up in the GX Tournament," Syrus added.
Behind them, Chazz snorted. "The champion was yours truly."
Syrus curled his lip. "If Kira and big bro had actually entered, you'd never have touched the trophy."
Chazz's face darkened. He snorted heavily, but didn't argue.
So infuriating—being looked down on like this.
Worse, it was... kind of true.
On stage, Blair Flannigan was reciting with her little hand raised.
"Professors, we freshmen will respect Duel Academy's rules. We'll always uphold a duelist's pride, respect our opponents, strive daily, and face every duel with a positive heart..."
The freshman pledge was fixed, but this year many people wore odd expressions as they listened.
The rest was fine, but this respect your opponents line felt like it could be removed from the pledge in today's Duel Academy.
Why?
Of course because of the bad influence brought over the past two years by a certain unnameable Yellow-robed lord...
"There's one more announcement."
After the new student representative stepped down, Chancellor Sheppard continued.
"From top academies devoted to trained the world's best duelists, I asked each branch chancellor to send last year's champion student for an exchange at the main campus..."
The hall buzzed at once.
"Ohhh, champions from each branch!" Jaden was already excited. "We're getting some serious hotshots!"
"Now then, representing Duel Academy East: Adrian Gecko!"
Adrian, in glasses, walked up slowly amid applause and waved to the crowd.
He also cast a subtle glance toward Kira and smiled faintly.
"Representing Duel Academy West: Axel Brodie!"
The dark-skinned, big-nosed mercenary strode onto the stage, face impassive, eyes like a hawk's.
"Representing Duel Academy South: Jim Crocodile Cook!"
Dressed like a Western cowboy, Jim lifted a crocodile and gave a "Yeah!" as he came up.
Another stir, of course.
"Nani—is that a real crocodile?"
"It's alive! I saw it—it's actually alive!"
Chancellor Sheppard: "And next, representing Duel Academy North: Jesse Anderson!"
The crowd burst into applause again.
But no one came on stage.
Chancellor Sheppard froze mid-smile, face stiff.
Where was he?
...
2 Bonus chapter at 500 PS