Chapter 14: Formula For Success

Syrus adjusted the lapels of his jacket, his demeanor unrecognizable compared to the shy, self-doubting boy Ace had met just weeks ago. He carried himself with confidence, a hint of pride shining through his timid smile. Ace watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, as Syrus introduced himself to a group of upperclassmen.

The admiration was clear; they respected him now, though most still saw Syrus as a minor contender. They wouldn't for long.

"I've already signed with the Romanov Dueling Agency," Syrus said. His voice lacked the shaky undertone it once had. "Ace has been helping me refine my skills. I'll be pro-league material in no time."

Ace smirked from his perch, leaning casually against the railing of the dueling arena. This was all going according to plan. Syrus was a malleable pawn, and Ace's influence had reshaped him into something formidable. The real triumph wasn't in making Syrus stronger but in ensuring he relied on Ace completely.

As the group dispersed, Syrus made his way back to Ace, his head held high. "They actually listened to me this time."

Ace didn't respond immediately. His cold blue eyes surveyed Syrus like a craftsman appraising his work. "You're improving," he said finally, his tone measured. "But don't get complacent. Confidence is a double-edged sword."

Syrus nodded fervently, hanging onto every word. "I won't. I promise."

Ace's gaze softened just enough to feel like approval. "Good. Now, let's talk about duel spirits."

"Duel spirits?" Syrus asked, tilting his head.

"You're connected to one, whether you realize it or not," Ace said, his voice as calm and authoritative as ever. "If you're to succeed under the Romanov name, you'll need to strengthen that bond."

"But… aren't duel spirits just a rumor?"

Ace let out a quiet laugh, the kind that sent shivers down Syrus's spine. "You'll find out soon enough."

The sun beat down on Duel Academy's outdoor basketball court, its rays bouncing off the polished floorboards as the P.E. instructor barked orders to the students. Ace Romanov stood to the side, his arms crossed over his chest, exuding his usual icy confidence. The gym uniform, a standard-issue blue jersey paired with shorts, clung to his tall, muscular frame. Despite the simplicity of the outfit, Ace wore it with an effortless elegance that turned heads.

"Alright, Romanov!" the coach yelled. "Let's see what you've got!"

Ace stepped onto the court, his expression unreadable as he adjusted his gloves—he wore them even during sports, claiming it was out of habit. His cold blue eyes scanned the players in front of him, calculating. Jaden, Syrus, and a few others were already on the court, chatting animatedly as they passed the ball.

"Don't mess this up, Slifer!" a voice from the sidelines jeered at Syrus.

Ace didn't bother looking at the source of the insult. Instead, he sidestepped the group entirely, sprinting across the court with fluid, practiced movements. Gripping the ball, he surged past Jaden with ease, his feet barely touching the floor. In one swift motion, he leaped into the air, slamming the ball into the hoop with a force that made the backboard tremble.

The court erupted into cheers, primarily from the girls, who screamed his name in unison. Ace's face remained as composed as ever, but his eyes flicked briefly toward the crowd. He spotted Alexis Rhodes standing near the edge of the group, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she watched him.

"Here," Alexis said, tossing him a bottle of water.

Ace caught it effortlessly, nodding his thanks. Instead of drinking immediately, he grabbed two other bottles from nearby admirers and tossed them toward Jaden and Syrus.

"Don't dehydrate," he said coolly, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade.

"Thanks, Ace!" Jaden grinned, catching the bottle mid-air. Syrus, meanwhile, fumbled slightly but managed to grab his.

Ace twisted the cap off his bottle and poured a small amount of water over his head, the droplets trailing down his neck and soaking into his jersey. He used the hem to wipe his face, briefly exposing his toned abs. Predictably, the girls went wild, their cheers rising in volume.

As the game resumed, Ace heard a voice nearby.

"Time out! Sorry, I was deep into some attack-point quantum mechanics," a British-accented voice said. Ace turned, his gaze narrowing as he observed the newcomer.

Jaden, now beside him, laughed. "That's Bastion Misawa. He's one of the top students in Ra Yellow, like you, and got the highest score on the entrance exam."

Ace nodded, his gaze lingering on Bastion for a moment. The boy was precise, efficient, and—most importantly—composed. As the game continued, Bastion's movements reflected his intellect. He calculated his every shot, landing three-pointer after three-pointer.

"Simple calculations," Bastion said with a self-assured tone when someone praised his skill. "Anything can be solved with proper planning and execution."

As the game progressed, a mishap occurred. When Bastion attempted a pass, the ball ricocheted off course, striking Dr. Crowler squarely in the face.

Jaden snickered, leaning toward Ace. "Guess that's game over."

"Not quite," Ace murmured, watching the scene unfold.

Dr. Crowler, red-faced and fuming, turned to yell but stopped short when he realized Bastion was the culprit. Bastion immediately stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Apologies, Dr. Crowler. That was entirely my fault."

Crowler's expression softened almost unnaturally. "Oh, it's no problem at all! In fact, I've been meaning to get my contacts refitted. This is the perfect excuse."

As Crowler led Bastion away, murmuring about a "wonderful opportunity," Ace turned back to Jaden. "Seems he's caught Crowler's eye. Let's see where that takes him."

Later that evening, Ace found himself back in the Ra Yellow dorm, tutoring Syrus while Jaden tagged along. Syrus, now thoroughly under Ace's wing, was eager to learn, his demeanor markedly different from the timid boy Ace had first encountered. As Syrus worked through a sequence of duel strategies, he glanced at Ace for approval.

"Good," Ace said simply, but the hint of a smirk tugged at his lips. Syrus beamed the approval lighting up his face.

When they broke for dinner, they ran into Bastion in the cafeteria. Jaden, ever curious, immediately asked about the earlier incident.

"So, what happened with Crowler after the game?"

Bastion adjusted his glasses, his tone matter-of-fact. "He offered me a chance to duel Chazz Princeton. If I win, I'll be promoted to Obelisk Blue."

"Whoa, that's awesome!" Jaden exclaimed. "You think you'll win?"

"Of course," Bastion replied. "I've already calculated the optimal strategies."

The conversation shifted when Bastion asked for help repainting his dorm room, where he had scrawled equations across the walls. Jaden and Syrus eagerly volunteered, intrigued by the promise of another meal in the Ra cafeteria. Syrus glanced at Ace, a silent question in his eyes.

Ace merely inclined his head slightly—a subtle gesture, but enough to show his approval. Syrus smiled, and his loyalty solidified further.

The next day brought tension to the academy. Chazz's confidence was visibly shaken as whispers circulated about his upcoming duel. The Obelisk students weren't shy about mocking him, their laughter echoing through the hallways. Ace observed from a distance, a faint smirk on his lips.

"He's crumbling," Swordsoul of Mo Ye said, appearing beside him in spirit form. Her tone was light and teasing, but her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Expected," Ace replied in Russian, his voice low.

Mo Ye twirled playfully. "What's your plan, Ace? Going to add more chaos, or just watch it all unfold?"

Ace didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze lingered on Chazz, who had just received a video call. Though Ace couldn't hear the conversation, it wasn't hard to deduce its contents. The expressions on Chazz's face—shock, anger, and frustration—told the story.

"Pressure does one of two things," Swordsoul Strategist Longyuan said, appearing on Ace's other side. His tone was calm, and calculating. "It creates diamonds… or shatters weak minds."

Ace smirked. "Let's see which one Chazz becomes."

The following morning, Alexis approached Ace with urgent news. "Ace, someone found Bastion's deck in the ocean. It's completely ruined."

Ace's eyes narrowed. "And Bastion?"

"He's fine," Alexis replied. "Apparently, he was staying at the Slifer dorm last night to let his room's paint dry."

Ace's mind worked quickly, piecing together the clues. By the time he reached the shoreline where the deck had been found, he was certain of the culprit. Chazz's jacket, still streaked with paint, was all the evidence he needed.

"Don't bother accusing anyone," Bastion replied calmly. "I always have a contingency plan."

He opened his jacket to reveal six additional decks. Each was meticulously crafted, representing different strategies and elements. Ace's eyes glimmered with approval at the preparation.

"He's not just competent," Qixing Longyuan remarked, his voice a low, ominous growl. "He's adaptable. Dangerous."

"Good," Ace muttered under his breath.

As Bastion prepared for his duel, Ace couldn't help but feel a flicker of interest. This duel promised to be more than just entertainment—it was a test of Bastion's resilience, Chazz's desperation, and the unspoken hierarchies that governed Duel Academy.

The duel that followed was intense, drawing a crowd of students eager to witness the showdown. Ace watched from the sidelines, his arms crossed as he analyzed the strategies at play. (Duel is the same as the anime: if you want to watch the duel this is season 1 episode 12: Formula for Success)

"It's almost amusing," Swordsoul Sinister Sovereign - Qixing Longyuan remarked, his tone cold and detached. "Chazz's arrogance blinds him to his inadequacies. He doesn't realize he's already lost."

As the duel reached its climax, Ace leaned down to Syrus, his voice low. "Pay attention. This is the kind of ruthlessness you'll need if you want to succeed under my name."

Syrus nodded, his gaze fixed on the duel. Ace smirked, satisfied. The boy was shaping up nicely.

When Bastion emerged victorious, he declined the promotion to Obelisk Blue, citing his desire to first defeat Jaden. Ace couldn't help but admire the calculated move. Bastion was playing a long game, and Ace respected that.

As the crowd dispersed, Ace turned to Syrus and Jaden. "Let's go. There's still much to learn."

With that, he strode away, his Duel Spirits trailing behind him, their voices a mixture of amusement and approval.