Yuui didn't bother with Terry, who was staring at him with unwilling eyes, and walked straight toward the Summoning Plaza.
Just before arriving at the plaza, Yuui reawakened Alicia, who had been sleeping nearby.
"Haah~"
The girl's soul let out a small yawn, as if she hadn't slept enough. Soon after, her soul was drawn back into her body by Yuui.
Rubbing her eyes and feeling her body again, Alicia looked to Yuui and asked, "Yuui-san, is it over?"
"Yeah, it's done. Slower Swallow will be with us from now on. I put it in the Deck—if you want to take a look, go ahead." Yuui's tone was calm, as though it wasn't anything significant.
"I see. I knew Slower Swallow would choose us!"
Alicia happily checked her Deck. Upon seeing the card for Slower Swallow, she drew it out, smiled at the spirit within, and said, "Then please take care of us from now on, Slower Swallow!"
Slower Swallow glanced at Yuui. Now that it had become Yuui's vassal, it could see him clearly. Then, it turned and nodded to Alicia.
Not long after, Alicia returned to the Summoning Plaza. This time, she deliberately stood at the back of her previous line, and her return drew quite a bit of attention.
"Hmph, I thought that Nameless One would be too scared to come back!"
"Hey, do you think she kept that Slower Swallow for herself?"
"So what if she did? A measly Level 1 trash spirit—give me a hundred of those and I still wouldn't care."
"Exactly! Only a Nameless One would treasure a Level 1 weakling like that. Hahaha…"
"..."
Those who bore malice toward Alicia didn't bother to hide their laughter. Every word, every sound—they all reached her ears.
Standing beside her, Yuui's gaze grew cold. A faint but chilling killing intent emanated from him.
The mocking examinees suddenly felt their hair stand on end, shivering uncontrollably.
Abruptly, then, that oppressive air vanished—because Alicia stopped Yuui's anger.
"It's fine, Yuui-san. I'm used to hearing things like that." Alicia held Yuui's hand and looked toward the five massive stone tablets on the high platform of the Summoning Plaza. "Besides, didn't we make a promise? I'll become the strongest Duelist… so that everyone who ever looked down on me, everyone who refused to acknowledge me, will see me in a new light.
"If I can't even handle this kind of ridicule, how could I ever become the strongest Duelist?"
Her last words were directed at Yuui, and as he gazed at her bright, sunlike smile, his anger slowly melted away.
"Alright, then do it your way."
On the other side, after sending off a student who had just summoned a Level 4 Duel Monster and earned a high score of 70 points, Instructor White spotted the girl who had returned.
"So, you came back. Good. If you hadn't, I might've been even more disappointed in you."
Thinking that, White continued reading from the list and called out the next examinee.
"Next examinee, Colin Esched!"
"Yes, sir!"
…
"Noble Knight Joan, Level 4 spirit. Despite being only a Level 4 Duel Monster, it has 1900 Attack and 1300 Defense—quite impressive, and the effect isn't bad either. Congratulations, you pass. I'll give you 75 points. Take this score sheet and exchange it for the card you want. I'll be looking forward to your performance tomorrow, Fink."
"Yes, thank you, Instructor White!"
…
"Electro Bug, Level 4 spirit! Oh, even though it's just a Level 4 Duel Monster, it has 2400 Attack. Looks like you've summoned quite a strong Duel Monster spirit, Bowen.
"Congratulations, you pass. I'll give you 80 points. I hope you show us this spirit's power in tomorrow's test!"
"Yes, I definitely will, Instructor White!"
…
Roar!!
Over ten minutes later, a massive golden dragon emerged from a stone tablet atop the platform, raising its head to the sky with a resounding roar that drew everyone's attention.
"That's… Kaiser Glider!" Instructor White stared in surprise at the magnificent creature before him.
In front of the dragon stood a black-haired youth dressed in ornate noble robes. His gaze toward the dragon was sharp as a hawk's.
Kaiser Glider also noticed the youth before it. Through the Book of Summoning, it understood the circumstances that had led to its summoning—but it still wished to judge whether its summoner was worthy to be its master.
The two stared at each other for a full thirty seconds. After confirming the young man's strength, Kaiser Glider slowly lowered its head in acknowledgment.
Seeing this, the youth finally exhaled in relief. His back was soaked with cold sweat.
Once the spirit's submission was confirmed, Instructor White lowered his right hand, the one adorned with seven gemstones, and began to announce the dragon's information.
"[Kaiser Glider] Level 6│WIND│Dragon│2400 ATK / 2200 DEF. Among Level 6 Duel Monsters, such Attack and Defense make it one of the strongest.
"Moreover, unlike most high-Level monsters, Kaiser Glider requires only one Tribute to be summoned, allowing it to appear more quickly in a Duel and pressure the opponent.
"Its effect is also excellent, and as a Dragon—the strongest type of all—it's an exceptionally powerful Duel Monster Spirit. Whether as a spirit or a Duel Monster, it's formidable.
"Carl Owens, as you said, you've truly surprised me!"
The black-haired noble youth standing before the Kaiser Glider, gently stroking its head, was named Carl Owens—the second son of the noble Owens family, one of the many aristocratic houses of Bredt Kingdom.
Hearing Instructor White's words, Carl placed a hand on his chest and smiled with noble grace. "Instructor White, this level of power is hardly the full extent of my strength.
"Please believe me—during our time together, I'll show you even greater surprises."
"Hahaha!" White let out two short laughs—clearly, a polite formality. "Then I'll look forward to seeing that, Carl."
"Well then, Instructor White, may I ask what my score is?" Carl's smile didn't waver.
"For summoning such a powerful spirit, your score is 95 points." White glanced at the Kaiser Glider, wrote the score on Carl's sheet, and handed it over.
However, upon seeing the number, Carl frowned slightly.
"Instructor White, may I ask… what's the standard for a perfect score in the Summoning Test?"
His voice now carried less pretense and more chill; it was clear he wasn't satisfied without a perfect score.
Yet, White didn't get angry. Still wearing his polite smile, he said, "The standard for a perfect score? If you want full marks, you'll need to summon a Level 7 Duel Monster Spirit."
"Level 7?!" Carl was briefly stunned, then the cold look on his face faded, replaced by a wry smile. "Now I finally understand what it means to hold the title of 'Strongest Duelist Academy of the Bredt Kingdom.
"Level 7, huh… We're all just fourteen-year-olds. How could anyone possibly summon a Duel Monster Spirit of such a high Level?"
"It's indeed difficult," White said, glancing toward the other four stone tablets of the Book of Summoning. A faint gleam flickered in his eyes. "But… not impossible."
"Hm?"
Carl didn't quite understand what he meant. Abruptly, in the next instant, a surge of terrifying magic burst from the neighboring tablet. Then, a deafening dragon's roar drew everyone's attention.
ROAR!!
Carl looked over and saw a massive black dragon, its metallic scales gleaming, emerging from a vortex of black and crimson flames.
"That's… one of the three legendary spirits of the Kingdom—Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Wh–who in the world managed to summon it?!"
Carl's eyes widened in shock, instantly recognizing the dragon's identity.
After all, that dragon was far too famous in the Bredt Kingdom.
Then he looked down and saw a boy with short golden hair and an expensive casual outfit, a cold expression on his face, raising his hand toward the dragon amid everyone's stunned silence.
"The Third Prince, His Highness Autrys Bredt!!"
Carl could hardly believe his eyes. The Owens family, his own, was a count's household—one of many middle-ranking noble families in the kingdom. There were at least ten others of equal standing across the continent.
Above them were five marquis houses, three ducal houses, and at the top—the royal family itself.
And the one who had just summoned the Red-Eyes Black Dragon was none other than the third son of the royal Bredt family—the Third Prince, Autrys Bredt, third in line to the throne.
"Your Highness, watch out!!"
Carl shouted in panic as the dragon lunged toward Autrys.
Normally, a spirit summoned from ancient times near death would feel gratitude toward its savior and willingly serve as that person's Duel Monster Spirit. However, if the spirit was too proud and considered its summoner too weak, it wasn't unheard of for it to kill its summoner and escape.
Such incidents were rare—even so, they had happened.
So when Carl saw someone his age summon a top-tier spirit like the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, his instinct was to warn Autrys to flee, believing there was no way he could subdue such a powerful creature.
Albeit White, standing beside him, said nothing. Nor did the instructor overseeing Autrys's summoning test move to stop the dragon.
BOOM!!
The black dragon crashed down, stone shattering, and many onlookers gasped in fear.
When the dust settled, the Red-Eyes Black Dragon stood before Autrys, its crimson eyes locked on the boy.
Autrys, however, remained motionless, one hand still raised. His brown eyes met the dragon's gaze without a trace of fear—utterly unfazed by the oppressive aura of a dragon king.
Their eyes met, and the air itself seemed to freeze.
Moments later, to everyone's astonishment, the legendary dragon slowly lowered its head, allowing Autrys's hand to rest upon it.
[Red-Eyes Black Dragon] Level 7│DARK│Dragon│2400 ATK / 2000 DEF
The dragon then turned into a card that fell into Autrys's hand, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
"Amazing! Absolutely incredible!"
"That's one of the three legendary spirits that saved the kingdom… Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Am I dreaming? Did I really witness its appearance?!"
"Oh, Star-Creating God Sophia, please tell me this isn't a dream!"
"Who is that guy? To summon such a legendary spirit, he must be someone extraordinary!"
"He actually… subdued it!" While the other examinees were still wondering about Autrys's identity, Carl was drenched in cold sweat once again. If Autrys hadn't subdued the dragon, who knew what kind of disaster might have followed?
Now that it was clear Autrys had succeeded, Carl couldn't help feeling shaken by his power.
To summon and subdue Kaiser Glider—a top-tier Level 6 Duel Monster Spirit—had already cost Carl immense effort and mana.
Despite that, looking at Autrys's calm demeanor, it was obvious he hadn't even gone all out.
After putting away the Red-Eyes Black Dragon card, Autrys turned toward Carl, having heard his name mentioned earlier.
After a brief moment of thought, he said, "The second son of House Owens—Carl Owens, correct?"
Hearing his name, Carl immediately bowed respectfully. "Yes, Your Highness. I am Carl Owens of the Owens family! I never imagined I'd have the honor of entering Saint Fusion Academy alongside Your Highness—it's truly my privilege."
"Mm." Autrys gave a small nod, then glanced toward the Kaiser Glider beside Carl. "Carl, the spirit you summoned seems quite powerful. Once we're enrolled, let's spar sometime."
Overjoyed, Carl's heart leapt at the chance to interact directly with one of the kingdom's heirs. "Yes, Your Highness! I won't let you down!"
"I'll be looking forward to it."
With that simple reply, Autrys accepted the score sheet handed to him—marked with a perfect 100. After glancing at it, he left the plaza under the envious gazes of everyone present, heading toward the Academy's Card Shop.
As for Carl, he quickly turned his Kaiser Glider into a card and followed after him—both seemingly heading in the same direction.
...
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