"Today, Yuki Judai and others entered the forbidden special dormitory, which seriously violates Academy regulations."
Judai and Marufuji Shou stood in the middle of a spacious room, surrounded by huge screens. Behind each screen was a high-ranking official of the Academy, including Principal Jiaodao and Professor Chronos.
"I'm sorry. I'll listen to whatever you say," Judai joined his palms together, his attitude sincere, "Just give me a chance."
Actually, whether or not he'd be expelled didn't concern Judai that much. He was more worried that being kicked out of Duel Academy would mean fewer interesting duelists to compete with...
"Since a poor student is begging so earnestly, I'll be benevolent and give you this special chance," Professor Chronos said with a grin, "I'll quickly arrange a team punishment Duel, is that okay?"
Judai: "Eh? Team punishment... Duel?"
"Exactly. Yuki Judai and Marufuji Shou, you will team up for a dormitory Duel. If you win, you are acquitted."
As soon as Judai heard about a duel, he immediately perked up, instantly forgetting about the looming risk of expulsion.
"A dormitory duel? Sounds interesting!"
"Eh?" Marufuji Shou muttered softly, "This doesn't seem so good, big brother..."
Professor Chronos: "Principal, you see he's agreed as well..."
Principal Jiaodao pondered, "Hmm... It can't be helped then."
"Great," Professor Chronos beamed, "Wait for further notice; I'll arrange your dormitory duel opponent as soon as possible!"
"..."
The first class ended, and Yugen headed to the Academic Affairs Office.
A tall female teacher warmly invited him in and even brewed him some tea.
The morning sunlight slanted into the office, with golden light spots dancing on the wooden floor, like a warm carpet. A delicate ceramic teacup steamed, with the aroma of tea mingling with the fresh scent drifting in from outside the window.
"...That's about all I have to ask."
The female teacher smiled politely.
"Thank you for coming, Yugen."
"Not at all," Yugen waved his hand, "It's my duty to cooperate with the Academy's investigation."
"But please be careful. The abandoned dormitory is a dangerous area, and the school rules strictly forbid entry. We'll let it slide this time, but don't venture into such dangerous places again."
"Rest assured, there won't be a next time," Yugen promised, patting his chest.
"That's good," the female teacher sipped her tea, smiling slightly, "I've heard, Yugen, that you're the Academy's rising star, one of this year's brightest freshmen. If anything were to happen to you, the Academy would be in a difficult spot."
"Thank you for your concern."
"Oh, one last unrelated question..."
The female teacher straightened up and leaned forward with a mysterious expression.
Then she lowered her voice.
"They say you're friends with President Kaiba? Is that true?"
"Uh... We do know each other," Yugen pondered for a moment.
Calling them friends seemed a bit exaggerated. But to claim unfamiliarity, considering the favors he received from the president, was hard to say...
So that's how it is then.
Still having three more years at the Academy, having a strong backing wasn't a bad thing.
The female teacher didn't say much more, but she clearly showed an expression of astonishment.
Regardless that this Duel Academy was heavily funded by the president, even without that connection, President Kaiba's status in this world is beyond question. Knowing a high-ranking political figure wouldn't be as useful as knowing the president...
"By the way, I've heard the Academic Affairs Department decided on a dormitory duel as punishment?" Yugen asked.
"Oh, only Yuki Judai and his dorm mate Marufuji Shou, as the main culprits, have to face it," the female teacher replied cheerfully, "You don't need to worry."
"I heard there's a chance to invite a legendary duelist as the opponent, right?"
The female teacher was surprised, "How did you know... Oh, Professor Chronos told you?"
Planning to invite a legendary duelist was originally Chronos' idea, not even shared with the principal yet. Only the Academic Affairs Office was in the loop. The matter was still in the works, and they weren't even sure if they could secure a person.
However, the long-legged female teacher quickly remembered Yugen was someone Professor Chronos particularly looked out for, perhaps the professor let it slip during a chat.
"If they win, wouldn't that result in a substantial gain of credits?"
The female teacher was taken aback, "Uh... yes, probably."
Though it's a punishment duel, the opponent was slated to be a legendary duelist. If Judai lost, expulsion was certain, but if they won, it would be a significant boost for the Academy, and not offering rewards wouldn't be right.
Yugen took a deep breath, "Teacher, I'm guilty!"
Female teacher: "?"
Guilty of what?
"I wasn't actually with Judai and the others at the dormitory. I ventured into the restricted area on my own and happened to meet them." Yugen looked guilty, "So I wasn't incited, and like Yuki Judai, I am one of the main culprits."
Whereas the others in his dorm were merely accomplices, so I should be the one to face the punishment!"
The female teacher opened her mouth, pausing for a while before speaking.
"Well... haha, it's good to know your mistake, it's good to know your mistake. Considering Yugen's sincere attitude in admitting the mistake, the punishment will be waived..."
Yugen raised an eyebrow.
"No, it can't be waived! What will other students think in the future? Where would the authority of our school rules stand? Wouldn't this set an example that 'breaking school rules is no big deal'?"
Female teacher: "..."
She kind of wanted to say, isn't this line supposed to be reversed...?
How can anyone be eager to be punished?
"Ahem, I'm glad you have this awareness," she said, "but once the academic office makes a decision, it can't be changed, it's also about the office's authority. So let's just leave it for now..."
Yugen looked regretful.
"Is that so... alright, I understand."
He immediately got up and took his leave.
Seeing that he didn't fuss any further and was finally about to leave, the long-legged female teacher heaved a sigh of relief.
Just kidding, if you participate in a punishment duel and lose, can we really expel you?
If Yugen and Judai lost together, expelling one and not the other wouldn't look good for the Academy.
Then what would be the point of a punishment duel?
Fortunately, this kid didn't pursue it further...
Just as she thought of this, she heard Yugen's voice echoing from the hallway just after he stepped out.
"Hello? Keihei? It's me... Here's the thing. About the previous unauthorized entry into the forbidden area, the Academy arranged a team duel as punishment, but they won't let me join... Ah, no, I mean they aren't giving me a chance to atone.
But the more I think about it, the more guilty I feel. So I wanted to ask if you could contact the Academy through the board to give me a chance to bear the responsibility with my friends..."
"Pfft—"
The long-legged female teacher spit out.
The tea she just drank sprayed far away. She hurriedly got up and chased after him: "Wait, student, this matter can still be discussed..."
Yugen turned around in surprise, putting down his phone: "Eh? Teacher, why did you come out?"
As he put down the phone, the sharp-eyed female teacher noticed that the phone seemed to be off all along...
Female teacher: "..."
Fooled.
Originally, Yugen didn't plan to call Keihei for such a small matter.
"So, teacher, does this mean I can accept the punishment?"
The female teacher weakly waved her hand: "Fine."
Forget it, whatever becomes of it doesn't matter anymore.
She didn't care anymore.
...
...
On the same day, in the principal's office.
Hayato Koarago was confessing before Principal Jiaodao: "I was also in that abandoned dorm, so please let me team up with Judai! Let me accept the punishment!"
"Me too!"
Asuka happened to walk in at this moment.
"I also went to the abandoned dorm last night, just wasn't caught." Asuka said seriously, "Please punish me as well."
Asuka currently had a good impression of Judai, but she could easily see that Marufuji Shou was a burden. Teaming Judai up with Marufuji Shou was practically dragging him down, and even with Judai's strength, she couldn't help but be a bit worried.
So she wanted to replace Marufuji Shou's position, which would increase Judai's chances of winning no matter what.
Principal Jiaodao smiled: "I understand your intention. However, how to punish has been decided by the academic office, and in this school, once the academic office decides something, it never changes it casually."
Asuka and Hayato exchanged a glance, both showing a helpless expression.
They had heard of the academic office's reputation, known for being tough characters. Usually, they only show up in serious situations and are known for their swift and resolute actions.
If the academic office decided this way, then...
However, just at this moment, the automatic door opened.
The female teacher from the academic office came into the office.
"Principal, the academic office held an emergency internal meeting and wants to request the withdrawal of the punishment regarding the abandoned dorm issue," she said, "We plan to reassign Fujiki Yugen and Yuki Judai as a team for a team duel."
Principal Jiaodao: "?"
Asuka x Hayato: "??"
Wait a minute, wasn't the academic office's decision supposed to be absolute? Wasn't it supposed to be final and unchangeable?
Wasn't it about the academic office's authority?