Yu-Gi-Oh: Fusion Is the Noblest Summoning Method!

The venue was packed with students.

Everyone, from the ones who usually slacked off in clubrooms, flirted, studied seriously, or napped in their dorms, had gathered to watch this duel.

Hikaru glanced around. Some students from his year shouted his name, cheering him on. Members of the Fusion Club called out things like "Go, Club President!" and "Hikaru, we believe in you!"

He waved back, then noticed Celina seated in the front row, surrounded like a queen. Seeing her cheering made him chuckle softly.

Previously, due to her identity, Celina couldn't openly cheer for Hikaru during duels. But now, she was officially a first-year student at Duel Academy. Not just that, she was the freshman representative and could go anywhere on campus freely. Recently, she'd been quite active.

Given her identity, it was no surprise that many students were eager to tag along with her.

After all, she was not only a representative and a grade-skipper, but also Professor Akaba's daughter, the head of the Polymerization Club, and the disciple of Amagi Hikaru, the head of the opposing Fusion Club.

With a background like that, no student would dare cause her trouble.

Speaking of the Fusion Club.

Hikaru looked at his opponent: a polite, bespectacled teacher.

"Good day, Professor Rox," Hikaru greeted politely.

"Ah, long time no see, Hikaru," Rox adjusted his glasses with a gentle smile. "Ever since we parted ways in the Polymerization Club, I haven't seen you around."

Rox was one of the professors in the Polymerization Club, nominally under Leo Akaba.

Emphasis on "nominally."

Professors weren't students. They had careers, lives, and adult responsibilities. While they worked for the club, beyond Principal Sheppard's assignments, it was ultimately about one thing: benefit.

Dreams? Hikaru never felt any such aura from Rox during his time in the Polymerization Club.

That said, Rox had never looked down on Slifer Red students either. He just seemed like a normal clock-in, clock-out kind of teacher.

After a simple greeting, the duel began without delay.

[Rox, LP: 4000]

[Hikaru, LP: 4000]

"My turn, Draw," Rox said calmly, drawing a card and glancing at it with a smile. He held up a card.

"Normal Summon: Test Ape."

A wiry ape with a metallic arm and wires wrapped around its head danced onto the field.

[Test Ape] Level 2│EARTH│Beast│700 ATK

Hikaru instantly recalled its effect: When destroyed in battle, it Special Summons a Level 4 or lower Gladiator Beast from the Deck.

'So he's using Gladiator Beasts… Makes sense for a teacher from the Fusion Army.'

"And with that, I end my turn."

Hikaru blinked.

He wasn't the only one. Students all around began whispering.

"What? That teacher only summoned a monster with 700 ATK?" Chazz said, confused.

"Test Ape summons a Level 4 or lower Gladiator Beast when destroyed by battle, but..." Bastion recognized the card, it had been used by elite members of the Polymerization Club last year. "But Test Ape isn't a Gladiator Beast itself, so even if you summon one, it can't tag out."

"Weird... If that's the case, why didn't he set any cards?" Celina asked, her impression of Duelists being all-out fighters. The concept of holding back didn't even occur to her.

"Then is the professor... doing this on purpose?" Alexis asked in a hushed voice.

Bastion nodded.

Yes.

No matter how you looked at it, there's no way Professor Rox only had Test Ape. No backrow, no other summons, something was off.

The likeliest explanation: he was throwing the match.

Hikaru drew for turn, glanced at his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, played a card:

"Activate Spell: Fusion Armament."

"I reveal a Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, then Special Summon one of its listed materials from the Deck or Graveyard in Defense Position. Its effects are negated, and it can't attack until the opponent's next End Phase."

He revealed Dark Flare Knight from his Extra Deck.

"I Special Summon, Flame Swordsman."

A surge of fire erupted as a proud swordsman leapt into view, confidently resting his blade on his shoulder.

[Flame Swordsman] Level 5│FIRE│Warrior│1600 DEF

"Due to Fusion Armament's effect, it can't attack and its effects are negated until your next End Phase."

"I end my turn."

"Huh?"

"What kind of duel is this?"

"Today's match... is weird."

Whispers spread like wildfire.

Even Napoleon, watching from the crowd, couldn't stop sweating. He pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his brow. "Wh-what is this? Something feels off."

And then, it got stranger.

Rox glanced at Hikaru's summoned monster, adjusted his glasses again, and said:

"Defense Position Summon: Gladiator Beast Retiari."

A lizard-like warrior appeared, wielding a steel trident and a net for capturing enemies. It let out a cry before crouching down.

[Gladiator Beast Retiari] Level 3│WATER│Aqua│800 DEF

Now;

Hikaru understood completely.

"I end my turn," Rox said.

Hikaru immediately challenged him, "Professor, what are you doing!?"

"What do you mean? Isn't it obvious?" Rox's eyes glinted with madness and conviction.

"I want to lose to you, too! That way, the academy will be completely under your control, right!?"

With this, he delivered a brutal lesson to Napoleon:

Not everything will go the way you plan!

This teacher battling Hikaru... had his own ambitions and purpose!

...

Bonus Chapter @200 PS

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