7. Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V A New Story of Pendulum (Standard Arc)

Chapter 10 Dueling with the Stars

The air inside the You Show Duel Field was heavy with tension. Two sides faced each other across the polished floor, You Show's students on one end, LDS' elites on the other.

Shuzo stepped forward, his voice booming. "Where is your fourth member?"

One of the LDS representatives shook his head casually. "No need to worry. He has other business to attend to. Though honestly, I wonder if we even need him. Now then... who should duel first?"

Before anyone else could speak, Sora thrust his hand into the air. "Me! I'll go first!"

"No, it's me!" Vivian suddenly stepped out from You Show's line, her eyes blazing with determination.

The students murmured in surprise.

Himeka's eyes narrowed as she studied the girl. "You must be Sakaki Yuya and Sakaki Yuni's adopted sister. You seem more reliable than the others. Perhaps you are the best choice for—"

"Whatever, old lady!" Sora cut her off with a shout. "You don't even know how strong I am!"

Before he could charge forward, Yuni calmly pressed a hand on top of his head, holding him in place. "Don't worry, Sora. You'll have your turn next time."

Sora pouted, cheeks puffing out as he crossed his arms. "...Fine."

Himeka turned to her students, her tone clipped. "But don't think this will be easy. They are all Junior Youth Class, just like many of you. And they are the aces of each LDS course. The one who will face Vivian is..."

A boy stepped out from LDS' ranks. His jacket, a mix of blue and purple, hung open over a white shirt. His pants were crisp white, his belt loose, and his olive-colored shoes clacked against the floor as he approached. His expression was calm, confident.

"LDS' Xyz Course student," he announced, sliding his Duel Disk onto his arm, "Hokuto Shijima."

"Xyz..." Ron muttered.

"...Course," Jean finished, the two exchanging uneasy glances.

Yuni smirked faintly, a thought flickering across her mind. So it begins. Hokuto — one of my own students. Let's see what you'll show them.

Tatsuya quickly flicked on his Duel Disk, pulling up the boy's data. "Hokuto Shijima... this year, he's had 58 matches... and won 53 of them?!"

Ayu's jaw dropped. "No way! That's a win rate over ninety percent!"

Ryu's brow furrowed. "Not only that. He already met the requirements for the Junior Youth Championship. He's one of the top favorites to win this year's tournament."

The students whispered nervously, but Vivian stepped forward, unshaken. "Even if he's an ace or a tournament favorite, it doesn't matter. I'm not afraid. I'll show you my power."

She tightened her Duel Disk onto her arm, her eyes locked firmly on Hokuto.

The two duelists took their places on the field as Shuzo strode to the center console. His hand hovered over the Action Field selector.

"Our students can deal with any situation," Himeka said, her voice carrying a note of challenge. "So choose whichever field you like."

"Deal with any situation, huh?" Shuzo smirked and slammed his palm down on the console. "Then how about this! Action Field, ON! Field Magic: Cosmo Sanctuary!"

Light burst from the console, and the Real Solid Vision roared to life. The dueling arena melted away, replaced by a vast sanctuary beneath a glittering starry sky. The ground shimmered with cosmic patterns, and luminous constellations hung above like jewels.