For just a moment, Aster Phoenix's mind blanked.
As one of the world's most famous duelists—hailed by Pegasus himself as one of the top four duelists alive—Aster was never short on intelligence or composure. But precisely because of his sharp wit, when he heard Syrus Truesdale calling out to someone named "Amagi," and others referring to him as "Hikaru," he immediately realized—
Wait a second. Did I challenge the wrong guy?
"Bro Hikaru, Bastion!" From the side, Chumley, who had been laughing his head off after seeing Syrus lose to a supposed freshman, came running over and pointed right at Aster—who was doing his best to disappear into the scenery—and shouted, "This guy just came by our Fusion Club earlier, said he wanted to check us out and maybe join!"
"…Huh?"
"For real!?"
Bastion and Chazz both blurted out in surprise.
Was their Fusion Club seriously that popular now? Even Aster Phoenix, a pro duelist, wanted to join?
Aster responded with a slightly awkward but impeccably polite smile—the classic "professional grin," the standard for charismatic top-tier duelists.
Hikaru Amagi noticed the badge pinned to Aster's chest.
It was the alchemical token Hikaru had rushed to craft just a few nights ago in preparation for the exchange event. It didn't do anything special—just slightly enhanced connection to spirit energy. It was mostly a way to identify Fusion Club members. It was pretty much useless to anyone above Level 4 in Spirit Resonance.
So… he's even wearing the badge?
Even Hikaru was momentarily at a loss. Was this world's version of Aster Phoenix really here to check out the Fusion Club?
In the original series, Aster showed up on Duel Academy Island because Sartorius had prophesied he'd grow stronger there—specifically by meeting Jaden. Sartorius himself, possessed by the "Light of Destruction," developed a split personality and spiraled into world-ending madness.
Though they weren't blood brothers, Aster and Sartorius were closer than family. Sartorius had helped Aster search for his father's killer. Meanwhile, he foresaw Aster as one of the people who could help save him from his destructive destiny.
But…
Considering Darkness had already made a move early in this version of the world, who knows what the Light of Destruction might be scheming in secret?
Hikaru had no idea what exactly had caused the great collapse of the Spirit World that nearly every spirit he met had spoken about.
Or maybe—
Maybe this world's Aster, like in Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V, just genuinely loved Fusion. Maybe he naturally became the Fusion Army's commander because of that same affinity—and in this world, he just stumbled upon the Fusion Club and decided to join?
The idea didn't seem that far-fetched.
Hikaru smirked to himself. Looks like claiming the Fusion Club name from the Combine Club was the right move after all.
He greeted Aster with a friendly nod and a stiff smile, doing his best to stay composed.
There wasn't really an option not to. A true duelist keeps their word—you can't just flip-flop like that.
Just then, Aster's phone rang. He quickly bowed to the students and darted to the side to answer it.
"Maybe it's a call from his manager?"
"Could be his agent."
"Pro duelists sure are busy…"
In a secluded corner, Aster glanced at the caller ID and let out a long breath of relief.
"Hello? Sartorius?" he said, his tone tinged with rare exasperation.
"Aster, how goes the dueling on the island?" Sartorius's voice was calm and composed.
That tiny frustration Aster had just managed to suppress came bubbling back. Glancing at Syrus and the rest of the group, he groaned, "Don't ask… it's… ugh…"
"You sound disappointed."
Aster now knew from the others' conversation that Syrus Truesdale was supposedly the Combine Club's top first-year. The best they had.
Seriously?
He'd almost flipped his set card earlier when Syrus made such a reckless attack. But thinking it'd be too cruel to shut down a rookie that hard, and since this was just a test, he'd held back.
Still… this guy is their best?
"You should be getting a visit soon from someone Professor Reiji Akaba arranged," Sartorius continued. "They'll escort you to the Fusion Army. But I've already seen it in the cards—you've met someone who will shape your destiny."
What?
Aster glanced at Chumley.
No way.
Then at Syrus.
Definitely not.
Then his eyes landed on Hikaru, Jaden, and Chazz.
Hmm. Could be one of them—or a combination?
But realizing how convoluted things were getting, he set the thought aside and returned to the call. "Sartorius, this situation's… kind of complicated."
"Complicated?" Sartorius asked, puzzled.
What's so complicated? Join the Fusion Club, find the Combine Club, duel them, win. Simple.
Before Aster could answer, he spotted a group of students in purple uniforms approaching—clearly Combine Club members. He quickly said, "Sartorius, I'll explain later! Can't talk right now!"
"Uh, alright…"
The Combine Club had spotted Aster.
"There he is—Aster Phoenix!"
"Syrus Truesdale's here too! Of course he'd be the one to find the elusive Aster Phoenix!"
Several students turned to look. Among the group were not only Combine Club members but several tall adults wearing military-style decorations—clearly high-ranking professionals. And two girls, one with golden hair and the other silver, approached as well.
Wait… Hikaru recognized them.
Aren't they the Tyler Sisters from ARC-V's Fusion Dimension?
Looks like the Combine Club brought in their top-tier troops.
"W-what do you want with me?" Aster asked cautiously.
Not because he was scared—he just couldn't very well flip sides after already talking to the Fusion Club, getting friendly, and even accepting their badge.
"You're coming with us. The Professor already told you, right?" one of the professional duelists said offhandedly.
"Hey!" Jaden suddenly stepped forward. "You Combine guys are going too far! Now you're trying to poach students who haven't even enrolled yet!?"
"Yeah!" Chazz growled, already equipping his Duel Disk. "Not happening on Fusion Club turf!"
Aster put a hand to his forehead.
Seriously, what is going on? I just came here to visit.
"You again, Hikaru Amagi!" the Combine students growled. They started to back down instinctively but caught themselves, bolstered by the presence of pros and elite Fusion soldiers. "This time's different! We were contacted by Aster's agent, and Professor Akaba's expecting him in the Fusion Army!"
"Is that true?" Jaden turned to Aster, eyes wide. "That can't be right—you don't give off that vibe at all!"
"Yeah! He's already joining our Fusion Club!" Chazz added.
The Combine team blanched.
They didn't know anything about Sartorius or Reiji's private deal. They'd only heard that the professor had made arrangements. They had no idea what Aster himself actually wanted.
"I get it now!" Hikaru stepped forward, eyes sharp. "Aster, you really love Fusion, don't you? So you wanted to join a Fusion-oriented club on campus and your agent recommended one!"
"Uh… yeah." At this point, there was no use denying it.
Aster wanted to vanish into the floor.
Meanwhile, Hikaru was mentally connecting all the dots.
That's it! It all makes sense!
So in this version of the world, Aster joins the Fusion Club because of his love for Fusion, then earns Reiji Akaba's trust and becomes the Fusion Army's General—and eventually leads the invasion into the XYZ Dimension. It all lines up!
Which means—
He can't let the Combine Club steal this man away!
Hikaru dramatically raised his Duel Disk. "I, Hikaru Amagi, will never let a true lover of Fusion be deceived! Aster, you deserve to know the difference between the Fusion Club and the Combine Club—and choose for yourself!"
"Again with this… always with this! Hikaru Amagi!!" the Combine members shouted.
Just then, twin giggles rang out through the crowd.
"He really is as troublesome as the professor said," the blonde Tyler sister remarked.
"Meeting him in person is fun," the silver-haired one added.
They both turned to the decorated adult leading the group.
"Well then, let's settle this the way you love best," the man said, stepping forward and casually snapping a pro-level Duel Disk onto his arm. "I may be a professional duelist, but today's an exchange event, isn't it? Care for a duel?"
"Heh. A professional picking a fight with a student? Bold move." Chazz scoffed.
"I don't mind," Hikaru replied evenly. "I'd love to see how you pros in the Fusion Army stack up."
Off to the side, Aster was already trying to redial Sartorius, hoping for a re-reading.
…Can I still back out of this?
No signal. Sartorius must be busy.
He exhaled deeply.
So be it.
A duelist fated to shape destiny…
He glanced at Hikaru, who was now facing down a professional.
The one known as "the thorn in Reiji Akaba's side." The world-famous "Absolute Fusion Duelist."
This… could be interesting.
If Hikaru really beats a pro…
Then yeah, joining the Fusion Club wouldn't be so bad after all.
"DUEL!!"