Kaito stood before the private dueling chamber located deep beneath the Duel Academy's main building. The air was cool, sterile, and oddly quiet—far removed from the usual excitement of the student arenas. Security cameras lined the walls like watching eyes.
Inside the chamber, a single dueling platform awaited him. On the opposite side stood a tall student with slick blond hair and an arrogant smile. His Obelisk Blue uniform was crisp, his Duel Disk polished to a mirror shine.
"So you're the one who beat Jaden Yuki," the student said with a smug tone. "I'm Leonhardt Vael. Third-year. You may call me 'sir.'"
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Or I could call you my opponent."
Leonhardt chuckled. "Feisty. Let's see if that attitude holds up after I crush you."
The duel began.
Leonhardt Vael - 4000 LP
Kaito Shirogane - 4000 LP
"I'll go first," Leonhardt said, drawing his card. "I summon Kaiser Seahorse, and I set one card. Your move."
Kaito drew. "I summon The White Stone of Ancients. Then, I activate Sage with Eyes of Blue, targeting it to send both to the graveyard and summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon."
The mighty dragon roared onto the field, silencing even Leonhardt for a moment.
"Battle. Blue-Eyes attacks Kaiser Seahorse."
The electric serpent burst apart, and Leonhardt shielded his face.
Leonhardt - 3400 LP
"I set one and end my turn."
Leonhardt smirked. "Not bad, but you'll need more than brute force. I activate Tribute Burial and summon Mobius the Frost Monarch!"
The icy sovereign emerged, freezing Kaito's face-down card.
"Mobius, destroy his Blue-Eyes!"
The attack struck with a cascade of ice and wind.
Kaito - 3400 LP
Kaito's Blue-Eyes disintegrated—but in its place, a second one emerged from the grave via The White Stone of Ancients' effect.
"Didn't expect that, did you?"
Leonhardt scowled. "Hmph. I end my turn."
Kaito drew. "I activate Dragon Shrine to send another Blue-Eyes to the graveyard, then use Return of the Dragon Lords to bring it back! Now, I have two Blue-Eyes on the field."
Leonhardt's lips parted slightly.
"Battle! First Blue-Eyes attacks Mobius."
Leonhardt - 2900 LP
"Second attacks directly."
Leonhardt - 1000 LP
"I set one card and end my turn."
Leonhardt drew, sweat beading on his forehead. "You think you've won, but I still have this! I activate Soul Exchange to sacrifice your Blue-Eyes and summon Zaborg the Thunder Monarch!"
Blue-Eyes was pulled away by a ghostly force as Zaborg entered.
"Zaborg's effect destroys your remaining dragon."
The second Blue-Eyes vanished.
"Zaborg, attack directly!"
Kaito - 2000 LP
"Turn end."
Kaito drew with a deep breath. "I activate Melody of Awakening Dragon, discarding a card to add two Blue-Eyes from my deck to my hand. Then, Polymerization—fusing three Blue-Eyes to summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"
The chamber trembled as the massive triple-headed beast took the field.
"Ultimate Dragon, end this!"
Zaborg was obliterated, and Leonhardt stumbled back.
Leonhardt - 0 LP
Kaito's chest heaved as the holograms faded.
Leonhardt said nothing. He simply turned and stormed away.
A slow clap echoed through the room.
Dr. Crowler stepped forward, arms crossed. "You exceeded expectations, Mr. Shirogane. Keep this up, and you might make a name for yourself beyond this island."
Kaito met his gaze. "That's the idea."