7. Yu-Gi-Oh Arc-V: A New Story of Pendulum (Fusion Arc)

Chapter 17 Ignis

When they arrived at the Duel Monsters Lab, the sterile corridor lights reflected faintly against the polished steel doors, casting a cold sheen across the floor as the group entered. Inside, they found Rumi's team standing beside a gray-haired professor surrounded by humming terminals and the soft flicker of data screens. Rumi turned at the sound of their footsteps, her eyes widening in surprise before she broke into a cautious smile. "Yuya? Serena? What are you guys doing here?"

Yuya took a step forward, brushing a bit of dust from his sleeve as he replied calmly, "We've met the Principal of Academia, Samejima, and he wanted us to come here with him."

The professor adjusted his glasses, his expression curious yet composed. "Ah, Samejima," said Dr. Zweinstein, his tone carrying both recognition and restrained amusement. "I see you've been freed from your prison after all this time."

Samejima's coat rippled slightly as he moved toward the central console, the authority in his posture commanding silent respect from everyone present. "Doctor, we need to use the computers in the lab immediately," he said firmly, his voice echoing through the chamber's metallic acoustics.

"Of course," Zweinstein answered without hesitation, motioning toward the glowing terminals ahead. His hands moved deftly across the control panels as he reactivated several systems that had been idle for months.

Hana, who had been standing near the entrance with her arms folded, gave a knowing smirk. "So I assume you managed to defeat Dr. Zweinstein in a Duel as well?" she asked, her tone teasing but edged with respect.

Condor tilted his head slightly, his confident grin cutting through the room's tension. "Rumi did," he replied with a hint of pride that made Rumi glance away, embarrassed yet pleased.

The sound of heavy footsteps drew everyone's attention toward the rear of the lab. There, Reiji Akaba and Nicolas O'Brian appeared, both supporting the limp body of Barrett, his uniform torn and streaked with dirt. The faint hum of the computers contrasted sharply with the weary silence that followed.

Ron frowned, taking a step closer. "That guy... is he also a member of Academia?" he asked, his voice uncertain yet cautious, as though afraid the answer might complicate things further.

Yuya nodded slowly, his expression tightening into a pained frown that revealed how conflicted he truly felt. "Yeah. He was the one leading the invasion in the Synchro Dimension," he said, his voice low but steady. "After that defeat, the Professor implanted a Parasite in his brain—and Serena was the one who destroyed it."

The revelation cast a long silence over the lab, broken only by the distant whir of machines. Rumi lowered her gaze, her hands unconsciously clenching at her sides as old memories surged back. "To think they'd use something like that even as punishment..." she murmured, recalling the terror she'd seen in Ruri and Rin when she saved them from the same fate.

Rebecca, standing near one of the monitors, tilted her head thoughtfully. "But don't you think carding him would be easier than carrying him like that?" she asked. Her tone was casual, but concern flickered in her eyes. "I mean... Reiji looks exhausted."

Reiji straightened his posture despite the strain in his shoulders. "Thanks for your concern," he said evenly, his voice retaining its trademark composure. "However, we can't let others know that we have access to the carding device." His calm words carried an undercurrent of warning, enough to silence further questions.

Rumi's eyes widened when she noticed movement behind Yuya and Serena. "What are you guys doing here?" she asked, stepping forward in surprise. The others turned toward the corridor just in time to see Mark, Gongenzaka, Tsukikage, Aki, Rin, and the towering figure of Battle Beast rushing in from the opposite side of the hall. Their hurried footsteps echoed across the metallic floor as they converged at the doorway.