Who Let Him Play Yugioh? (Re-Upload)

October’s sea wind drove waves crashing against the rocks lining Duel Academy’s coast. A massive ship broke through the surf as it drew alongside, packed with first-years, eyes wide with curiosity.

It was the start of Duel Academy’s school year.

This ship carried the incoming freshmen. Word had it this year’s intake wasn’t shabby; the entrance exams were said to be fiercely competitive.

The main reason was likely that last year the Academy produced a reigning Duel King from among its current students, a publicity coup of immense impact. The dueling world was abuzz; more young people than ever were desperate to get in.

Some wanted to train at the school that had produced a Duel King and become stronger; others simply wanted to glimpse the legend.

From the first day off the boat, it became the hot topic. Almost every new student disembarking immediately asked around for stories about the legend.

This was the moment for the Ra Yellow dorm to bask in glory.

They pulled the newcomers aside and boasted about ”back in the day”—the rise of the Lord of Yellow last year, how they themselves had once crossed blades with the Lord of Yellow…

The newbies listened, eyes shining.

Especially when they heard Ra Yellow held a dorm exchange battle every year to break the ice through duels—many freshmen were itching to go.

Did that mean a chance to duel the fabled King?

In some top-tier events, even the champion might only then earn a shot at facing the Duel King. Such an opportunity was priceless.

This year, there were already more students than usual vying for Ra Yellow. After hearing this, even more could hardly hold back.

It was one thing that Slifer Red students didn’t have the grades for it. But this year, there were even many Obelisk Blue assignees trying to transfer to Ra Yellow.

Unprecedented since Duel Academy’s founding. Obelisk Blue, intended from the start as the most prestigious dorm, now, for the first time ever, seemed in danger of being overshadowed by Yellow.

Ra’s dorm head, Sartyr was grinning ear to ear; he even doubled the curry for this year’s welcome dinner.

Obelisk Blue’s dorm head, Professor Crowler, should have felt the pressure—but he had his hands full.

That’s because Chancellor Sheppard had officially entered his long-term ”on business trip” hermit mode this year, handing the acting chancellor’s duties to Professor Crowler.

Crowler was delighted—he saw it as a huge opportunity—but he was also swamped. Especially during orientation season, the pile of matters needing the chancellor’s stamp was mountainous. The Pot of Greed Professor pulled multiple all-nighters, sporting twin dark circles and looking even more comical than before.

After working till past three a.m., he came early that morning to personally welcome the new students.

In past years the chancellor would never show for orientation. Crowler was so enthusiastic partly because he was newly acting chancellor and wanted to make a good impression.

The second reason: this year there was an extraordinary freshman.

Aster Phoenix, a top young prodigy from the pro circuit.

If he could recruit a star while the chancellor was away, then score some impressive results, maybe he could drop the ”acting” from his title…

Of course, dreams are pretty.

But after Crowler dragged the chubby Vice-Chancellor Jean-Louis Bonaparte to the shore and they waited the whole day, the guy never showed.

”Seriously? You didn’t mess up, did you, Acting Chancellor Crowler?” Jean-Louis Bonaparte couldn’t help asking. ”The freshmen are almost all through and he’s still not here. Could it be a namesake?”

”No…”

Crowler looked dazed.

”I definitely contacted his agent.”

”Come to think of it, we haven’t seen Kira either,” Jean-Louis Bonaparte muttered.

”Kira… uh… busy with affairs, I suppose. We’ll leave it to fate.”

”So, are we still waiting?” Jean-Louis Bonaparte glanced at him.

”…Let’s wait a little longer. We’re already here.”

Crowler pulled his coat tighter.

The cold wind blew in over the sea. The tall-and-short pair of professors huddled together until sunset.

They didn’t know it, but although they hadn’t come to the Academy, the new and old students they were pining for had already started their exchange.

Just not in the way they expected.

…

Aster Phoenix was standing at the entrance of a club.

This is the place.

Reportedly one of the first clubs Revolver paid a visit to when he went around challenging, and later one of the earliest Knights of Hanoi bases.

Yes, Aster had heard of the Knights of Hanoi. Though he’d never been involved with the Society of Light, he’d spent time around Sartorius and was a pro duelist—so he’d picked up the odd rumor.

He’d just never imagined the Knights of Hanoi would be connected to the Ultimate D he’d been chasing all this time.

The Ultimate D was the last card his father made, and his best lead. It was such a cold case that even the police had essentially given up, but he wouldn’t.

He would find that person, no matter the cost.

Aster pushed the club door open.

Darkness.

The vast club was quiet, empty of people. The shadows felt packed with ghosts; it was as if malign gazes were measuring the foolhardy intruder.

Aster frowned, unafraid, and walked further in.

No sign of anyone.

Was my intel wrong? Has this place been abandoned for a long time?

Or did they get wind that someone was coming and clear out early?

Suspicious, but he didn’t turn back. He moved on, alert.

Then he heard something.

Aster froze.

It happened fast. Before he could register what, there was a bang.

From beneath his feet.

The floor fell away. He lost balance and dropped.

A trap.

Aster’s pupils shrank. Almost by instinct, his Duel Disk snapped open.

He didn’t know how long he fell in the dark, but he only just managed to slap down the card for Doom Lord. Destiny HERO - Doom Lord materialized in the dark and grabbed his arm, shaving off the force of the fall.

They still crashed hard onto solid ground.

Aster pushed up on a knee, a bit disheveled, and took in his surroundings.

It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the gloom. Then he started to see walls.

High walls, encircling him, woven into a complicated structure.

Like a maze.