The plane cruised at an altitude of ten thousand meters. A woman in a pink business suit stood in the cabin, flanked on both sides by bodyguards in black suits.
A young man with a heroic air lounged in his seat, one leg crossed, squinting as he toyed with a Medallion engraved with the letters "GX."
"GeneX Duel Tournament, huh. Sounds like it could be pretty fun."
He put the Medallion down, picked up a deck, and fanned through it with a quick sweep of his gaze.
"They say top players from around the world will be competing. If that's the case, I'm sure there will be some interesting folks, right?"
The woman in pink smiled. "But no matter who they are, there's no one who can stand against His Highness Prince Ojin, First Prince of the Kingdom of Misgarth, the strongest duelist."
Prince Ojin burst into hearty laughter.
"Well, that's true enough. With the absolute power of a one-turn kill, even pros can be buried in an instant. Those mediocre duelists don't stand a chance."
He paused, narrowed his eyes, and thought for a moment.
"But speaking of which... Duel Academy—the legendary 'King' might show up too, right?"
The woman beside him froze for a second, then considered it.
"In theory, all Duel Academy students will participate, so the King shouldn't be an exception. But I heard the Duel King is currently swamped with affairs and very busy. He hasn't been participating much in the academy's internal activities lately, so I'm not sure..."
"I see."
Prince Ojin mused, then let out a small chuckle.
"Well, I actually hope he does enter. My one-turn kill versus the new King of the dueling world—which is stronger... Let me find out."
…
At that moment, on Duel Academy Island, the GX Tournament was in full swing.
Scenes like this could be seen all over the island.
Student A: "My turn, draw! I set three cards to my back row and end my turn!"
Student B: "NANI—you actually set three back row? Fine, then I'll use this card—Spell Card 'Delinquent Duo'! Pay 1000 Life Points, randomly discard one card from your opponent's hand, then your opponent chooses and discards another card!"
Student A, aghast: "You jerk, using such a filthy tactic!"
Student B: "You set three back row on turn one and you think you get to judge me?"
"..."
Elsewhere, with Misawa.
Student C: "I set five cards to my back row and end my turn!"
"Five set back row?" Bastion Misawa remained unruffled. "No problem. I attack directly with 'Litmus Doom Swordsman'! While there's a face-up Trap on the field, Litmus Doom Swordsman's ATK becomes 3000!"
"Attacking regardless of my set cards? Too reckless, Misawa!" Student C laughed smugly. "Activate Trap 'Sakuretsu Armor'! Destroy the attacking monster!"
"Unfortunately," Misawa smiled, "Litmus Doom Swordsman is unaffected by Trap effects."
"NANI!?" Student C's face paled.
What kind of underworld hitman is this!?
"Uwaaahhhh!!!"
Student C went down instantly. The doom swordsman's blade fell; a silver GX Medallion spun into the air and landed steadily in Misawa's hand.
Another Medallion won.
Misawa looked at the five Medallions he'd already collected so soon after the start of the tournament and couldn't help but smile at the pleasant heft of the silver.
What a delightful duel.
Just as his calculations predicted, Litmus Doom Swordsman—unaffected by Traps—was practically a divine weapon in the current Duel Academy meta. Nine out of ten opponents opened with half their hand as traps; Litmus was like a cat dropped into a mouse den.
With another Medallion added to his tally, Misawa headed back, and after a few steps he ran into Alexis, who looked anxious and was hurrying toward the docks.
"Alexis!"
Misawa called out.
"Misawa?" Alexis looked over.
"Where are you rushing off to? Got a scheduled duel?" Misawa smiled as he approached.
"No... haven't you heard?" Alexis said. "It's Kira!"
"Kira? What about him?" Misawa blinked.
"Kira is dueling—he arranged a match with the top duelist from the Kingdom of Misgarth, Prince Ojin!" Alexis said. "If we don't hurry, it might be over already!"
"Eh!?"
…
…
The docks were already packed with onlookers.
It was the Duel King's opening match in the GX Tournament. As their academy's strongest combatant, Kira was unquestionably the focus of everyone's attention.
Facing him was an opponent whose prestige and status gave him considerable weight in this tournament: Prince Ojin of the Kingdom of Misgarth.
"Duel King, I've long wanted to test myself against you."
Prince Ojin donned his duel disk with a soft smile.
"To be honest, a big part of why I agreed to come to this tournament was because of you."
"I'm flattered," Kira smiled. "I'll do my best not to disappoint Your Highness."
"Duel!" x2
[Kira, LP 4000]
[Ojin, LP 4000]
Both drew their starting hands. Then the indicator on Prince Ojin's duel disk lit up.
He couldn't help but tilt his head back and laugh.
"Sorry, King, but this rare duel may end quickly. It seems that even against you, Lady Luck has chosen me.
I'll take the first turn. Draw!"
Prince Ojin seized the initiative without hesitation.
"Activate the Spell Card 'Cost Down'! Discard one card; this turn, reduce the Level of all monsters in my hand by 2!"
He sent a card from his hand to the Graveyard, flashing it before it went.
"But the card I discard is the Spell 'Card of Compensation'. When this card is sent from the hand to the GY, I draw two cards!"
He drew two more, his smile broadening.
"Now watch closely, Mr. Kira. The signature technique of the man hailed as Misgarth's number one!
Thanks to 'Cost Down,' the Level 5 monster in my hand is now Level 3, allowing a Normal Summon from the hand.
So I Normal Summon the original Level 5 'Satellite Cannon'!"
As he raised the card, it was as if a rocket launched behind him, bursting midair to reveal the image of a massive satellite.
It hung high in Earth's orbit, gazing down from on high. The dangerous cannon barrel locked onto the surface from beyond the sky, a Damoclean blade poised overhead.
"Misgarth may be a small nation, but we command military technology that can reshape the global order," Prince Ojin said proudly. "And Satellite Cannon is the embodiment of my kingdom's technological might.
Now witness its true power!"