"The air around here sure isn't wholesome."
Yūki held the [Silent Magician], turning the card over three times, and nearly unzipped his backpack to let her see her future home for herself.
On the left was Hand Destruction, all about making sure you couldn't use your cards even if you had them.
On the right was Needle Worm card milling, all about making sure you couldn't draw even if you had a deck.
Tucked into the middle compartment was Lava Golem burn, all about: got lots of monsters on your field? Perfect, here's a high-level boss monster for you.
As for the half-finished Thunder Dragon deck he had just assembled, that was a bit more wholesome. Unfortunately, he didn't have all the pieces yet, so for now it was in the "theoretically awesome, but don't bring it to the table yet" stage.
Silent Magician following him looked, in every way, like a transfer student with excellent grades and conduct who had been assigned to the most outrageous dorm room in school.
Yūki raised his head and scanned the park.
There was no silver-haired girl floating among the trees, no staff beside the fountain, and not even a tiny spirit hiding under the bench.
Holding Kuriboh, Jaden had already started telling his new companion about the exam. "Don't worry, I'll definitely show you how strong Flame Wingman is! Once I get into the academy, I'll introduce you to Avian and the others. Everyone's going to love you!"
Kuriboh bobbed in his palms.
The corner of Yūki's mouth twitched at the sight.
Well, Jaden had only just received his card, and his companion meet-and-greet was already underway.
He looked at Yugi Muto and held up Silent Magician. "Mr. Yugi, did she... really decide to come with me?"
"Yes."
Yugi nodded. "That's what she wants."
"But I haven't even seen where she is."
"Whether a spirit shows itself is up to the spirit."
Yugi glanced at the card in Yūki's hand and added, "Sometimes, they choose someone not because that person's deck looks like the best fit for them, but because they believe they can find what they want by that person's side."
That sounded reasonable enough.
The question was, what exactly did Silent Magician want to find with him?
A respectable deck?
Then she had really come to the wrong place.
Yūki lowered his head, stared at the silver-haired girl in the card art, and lowered his voice. "Let me say this first: my dueling style might be a little different from what you've seen before. If you actually take the field someday, don't turn your nose up at me."
The card lay quietly in his palm, offering no response.
Jaden leaned over, looking completely serious. "I'm sure she won't turn her nose up at you!"
"What makes you so sure?"
"Because cards choose their duelists! If she wanted to follow you, that means she likes the way you play."
Yūki fell silent for two seconds.
"Then she has pretty unusual taste."
Jaden scratched his head. "I was complimenting you."
"I know. That's what makes it even more worrying."
Yugi couldn't help laughing.
He raised his hand to check the time, then waved to them both. "The exam's starting soon. You two should get going. Good luck passing."
Jaden immediately stood straight, as though he had received some legendary blessing. "We will! I'm going to become the greatest duelist!"
Yūki also put Silent Magician into his card case, carefully placing her in the innermost compartment.
"Thank you, Mr. Yugi."
"Do your best."
Yugi turned and left, his figure passing along the park path before soon blending into the passing crowd.
Yūki stood where he was, his gaze resting on that exceptionally conspicuous starfish hair, while a rather dangerous thought popped into his head.
Should I challenge Yugi Muto to a duel?
As soon as the thought surfaced, the system's Archetype Pack rules rose into his mind.
Defeat a named duelist to unlock their corresponding archetype.
Yugi Muto's Archetype Packs...
Dark Magician, the Chaos series, Exodia the Forbidden One, and maybe even all kinds of bizarre, ancient powerhouse cards from the DM era.
Just one win, and I'd take off on the spot!
Yūki could already picture how much his card case would swell.
Hand Destruction paired with Dark Magician of Chaos, Necroface stuffed into a milling deck, and some Dark Magician Girl for the burn strategy...
No, that last one was mainly for her collectible value. Absolutely no other reason.
But that beautiful dream lasted only three seconds.
Watching Yugi Muto's retreating figure, he quietly suppressed the impulse.
Who was I kidding?
Dueling in this world wasn't just shouting effects at cards.
Against someone at Yugi Muto's level, what did I have to even think about taking him on?
Besides, the practical exam was about to begin. A duel would take ages at the very least.
If he missed the exam out of greed for an Archetype Pack, he would become the most ridiculous written-exam-exempt candidate ever to fail admission in Duel Academy's history.
That would disgrace the Underworld Man far too much.
"Yūki, what are you spacing out about?"
Jaden patted his shoulder. "If we don't leave now, we really will be late!"
"Nothing."
Yūki shouldered his backpack and took one last look in the direction Yugi Muto had left.
"I nearly made a very irrational decision just now."
Jaden looked curious. "What decision?"
"Like challenging the legendary King of Games before the exam."
Jaden's eyes instantly lit up. "That's a great idea!"
"Which is why I said you'd better not give me advice."
The two jogged along, and Kaiba Land's iconic giant Blue-Eyes White Dragon statue came into view.
The park was far busier than usual today. Several buses transporting examinees were parked outside the entrance, while boys and girls in school uniforms crowded the plaza, Booster Packs, exam documents, and nervous faces all mixed together.
The loudspeakers repeatedly announced the practical exam's area assignments, while staff held signs to keep the lines orderly.
Even halfway through their run, Jaden didn't forget to raise Kuriboh. "We made it! Kuriboh, I'm counting on you for the first exam!"
Yūki checked the time.
Nine forty-five.
Fifteen minutes left.
In the original story, Jaden seemed to have rushed in right at the deadline, nearly sending the examiner's blood pressure into the exam hall along with him.
With Yūki here this time, at least that scene hadn't happened.
"Line up, get the materials, then go in."
Yūki reached out and caught Jaden, who still wanted to sprint ahead. "If you charge in now, the staff will think you're trying to challenge security."
"I'm just too excited!"
"I can tell. You're so excited you're about to send Kuriboh flying."
Jaden hurriedly put his Kuriboh card away and followed Yūki toward the registration desk.
The two took out their exam documents. After checking their names, the staff member stamped each of their entry passes.
"Fujiwara Yūki, written-exam exemption, practical exam number nine. Please proceed to Area A to wait."
After reading this out, the staff member looked up and gave Yūki another glance.
There weren't many candidates exempt from the written exam, so naturally their numbers came first.
Jaden handed over his documents, the smile still on his face.
"Jaden Yuki!"
The staff member flipped through two pages, then turned back to check the documents again.
"Practical exam number... one hundred and ten."
Jaden's hand froze in midair.
"One hundred and ten? Is there anyone after me?"
"No. You're the last one."
Several nearby candidates glanced over when they heard that.
Jaden scratched his head, his smile a little awkward. "Haha, so I'm the grand finale! That means the academy saved the best for last!"
Yūki patted his shoulder.
"That explanation is very you, Jaden."
"Right?"
"Especially good for fooling yourself."
"Hey!"
Jaden indignantly stuffed his entry pass into his card pouch. When he looked up, he was back to his usual energetic self. "So what if I'm last? My number doesn't decide whether I win or lose."
"As long as I get to duel, I'll definitely show the examiner how good I am!"
There was nothing wrong with that statement.
Yūki nodded. "All right, do your best. Once you get into the academy, I'll treat you to a meal."
"Really?"
"Provided you don't chat the practical examiner into becoming your card-playing buddy too."
"I won't!"
Jaden paused. "...Probably."
Before you continue