I died.
Just like that.
One moment, I was walking out of the card shop, Charizard promo in hand, grinning like I just pulled Exodia's head in a $2 booster pack. The next? BAM.
Crushed by a vending machine.
Not even a cool one. A Snorlax-themed vending machine selling protein snacks I wasn't even buying. I just stopped to look at the Arceus-shaped cookie inside, wondering why the hell it existed. That was the last thing I saw before everything went black.
They say your life flashes before your eyes when you die.
Mine didn't.
All I saw was that holographic Charizard fluttering to the pavement like a leaf, the vending machine screeching on its bolts, and then—nothing.
But the darkness wasn't cold or empty.
Instead, I heard a voice. Or… no, more like a thought echoing deep inside my bones. Ancient. Gentle. Patient.
[Reincarnation Protocol Activated.]
[Unique Soul Signature: Matched.]
[Name Reassigned: Cael Arvon.]
[PokéDeck System Binding… Complete.]
[Arceus-Class Authorization: Accepted.]
Cael Arvon…? That wasn't my name. But it felt… right. Like I was putting on something that had always belonged to me but was hidden until now.
A bright light consumed my vision.
And then I woke up.
I was lying in a soft bed with white sheets, in a small but cozy dorm room. My head throbbed lightly as I sat up. The walls were plastered with posters—Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Dark Magician, Cyber Dragon. Iconic Duel Monsters cards. A small window overlooked a courtyard filled with students in different colored uniforms.
Some rode dueling motorcycles.
Others were practicing with Duel Disks on their arms.
It hit me like a brick.
"This is Duel Academy," I muttered. "From Yu-Gi-Oh GX."
Did I just get isekai'd into a children's card game?
I ran to the mirror.
Staring back at me wasn't my old self. My hair was pitch-black, spiked up in chaotic layers. My eyes—deep red with a faint glow—looked like they belonged to some legendary anime protagonist. I was maybe fifteen now.
Definitely not me.
Then, like a floating heads-up display, glowing text appeared before my eyes:
[Status: Name – Cael Arvon | Title – Trainer of Arceus | Deck Type – PokéDeck (Kanto Base)]
"What...?"
My eyes darted across the room. Sitting on the desk beside the bed was a Duel Disk. Sleek, black and gold, humming with quiet energy. Next to it was a strange deck box—red and white, with a jagged yellow lightning bolt etched on the lid.
I picked it up. My hands trembled as I slid the top open.
The first card nearly made me drop the whole thing.
[Pikachu – LIGHT – Level 4 – ATK 1600 / DEF 1000]
Effect: Once per turn, if you control another Thunder monster, inflict 300 damage to your opponent.
I blinked. Hard.
Then came the rest:
Charmander. Bulbasaur. Squirtle. Eevee. Jigglypuff. Psyduck.
Trainer Spells: Potion, Rare Candy, Escape Rope, Pokéball Trap Card...
"These are... Pokémon cards. But they're formatted like Duel Monsters."
I stared in disbelief. "Did I just get reincarnated with a custom Pokémon deck in a Yu-Gi-Oh world?"
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: Welcome, Cael Arvon.]
[You have been chosen by Arceus to test balance in a world ruled by Duel Monsters.]
[Your mission: Prove that Pokémon Decks can stand among the gods of this world.]
[Evolution System Unlocked.]
"Arceus…" I whispered.
Something about that name buzzed in my head. Not just from my past life's memories. It felt deeper. Like something holy had branded me with purpose.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
"Hey, newbie! Entrance Duel starts in five minutes! You better not be late, or you'll flunk out before even getting placed in Slifer Red!"
A smug-looking kid in Obelisk Blue uniform stood there, arms crossed. He gave my room one disgusted look and walked off laughing.
I glanced down at the cards in my hand.
No Blue-Eyes. No Dark Magician. No Elemental Heroes.
Just a yellow rat with a smug grin and 1600 ATK.
But I felt a strange calm settle in my chest.
"I guess it's time to show this world what a real god card looks like."
I slid the deck into my Duel Disk.
With a flash of blue energy and the familiar sound of activation, the disk came to life. I tightened the strap on my arm, turned toward the door, and stepped out into the sunlight.
I—Cael Arvon, the accidental chosen of Arceus—was ready to change the rules of the game.