An inter-academy exchange event hosted by KaibaCorp was swiftly organized through the school's efforts, with Mokuba Kaiba personally delivering the opening address.
Duel Academy, while known for producing world-class duelists, had always faced a persistent, nagging issue—
What came after graduation.
It's not like the Academy handed out career placements.
After all, these were duelists, and their future lay in dueling.
But no matter how "good the wine," if you're stuck in a deep alley, no one's going to drink it.
Even genuinely talented students often left without a clear direction.
Especially when the pro dueling circuit was a battlefield.
Fresh graduates entering that arena were up against immense pressure—mental, emotional, strategic. Few could stay standing.
Until now, Duel Academy's approach had been laissez-faire: "Let the students decide for themselves."
But now?
KaibaCorp initiating this "Dueling Career Expo" was, frankly, the biggest upgrade the Academy had seen in years.
"Sorry, student. Our company's focus is dimensional development. Your physical stats… don't quite meet the demands of high-intensity cross-dimensional dueling…"
"Oh! A Level 5 Spirit Sync rating? Have you considered PanSpirit International?"
The hot commodity on the market now was simple:
Spirit-Adapted Duelists.
Even if dimensional exploration hadn't yielded massive returns yet, everyone knew—
It was the future.
Years, decades, centuries—it would be the most lucrative, most groundbreaking endeavor known to mankind.
Whoever struck gold in another dimension first?
Instant megacorp. Instant legend.
And companies that didn't even touch dimensional ops?
Labeled "non-aggressive."
Their stock? Dead water.
No investor would touch them.
Naturally…
Though only a first-year, Hikaru Amagi already had a Level 6 Spirit Adaptation score.
The moment he walked by, talent scouts swarmed like sharks to blood.
"Ahhh! You're Hikaru Amagi, right!? The way you crushed those X-Dimension duelists earlier this year was legendary!"
"Mr. Amagi! You're a Fusion-focused duelist, correct? Might you be interested in our company's dimensional Fusion bike series—?"
"Do you have any academic or professional goals moving forward? Here's our card—please consider interning with us!"
In an instant, Hikaru was trapped in a corporate mosh pit.
"Wow, Hikaru, you're popular today, huh?"
Tiara, utterly unbothered by the mob, watched with amusement.
"Check if any of them are selling cup noodles. I think a Quick-Fusion Instant Noodles brand would kill in the market!"
Her tone was half-joking.
As a known schemer among monsters, she figured: if the Magician Scientists' noodles were ever depleted, who knew how long they'd take to restock?
Why not kickstart mass production on Earth instead?
Besides—she had tried other flavors.
Nothing beat Quick-Fusion.
"What's all that noise?"
A tall, handsome boy in a pristine white suit stood atop one of the island's cliffs, brushing dust off his hands.
He raised an eyebrow at the scene—dozens of companies surrounding a single student.
"Fighting over someone, huh?"
Aster Phoenix recognized the vibe immediately.
He'd lived through it.
After the initial awkwardness, he'd gotten used to it. Especially with Sartorius handling the nuisances.
He looked upward—
Spotted a green-haired Duel Spirit laughing quietly near the crowd.
A student with a Spirit companion, huh?
No wonder the companies were drooling.
This was a new age.
And in this age?
Spirit-Wielding Students were gold.
He stretched lazily.
Originally, he'd planned to visit the island during recruitment season.
But with KaibaCorp suddenly announcing the Inter-Academy Exchange Event, well—he got invited early.
He came as a "prospective student," of course.
In truth, a lot of heirs and elites used that same excuse to visit.
Mostly to gawk at the island's rising stars—the three students who had clashed with the X-Dimension earlier that year.
Before he left, Sartorius had drawn a tarot reading for him.
The result? Victory.
He would win every duel on the island.
"…Only wins, huh?"
Aster sighed, a little disappointed.
Oh well.
Before anyone noticed him, he decided to check out the student dorms.
He slung his massive duffel over his shoulder, pulled out a map, scanned it, then folded it away.
Reiji Akaba and Sartorius had made a deal.
Sartorius traded something otherworldly in exchange for a visit to this island.
He was told to check out… what was it again?
Ah—The Fusion Club.
Following directions from a few friendly students, he made his way to a small two-story building with a Fusion emblem out front.
Today, the Club was mostly empty.
Jaden, Bastion, and others were off-campus.
Hikaru was still stuck with the scouts.
Inside, a drowsy club member was barely staying awake when Aster stepped in.
He perked up fast.
"Oh! Are you here to tour the Fusion Club?"
"Yes, senpai. I'm a prospective Duel Academy student. I've heard about the Fusion Club's philosophy and found it fascinating!"
Aster bowed politely.
"Ohhh! You came to the right place!"
He leapt to his feet.
"Check out this badge! Our club president made it just the other night—something about gold and alchemy or whatever. It's gorgeous, right?"
He held up a pin.
The emblem was clearly a Fusion symbol—ornate and finely made.
Even Aster, used to luxury, had to admit—this was masterwork.
He accepted the pin and immediately heard a voice in his mind:
"Aster, this badge has a faint energy—it boosts spirit resonance."
"Indeed, Aster. A gift like this for a stranger? That club president must be generous."
His eyes narrowed.
Akaba… you're more magnanimous than I expected.
Maybe I misjudged you.
Then—another voice.
"Huh… that guy's from the Combination Club…"
He muttered as Syrus Truesdale walked in.
His mood dimmed.
He'd once lost to Syrus.
He didn't hold a grudge, but it stung. Even now, some of that pride remained bruised.
Even after months in the Fusion Club, even after learning humility—
Some feelings lingered.
"Combination Club?"
Aster caught the term.
His eyes narrowed.
So that's the group Akaba told me about.
Alright then.
No need to waste time.
"Excuse me—senpai!"
Aster called out to Syrus with a wave.
"I'm new on the island, and I'd love to learn through a duel! Would you honor me with a match?"
"A duel? Me!?"
Syrus blinked, then looked around.
No one else nearby.
He scratched the back of his head, then smiled sheepishly.
"Ehehe… I guess my fame's finally spread off-island…"
He was floating.
"Sure!"
By the time Hikaru finally escaped the mob—business cards crammed into every pocket—
He made it back to the Fusion Club—
And stopped dead.
There, already mid-duel prep, stood:
Syrus Truesdale…
And—
Aster Phoenix?!
…What?!
Who's dueling who!?
Can this even happen!?