Me: Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you have a wonderful one!

Well, my right arm is sort of back to normal, but not as much. There's a limit on how long I can type and write now, so sorry. But I would like to thank all of you for supporting me and wishing me well. And don't worry, I'm virus free…minus my allergies as normal.

Well, shall we get going? I know you guys have been waiting for quite sometime for this update and I hope you all enjoy it.

-Duel Academy, Tennis court-

"For today's PE class, we'll be playing tennis!" said Emi.

The students started to form groups who will play against who. In results, Jaden and Nagisa were up against Sho and Vante while Kaida and Asuka were up against Junko and Momoe. Jaden hit the tennis ball which Sho panicked and barely hit the ball back.

Vante made a face, "Bloody hell, what's tennis got to do with dueling?"

"Would you rather play volleyball instead? Ayukawa-sensi really wanted us to play it," said Nagisa before hitting the ball back at them.

"Either one, it's the same thing - no dueling connection!" said Vante, hitting the ball hard, but it went off course. He widened his eyes, "Bloody hell! Look out Asuka!"

Asuka turned around to see the tennis ball heading towards her, but she didn't have enough time to dodge. Suddenly, someone came dashing forward and hit the tennis ball, avoiding hitting Asuka. Instead, the ball went straight towards…

"Well, you see…" Chronos said before getting hit by the stray tennis ball onto his eye.

Back at the courtyard, Asuka's friends, Kaida and Nagisa ran to Asuka while Vante was laughing to the point where he was on the ground upon seeing his professor getting hit by the tennis ball.

"Asuka-san! You're not hurt, are you?"

"If you like, I can repay Vante for you," whispered Nagisa.

The savior gave a dashing smile, "You sure? You're not hurt?"

"No, No, I'm fine. Thanks for the save," said Asuka while Junko, Momoe and Nagisa's eyes were heart shaped and were blushing.

The savior blushed, 'Is that...Asuka Tenjouin-kun?'

"Hey Ayanokouji! Get back to your group!" snapped Kaida.

The savior, Ayanokouji snapped out of his daze and gave a dashing smile. "Nice to see you too Kaiba-kun. I didn't know you were friends with Asuka-kun."

Unknowingly, he grabbed Asuka's hand.

Kaida gave him a death glare while Asuka felt uncomfortable. Kaida slapped Ayanokuji's hand away from Asuka's hand and stepping in front of him.

"We're not interested Pretty-boy – now get out of my sight!" snapped Kaida. Ayanokouji backed away before turning around and walked back to his tennis group.

Asuka frowned, "What was that?"

Kaida crossed her arms, "Let's just say, the first time I met that creep wasn't…pleasant."

After class, Chronos dragged Vante while following Emi to the infirmary. There Emi was treating Chronos' black eye while Vante was 'trying' to apologize to him.

"Okay, how about I'm really sorry that the ball hit your bloody eye," said Vante.

"I suppose that will do and I won't need the police-no ne," said Chronos as Emi turned his head to face her. "Signora Ayukawa, please be a bit more tender-no ne."

"Vante-kun didn't mean to do it, Chronos-sensei. Besides, a few students who saw the incident said that it wasn't Vante who hit you with the tennis ball. So why don't you just forgive him, Chronos-sensei?" said Emi, placed an ice pack on Chronos' eye.

"Non! Non! Non!" said Chronos as the ice pack was removed. "That's like leaving beer lying around, is it not?" Emi was giving him a confused look. "And a lukewarm one, at that."

Vante eye twitched, "He's making a bloody pun or something?"

"Oh? Did you say something, dropout boy?" asked Chronos, suspiciously.

Vante frowned, "No, nothing at all sensei, but seriously it wasn't me that hit you with that bloody tennis ball."

"Be quiet-no ne!" said Chronos getting up from his sit. "To think you're blaming this on someone else, you dropout boy. Right, as your punishment, you're to join and spend one day in our Tennis Club!"

"What?! Seriously?!" said Vante in disbelief.

"Don't, and you'll be expelled," said Chronos, leaning down at Vante.

Back at the girls changing rooms, Asuka, Nagisa and Kaida was changing back to their uniforms when Momoe and Junko went over to them.

"Asuka-san! Kaida-san! Nagisa-san! We figured out who that gentleman was!" said Momoe.

Asuka blushed, "Don't raise your voice like that! It's embarrassing! It's almost like I told you two to investigate, doesn't it?"

"Still!" said Junko.

"We were really interested!" said Momoe, happily. The five girls walked out of the changing room and were standing around in the hallway.

"Let's see…his name's…" started Junko but Kaida butts in.

"Mitsuru Ayanokouji, an Obelisk Blue third year who's in charge of the Tennis Club and also the heir to the Ayanokouji Motors," finished Kaida.

"How did you know that Kaida-san?" asked Momoe.

Kaida crossed her arms, "I've meet him a couple of times…and all of them were unpleasant."

"I…met him a few times when Kaida invited me," said Nagisa before lowering her head. "I admit he was a bit…rude but absolutely handsome."

"Well, did you know that he's pretty skilled at dueling," said Junko. "His skills rival those of the great Ryo Marufuji!"

"No one's that great," murmured Kaida.

Asuka sighed, "And that's why I'm not interested, guys. I'm not looking for a boyfriend right now. I just want to learn to be a great duelist like Mai."

Kaida and Nagisa smiled, knowing how great Mai was doing at her dueling career. That's when Kaida spotted Sho acting crazy.

"Um, Sho?" shouted Kaida then she spotted Jaden. She went to him, "What's wrong?"

Jaden sighed, "Vante got busted for hitting Chronos-sensei. So, for punishment, he had Vante get a private lesson with the tennis captain."

"I see," murmured Kaida.

Nagisa eye twitched, "Van hates tennis though."

"Um, do you know where the tennis club meet?" asked Sho.

"On the tennis courts," replied Asuka.

"Thanks, Asuka-san!" shouted Sho before taking off to the courts.

"Wait, Vante-kun gets a private lesson with Ayanokouji-san?!" said Momoe.

"Let's go. I don't want to miss this," said Nagisa, excitedly. Momoe agreed and the two followed Sho to the tennis courts.

"Wait for me!" shouted Junko, following them.

Asuka, Kaida and Jaden were about to follow their friends when Daitokuji stopped them as to tell them something interesting. Meanwhile at the tennis court, Vante was playing against Ayanokouji.

"Bloody hell, to think this guy was the Tennis captain," murmured Vante as he falls to the floor, tiredly. Then Ayanokouji hit another tennis ball towards him. Vante got up, quickly, "Damn that Chronos – I'll remember this!" he said, failed to hit the tennis ball and fell to the floor again.

Ayanokouji was swinging his tennis racket and walked over to Vante. He smirked, "Stand up! Stand up, Vante McKnight-kun! You can't be crushed by this much! What'll you do if you don't do your best now? The day we call 'today' won't last for just today!"

Vante made an annoyed face, "What's with this heated guy?"

Ayanokouji continued, "And the day we call 'tomorrow' is written as a bright day! Now, hit 50 more balls for tomorrow's sake!"

Vante widened his eyes, "5-50?!

"Well?" said Ayanokouji. That's when Junko, Momoe, Nagisa and Sho made it to the tennis court. "Get in the spirit! Do your best with me! Your sweats and tears will lead to food for tomorrow! Hurrah for such lovely youth!"

"What's with the tomorrow speech?" murmured Vante, getting up from the floor.

"That club captain…he's got a flirty smile, and what he's saying about winning is so dramatic," murmured Sho.

Junko placed his arms on his hips, "Seriously, I don't get what he means, either."

"That doesn't matter. As long as he's got good looks!" said Momoe and Nagisa agrees.

After an hour, Vante finished his 50 hits, but fell onto the floor once again. One of the balls rolled to Asuka's feet where she picked it up. Sho and the others spotted her, Kaida and Jaden and called them out which cause the tennis captain to turn around and gave a dashing smile to Asuka and Kaida.

"Hey, Asuka-kun and Kaida-kun! Glad to see you! To think you came to see – huh?!" started Ayanokouji before noticing that Asuka, Kaida and Jaden walked pass him. They went to Vante instead.

"We've got something to tell you," said Asuka as Vante got up from the ground.

"We heard it from Daitokuji-sensi, but it sounds like someone said they saw Manjome-kun," said Kaida, crossing her arms.

"Manjome? Where is that prick?" asked Vante.

"Well," started Asuka.

Flaring of jealousy, Ayanokouji gritted his teeth and walked over to them. He snapped, "To think Asuka-kun and Kaida-kun's talking so intimately to Vante-kun. I'm alright with Judai-kun, but with him – I'm filled with the burning rage of jealousy right now! Get away from them, Vante-kun!"

Jaden and Asuka titled their heads with annoyance while Kaida was getting angry as Ayanokouji was heading towards them.

"I don't really want to tell you this, but these beautiful girls are like Obelisk blue fairies and you Vante-kun, a Slifer Red is out of his league," said Ayanokouji, angrily.

"An Obelisk blue fairy?" said Sho before picturing a few Obelisk with fairy wings which made Sho have a disgust face. "Ew…that's awful."

"Asuka-san, Kaida-san!" said Ayanokouji, seriously. "A man like me is most suitable for either of you! Now, please, don't blame me and get away from Vante-kun!"

Kaida gritted his teeth, "You bastard…I'm capable of finding my soulmate and you're not it!"

"That's right and it's none of your business to tell them what to do," said Jaden, seriously.

"Oi, you're getting the wrong idea, mate. Asuka and Kaida, we're just…" started Vante but Ayanokouji stopped him by quickly going to his face.

"I don't need your unsightly excuses, Vante-kun."

Vante had a straight face, "I'm telling you…"

"To think you've such a close relationship with them," hissed Ayanokouji, tightening his hold of his tennis racket, then leaned over to Vante again. "Duel me right now, Vante-kun!"

"Oi, listen to what someone's telling you," snapped Jaden.

"Stay out this Judai-kun," said Ayanokouji before turning his attention to Vante again. "If you're a true duelist, too, then how about we use this duel to settle things man-to-man?"

Vante lifted his eyebrow, "And what are we settling?"

"To sum it up, the winner will become a suitable fiancée to either Asuka-kun or Kaida-kun," said Ayanokouji, seriously.

"What?! You just did not – ah!" shouted Kaida as she was about to attack the tennis captain, but Jaden stops her.

Asuka widened her eyes, "W-Wait a second!"

"My, my, did he say 'fiancée'?!" squealed Momoe, happily.

Junko frowned, "How…did that chat turn into something like that?"

"Lucky," murmured Nagisa before frowning, "However, an arrange marriage isn't for me."

"Wow, easy mate. Fiancée? No," said Vante before smirking, "But I'm a guy who'll take on any challenged duel! So, let's go! I'll accept your bloody duel!"

"He's accepting the terms?!" said Junko while Momoe and Nagisa giggled.

Sho sighed, "T-Things turned into such trouble…"

"Let's do this, Vante-kun!" said Ayanokouji, placing a duel disk.

"Right! And you're going to regret challenging me," said Vante as Jaden hands him his duel disk.

"Duel!" both shouted.

Vante: 4000
Ayanokouji: 4000

Momoe smiled, "My, Asuka, Kaida, to think two gentlemen are dueling for you. It's too cool!"

Asuka sighed, "It's stupid…I'm fed up with this."

Kaida narrowed his eyes, "You're not the only one. I'm so calling my father about this creep."

"Oh, and yet you're still paying attention," teased Junko. "Why haven't the two of you left?"

"I want to see if his dueling skills are rivaled to Ryo myself," stated Asuka.

Sho gasped, 'That rivals my brother's? That flirting club captain…is he that good?'

"And I can't wait to struggle him," murmured Kaida, clenching her hands.

"I'll go first, my draw! And the first strike to victory!" said Ayanokouji, drawing his card. "Let's get down to it – with this! The magic card, Smash Ace! I flip over one card from the top of my deck, and if that card's a monster, it's deals you 1000 points of damage, Vante-kun!"

"So, it's a gamble," murmured Vante.

"Oh man, this is already nerve-wrecking!" said Sho.

"It's just the first turn, Sho," said Jaden, calmly.

Ayanokouji draws his card before grinning. He showed the card to Vante which was a monster card 'Mystical Shine Ball.'

"Sorry, it's a monster card. Looks like you're not so lucky."

"Damn," murmured Vante.

"Now, I'll remove this card from the game and with Smash Ace's effect – you deal with 1000 points damage," said Ayanokouji. Vante gritted his teeth as a few virtual tennis balls went to him and exploded.

Vante: 3000
Ayanokouji: 4000

"Next, I'll set one reversed card, ending my turn," said Ayanokouji.

"All right, now it's my turn – draw," said Vante, before thinking. 'A thousand damage, huh? And that face-down card, no doubt it's a trap…well, here goes…I activate the spell card, Double Summon, allowing me to summon two monsters for this turn. And I summon Master Kyonshee (1750/1000) and Spirit Reaper (300/200); both in attack mode."

Nagisa frowned, "I guess he's not that so great of a duelist then we thought."

"We just have to wait and see. He did place a face-down card," said Jaden.

"Let's go, Master Kyonshee attack!" ordered Vante.

Ayanokouji smirked, "Reversed card, open! The trap card, Receive Ace! It negates a direct attack and deals 1500 damage to you!"

'Know it,' thought Vante as his life points went down.

Vante: 3000 – 1500 = 1500
Ayanokouji: 4000

"Thirty love! At this rate, you're going to lose and wouldn't be bothering Asuka-kun and Kaida-kun," said Ayanokouji.

"Oi, you can't tell me what do to or who I can hang out with," snapped Vante before smirking. "Besides, it would seem you forgot my second monster – Go! Spirit Reaper, slide slash!"

The purple cloak skeleton dashed forward and slashed his scythe at Ayanokouji.

Vante: 3000
Ayanokouji: 4000 – 300 = 3700

"Now, Spirit Reaper's effect activates," said Vante. "Spirit Reaper randomly selects a card from your hand and discard it to the cemetery."

The Reaper appeared in front of Ayanokouji and points to a card on the right. It was a magic card, Service Ace. The tennis captain gritted his teeth and discard the card.

"Lastly, I set a reversed card face-down…your turn," smirked Vante.

"Impressive. But will he be alright? He's down to 1500 life points," said Junko.

"At this rate, Asuka-san or Kaida-san's going to be that flirting club captain's fiancée!" said Sho with worry. "And Vante-kun wouldn't be hanging out with them!"

"That's not going to happen, said Jaden, crossing his arms.

"I wouldn't mind being his fiancée," murmured Nagisa, dreamily and Momoe agreed.

"It's my turn -draw!" said Ayanokouji, looking at his drawn card. He smiled, "Heh, the luck of the draw is on my side today – I summon The Big Server (300/200) in attack mode."

Vante frowned, "300 attack points?"

"You shouldn't be worried about his attack points, but rather his effect," said Ayanokouji. "Big Server bypass your monsters and attack you directly!"

Vante: 1500 – 300 = 1200
Ayanokouji: 3700

"Next, since I dealt damage to you, Big Server's effect activates! From my deck, I add the magic card, Service Ace, to my hand and you're allowed to draw a card as well, but I don't think it would matter."

Vante rolled his eyes and draws his card, which was Vampire's Curse.

"Now, I activate Service Ace. I pick a card from my hand and you need to guess if it's a monster, spell or trap card," explain Ayanokouji, holding a card.

"Another gamble move, mm," murmured Vante, closing his eyes. 'Mm…so far he's been using magic cards and little monsters and traps…well, one trap. Mm…right…' he reopens his eyes and with confidence said, "Monster card."

Asuka and Kaida clenching their hands upon their chest; Sho was biting his nails; Nagisa, Momoe and Junko were tensed, and Jaden was looking bored.

Ayanokouji widened his eyes before smiling, "Pulled it off nicely, but don't celebrate just yet. I activate the equip magic, Giant Racket! I'll equip it to my Big Server! My turn's done."

"Giant Racket? Seriously mate, how many magic cards do you have?" murmured Vante before drawing. He looked over at his hand but was interrupted by Ayanokouji's laughing.

"Forgive me, for laughing for your failure. But then, that's something an Slifer Red like you would do!" stated Ayanokouji, smirking.

"Well, you're the one who shouldn't be laughing? You only have one monster on the field while I have two and one of them is stronger than yours," said Vante.

"Then, let me tell you…the monster equipped with Giant Racket can reduce its battle damage to zero once and can't be destroyed in battle," said Ayanokouji.

Vante widened his eyes before looking at his hand again, then smirked. "We'll see about that. Reverse card open, Embodiment of Apophis (1600/1800) and I place him in defense mode."

A dark purple double-head snake appeared on Vante's field, holding a sword and a dark shield.

"Wha – in defense mode? Why not in attack mode?" wondered Nagisa.

Jaden smirked, "Just wait and see, Isa."

"Then, I tribute Apophis to tribute summon, Vampire's Curse (2000/800) in attack mode," said Vante as the snake disappeared and the Vampire took his place.

"What?! What are you planning?" said Ayanokouji.

"You'll see," Vante smirked, "Now, Spirit Reaper attack The Big Server!"

The reaper dashed to the tennis player with a big racket attached, but the server hit the reaper, sending him back to Vante's field. Both were not destroyed, and no battle damage was inflicted.

"I don't get it. What was the point of that?" wondered Sho.

Jaden chuckled, "Giant Racket can only be used once per turn. And since Spirit Reaper can't be destroyed in battle…"

"It was practically a tie," said Kaida, crossing her arms. "Vante used Spirit Reaper on Big Server since both have the same attack points and both can't be destroyed in battle. But now…"

Asuka widened her eyes, "The Giant Racket's effect has been used! That means – Vante can destroy him!"

Ayanokouji gritted his teeth, "So, what? If you attack, I'll still have a bit of life points at the end. And I have a bunch of magic and trap cards ready to get rid of your remaining life points."

Vante laughed, "Oh really? Let's see if you're right, then? I activate the magic card, Back-Up Rider! With this card, I select one face-up monster on my field and it gains up to 1500 attack points until the end of this turn – and I select Vampire's Curse!"

Vampire Curse (2000 + 1500 = 3500)

"N-No way," stuttered Ayanokouji.

"Now Master Kyonshee, attack Big Server!" ordered Vante as his zombie monster destroyed the tennis player with a mega kick.

Vante: 1200
Ayanokouji: 3700 – 1450 = 2250

"With no monsters left, it's time to end this duel! Go Vampire's Curse, suck out his remaining life points!" shouted Vante. Ayanokouji screamed as the vampire attacked him, losing the rest of his life points.

Vante: 1200
Ayanokouji: 2250 – 3500 = 0

"Alright, Vante won," said Junko, happily.

Jaden smiled, "I know he could do it. His Zombie deck is quite impressive."

"Uh, hey…who were you cheering for?" said Sho, looking over at Junko, Momoe and Nagisa.

Momoe blushed, "Uh…before you know it…"

Nagisa laughed, sheepishly, "He's just too handsome Sho…but I was hoping Vante will win cause, he was being a jerk."

Ayanokouji fell to his knees, "I…I lose…H-How could I lost this?! To him?!"

Vante and Jaden widened their eyes as they watched the tennis captain crying and running away from the tennis courts.

Vante smirked, "Hey Ayanokouji – tennis sucks!"

"Um so…are you really," started Sho.

Vante blinked his eyes, "Really what? Oh – Oh! Right, the fiancée thing, right?" The girls and Sho nodded. Vante smiled, "Na, I know I was going to win and besides, Kaiba wouldn't allow his daughter to marry a fool like him."

Kaida smirked, "So true. After his parents introduce him, dad didn't want to be in the same room with him."

Asuka smiled, "In a way, Vante, you defend us so thank you."

"No sweat, Asuka," said Vante. "Come on, let's go. I'm starving."

Jaden and the others laughed and went to the cafeteria while at the cliffside by the main building, Ayanokouji was crying his eyes out and shouting at the sky.

-Break Line-

What you guys think?
Next Chapter: King Goblin of the Dark Night