Who will be the champion?

It was the Chancellor Samejima's office. All the professors were reunited to talk about important business.

"Thank you everyone for your presence". The Chancellor greeted all the teachers from his seat, at one of the end sides of the long table, and with the huge window behind him.

At his right was sitting Chronos de Medici, the Head Professor, which is to say he was the highest in position among all Professors; his job included the responsabilities of a normal Professor, but also a level of administrative duties of the Academy.

At the left was Emi Ayukawa, the Professor of Obelisk Blue; she shared responsabilities and authority with Chronos as a Professor, but overall she was in charge of more things inside Obelisk Blue as Chronos's duties gave him work elsewhere.

Daitokuji was sitting next to her; not too close, nor too far from the Chancellor, and didn't attract attention. He was the sole Professor of Osiris Red, so he was in charge, and held the highest authority in that dorm; it wasn't an issue as the Red Students weren't as numerous as the others.

In front of him was Fuyu Sakura, one of the 2 Professors of Ra Yellow, the most numerous dorm in the Academy; she shared work with her colleague in a more equal way than the Obelisk Blue Professors.

Sitting next to her was Kabayama, the remaining Professor of Ra Yellow; both held the same workload, and responsabilities. Among the teaching staff of the Academy, they were the ones who worked together the most.

"Now you'll know why I called this meeting; we need to think about the yearly exhibition match". The Chancellor explained to everyone in the room. Although the institution is called the Dueling Academy, it's not the only one there is; there are many other Academies around the world, but this one was the most prestigious currently.

"Is it June already? Time surely flies...". Emi mentioned to no one in particular. This activity was held at June, with the various Dueling Academies around the world participating.

The general objective was to promote sportmanship, and allow the students to apply what they learned from their academies; the kids usually enjoy this kind of activity, and is a good way to show the Academy in good lights to the rest of the world.

"We'll surely be the host this year again; then, who will we be competing with?". Chronos asked.

"It will be the North Academy". Samejima responded with a small grin.

"Again? That's surprising; we already won last year against them". Kabayama commented.

"Twice in a row, but you know how's the rivalry between Samejima and Ichinose". His Ra Yellow colleague replied.

"Well, let's have Marufuji Ryo as the representative for the important duel; he's the best student, and was the winner last year as well". Sakura suggested the most obvious choice.

"That won't be possible, Ryo won't be participating". The Chancellor replied; this surprised the teachers, and knowing what they would ask, he continued. "The duel this year will be between the first-year students; Ryo is a third-year student, so he can't be the representative".

This meant the teachers had to choose another representative.

"Misawa Daichi is the best choice; he has the best grades, and his pratical skills improve every day". The male Ra Yellow Professor suggested.

"Mmm, I'm not sure". The female Obelisk Blue Professor expressed her doubts. "He's good and all, but Tenjoin Asuka isn't behind in grades, and she's one of the most talented Obelisk Blue students".

The teachers kept discussing, but at the end, the decision never seemed fair.

"Reaching an unanimous decision won't be easy". The Chancellor shared his thoughts. "So, I propose a dueling tournament for those who want to become the representative".

The teachers all expressed their agreement. What better way to solve an issue than with a duel?

"Then, it's decided". The Chancellor nodded. "Let's organize the dates, and prepare everything else".

/----------/

Making a general tournament from the beginning would be too troublesome, and time consuming, so, each dorm (Red, Yellow, and Blue) made their own internal competition.

It was a system in which every student who wanted to participate had to duel against all other participants once each; it wasn't an elimination tournament yet, and the objective was to get as many points as possible.

Each victory gave 3 points, each draw gave 1 point, and defeats gave none.

Those who scored the highest would participate in the final elimination tournament. Said finalists weren't much of a surprise:

From Osiris Red, we have Yuki Judai, and Marufuji Sho.

From Ra Yellow, we have Misawa Daichi, and Kohara.

From Obelisk Blue, we have Manjoume Jun, and Asuka Tenjoin.

The tournament is divided in 2 brackets, Yellow, and Blue, and the finalists of each bracket will face up in the end. Each bracket consists of 2 duels: The first duel is the respective Osiris Red vs the duelists of that bracket's color with the lowest grades.

The Osiris Red are also assigned a bracket according to their grades; the one with the highest goes to the Blue bracket, and the one with the lowest goes to the Yellow bracket.

The first round of duels are as follows:

1) Yuki Judai (Red) vs Kohara (Yellow)

2) Marufuji Sho (Red) vs Manjoume Jun (Blue)

And the semi-finals will be:

3) Winner of 1 vs Misawa Daichi (Yellow)

4) Winner of 2 vs Tenjoin Asuka (Blue)

The tournament would begin Thursday, Friday would be a rest day, and the finale would be held Saturday.

/----------/

The students were very excited to see the results of their efforts; many were disappointed that they didn't make it, but were still curious, and excited on how this big activity among their dorms would develop.

There was a sense of competitiveness among the spectating students; they all wanted their dorm's finalists to defeat the others.

When the entire tournament bracket was made public, most of the participants were as excited as they were determined...except for 1 student who was instead mortified.

"Ho-How could this be!?". The light blue haired boy exclaimed in alarm.

His friend next to him was, however, either as dense as Gardna's shield, or as easy-going as a Mokey Mokey.

"Wow! You got placed in the best bracket, Sho, I'm jealous!". Judai said with a carefree smile.

"Why am I the one who has to duel Manjoume!? This is not fair!". Tears were forming on the corners of his huge eyes.

"Well, you have better grades than I do". He stated matter of factly, as if having a below passing grade was inconsequential.

"Ughh...of course being a good student comes back to bite me...". The boy mumbled with a downcast expression. "At least we got vacations, sort of".

"Yeah! It's great, isn't it? I can finally rest from my hard work".

"But you never even do your own homework!".

After that comedic scene, they went to have lunch (neither got the good eggwich); they finished their classes, and finally had the rest of the day, plus weekend, free to do anything they wanted, and prepare as best as they could.

/----------/

The entire school reunited for the tournament; the stadium was packed with the colors Red, Yellow, and Blue.

Even the lady of the shop, Tome, was there; she was providing food, and other products.

"Good Evening, everyone!".Chronos, as the Head Professor, was the one presenting, while the other teachers watched from their seats.

"Today we're reunited for the final stages of this great event, in which the students, the protagonists, have duelled until the strongest remained". The public was very loud, and just wanted the duel to start already!

"Let's welcome the participants of this day's first duel". Chronos signaled, and both students walked in to the field.

From Ra Yellow, Kohara was a boy with a problem of scenic panic, but he strove, and became one of the finalists of his dorm.

He was still nervous, and having the entire school looking at him was making his heart beat faster, and he started to get dizzy. His gaze steeled as he faced his opponent, trying to muster as much courage as possible without faltering.

"Hey, Kohara, let's have a good duel". Judai's kind gesture snapped him from his thoughts; his opponent offered a handshake, which Kohara accepted with a smile. Forget the public, he would just duel like he always had, and having an opponent that showed sportmanship made it easier.

"Yeah...yeah! I promise I'll defeat you with all I got!". The Ra Yellow student declared.

"That's the spirit! I'll also do my best, so don't go easy on me".

Both duelists took their positions on the field; Chronos then took a coin to decide which one would go first.

"Osiris Red is the lower in rank, so it will be Tails". The coin spun fast until it touched the ground. "And the result is...Heads! Kohara will go first!".

With everything on place, it was time to

""DUEL!"".

Kohara: 4000 LP.

Yuki Judai: 4000 LP.

With 5 cards in hand, Kohara started. "I summon Goblin Attack Force in attack position!". A small squad of goblins got in formation; alone, they are pretty weak, but together, they are one of the strongest normal summons in the game.

Goblin Attack Force-Earth/Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 2300/0.

"I set 1 card, and end my turn".

"Not bad, my turn!". Judai started with 6 cards in hand.

"I summon Bubbleman!". The smiling, and reliable Elemental Hero reached the field striking a pose with his bubble shooter aiming foward.

Bubbleman - Water/Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 800/1200.

"Now, Bubbleman's effect activates; when it's the only card I control, I draw 2 cards". Judai easily replenished his resources.

"Next, I activate the spell card, Polymerization!". He played his signature fusion card, one of the core elements of his HERO deck. "The monsters I'll fuse are Bubbleman from my field, and Burst Lady from my hand". Burst Lady momentarily appeared on the field, and was absorbed into a swirling vortex along with Bubbleman.

"Here comes Elemental HERO - Steam Healer!". The hero surged from the vortex along with a wide wave of steam; it was wearing a heavy suit of purple armor, with numerous long tubes connected to and coming out of many parts of its body, and from some of them, thick clouds of steam came out as though it was a train.

Steam Healer - Water/Warrior/Fusion/Level 5/Effect: 1800/1000.

"The attack points might seem lacking, but that'll chance with the field spell, Skyscraper". The field changed, and now both duelists were at the center of a huge metropolitan city, with blinding buildings reaching high into the sky, and many other lights illuminating the night sky until only the moon was visible.

"I use Steam Healer to attack the Goblin Attack Force" Judai signaled, and Steam Healer rushed to the attack.

"Skyscraper makes it so my Elemental Heroes gain 1000 attack points when battling a monster with higher attack than them". The Osiris Red boy added, and the output of his monster increased vastly.

Steam Healer - Water/Warrior/Fusion/ Level 5/Effect: 2800/1000.

The squad of goblins could do little to defend themselves from the powerful steam-powered suit going at full force, and were promptly vanquished.

Kohara: 3500 LP.

Kohara covered himself from the gust of wind, a little shocked that his monster was defeated so easily; when he looked foward, he noticed Judai had more life points, WAY more than before!

Judai: 6300 LP.

"Steam Healer gives me life points equal to the attack of the monster it destroyed by battle". Judai explained, and as the battle had ended, Judai's monster returned to normal.

Steam Healer - Water/Warrior/Fusion/Level 5/Effect: 1800/1000.

'Tsk, now I'll have a harder time trying to activate my trap of Minor Goblin Officer'. Kohara tought to himself.

"Alright, I draw!". He had drawn his second winning condition, and had all the pieces for a powerful combo in his hand...but he couldn't use it! The monster in question requires a tribute.

"Here goes nothing". He said in a weak voice for if this fails, his chances of comeback would be reduced significantly. "I activate Upstart Goblin! This card allows me to draw 1 card, but also gives you 1000 Life Points".

Judai: 7300 LP.

Having almost double the original life points made Judai feel confident, and he was also curious as to what his opponent would do next.

Kohara was very close to being left without play, but he luckily had drawn one of the few card which could allow him to continue the duel.

"I activate the card I drew, the Shallow Grave! This card makes it so both of us target 1 monster in our respective graveyards, then we special those monsters in face-down defense position". A single spot on each field beamed with the light of underworld spirits.

"I select my Goblin Attack Force".

"Mmm, I'll choose Bubbleman".

Both spots on the field were replaced by the cards of their selected monsters, but said monsters didn't appear on the field as they were summoned face-down.

"Now, I use Goblin Attack Force to tribute summon Penumbral Solider Lady". The full moon of the skyscraper city shone upon the face-down card, and turned it to dust; the next moment, a blonde woman in heavy armor, with sword and shield in hand appeared in its place.

Penumbral Soldier Lady - Dark/Warrior/Level 6/Effect: 2100/1400.

"I'll destroy your Steam Healer; Penumbral Soldier Lady, attack!". The soldier advanced with great abandon; she skillfully diverted all the attacks of the steam hero with her shield, then thrusted her sword directly to the hero's heart, and finished destroying it.

Judai: 7000 LP.

"I set 1 card, and end my turn".

"That was very good, but I'm just getting started. Draw!". Judai was having fun with the duel, Kohara was really good.

"I activate Monster Reborn to bring Steam Healer back". An egyptian cross appeared momentarily on the field; its light seemed to make the sound of bells, and then it simply vanished into motes of light. In its place, however, was the previously slain hero, without a scratch.

Steam Healer - Water/Warrior/Fusion/Level 5/Effect: 1800/1000.

"Now I attack your Penumbral Soldier Lady, and with the boost of Skyscraper, Steam Healer is stronger than her". The machinery of Steam Healer's suit once again started to function with increased output as it charged towards its opponent.

Steam Healer - Water/Warrior/Fusion/Level 5/Effect: 2800/1000.

"Not so fast, I activate my trap card, DNA transplant! With this, I choose 1 monster attribute, and while this card is on the field, all monsters become that attribute".

"Mmm, but how will that help you?". Judai asked.

"I choose Light attribute, which in turn allows Penumbral Soldier Lady to use her effect; when she battles a Light attribute monster, she gains 1000 attack points!". The Ra Yellow boy revealed his strategy.

The soldier took in power from the moon; with it, she felt unbeatable.

Penumbral Solider Lady - Dark/Warrior/Level 6/Effect: 3100/1400.

Judai's monster was close to its target, it was just about to attack when a flash ocurred and one of its mechanical arms went missing, then, its upper body fell to the ground, cleaved in half.

The soldier didn't look back as Steam Healer got turned into dust.

Judai: 6700 LP.

"The effect of Penumbral Soldier Lady only applies when battling, so she'll return to normal for now". Kohara added, and the Moonlight surging from the Soldier Lady subsided.

Penumbral Soldier Lady - Dark/Warrior/Level 6/Effect: 2100/1400.

"I summon Wroughtweiler in defense position". A beast appeared from one of the alleys of the city, it was seemingly clad in armor and with a great visor that covered most of its face, but it was really a full machine, a machine hound. The monster let out a couple of mechanical sounding barks as it got in position.

Wroughtweiler - Earth/Machine/Level 3/Effect: 800/1200.

And thus, Judai finished his turn with a normal summon.

"My turn!". Kohara was delighted, he had the advantageous position, and knew just how to maximize it.

"I summon Giant Orc". The ground trembled with every step of the monster; it was huge, weilded an enormous bone as a weapon, and shot terrifying glares at its next potential victims.

Giant Orc - Dark/Fiend/Level 4/Effect: 2200/0.

"Not as strong as Goblin's Attack Force, but still something not to be triffled with". With so many high attack monsters on the field, his opponent could not advance his plays comfortably as normal summoning was less effective.

Every monster that Judai could normal summon had faw lower attack than Kohara's monsters, so Judai would be forced in defense position to protect his life points; the thing is that Kohara had 2 monsters with high attack on the field while Judai could only summon 1 per turn.

And if Judai decided to attack Giant Orc while it was in defense position, Kohara would still have his life points safe, and Judai would be exposed to Soldier Lady's boosted attack.

"I'll attack your monster with Penumbral Solider Lady". Kohara declared, and his monster got empowered once again.

Penumbral Solider Lady - Dark/Warrior/Level 6/Effect: 3100/1400.

The soldier easily reduced the machine to scraps with a single shield bash.

"Wroughweiler's effect activates; when it is destroyed by battle, I can return 1 Polymerization, and Elemental HERO from the graveyard to my hand". Judai explained. "I'll return Burst Lady, and the Polymerization I used before".

"Penumbral Solider Lady's attack returns back to normal, and I attack your face-down monster with Giant Orc". The face-down monster in question, Bubbleman, tried to avoid the onslaught of the orc, but the fiend was surprisingly fast for its size, and snapped the hero from the torso in half with a full-power blow from its club.

"Giant Orc is changed to defense position ater attacking". The fiend was tired, so it kneeled to rest. "And I end my turn".

Judai drew for turn; he had a total of 6 cards in hand, his resources seemed never-ending.

"I activate Polymerization once more; I'll fuse Burst Lady and Featherman into my favorite Hero!". Both heroes were absorbed into the vortex, and the fusion appeared along with a powerful gust of wind.

"Come! Elemental HERO - Flame Wingman!". The Ace monster of the Osiris Red student arrived to the field with arms crossed.

Flame Wingman - Wind/Warrior/Fusion/Level 6/Effect: 2100/1200.

"Now, I attack your Giant Orc". Flame Wingman aimed his right arm, which possesed the head of a dragon, towards Kohara's monster, and unleashed a jet of flames; the monster's non-existant defense points couldn't do anything to resist its doom.

'At least I'm protected'. Kohara tought to himself, but was promptly interrupted by Judai.

"Flame Wingman's effect activates; it deals damage equal to the attack of the monster it destroyed". Kohara needed a second to process that.

"Eh?". Was all the boy could say as the hero increased the power of the fire with his wind until it enveloped Kohara, and burned away his life points.

Kohara: 1600 LP.

"I set 1 card, and end my turn".

"Draw!". Kohara didn't give up, and formulated his next strategy.

"I activate the spell card, Earthquake; with this, all monsters on the field are changed to defense position". The ground trembled; both the soldier and the hero got into a crouching position to keep their balance.

"However, I can still change the battle position of my monster!". He declared, and the soldier rose up.

"I'll attack Flame Wingman with her, and while your monster is in defense position, Skyscraper's effect cannot save you".

The soldier lunged foward with her boosted attack.

"Think again, I activate my trap card, Hero Barrier! With this, so long as I control at least 1 Elemental HERO, I can negate your attack". Judai timely declared to avoid his hero's demise.

Flame Wingman made a maneuver on his own to intercept his opponent; he summoned powerful winds to expand another wall of flames he had created. The sudden shield of flames couldn't stop the soldier's advance, but did allow the hero to create distance, and avoid her attack.

Kohara narrowed his eyes. "I set 1 card". He had set his newly drawn, and last trap card, Coffin Seller.

"My turn". Judai drew for turn.

"I activate the spell card, H-Heated Heart to increase Flame Wingman's attack by 500".

Flame Wingman regained his bearings; it was time for the hero to showcase his unbreakable spirit. He rose up to the sky, covered in flames, looking like a phoenix in the shape of a man; the night city was illuminated as though it was daytime.

Flame Wingman - Wind/Warrior/Fusion/Level 6/Effect: 2600/1200.

"I'll finish by attacking Penumbral Soldier Lady". Judai said with great emotion as he signaled his target with 2 fingers, which resembled the victory pose he always does at the end of a duel.

The hero rushed down like a meteorite, but the solider was not intimidated in the slightest; she, who represented the will of the moon, was always ready to face even the sun! So, she got in position, with the shield and sword shining in white moonlight, then, she charged.

Penumbral Soldier Lady - Dark/Warrior/Level 6/Effect: 3100/1400.

But it wasn't enough.

Flame Wingman - Wind/Warrior/Fusion/Level 6/Effect: 3600/1200.

Despite the soldier's best efforts, her shield, her whole body, and even the borrowed power of the moon weren't enough to stop the advance of the warrior of justice.

The resulting damage of the collision, plust Flame Wingman's effect, finished off Kohara's Life Points for good.

Kohara: 0 LP.

"Gotcha, that was a nice duel!". Judai did his signature victory pose.

Kohara seemed downcast...and sighed after a moment; he gave the best duel he could, it felt good, and he was surprised he did so well with so much public.

He lifted his head. "It was a nice duel". Was his reply.

The public became harder to ignore because of how loud they were; he looked around, and could only hear cheers.

"That was amazing!". "You were really cool!".

They didn't berate or antagonize him, it was a difficult feeling to explain, but he could laugh, and go out with a wide smile, even in defeat.

Judai was happy he won and was excited for his next match, but now it was time to see Sho's duel against Manjoume.