"Mr. Miles, have you really figured out how to deal with Alester-senpai?"
"No, not at all," Miles admitted truthfully.
"Then… is it really okay for you to duel in Senpai Irena's place?"
"Irena never said we had to win. Besides, while I haven't thought of a way to win yet, I am ready with a secret weapon that'll shock everyone."
As a Duelist, Irena wasn't like Kaima, Kevin, or Kaiser, who held an unshakable obsession with getting stronger and winning.
The Gray Witch Irena's attitude toward Dueling was more easygoing: win if you can, if not, then just try not to lose too badly.
The world is vast, and naturally, there are many kinds of personalities, and likewise many kinds of Duelists. Not everyone needed to reach the very top, nor bear the pressure of having to win no matter what.
Plenty of students at the Academy only wanted to enjoy Dueling.
Irena just happened to be one of them.
So when no Duel was required, she wouldn't even touch her Deck, spending most of her time traveling, reading, or brewing strange magical concoctions.
That she could still stand alongside Kaima Seth as one of the Academy's top players was only proof of her extraordinary talent.
Talent in Dueling, talent in magic, and the beauty of a young girl. Irena's life was practically set to easy mode. She had faced only two unforgettable hardships.
One was losing her Spirit Eyes to the Millennium Ring.
Thanks to Miles's help, that crisis had passed without harm and left behind a seed in her heart.
The other was her crushing defeat at Alester's hands as a first-year… and once again, the help she turned to was Miles.
"A reunion of souls, after so long, Miles~ Let me hear your voice again."
Holding the Millennium Puzzle, Irena's face was full of expectation.
Miles said, "Don't act like a creep, Irena."
"Can't help it. I'm only interested in handsome boys and pretty girls. Still, it's a shame I can't see you in person this time."
By chance, Irena was probably the only one who had ever truly met Miles's soul form face-to-face while holding the Puzzle.
Back when she fell unconscious because of the Millennium Ring, the two had fought together soul-to-soul, awakening her body.
"So, did the Pyramid of Light I gave you help? When will you be able to manifest your soul?"
"Mm, it'll still take some time."
With the empty vessel of the Pyramid of Light, Aisha and Miles had consulted Camille.
Out of gratitude for avenging her former host, Camille, the spirit of the Millennium Key, had taught them everything she knew about soul manifestation.
Albeit the process of taking shape was far harder than Miles expected.
Camille herself had taken two years after losing her host before she could move freely in and out of her Item.
With her guidance, Miles should be faster. Regardless, clearly, transferring his soul and manifesting through the Pyramid of Light was no simple task.
"I knew it wouldn't be that easy… sigh~" Irena whispered. "My feelings are complicated."
"Complicated?"
"I did get the Pyramid back to repay you, Miles. That said, if your soul truly manifests, I won't be the only one who's seen your true face."
Dark Aisha & Stardust said in unison, "What about us?"
Miles yelled, "Please don't get complicated over something so silly, Senpai!"
"You don't understand! If you appeared in person right now, Aisha and Ren would instantly fall for you. That's how dangerous your charm is!"
"Women's problems are really complicated… forget it, I'll just Duel."
Taking Irena's witch body, Miles stood on the graduation Duel platform.
Naturally, most had come to see the graduate, Alester.
Even if he was blamed as the reason Fusion Academy lost the Ranking War, no one could deny his skill had nearly brought them to victory.
In any case, as the main character delayed his appearance, Miles stood awkwardly on stage.
"Do you think Alester-senpai isn't coming?"
"Knowing him, very possible."
Alester had skipped even the final Duel at the Spirit Sanctuary. A mere graduation Duel would hardly interest him.
Indeed, he never intended to attend at all. His only reason for returning was to meet Aisha Carlos.
Now, even that had lost meaning.
Watching from a rooftop, he only glanced at the ceremony to see who his skipped opponent was.
"Irena, huh. That arrogant little girl from the first year. I've no time to 'teach' her again."
Just as he turned to leave, his hawk-like eyes caught something shocking.
"That's—!"
The Millennium Puzzle, hidden in Irena's sleeve.
Because Aisha, Ren, and even Princess Nova had worn it, to avoid rumors, Irena had cleverly tucked it into her wide witch's robe.
Nonetheless, Alester's eyes saw through it.
"What is this!? You already have Aisha Carlos as a host, yet you're clinging to another girl? Such unforgivable scumbag behavior!"
He hadn't expected his unknown "rival" not only to steal Aisha Carlos, but also to outpace him at being a scumbag.
Leaping down from the highest tower, wrapped in protective magic, Alester slammed into the Duel platform in rage.
Dust exploded as he ripped back his hood, eyes blazing with frustration.
"Why is it that no matter what I do, you're always one step ahead!?"
At their very first meeting, Miles received Alester's inexplicable declaration of hostility.
"So that's him! Alester-senpai?"
Though it was her first time seeing him, Ren suddenly remembered.
"Isn't that the pervert stalker who tailed Aisha for three months in the first year?"
"So he's the pervert?!"
...
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