The day of the new pack release arrived quickly.
With a "buzzing" sound, five or six planes flew in from overseas towards the island.
A large crowd of students gathered outside the convenience store, excitedly watching the planes as they flew in, then cheering loudly.
The new series, even a new category of Monster Cards, piqued the students' interest. Even female students like Asuka gathered around, wanting to buy some new cards. Beyond just strengthening their own decks, there was the chance of drawing a powerful Rare Tuner Monster, which they could trade with others. For the students at Duel Academy, this was very tempting.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Red, Yellow, and Blue Academies of the Integration Department managed to push their way to the front of the convenience store.
Honestly, they didn't want to do this.
Although they had always followed Akaba Leo's orders, lately they had started to question their three years of experience.
The Blue Academy representative was fine; he had been doing well in the Integration Department by just following Akaba Leo's orders. But the representatives from Red Academy and Yellow Academy had started to wonder.
Were their actions really right?
But after three years of oppression and threats, they had effectively become "accomplices" during these years. Now, they no longer had the option to withdraw. Even faced with such nonsensical orders from Akaba Leo, they had no choice but to follow through.
Before long, escorted by people in black, the card packs arrived at the school. Under the students' gazes, akin to viewing a diluted treasure, the men in black carefully handed the boxes to Auntie Tami.
She called her staff to bring the boxes inside the store, then hung a promotional banner outside.
"A Tuner Warrior with only LV 3, yet with 1600 ATK!!"
"Wow, that Mist Valley Shaman is so beautiful... no no no, I can't betray the Dark Magician Girl!"
"What, what, a Psychic-Type, this must be a whole new race!"
A group of students excitedly chattered about the promotional images of the new cards.
Even though there was no Synchro Summon,
these "Tuner Monsters" and other related Monsters were far superior to this world's Low-Level Monsters from a generational standpoint. While many were still using Normal Monsters with ATK only around 1000 or 1200, these Monsters started at 1500 ATK and even had effects, making them highly appealing to ordinary students.
Even without Synchro Summon, this was a huge advantage for them!
Naturally, the students' enthusiasm for opening packs soared.
At this moment, Tierra suddenly appeared next to Tenjo Hikari, pointing at a design and said, "Tenjo Hikari, try and get that card."
Tenjo Hikari glanced around, found the card Tierra was pointing at, and squinted his eyes as he recalled.
It was a Genex Controller, LV 3, Dark Attribute, Machine-Type Normal Tuner Monster with 1400 ATK.
"Genex?"
Tenjo Hikari remembered.
According to the card story, Genex was something Tierra created after being defeated by Sofia, meant to improve the environment. Their goal was to transform Sofia's world into Tierra's world.
However, due to various reasons such as alien invasions and the awakening of Ancient Demon Gods, Genex was unfortunately swept into the chaos and destroyed.
Still, the DT World was transformed significantly by Genex.
In short, this card does have a connection to Tierra.
"Using that card, it should serve as material for the foundation of other monsters," Tierra casually said. "Of course, if there's an extra one, you can keep it for me. I kind of like this little robot."
As a robot that had made significant contributions for her, she was quite satisfied with the Genex Controller.
If she could be revived in the future, she wouldn't mind rewarding Tenjo Hikari with a title or erecting a monument for Genex Controller for its merits.
Tenjo Hikari was also waiting to buy the new card pack.
He wasn't lacking money now, so drawing as many new cards to gather materials for Super Polymerization was great. If he didn't draw the Genex Controller and someone else did, he could figure out a way to trade with that person, so he wouldn't be at a loss.
After all, although it was the latest Tuner Monster, boasting even 1400 ATK, it wasn't too high in the new pack.
Tenjo Hikari was waiting for the store to open. Just as he was ready to go in, a fierce argument broke out at the front of the line.
Amidst it all, there seemed to be the sound of girls screaming and things clattering.
"What are you doing!"
Judai, sensing something was wrong, pushed his way in using his superhuman physique and saw what was happening inside.
He saw a few students holding onto two people dressed in purple, with one of them even throwing punches.
Judai didn't care what had happened and rushed forward to separate them, preventing the situation from getting worse.
Tenjo Hikari also took this opportunity to squeeze in and look out of curiosity.
The ones being beaten were students from the Integration Department, and Tenjo Hikari recognized them. They were third-year academy representatives: Red Academy's Kurama Ame, Yellow Academy's Maruji Hayato, and Blue Academy's Yamaguchi Kouta. Tenjo had previously talked with Maruji Hayato in the Integration Department; they got along okay, but Maruji refused to leave the Integration Department like Tenjo Hikari.
In any case,
They were lackeys.
"What happened?" Tenjo Hikari curiously asked the two students who had been hitting, who appeared to be in the same grade as Tenjo Hikari based on their looks.
What could have happened that led to something on this island, which emphasizes "seniority and juniority," where underclassmen used their fists to fight?
"This guy just said he wanted to buy all the new card packs!" The aggrieved fellow student shouted at the top of their lungs. "Isn't this bullying!"
"What!?"
"They're students from the Integration Department!"
"Ugh, just the sort of thing they'd do!"
"Seriously, they even call themselves Duelists."
"What's going on? How is Professor Akuma teaching students!" Even some teachers who wanted to buy new cards couldn't stand it anymore.
The student representatives bowed their heads, seemingly feeling that their actions were inappropriate.
Tenjo Hikari rubbed his temples.
How abstract.
Actually, in this world, buying card packs in advance isn't a big deal, like how Professor Cronos had once secretly purchased the VWXYZ cards ahead of time. But even Cronos only bought the "Rare Cards," not all the cards.
Buying all the cards? Never mind whether they have the financial capability—it's just not ethical!
Besides, Tenjo Hikari somewhat knows these three people; they definitely don't have the money to buy all the card packs.
It's clear they were following Akaba Leo's instructions.
But...
Tenjo Hikari felt perplexed again.
What use does he have for these cards? Does he want to use Synchro Summon?
No—
He remembered.
Ah, it's the Three Phantasms!
Tenjo Hikari figured out the logic.
This brand-new type of Monster should be pretty good "Life Force" for the Three Phantasms cards.
"Seniors, why did you do such a thing?" Tenjo Hikari couldn't help but ask.
"Professor Akuma said that this type of Monster is the enemy!" Maruji hung his head, "Only Polymerization Summon is needed in the world, as it's the most noble form of Summoning!"
Many surrounding students had looks of disdain on their faces.
Even Judai couldn't help but frown slightly.
The same statement, when you say it like that...
"Ridiculous!" Tenjo Hikari immediately retorted, "Because of the existence of other Summoning methods, which are different and have their own uniqueness, Polymerization stands out as noble!"
"Senior, your mindset needs correcting!"
Maurji seemed a little intimidated, lowering his head again, but still stubbornly said, "But we've already paid!"
This really is...
Tenjo Hikari scratched his head.
"No." Just then, a man in black who had been watching from the side spoke up, "Not yet."
The students looked toward them.
Usually, these men in black would leave after delivering the cards, but this time, they stayed - a first.
In the crowd, Manjome waved at Tenjo Hikari, who was briefly stunned, then suddenly understood.
So... it turns out these are the people Kaiba Seto sent to the island to [investigate]!?
Too amazing, Thunder!
The leading man in black adjusted his glasses and said, "The President anticipated that the release of the new card packs and new types of Monsters would cause a scramble, so he specifically had us prepare Kaiba Company's special rules for the Duel Card Pack competition!"
As he spoke, he even tossed out a long notice for everyone to see.
"According to the rules, each student can buy up to five boxes of card packs, and if a dispute arises due to several wanting the same type of card pack at the same time, it can be resolved with a duel—"
As he spoke, the man in black beside him revealed a box of cards: "Students who lose after attempting to buy all card packs will lose their buying rights; conversely, the winner will gain additional Rare Cards!"
Tenjo Hikari glanced at them and smiled, looking at the three grade representatives.
The representative from Blue Academy stood up, straightening his clothes and said, "Our Integration Department has hundreds of students, I'm buying on their behalf, so I'll buy them all!"
"What a joke! You could say that?" Tenjo Hikari directly retorted, "Then I'll pre-order them on behalf of all the ordinary students!"
"Tenjo Hikari, don't push us!"
"Seniors, you're the ones pushing me!"
Tenjo Hikari shook his head, raising his left hand, with a sudden jolt, the Duel Disk automatically unfolded: "Enough! I'm too lazy to argue with you, you're not worthy of hearing it!
Senior Maruji, if you're going to stubbornly hold on, then let's duel!"
"After all, judging by your tone, it seems like you want to buy all the cards, so you also have to earn these [Special Rare Cards] through a duel, right?"
That's really it!
The watching students nodded in agreement.
They were quite familiar with the Integration Department.
The "orders from above" must be completed, after all. This card must be contested, and if that's the case, there's no choice but to face Tenjo Hikari directly!
Some students couldn't help but laugh heartily, "Great, we get to see Hikari crush the Integration Department again."
Soon, with the shop as the center, all the students cleared a huge space for them.
The representative from Blue Academy was so angry that his face turned red, saying viciously, "Don't be too arrogant, Tenjo Hikari! The professor has given us brand new power! Even you, don't think you can beat me!"
His tone was arrogant, yet what he said was cowardly.
"Enough talk!"
"Duel!"