Although there had been a small incident with Chazz Princeton, Youmi and the others finally began their official coursework.
During Professor Crowler's lecture, Youmi was called on to answer the categories of Spell Cards.
He stood up from his seat, rubbed his eyes, looking as half-asleep as ever. "Spell Cards are divided into Normal Spells, Quick-Play Spells, Continuous Spells, Equip Spells, Field Spells, and Ritual Spells."
For no other reason than that Duel Academy's classes were simply too easy. If they taught things like puzzle-solving or complex ruling interactions, he might be more interested. But as it was, he spent most lessons half-asleep.
"Very good answer. But I would appreciate it if you actually paid more attention in class, y'know. Sit down." With his usual strange accent, Professor Crowler had no way to deal with students like Youmi. The same applied to this year's other prodigy—Bastion Misawa—who, despite Crowler's lecturing, seemed to be working out formulas of his own in his notebook. "Now then… Syrus Truesdale from Slifer Red, you will briefly explain Field Spells."
Syrus nervously stood up and stammered through his explanation. Youmi and Jaden, sitting beside him, could still make out what he meant, but Crowler on the podium couldn't hear clearly at all and treated it as if Syrus hadn't answered.
"How embarrassing. Review your fundamentals again when you get back. Sit down." Crowler spread his hands helplessly. "Well, it is Slifer Red. Expected, y'know?"
The moment he said that, the classroom was filled with laughter from the other dorms. Their agreement echoed throughout the room.
But Jaden didn't agree.
"Syrus actually knows the answer. He's just nervous. Besides, you can't say test knowledge equals dueling ability, right?"
Jaden looked around the room and continued, "And even if I'm from Slifer Red, I still beat Professor Crowler in the practical exam, didn't I? Plus, I've used a Field Spell in my Deck before. Doesn't that prove Red students aren't all bad?"
As he said that, Jaden pulled out Winged Kuriboh LV10 and Skyscraper and waved them a bit.
Saved from embarrassment, Syrus looked gratefully at Jaden. "J-Jaden-nii…"
Patting Syrus on the shoulder, Jaden encouraged him. "Have some confidence in yourself, Syrus. I couldn't quite make out everything, but I know you did know the answer."
Crowler, meanwhile, had just been hit by Jaden's words and was reminded of the humiliation he suffered during that duel. Furious, he stomped his foot.
Unable to let it go, Crowler made Syrus stand again and explain Field Spells one more time.
This time, with Jaden's encouragement, Syrus gave a proper, detailed explanation, even using his own Deck's Geartown as an example. It was still a bit awkward, but much more complete.
Which only made Crowler lose even more face.
Thinking that both he and Jaden were probably getting added to Crowler's grudge list, Youmi tilted his head a little from where it rested on the desk and looked toward the professor.
"Looks like a show's coming."
And so, with Youmi making up for lost sleep and pondering why Duel Academy required learning alchemy of all things, afternoon arrived.
"Which one of these is that dropout's locker…"
Having planned a full revenge prank, Professor Crowler crept toward the Slifer Red lockers and started checking through them one by one.
Just as he was about to open Youmi's locker, it suddenly sprang open on its own—and Youmi, already changed into his gym clothes, popped out. "Ah, if you're looking for a shoe locker to drop off a love letter, this one's mine, y'know?"
"Mamma mia!!" Crowler fell backward in fright, scrambling away on all fours until he bumped into another locker with a loud thud. "Y-Youmi! Why are you here... and inside a locker!?"
"Oh, that?"
Youmi closed the locker door behind him, then crouched down in front of the still-shaken Crowler. "Well, while I was changing, I heard someone talking to themselves. You know, in a totally empty hallway where anyone could hear it. And the voice sounded very familiar. So I thought I'd check who was trying to pull a prank. And now it seems—"
His gaze slid toward the forged love letter in Crowler's hand.
Crowler hurriedly hid it behind his back.
Just as Youmi's face leaned closer and Crowler grew increasingly nervous, Youmi suddenly smiled and said, "Ohh, so you're helping a girl deliver a love letter~? That's a relief. I was wondering which girl had fallen for Jaden. Anyway, if you're helping, you can't put it in the wrong locker, or it'd ruin everything."
Seeing that Youmi had gotten the wrong idea, Crowler sighed with relief. "Exactly, y'know! The girl asked me to keep it secret, so I can't reveal who it is. Youmi, I hope you'll also keep quiet about seeing me here, y'know!"
"Leave it to me. Anyway—" Youmi pointed at Syrus's locker. "Jaden's shoes are in that one. I should get to class. As a messenger of romance, Professor, I'll leave this noble mission to you~"
With that, Youmi walked off toward the gym, looking utterly carefree.
Just as Crowler relaxed and prepared to continue his plan—
Youmi suddenly poked his head back around the corner like a ghost. "Let me guess... the letter is from Alexis?"
Crowler jolted violently and shook his head. "H-How could it possibly be from Alexis!? A-Anyway, it's almost class time! If you don't hurry, you'll be late, Youmi! Such a great mission! I must complete it myself, y'know! Now hurry along!"
Barely holding back laughter, Youmi withdrew again.
Not even thirty seconds later, he popped out once more. "Professor Crowler?"
"W-What now!?"
Crowler jumped nearly a foot into the air as he was just about to open the locker. Being startled this many times in a row couldn't be good for anyone's heart.
"I just wanted to say, Syrus is heading this way. You'd better hurry Ciao"
With that parting remark, Youmi vanished like the wind.
...
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