Chapter 134 – The Championship Begins!

Bonus Chapter

'Fuck! It's the X-Men!'

Alexander stood across the street from the Worcester Marriott, staring at the group that had just arrived.

More specifically, he was staring at the bald man in the wheelchair, the red-haired woman walking beside him, and the young man wearing sunglasses despite the fact that the sun was already disappearing beneath the horizon.

Charles Xavier, said to possess the most powerful brain in existence, and to be the world's greatest telepath possessing vast psionic powers. Founder of the X-Men and headmaster of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, a sanctuary for mutants to train and learn about their abilities.

Scott Summers, a mutant with the ability to fire destructive optic beams from his eyes. The first member of the X-Men and likely its leader.

Jean Grey, a mutant with vast telepathic and telekinetic abilities, being intimately associated with the cosmic entity known as the Phoenix, which puts her very close to the top of Alexander's personal "Don't fuck with" list while her beauty also puts her very close to the top of his personal "I'd like to fuck with" list together with Emma Frost.

Anyway, Alexander knew exactly who they were and also knew exactly what kind of trouble tended to follow them, 'They've got a magnetic disposition when it comes to trouble... Damn it, Marvel...'

Actually, that wasn't entirely fair, as they weren't necessarily the cause of every disaster and sometimes they were just conveniently nearby when the disaster happened; which, somehow, was worse.

Alexander remembered what he knew from his previous life. Xavier's school was supposed to be a safe haven for mutant children.

Safe. That word had always been doing some serious heavy lifting.

The place had been invaded by anti-mutant extremists, attacked by giant killer robots, assaulted by rival mutant factions, and, if the memories he had inherited were anything to go by, had probably been destroyed and rebuilt enough times to qualify for a government construction grant.

Alexander stared at the three X-Men as they approached the hotel's entrance while thinking, 'Seriously, how the hell does anyone graduate from that place? The student casualty rate alone must be insane... Probably higher than the average American school shooting.'

Alexander immediately grimaced a bit before he focused on the actual problem.

The X-Men.

They entered the hotel, but Alexander remained outside, and for several seconds, nothing happened; then he looked up.

The sky was dark orange. No killer robots. No flying mutant wearing a cape. No giant metal objects being thrown through the atmosphere. No alien invasion. No meteor.

Alexander waited another few seconds; still nothing.

Only then did he exhale, "Okay... Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid."

He looked back toward the hotel that was still peacefully standing and thought, 'Definitely being paranoid... Probably... Maybe... But with the X-Men involved, I'm not willing to bet money on it.'

Alexander mentally called out the YGO System interface and soon the familiar display appeared.

[Ding!]

___

User Identified: Alexander Maximillion Jones

System Type: Duel Interface

Primary Functions:

• Resource Management

• Card Database

• Card Manifestation Authorisation

• YGO System Shop Access

• Duel Network Synchronisation (Tier 1)

Resources Identified:

1. Duel Energy (DE)

• Generated through duels involving the user.

• Output increases with emotional and cognitive intensity.

• Used for manifestation and high-output actions.

Current DE: 6298

2. Duel Points (DP)

• Acquired through victory in duels.

• Used for system transactions and upgrades.

Current DP: 714.4

___

Alexander stared at the numbers, more specifically his 6298 Duel Energy.

That was quite a lot, at least compared to what he had when he first received the YGO System.

'Fine...' His shoulders relaxed slightly. 'That's actually reassuring. With that much DE available, I can summon quite a few Duel Spirits if something went horribly wrong. Roughly six Level 5 or Level 6 Duel Spirits, assuming my estimates are correct.'

He hadn't exactly tested the upper limits of Duel Spirits of such levels, mostly because testing the upper limits involved spending 1000 DP, using another Duel Spirit as a Tribute, thus putting it on a long period of cooldown.

Alexander wasn't stupid enough to waste that much of a resource just to satisfy his curiosity; besides, his previous experiences had given him a rough idea, 'Level 4 Spirits are already powerful and a Level 6 Spirit should be... Well. I don't have a precise measurement, but based on everything I have seen during my experiences in the Spirit World and the power those Duel Spirits possess, my best comparison is simple. They should basically be comparable to a nuke. Powerful enough that six of them should make dealing with most emergencies significantly easier.'

Alexander closed the System and looked back toward the hotel as he realised, 'So, if shit hits the metaphorical fan... I have options.'

That was good enough for him, at least for tonight.

He turned around and headed back toward the Marriott as Alexander decided not to investigate or get involved with anything that had something to do with Wheels and his merry band of misfits unless absolutely necessary.

He wasn't going to introduce himself. He wasn't going to approach Xavier. He wasn't even going to stare at them anymore.

He had a tournament tomorrow; he had a team and a girlfriend to support, and, most importantly, he was tired, very tired.

So Alexander went back to the hotel, reached his room, stepped inside, removed his clothes, jumped on the bed, and slept.

~~~▽~~~

The next morning arrived far too quickly.

Alexander woke up, stared at the ceiling for several seconds, and wondered why mornings insisted on existing, but eventually, he dragged himself out of bed.

A shower later, he was dressed and ready.

By the time he reached the lobby, the Promethean Academy team was already gathering.

The atmosphere was noticeably different from the previous evening.

Yesterday, everyone had been tired from travelling. Today? Everyone was awake and nervous.

Some students were talking in small groups. Others were checking their decks. A few were practically vibrating with excitement.

Alexander spotted Ginny almost immediately.

She looked ready, mostly.

She was standing beside one of the couches with her deck box in her hands, staring down at it as though she were trying to convince herself that the cards inside had not suddenly become dangerous overnight.

Alexander smiled, walked over and greeted her, "Morning, Ginny."

Ginny looked up and replied, "Morning, Lex."

Alexander glanced at the deck box and asked, "How many times have you checked your deck?"

Ginny narrowed her eyes. "Define 'checked.'"

"Counted the cards. Checked the sleeves. Checked the cards again. Rearranged them. Then checked them one more time just to make sure you hadn't somehow miscounted the first three times."

Ginny's lips twitched before she muttered, "...Seven."

"Seven?"

"I may have checked it eight times."

Alexander laughed softly. "That's progress."

She gave him an unimpressed look and asked, "How is that progress?"

"Yesterday you looked at least a dozen times in a few minutes. Now, it's much better."

Ginny sighed and glanced toward the entrance.

The nervousness was still there. Alexander could see it in the way she kept shifting her weight and the way her fingers occasionally tightened around the deck box, but it wasn't the same as yesterday.

Yesterday, her nerves had seemed to swallow her whole; today, they were simply there.

"You know," Alexander said, lowering his voice, "you don't have to stop being nervous."

Ginny looked at him. "I don't?"

"No. Being nervous means you care. Just don't let it make decisions for you."

She was quiet for a moment, then she smiled. "You really meant all that yesterday, didn't you?"

"Every word."

Ginny looked down at her deck before taking a breath. "Then I'll try."

Alexander nodded. "That's all I'm asking."

She bumped her shoulder against his. "Thanks."

"Anytime."

"Also..."

"Yeah?"

"If you tell anyone I checked my deck eight times, I'll deny everything."

Alexander raised a hand solemnly. "Your secret is safe with me."

"Good."

A voice came from behind them. "That's a shame. I was hoping for some good gossip this morning."

They turned.

Leanna Jefferson was standing there with an amused grin.

Ginny immediately pointed at Alexander. "He told me my secret was safe."

Leanna looked at Alexander. "That's adorable."

"It's not what it sounds like."

"It sounds exactly like what it sounds like."

Before Alexander could defend himself, Winfred Calderon approached, his expression considerably more serious. "Speaking of secrets, has everyone checked the tournament rules?"

Alexander blinked. "Good morning to you too, Winfred."

"I did say good morning."

"You said it while holding a rulebook."

Winfred looked down, and he was, in fact, holding a rulebook. "I wanted to make sure there weren't any last-minute changes."

"The rules are the same as the Qualifying Rounds."

"I know."

"Then why are you reading it again?"

Winfred hesitated, "...To make sure?"

Leanna leaned toward Ginny and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, "He read it on the bus at least three times."

"I know," Ginny whispered back.

"He read it at dinner."

"I know."

"He was reading it in the corridor when I went and stepped in my room."

Winfred frowned. "I don't see how that is relevant."

"It means," Leanna said cheerfully, "that if the tournament rules suddenly change while we're standing here, you'll be the first person to know."

Winfred considered this. "Exactly."

Leanna stared at him for a moment. "That wasn't a joke."

A few feet away, Louis Litt was going through his side deck with considerably more intensity.

He was checking his cards. Again, and again, and again.

Alexander watched him for a moment. "Louis."

"Yeah?"

"You've been doing that for ten minutes."

Louis didn't look up. "I know."

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah... Probably."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

Louis finally looked up. "I'm just making sure I'm prepared for everything. You know how much precision our strategy needs."

"You've been preparing for weeks."

"That's why I'm making sure the preparation wasn't wasted."

Leanna walked over and casually looked over his shoulder. "You know, if you stare at the cards hard enough, they don't become stronger."

Louis frowned. "I know that."

"Good." She patted him on the shoulder. "Because I was worried."

Louis sighed, but a reluctant smile appeared on his face.

Alexander couldn't help smiling himself.

Louis worked harder than almost anyone on the team as he wanted to prove that he belonged here.

Alexander already knew that, but judging by the way Louis immediately went back to checking his deck, Louis probably wasn't going to believe anyone who told him otherwise.

Across the lobby, Forest Gibson sat quietly in one of the chairs.

He wasn't checking his deck and wasn't talking; he was watching.

Alexander caught his eye. "Forest?"

Forest glanced over. "Yeah?"

"What are you doing?"

"Watching."

Alexander looked around. "Watching what?"

"Everyone."

That answer somehow felt very Forest.

Alexander walked over. "Learn anything useful?"

Forest nodded toward Winfred. "Winfred is going to read the rules again before we leave."

Winfred looked over. "I heard that."

Forest then nodded toward Louis. "Louis is going to check his side deck at least twice more."

Louis frowned. "I am not."

Forest looked at him, and Louis hesitated, "...Maybe once."

Forest nodded, "Twice."

Louis opened his mouth, then closed it while Leanna burst out laughing.

Alexander shook his head. "Anything else?"

Forest's gaze shifted toward Ginny. "She's less nervous than yesterday."

Ginny blinked. "How do you know that?"

"You've only checked your deck eight times."

Everyone went silent while Ginny slowly turned toward Alexander. "You said my secret was safe."

Alexander looked at Forest, who gave him an entirely innocent expression. "I observe things."

Leanna laughed even harder. "You walked right into that one."

Before Alexander could respond, a familiar voice echoed across the lobby, "Don't worry, Alexander. I'll protect your reputation."

Chuck strolled toward them, hands in his pockets and a grin on his face, while Julia walked beside him, shaking her head. "No, you won't."

Chuck looked offended. "I absolutely will."

"You once told an entire table that Alexander's secret identity was Captain America and that he was hiding from the remnants of HYDRA, whose leaders have reached the highest spheres of many governments."

"I was trying to protect him."

"By telling everyone something so absurd?"

"It was a diversion."

Julia looked at Alexander. "He's been like this since six this morning."

Chuck pointed at her. "She woke me up."

"You were asleep and late."

"I was peacefully pretending to sleep."

"You were snoring."

"That was part of the pretending."

Julia rolled her eyes while Ginny smiled. "Morning, you two."

"Morning," Julia said warmly.

Chuck looked around at the group. "Well, look at this. Everyone looks terrified."

"We're not terrified," Louis protested.

Chuck looked at him. "You're holding your deck as if it owes you money."

Louis immediately loosened his grip while Leanna snorted and Winfred sighed, "We're simply being appropriately cautious."

Chuck nodded thoughtfully. "Ah. So we're terrified, but academically."

"That's not what I said."

"That's what I heard."

Alexander laughed at his friend's antics, but also recognised that they helped calm the team's nerves.

Julia glanced around at the team, her expression softening.

"You know," she said, "for a group that's about to compete in the biggest Duel Monsters tournament most of you have ever entered, you're surprisingly loud."

Chuck smiled. "That's because we're confident."

Julia raised an eyebrow. "You're a reserve."

"Exactly." He placed a hand over his chest. "I'm so confident that I'm allowing everyone else to have the opportunity to win without the strongest Duelist in the school."

Ginny laughed, "You'd better hope Alexander doesn't hear you say that."

Alexander crossed his arms. "Oh, I heard."

Chuck grinned, "Excellent. Then I can have a rematch after this is over."

Julia shook her head. "Don't listen to him. He's been waiting all morning to say that."

"That's true."

Alexander chuckled before he glanced around the lobby.

The hotel was already becoming chaotic.

Students, teachers, luggage, deck boxes, dueling equipment, tournament bags, and enough nervous energy to power a small city filled the space.

Promethean Academy wasn't the only school leaving, as several other teams were already checking out; meanwhile, others were waiting around for students who were apparently incapable of arriving anywhere on time, and some schools had already left.

Soon enough, the Promethean Academy team boarded their prearranged bus.

Alexander took a seat beside Ginny. Chuck and Julia sat nearby.

As the bus pulled away from the Marriott, Alexander looked through the window.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he used his Spiritual Awareness and opened the YGO System's Card Database.

He wasn't taking any chances with the X-Men Effect.

That was what he was calling it. Whenever important X-Men were around, there was apparently a fifty-fifty chance that the universe itself decided it was time for something terrible to happen.

Maybe it was an alien invasion. Maybe a giant killer robot. Maybe a supervillain. Maybe someone decided to attack the venue. Maybe Magneto suddenly woke up and thought, 'You know what would improve my day? Let's find some new mutant to save at that card tournament. Oh wait, is that my best friend Charles? Let's mess around with him and his team and prove that my ideology is superior!'

Alexander looked toward the sky; nothing.

He scanned the surroundings; nothing.

He checked his Spiritual Awareness again; still nothing.

Ginny noticed and leaned slightly toward him. "Are you nervous?"

Alexander looked at her. "No."

"You've been staring out the window for ten minutes."

"I'm appreciating the scenery."

Ginny looked outside and saw that there was absolutely nothing interesting, so she said, "We're driving past a parking lot."

"A marvellous parking lot."

She laughed, "You're nervous."

"I'm not."

"You're doing the thing."

Alexander sighed out loud before he casually said, "I was looking out for the universe's twisted sense of humour."

Ginny blinked, "...What?"

"Nothing."

She shook her head. "You're weird."

"Occupational hazard. It's the burden of knowledge."

~~~▽~~~

Worcester Centrum was already packed when they arrived.

The difference between yesterday and today was staggering.

The arena had been transformed overnight from a massive event venue into the centre of the Duel Monsters world.

Teams filled the entrances. Spectators poured through the gates. Security personnel directed people toward different sections. Cameras were already rolling. Large screens displayed the tournament branding. Tournament staff moved between groups with clipboards and headsets.

Everywhere Alexander looked, there were Duel Monsters players.

Fifty schools, hundreds of students, thousands of spectators and countless decks.

Alexander felt the excitement immediately as teenagers who had spent months preparing for the opportunity to stand on this stage.

Alexander smiled, 'This is going to be fun...'

The Promethean team followed their teacher toward the participant area while Alexander and Julia separated from them, heading toward the spectator section where Alexander could finally do what he had wanted to do since this tournament had started.

Watch, just sit down and watch people play the game he had created.

Alexander took a seat, and Julia sat beside him before she observed, "You're unusually quiet."

"I'm enjoying this."

"Enjoying what?"

"Not being responsible for anything."

Julia laughed, "Give it five minutes."

"Why?"

"Something always happens around you."

Alexander paused and said with dread in his tone, "Please... Don't say that."

Julia raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because the universe listens."

Before she could respond, the lights inside the arena shifted, and the crowd gradually became quieter.

Conversations died down. Heads turned toward the raised platform at the centre of the arena.

Alexander looked over as Emma Frost stepped onto the stage, and the reaction was immediate.

She simply walked onto the platform, and the attention followed.

Cameras turned toward her. Students whispered. Spectators watched.

Emma waited until the arena had settled before lifting the microphone. "Welcome, everyone, to the Final Phase of the Inter-School Duel Monsters Championship."

Applause erupted throughout the arena, and once the applause died down, she continued, "First, I would like to thank all of you for being here. To the students who worked hard to reach this stage, the teachers who supported them, the families and spectators who travelled to watch them, and of course, our sponsors and partners who helped make this event possible."

Another round of applause followed while Alexander noticed several cameras focusing on the crowd, further proof that Emma knew how to work an audience.

"The Final Phase will follow the same format established for this championship with one single difference."

The large screens behind her changed, and a tournament graphic appeared.

"This is a direct-elimination team competition."

The bracket appeared.

"Every match will consist of up to three duels. First, a Tag Duel. Second, a Single Duel. And if the score is tied one match apiece, the deciding duel will once again be a Tag Duel."

The crowd reacted with excitement while Alexander nodded.

That format had been one of the more interesting decisions they've made during the tournament's development.

Emma continued, "There is one additional restriction. A team member may not participate twice within the same match. This means that all five official members of every team will have an opportunity to participate during the match."

The reaction from the students was immediate.

Some cheered. Others looked nervous.

Alexander glanced toward the Promethean section.

Ginny was listening carefully. Chuck had his arms crossed, looking focused. The others were equally attentive.

Emma smiled. "Every team here has earned its place. Today, you get the opportunity to show everyone why."

The crowd erupted.

Emma waited for the noise to settle before she concluded, "Good luck to all of you."

She lowered the microphone and the giant screens behind her changed.

The tournament bracket appeared.

Fifty schools. Dozens of potential matchups. One championship.

The arena erupted into cheers as the first matchups began appearing on the screens.

Alexander leaned back in his seat, ready to enjoy the show almost without any worry.

The Final Phase of the Inter-School Duel Monsters Championship had officially begun, and Alexander couldn't wait to see what happened next.