Marufuji Shou groggily opened his eyes, struggling to sit up.
He's starting to regret chugging that big bottle of cola before bed. Although the rest of his body is unwilling to leave the warm bed and covers, his bladder disagrees.
He reluctantly got up, yawning as he fumbled to get out of bed, heading to the bathroom to relieve some extra pressure.
Half-awake, he noticed something strange upon getting out of bed. The light was still on under the bed.
He peered over and unexpectedly found Judai, who usually falls asleep quickly and can't be woken with thunderous snores all night, was inexplicably still awake today.
Not only awake, but the bed was also scattered with cards, as if he was studying something intently.
Noticing Shou getting out of bed, he finally raised his head slightly.
"Shou, going to the bathroom?"
"Mm... yeah."
Shou rubbed his eyes, somewhat perplexed.
"Why isn't brother sleeping yet?"
"Oh, just had some thoughts, studying the card deck a bit."
"Oh... okay."
Shou nodded in puzzlement and left the room.
The Osiris Red Dormitory doesn't have private bathrooms. To go to the bathroom, proceed along the outside corridor to the end; there's only one communal bathroom on each floor.
Previously, when Teacher Dade Temple was here, Shou once got up at night and accidentally went to Dade Temple's room.
Curiosity arising in Shou's heart, and he was much clearer now.
Staying up late at night studying the card deck is typical for research fanatic Mitsuzawa. But Judai?
It's almost as if he's possessed.
Speaking of, Marufuji Shou could slightly feel that Judai seemed a bit different than before.
It was difficult to see during the day. He still appeared optimistic, passionate about everything, getting fired up for seemingly no reason, incredibly excited whenever dueling was mentioned, as if as long as there were cards, everything else in life didn't matter.
But spending every day together, Marufuji Shou realized that may not be the case. Last semester, he knew his brother was genuinely carefree, filled with hope just from dueling. But nowadays, he felt his brother was trying to make himself seem like he was before... or at least partly.
Yet in the carefree eyes, there occasionally shone a hint of heaviness that seemed incongruous with him.
"Kurikuri~"
The Feathered Chestnut Ball floated beside him.
"Partner?" Judai chuckled, "I know, just a bit longer, then I'll sleep. Anyway, vacation is coming soon, and there are no classes now, staying up late doesn't matter..."
He lazily yawned while saying this.
Mr. Joey Wheeler had left the island again yesterday, though Judai found they got along with this legendary Gambler. But he seemed busy, had an urgent call yesterday, left in a hurry saying he'd return in a couple of days.
At this moment, "Elemental Hero Earthman" was placed in the center right in front of Judai. He was momentarily lost staring at Earthman.
"Do you think, if Mr. Momiji were here... he'd be much better than me?"
Feathered Chestnut Ball drooped its eyes: "Kuri..."
"Hahaha, just saying."
Judai chuckled.
"Since recently traveling with Yugen to the Elf Realm, I've experienced more. Those oppressed by the Overlord, living spaces squeezed until barely any left... Yet such an Overlord might well be my inner darkness.
Once thought through this way, there was always a lingering unease. Yugen was right; dueling isn't always joyful after all. Mr. Momiji entrusted his Hero to me, while I've always been muddling along, and that can't continue either..."
"Kuri."
Feathered Chestnut Ball patted him on the shoulder with its snow-white little wings, as if offering comfort.
But then, suddenly, it exclaimed "Kuri," flapping its wings to fly upward.
"What?"
Judai suspiciously looked at it.
"Kuri! Kurikuri!"
The Feathered Chestnut Ball rapidly flapped its wings, flying outside.
"You're saying... someone's coming? Towards us?" Judai muttered, "An enemy?"
Now Judai was considered battle-hardened, more than just a mere student. He immediately became vigilant, following the Feathered Chestnut Ball out of the dorm, running into the forest behind the dormitory.
Running along the forest path, soon arriving at the Academy's warehouse near the shore.
This is the Duel Academy's warehouse by the shore for unloading goods, usually unattended.
Judai followed the Feathered Chestnut Ball near, hiding behind the bushes observing forward, seeing a figure emerge from the other side walking toward the warehouse.
It was already late at night, dark all around without streetlights, Judai could only vaguely see a figure, but couldn't discern the specific appearance. He felt that person seemed sinister, obviously not a good person.
With adrenaline pulsing, Judai immediately sprinted forward.
His exceptional athletic performance earned him the title of a born sports talent from the Academy's teachers. His hundred-meter sprint speed was extraordinarily fast, almost reaching the person in an instant, directly going for a face-riding rush.
The person turned hearing footsteps, shocked seeing Judai charging forward, scrambling to avoid but was too late. Judai's diving tackle pinned the person to the ground, ending up on top of them.
"Who are you? Why infiltrate the Duel Academy...
...Huh? Chazz?"
Judai halted mid-punch, realizing with some embarrassment he was on top of Chazz in a rather awkward pose. Chazz, meanwhile, was protecting his face with his hands, looking quite disheveled.
"Judai, what are you doing!?" Chazz glared furiously.
What's the meaning of pouncing on me in the middle of the night?
"Uh...
Judai scratched his head, looking at the Feathered Chestnut Ball.
"But my partner said someone ill-intentioned infiltrated the Academy..."
Feathered Chestnut Ball: "Kuri!"
It indicated, don't pin this on me. I said someone infiltrated but didn't specify it was this person.
Judai himself saw the figure from afar assuming it was an intruder.
"Alright... can't help it, Chazz does look suspicious."
"It's Chazz Lightning! And where does it look suspicious, speaking of, you're even more suspicious, aren't you?"
Chazz roared in frustration.
"Also, can you get off me first? Having fun?"
"Ahaha, sorry, sorry."
Judai stood up, attempting to help him up. But Chazz dismissively smacked away his hand, stood up himself, and dusted off.
"Your elf led you here too? Me as well."
Chazz spoke, holding the "Dragon of Light and Darkness" card between his fingers as an indication.
"The Light and Darkness summoned you here? Mine's Feathered Chestnut Ball."
With just finishing the sentence, the atmosphere suddenly changed. A surge of gustful wind swept forth, darkness nearly engulfing the area, stars in the sky covered by a shrouding dark curtain.
"All gathered. Hehehe, very good, very good."
A figure emerged slowly from the swirling darkness, coldly scanning the two.
"The elf of Bai Yu and Maut's feathers, it seems today... will be the day I return!"