Duelists Never Surrender!

"You're angry, aren't you?" Ai clapped her hands. "It's because you see me as your partner, but I'm always talking about God this, God that, and calling you a mortal~ Don't you feel a sense of distance? It can't be helped, you sensitive and fragile child. Let this God comfort you with a hug~"

As she spoke, Ai struck a hugging pose and embraced Hara Shichi tightly.

But because she was a spirit, she couldn't touch him.

"Don't worry, Ai will always be your best partner. But since this is my first time being someone's partner... you'll have to be patient with this God!"

"You didn't have friends before?" Hara Shichi asked instinctively.

"No," Ai said with a self-deprecating laugh. "After all, I'm a God. Humans only come to me to have their wishes granted. I'm not a wish-granting machine."

"I see, then I forgive you," Hara Shichi said.

"Were you really angry just now? A-Qi, you really are a petty man," Ai giggled.

"What the heck is A-Qi?"

"Didn't you call me Ai too? It's a nickname, we're even!"

And so, the morning passed by in playful banter with a certain God.

"I feel like I didn't learn anything," Hara Shichi said while eating in the cafeteria.

"I... I think I learned a lot..." Yukikaze trembled slightly. Ever since she sat next to Hara Shichi, she felt countless gazes like silver needles piercing her.

So scary... so scary, why is everyone looking at us?

"Really? What's the class this afternoon?" Hara Shichi asked.

"It's... it's duel training under instructor guidance..." Yukikaze stammered. "Um... Hara Shichi-kun, can you accompany me during the afternoon training session..."

"Accompany me..." Yukikaze stopped mid-sentence. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. She had a premonition that if she finished her sentence, she would be killed! Killed by the surrounding gazes!

"Hey, you've been acting a bit strange since a while ago. Are you okay?" Hara Shichi asked with concern.

"Idiot, don't you see how many eyes are on you two?" Ai couldn't help but remind him. "You're a Duelist who can perform Xyz Summons. Every move you make will attract attention."

Hara Shichi instinctively turned his head. Indeed, the Duelists at other tables, while quietly eating, were staring straight at him with eyes that glowed green. Especially the first-year students in black, their gazes were like they were appraising a peerless beauty.

"It seems everyone wants to get close to the Xyz particles to master Xyz Summoning," Ai seemed to enjoy the feeling, her lips curling up wildly. "But so what? Even if untalented Duelists come into contact with Xyz particles, they won't be able to learn Xyz Summoning. Only this God can master various summoning methods at will!"

"Didn't you want everyone to find happiness through dueling, which is why you brought me to this world to help you? Shouldn't you be strongly criticizing this talent theory at a time like this?" Hara Shichi asked suspiciously.

"One thing at a time!" Ai said. "Gods sometimes like to feel superior over mortals."

"What a divine quirk," Hara Shichi sighed, then stood up from his chair.

The gazes of everyone followed Hara Shichi as he rose.

"Hello everyone, I'm Hara Shichi, a first-year freshman. Is anyone willing to duel me?" Hara Shichi said with a smile.

The air fell silent for a moment, but then the cafeteria erupted with thunderous cheers.

"Me, me, me! Hara Shichi-kun! Please, duel me!"

"Your dueling skills are terrible, let me!"

"You're worse! Get lost!"

"Hey, hey, hey, no loud noises in the cafeteria."

"..."

At this moment, in a corner of the cafeteria, a girl in a crimson kimono sat, watching the scene with great interest. Her flame-like long hair cascaded over her petite shoulders. One slender arm, like jade, rested on the table, propping up her delicate face.

"Is he the Hara Shichi you mentioned who uses Xyz Summoning?" the girl asked the purple-haired girl standing beside her.

"It's him!" Julie gritted her teeth. "If it weren't for that Xyz Monster, I wouldn't have lost."

"Julie, don't make excuses for your defeat," the girl shook her head. "No matter the reason, losing is losing. No one listens to the cries of the defeated."

"But Xyz Summoning..." A hint of longing appeared in the girl's eyes. "I wonder if I, who was rejected by Fusion and Synchro, can be accepted by Xyz?"

Julie remained silent. She dared not engage in such a topic.

"I've decided," the girl said, looking at Hara Shichi in the crowd with a smile. "I want his Xyz card."

"Oh, right, maybe that Xyz card has special summoning conditions," the girl seemed to remember something. "Then there's no other way. Bring his entire Deck too."

"Let me..." Julie's words were cut short as the girl covered her lips with her index finger.

"You've already been defeated by him, so leave this matter to someone stronger." With that, the girl called out without looking back, "Nero.Arisa, can I entrust this to you?"

Behind the girl, a little girl in a black uniform silently put down her bread and replied in a slightly hoarse voice:

"Yes."

Chapter 12: Secret Meeting? Secret Meeting!

Duelist Academy, Training Room.

"I activate the effect of Tiramisu of the Tiara, removing one Xyz Material..."

"Ahhh! I surrender!" Yukikaze threw up her hands in despair. "Hara Shichi-kun, you're too strong! I can't win at all. How about... you don't use Xyz Summoning to duel me?"

"But then you won't be able to feel the Xyz particles. Didn't you say you wanted to learn Xyz Summoning?" Hara Shichi said helplessly.

"But... but I want to win at least one match!" Yukikaze complained. "I haven't won a single duel all afternoon!"

"Classmate Yukikaze, if you don't want to fight, you can switch opponents with me," a first-year male student said, winking. "I guarantee you'll win to your heart's content!"

"What do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm bad?" a girl sparring with him narrowed her eyes.

"Ahem, this is just a temporary measure. If I learn Xyz Summon during my practice with classmate Hara Shichi, wouldn't I be able to teach you... Wait, matters between Duelists should be settled with Duels. Don't hit! At least don't hit my face!"

"They have a good relationship," Hara Shichi said, watching the two bicker.

"That's classmate Aoshi from our class. I remember his Deck uses Red-Eyes cards."

"I know, he dueled me at noon," Hara Shichi nodded. He had dueled over twenty Duelists consecutively in the cafeteria that day without even stopping to eat.

"Is that so? I don't recall," Yukikaze said, sounding surprised.

"I think it was because he drew three Red-Eyes Black Dragons at the start, got hand-trapped, and I defeated him in one turn," Hara Shichi recalled.

"How tragic..." Yukikaze offered her condolences.

"Alright, training ends here for today. Students who haven't finished their Duels, hurry up. I'm going to close up soon," the supervising teacher said, clapping his hands.

"Classmate Hara Shichi, do you have time tonight?" Yukikaze suddenly asked before leaving.

"Hmm? I have time. What's up?" Hara Shichi replied.

"Then... then let's meet at 8 PM tonight at the academy plaza, under the Blue-Eyes White Dragon statue!" After saying that, Yukikaze ran off with her short legs pattering.

"Huh? So what was it about?" Hara Shichi asked, confused.

"I know! This woman definitely... has a crush on you!" Ai pulled a deerstalker hat out of nowhere and put it on her head, a ceramic model pipe clenched in her mouth as she pretended to deduce. "She's asking you out late at night for a secret rendezvous, then you'll do... hush hush things!"

"You... are you really a God?" Hara Shichi asked with disdain.

"What's with that look? You don't believe this God's deduction?" Ai pushed her hat up. "Fine, let's make a bet."

"What do you want to bet?" Hara Shichi asked cautiously.

"If she really is asking you out for a secret rendezvous late at night, then you have to bark like a dog three times," Ai said with a wicked grin.

"And if it's something serious?" Hara Shichi countered.

"I'll meow like a cat three times!" Ai patted her flat chest. "This God always keeps her word."

"It's a deal then."

And so, at 8 PM, Hara Shichi quietly left the dormitory and arrived at the plaza. Under the soft moonlight, a petite figure was already waiting there.

"Am I late?" Hara Shichi asked Yukikaze.

"Whoa!" Yukikaze jumped in surprise when Hara Shichi suddenly appeared, but quickly calmed down, a smile on her face. "It's okay, I just came too early."

"So, what did you want to see me about tonight?" Hara Shichi inquired.

"A date! A date! A date!" Ai shouted from the side.

"Huh?" Yukikaze's small mouth opened slightly. "Didn't I tell you?"

"No, you didn't?" Hara Shichi replied.

Yukikaze froze, then after a long moment, her face flushed red. "I'm so sorry, sorry! I left in too much of a hurry... Do you remember what I told you about last time?"

"Duel Spirits?" Hara Shichi asked.

"Yes, Duel Spirits!" Yukikaze explained as they walked. "Our school is located on the edge of the Elcrain Great Forest. The mountain behind the school is actually part of the Elcrain Great Forest, just separated by the school's wall."

"And there are actually many Duel Spirits in the Elcrain Forest. So, when the school was built, many Duel Spirits were enclosed in the mountain behind the school by the school's wall. Also, from time to time, Duel Spirits would cross the wall and come to live in the mountain behind the school."

"If that's the case... there are many Duel Spirits in the mountain, isn't that very dangerous?" Hara Shichi said.

"Yes, so after an incident where Duel Spirits disrupted the school several years ago, the mountain behind the school became a forbidden area for the academy," Yukikaze nodded.

"But don't worry, I actually found a secret passage leading to the mountain behind the school." Yukikaze's mood seemed to lift at this point, and she extended her hand to Hara Shichi. "Want to go with me?"

"See, it's something serious, right?" Hara Shichi whispered to Ai.

"Tsk, two young people going on an adventure in the mountains behind the school late at night, what else could that be but a date?" Ai retorted stubbornly.

"Who was it that said they always keep their word?" Hara Shichi shrugged.

"Waaah... Fine, we'll talk about this later. I'll fulfill my promise when we get back," Ai said, unwilling to concede.

"You... you're not coming with me?" Yukikaze asked, seeing Hara Shichi standing there silently, talking to himself, feeling a bit awkward.

"What are you talking about? Something this interesting, of course I'm coming with you," Hara Shichi said with a smile.

"Oh, oh, then hurry and follow me." Yukikaze led Hara Shichi behind the Blue-Eyes White Dragon statue. Then, shaking her head, she looked around to make sure no one was there before placing her hand on the statue's base and shouting:

"Gate to the abyss, by the name of my snow spirit, I command you, open the gates of sin before me!"

Immediately, the stone slab on the statue emitted a glow, and the next second, a square-shaped opening appeared before Hara Shichi and Yukikaze.

"Quick, before anyone else comes, let's go in," Yukikaze urged.

"Okay, but Yukikaze, I have a question," Hara Shichi asked.

"What is it?" Yukikaze blinked.

"Was that incantation you just recited... or...?"

"Cough cough cough!" Yukikaze quickly coughed a few times. "Let's go in quickly! Don't talk about that!"

With that, he immediately crouched down and crawled into the opening.

"According to this God's observation, as long as enough Duel Power is injected into this statue, this opening will appear," Ai said with a laugh, covering her mouth.

"So that line just now..."

"Was chuunibyou."

"It was chuunibyou."

"..."

However, in a place Hara Shichi didn't notice, a pair of dark red eyes watched everything.

Chapter 13: The Girl in the Wooden Clogs

In the forest, shrouded in night, a little girl was slowly walking along the rugged path, wearing wooden clogs on her tender, white feet.

The little girl had white hair tied into twin tails, and a pair of small red horns grew from her smooth forehead, making her look like a yokai from a story.

"This is the super strong Duel Spirit I was talking about!" Yukikaze whispered.

At this moment, they had passed through the tunnel and arrived at the back of the mountain. Under Yukikaze's guidance, Hara Shichi soon met the "powerful Duel Spirit" Yukikaze had mentioned.

"Don't think she's weak just because she looks like a little girl. In reality, from my observations, most Duel Spirits in this forest probably couldn't even last one move against her!"

"No, I wouldn't think she's weak," Hara Shichi said, looking at the familiar figure before him.

White hair, twin tails, small red horns, wearing wooden clogs, Ghost Ogre... Isn't this Ghost Ogre from the hand trap sisters?

She's definitely a UR-level existence!

"So, how do I capture her?" Hara Shichi asked.

"Show her your strength as a Duelist, make her believe you're a powerful Duelist, and she'll willingly follow you!" Yukikaze replied.