One first snatched the luggage, dragging everyone into a wild chase to the meeting point.
The other, even more outrageous, issued a duel challenge the moment they met.
The free country of Axet… who gave you the freedom to go this far?
"Irena-senpai, is it just me being too provincial? I mean, I am from the countryside…"
Lishia leaned closer and whispered, "Are people abroad always… this bold?"
"Lishia, you can be more confident. The problem isn't you—it's them being weird. Don't pin this on the people of Axet."
One a delinquent, the other withdrawn. Expecting such a duo to act normally—that's the most unrealistic thing of all.
Aisha confirmed: "So it's really okay to duel directly on the street?"
They had just stepped out of the airship terminal into a bustling downtown. Crowds and cars filled the streets. Dueling here would obviously cause chaos.
"You don't have to worry about that, Aisha Carlos. Encouraging duels anytime, anywhere—revering duels—that's Axet's style!"
Though Axet Republic law prohibited summoning monsters in public outside of official duels, disturbingly, it also encouraged duelists to duel anywhere, anytime—even in public.
This strange double standard traced back to the properties of the magitek crystals used as the nation's main energy source.
Though the exact mechanism remained unclear, the energy generated from duels could indeed recharge the crystals that powered the towns. That was why Axet promoted dueling at all times.
Because dueling charged the magitek crystals, ordinary citizens welcomed it with open arms.
Picture this: your magitek car is running out of power, and you'd normally have to pay to refuel. But then a duel breaks out on the street, and the energy produced tops off your car for free.
Who wouldn't welcome that?
"Even though Villy Barrett was a total scrub, Synchron Academy losing to Fusion Academy is something I just can't let slide!"
When in doubt, pick a fight—classic delinquent thinking.
Lost's Spirit Eyes blazed, dyeing her white coat crimson. The "Red Dragon Archfiend" emblazoned on her back looked as though it were truly igniting in flames, her aura overwhelming.
Judging from that stance, there was no way this duel could be avoided.
Miles said then: "A duel for intimidation? Then let's meet it head-on, Aisha!"
"Miles-san, you just want to play cards, don't you?"
"Don't spoil it! How can I not be excited?!"
With the Millennium Puzzle shining in exchange, landing in Axet and dueling Synchron Academy right away was perfect for Miles.
And unlike Villy Barrett's third-rate skills and fourth-rate deck, a real Synchron Academy student would surely wield Synchro Summons with mastery.
"Come on, Lost!"
"Bring it, Aisha Carlos!"
"Duel—!" ×2
Despite flashing her Spirit Eyes for so long, Lost lost the opening roll. Miles took the first turn.
Lost clicked her tongue. "Tch, fine. Show me what you've got!"
"A duel for intimidation, huh? We'll see who intimidates who! My turn—draw!"
Pulling his first card, Miles glanced at his opening hand.
Their first proper duel against a Synchron student. Though not a Riding Duel, Synchro Summons would bring a whole new offensive rhythm. Best to test the waters first.
"—I activate the Spell Card [Unexpected Dai]!"
[Unexpected Dai] Normal Spell
Effect: Can only be activated if you control no monsters. Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from your Deck.
"When I control no monsters, I can Special Summon a Normal Monster from my Deck! Come out, Mokey Mokey!"
[Mokey Mokey] Level 1│LIGHT│Fairy│300 ATK
The glowing tofu-like creature materialized, floating amid the bustling street.
Lost: "???"
Mokey Mokey: "-_-?"
Their eyes met in mutual confusion. One second ago, Lost had been eager; now her face twitched.
"What kind of trash monster is that?"
"Careful, Lost."
Unlike her, Aoyao, curled up by the car door—apparently really fond of tight spaces—noticed something off and whispered.
"This monster…"
"What about it?"
"It's so utterly plain that in this situation… it isn't plain at all."
"Eh? I'll never understand what you mean, Aoyao."
"Fine, forget I said anything."
Seeing her warning ignored, Aoyao shrank back further into the car.
Miles slammed down another card onto the pavement.
"Normal Summon—[Relinkuriboh]!"
[Relinkuriboh] Level 1│DARK│Fiend│300 ATK / 200 DEF
Lost: "???"
Her expression grew even stranger. Was Aisha Carlos here just to act cute? Two summons in a row, both weak Level 1 monsters with no battle power. No sane duelist would play like this.
"Take this seriously! This is a duel!"
"I am serious. So serious, you might just get scared!"
"As if I'd be scared!"
"Then—"
With two monsters summoned, Miles swung his arm. Overlay light burst into bloom in the Synchro nation's streets.
"Two Level 1 monsters on my field—let's go, Aisha!"
Dark Aisha's eyes widened: "Oh!"
"Overlay the two Level 1 monsters! Xyz Summon—[Slacker Magician]!"
[Slacker Magician] Rank 1│LIGHT│Spellcaster│200 ATK / 2100 DEF
Materials: 2 Level 1 monsters
The Xyz monster, formed from Mokey Mokey and Relinkuriboh, inherited Mokey Mokey's innate laziness, floating barefoot with an expression of indifference in the middle of the street.
"An Xyz… Summon?!"
To be honest, Lost was shocked.
So shocked, she fumbled into her coat pocket for her Beaconbug and double-checked the message.
"Crap, I must've picked up the wrong people! Did I grab an Xyz Academy student instead? Now Krista's gonna lecture me again."
"Nope~" Irena covered her mouth, snickering as she whispered gleefully.
"Eh? So I didn't pick wrong?"
Comparing the uniform description in the message over and over, Lost finally confirmed—the one before her was indeed a Fusion Academy student.
"Fusion Academy… fusion… But what I'm seeing is—Xyz Summon from Xyz Academy…"
Shoving the Beaconbug back into her pocket and forcing herself to be calm, Lost faced Aisha and [Slacker Magician].
Then she roared with deadly seriousness: "Do you even know what you're doing?!"
A student of Fusion Academy, performing an Xyz Summon on the streets of the Synchro nation…
...
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