"You!?"
Sartorius sat in his messy bedroom, staring coldly at a mirror in front of him.
The mirror's surface was covered in cracks, the marks of an external blow. He was facing the mirror, yet the figure on the other side was not his reflection, but another man.
A man in a spotless white suit, brandishing a black cane.
Sartorius narrowed his eyes.
"I didn't know there were others on Earth."
"Is that so? But I know all about you," the man in the white suit said lazily. "Perhaps because someone has been a bit too high-profile for a long time."
"Everything is under control," Sartorius said coldly. "Unlike you, I remember our mission clearly."
"Or perhaps you're just reckless."
The white suit replied.
"Is that so?" Sartorius sneered. "I'm not like certain people, still timid on a backward world. Have you forgotten our mission? This world, and many more—ultimately, all will become Light, and Light alone."
"Yes, I haven't forgotten." The man in white shrugged. "Unlike certain people, though, who can't even properly control their host and are already getting delusions."
"I have it completely under control!" Sartorius barked.
"Do you?"
The man in white reached out from within the mirror, slowly running his hand along the web of cracks.
Then he smiled—a smile dripping with undisguised mockery.
Sartorius understood what he meant. This mirror had been cracked by his own fist in a fit of rage, because the other self—Sartorius's original personality—wouldn't stop yammering at him from within the mirror, infuriating him.
Face dark, Sartorius said, "I told you, everything is under my control."
He paused, seeming to feel that wasn't very convincing, and added:
"Perhaps that troublesome personality hasn't been fully purified yet, but it won't be long now. And it absolutely will not affect my plan."
"For your sake, I hope so."
The man in white said lightly.
"It's just that your recklessness has forced us to reveal ourselves early as well. Let's hope your plan succeeds, otherwise—"
"It will succeed."
Sartorius cut him off stiffly.
"I don't need any help. You just keep your eyes open and watch."
"Heh. I'll be watching closely, then."
The man in white smiled, said no more, and ended the conversation.
The image in the mirror blurred and faded until it vanished completely.
Sartorius stared at the mirror before him; as the man disappeared and his own reflection returned, the more he looked the angrier he became. He slammed another fist into it. With a crash, the already-cracked mirror shattered, fragments flying in all directions.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Sartorius said.
A man in white opened the door, standing straight at the threshold and bowing respectfully.
"What is it?" Sartorius asked.
"The Prince," the man said. "As you foresaw in destiny, His Highness has set out."
Sartorius's expression eased slightly.
"Finally, some good news."
He stood and strode out of the room.
"Let's go."
The man in white blinked. "Where to?"
"Duel Academy."
…
Duel Academy.
"Something's happened!"
Jean-Louis Bonaparte pumped his little legs for all they were worth, huffing and puffing as he rushed into the Chancellor's office.
Professor Crowler was in high spirits, legs crossed in the Chancellor's chair, a nameplate on the desk before him. Where it originally said "Acting Chancellor Crowler," someone had smuggled in a change and scribbled out the word "Acting."
"What's got you in such a panic?"
Crowler sipped coffee, already quite Chancellor-esque.
"Chancellor Sheppard—Chancellor Sheppard is back!"
Crowler spat coffee everywhere.
"Nani!?"
He sprang from his chair. "Then I'll be demoted from Chancellor back to professor again?"
"No, the new professor is me."
Jean-Louis Bonaparte said with total seriousness.
"As for Professor Crowler, I think the odds are high you'll be fired outright."
Crowler leapt up: "That's going too far!"
"Oh? Sounds like you two are having a very interesting conversation."
Chancellor Sheppard strolled in from the doorway, hands clasped behind his back, smiling.
"C-Chancellor!"
Crowler sucked in a breath.
"Why so nervous, Professor Crowler? It's like it's your first day meeting me."
"Ah, well, that's… happy. I'm happy."
Crowler forced a smile.
"Is that so? Well, thank you very much," Sheppard chuckled. "Gather all the students in the auditorium. We're having a meeting. I have something important to announce."
…
An hour later, the entire student body had been assembled.
"Long time no see, students."
Chancellor Sheppard stood on the stage, smiling.
"I've brought some special gifts back with me this time."
The students immediately started buzzing. Jaden was especially excited: "Oh! The Chancellor traveled the world—he must've brought tons of souvenirs!"
Syrus's eyes lit up too: "Will there be tasty ones?"
Chancellor Sheppard pointed to the big screen behind him. "My gift is this!"
The screen lit up, showing an Medallion emblazoned with "GX."
"The first tournament to decide the world's Generation X number one duel, called GeneX—abbreviated GX—will be held here at Duel Academy!"
The students erupted.
"Duels!"
Jaden got even more excited.
To him, the only gift better than food.
But Syrus started trembling: "Huh? A duel tournament… do we all have to participate?"
"Every student in Duel Academy's upper division and satellite campuses must participate. In addition, there will be pro league duelists and several powerful duelists I personally invited from around the world.
This is a chance for our students to go head-to-head with top experts from across the globe!"
The hall went wild.
"Dueling pros!"
Jaden jumped out of his seat, drawing a loud scolding from Professor Crowler. But lost in his anticipation for duels, Jaden paid him no mind.
"The dueling grounds are anywhere on this island—any location on the island counts. All participants will receive this Medallion as proof of entry."
The Chancellor held up the Genex Medallion in his hand.
"Every participant is obligated to duel at least once per day. You may not refuse the first challenge you receive each day. Winners take all the loser's Medallions.
At the end, the person holding the most Medallions wins—and receives a special tournament prize."
"Okay, leave it to me!"
Jaden had already leapt into the aisle.
"The prize is totally mine!"
Syrus whispered a reminder: "Big bro, based on past academy tournaments, the prize is usually a kiss from Ms. Dorothy…"
"Eh!?"
Jaden turned to stone on the spot.
...
2 Bonus chapters at 500 PS