Shinrin Kaname, shaken by the impact of the Duel Disk's holographic blast, collapsed to one knee. Only after the image faded did he grit his teeth and stand up, barely keeping his composure.
He shot Hikaru Amagi a cold glare, clicked his tongue, and turned to leave without saying a single word.
If this had been under Reiji Akaba's jurisdiction, he might've resisted the outcome despite the loss. But with teachers and other students present as official witnesses, even he couldn't deny the result.
The Fusion Corps might have their own hidden "black ops," but on Duel Academy Island, they were no match for the mainstream student body.
For now, all he could do… was return and accept his punishment.
"He won?"
"Then doesn't that mean Hikaru Amagi's club is the real Fusion Club now?"
"No, no—Hikaru is the Fusion Club!"
"Wait—hold up—I've always been a Fusion Club member, y'know?"
"Honestly, Shinrin-senpai lost hard."
"Right? He had Ancient Gear Hound on the field—he could've fused! Instead, he went for raw attacks?"
"Exactly. Fusion is about belief! He didn't even believe in it himself—why should anyone follow a guy like that?"
Hikaru brushed his hand back through his hair.
Felt good. Refreshing.
"Congrats, Hikaru!" Bastion Misawa stepped up, offering his congratulations.
"Ha ha ha! Look who's back from the stars!" Hikaru laughed.
"Ugh. My name's Bastion…" he sighed, then gave Hikaru a smile and a small nod. After being crushed by a Duel Spirit, his spirit had taken a hit. If not for Hikaru and the others, he might've spiraled into a deeper funk.
"So now we're really called the Fusion Club?" Jaden joined in with a grin. "Aw, man, I still think 'Hero Fusion Club' or 'Neo Fusion Squad' sounds cooler!"
"Cyber-Style Fusion Club is the best," Zane added, arms folded.
"Fusion Unite—!"
"Manjoume, please no," Syrus deadpanned.
Hikaru chuckled.
Meanwhile, Syrus finally understood why his brother had told him to watch this duel closely.
He remembered back when he was still in grade school. That day, Zane gave him a copy of Power Bond—a Fusion Spell that could double a Machine Fusion Monster's ATK. Syrus, desperate to beat a bully, challenged him to a duel. When he drew Power Bond, he thought victory was his—until Zane arrived, saw the face-down card on the opponent's field, and promptly surrendered the duel.
Afterward, Zane revealed that had Syrus activated Power Bond, he would've been hit by a trap that prevented attacks. He'd have lost instantly, taking massive damage from his own monster's ATK.
From that day, Zane forbade Syrus from using Power Bond and made him "seal" it away.
Since then, even after defeating the Paradox Brothers with Jaden, even when he thought he'd gained his brother's recognition… Zane still wouldn't let him go to another dimension.
And yet… he hadn't seen through even Hikaru's traps.
Syrus lowered his head.
Then, he remembered what Hikaru had said earlier.
About joining the Fusion Club—wait, not Fusion Club, right? That name now belonged to Hikaru.
But even Shinrin-senpai had fallen for it. Hm… if it were Hikaru, he'd probably make him into a "trap," right? Hmm… well…
…Maybe that's not so bad?
He tilted his head, torn in thought.
"Yo, Syrus, what're you thinking about!" Jaden slung an arm around his neck. "Come on! Hikaru's treating! Zane's coming too! Everyone's happy—let's go!"
"Eh? W-Wait—!"
Too late. Jaden was already dragging him off.
In the shadows…
Professor Banner pushed up his glasses.
He had watched the entire duel from beginning to end.
Everything involving Hikaru Amagi and the students lately—he had observed it all. Even when Hikaru and Jaden ventured off to another dimension, he had his "contacts" feeding him information.
Now, he felt the students had grown enough.
Jaden, who used to fight alone, had gained trustworthy companions. Manjoume, though still prickly, had become closer with Jaden thanks to a shared "rival" in Hikaru. Zane, having found Fubuki Tenjoin, began to open up, mentoring underclassmen and even talking more to his brother.
And under Hikaru's guidance, Jaden's mastery of Fusion was evolving faster than Banner had ever expected.
So… what about Hikaru?
Banner's eyes turned to Hikaru Amagi.
The student most like himself. The one the world saw as "Crowler' protégé." His pursuit of Fusion. His curiosity about Alchemy. Was it mere surface-level devotion… or something deeper?
"Ultimate Fusion, huh… heh…" Banner murmured, adjusting his glasses. "If only I were still alive to teach a student like this."
He pulled out a thick book from his robes and opened it. A smile crept onto his face.
The Four Stages of Alchemy.
Nigredo—Blackening, symbolizing the burning away of impurities.
Albedo—Whitening, the purification process.
Citrinitas—Yellowing, the harmonization of silver and gold energies.
Rubedo—Reddening, the final synthesis into a vibrant, fragile crimson, representing perfection.
So where is Hikaru now?
Still in Albedo… or already undergoing Citrinitas?
"…Time to find them a stronger opponent," Banner whispered, stroking his chin.
After pondering a while, he made his decision.
He clutched the book—then, without any breeze, it flipped open on its own and began spinning wildly. It stopped on a page glowing with golden light.
"I'll leave it to you, old friend."
A metallic voice rang out from the book like a bell or struck gong:
"Interesting. A new generation of alchemists, is it? Very well. I accept the commission."
Banner could almost see it—a spirit made entirely of gold and precious stones, leaning on its palm, amused, peering across dimensions.
"I happen to know someone who's very eager to visit your world."
"Perfect. I'll prepare the portal now."
Banner nodded and closed the book with a smile.
Hikaru… do you truly have the right to inherit this book—the symbol of Truth?
Let me see with my own eyes.
That night.
Hikaru, not one for indulgence, surprisingly spent some money to treat everyone to a meal.
His new club was growing—filled with first-year applicants and even a few second and third years. He welcomed them all.
To the average student in the Fusion Club, it didn't really matter where you played cards—only how you played. And if you could play rare cards like Ancient Gear Golem in peace and good company, wasn't this the better club?
After all—
They were the real Fusion Club.
As for that unnamed military group under Professor Reiji—keep dreaming.
The clouds parted. The moon shone brilliantly over Duel Academy, bathing everything in soft silver light—as if clearing away all their inner gloom.
At the topmost spire of the Academy, a single figure stood tall on the peak of the tallest building.
His entire body shimmered in gold, a flowing crimson cape billowing behind him. In the moonlight, he gleamed like the sun itself—arms crossed, gazing far below as if watching Hikaru and the others.
Then, as clouds once again covered the moon and the welcome party wound down, Jaden—itching for one more duel—dragged Hikaru along.
The golden figure vanished.
At the same moment—
Hikaru and Jaden suddenly realized… they were no longer on campus.
They stood beside a sprawling boulevard of towering skyscrapers.
"This—this is the Seven Stars!?" Jaden shouted instinctively.
"HOLY—!" Avian screamed, bursting into view midair.
"Whoa…" the Fusion Alchemist, Wanmelt, appeared beside Hikaru, stars in his eyes.
Together, they looked ahead.
Two radiant, gold-clad figures were already waiting for them.
Elemental HERO Golden Captain.
Golden Idol of the Forbidden Cult.
"Captain—!" Avian trembled, voice cracking.
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For this week I will do more release depending on the power stones !
100 Power Stones = 1 chapter (in addition to the daily update)
So give stones if you want mooooar !