"Alright, since the matters on Star City's side have come to an end for now, put away the files on those minor characters."
Sanako pushed the stacks of documents aside, folding her hands together on the desk once more, striving to maintain an air of control and calculation.
"This entrance examination… are there any particularly outstanding new students? Our Kaiba Corporation has poured so many resources into building this academy; we mustn't end up admitting a bunch of mediocre Duelists."
Akihiko took out another report from his briefcase, this one marked with an obvious gold stamp.
"In fact, aside from Sasori and Rikka whom I previously mentioned to you and who were involved in the Star City incident, there are also several extremely outstanding individuals among today's newly selected students." He flipped open to the first page of the report.
"For example, in the practical combat section this morning, there was a student named Phila. Not only did she register an extremely high Soul Power of 3800 on the instruments, but she also defeated Red."
"What…"
The syllable barely escaped halfway from Sanako's throat before she clenched her teeth and forced it back down.
Beneath the desk, her hands tightened abruptly into fists, while on the surface she still tried to maintain that cold, untouchable poker face.
Defeated Red?!
Sanako felt her blood pressure rising in a straight line.
3800 Soul Power. As the heir of Kaiba Corporation and the acting head of Duel Academy, even she had only 4000 Soul Power.
And despite that, they casually recruited a new student from outside whose value was almost on par with hers?
Those arrogant academy heads within Duel Academy were enough to give her headaches.
Especially that candidate, the head of the Synchro Academy, the student council's disciplinary committee chairman, Richard. With his perpetually stern face and overwhelming strength, he hardly took her, the acting chairwoman, seriously at all.
Over the past two years, these student officials holding significant power had grown increasingly restless, as though they were constantly plotting to seize authority.
Now, was another uncontrollable monster like Richard about to appear again?! And a freshman, at that?!
At the thought, Sanako felt a faint pain starting in her stomach.
"Wait." Sanako took a deep breath, doing her best to ask in a calm, worldly tone, "You said she defeated Red?"
"Yes." Akihiko remained unaware of the storm raging within his superior, continuing his report in a steady voice. "Red is one of the candidate heads of the Fusion Academy. As a member of the student council, he naturally participated in evaluating new students, but he lost in this assessment.
"And it wasn't luck. During the duel, Phila stated the third effect of Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem. She is very experienced."
Sanako felt her head growing heavier.
Even a seasoned elite at Red's level had been brought down… Just what kind of formidable opponent was this girl named Phila?
"Then… is there anyone else we should pay attention to?" She rubbed her aching temple, feeling that the bad news today had already been more than enough.
Akihiko flipped another page.
"This one: Yunagi Minamoto.
"A member of the Minamoto family, and also a specially admitted student for this Duel Academy."
He pointed at the photo on the report, showing a boy with resolute eyes and deep blue hair.
"He was discovered by the head of the Xyz Academy during a trip last winter break. It's said the two had a private duel, after which the Xyz Academy issued him a recommendation letter and admitted him as an exception."
Did that even need to be said? Someone who could make that notoriously discerning head of the Xyz Academy personally write a recommendation… how could his strength possibly be weak?
Another tough one.
Sanako felt as though this wide office desk had turned into a minefield; one wrong step and everything would explode.
"Alright, I understand. You may leave."
"Yes!" Akihiko bowed slightly, neatly gathered the reports, and turned to leave the office.
The heavy soundproof door slowly closed.
With a soft click, Sanako was left alone in the office.
Her straightened back instantly collapsed, her whole body slumping into the chair like a deflated balloon. She pulled open the lowest drawer of the desk, secured with the highest-level password lock.
Inside lay a deck, stored in a white card case.
Sanako reached out, her fingertips gently brushing across the topmost cards.
This was the power she had inherited. This was the only support that allowed her to stand where she was. Yet this power was far too heavy.
"Sigh…"
She looked at the White Dragon deck, her voice carrying undisguised exhaustion and a trace of grievance.
"Just how long will it take before you truly acknowledge me?"
It wasn't that she had to win just because her surname was Kaiba; However, if even they did not acknowledge her, then what could she use to suppress Richard, to face that freshman who defeated Red, to defend this vast academy city?
Within the deck, one card began to emit a faint glow. [Maiden with Eyes of Blue] shimmered–gentle, not dazzling–flickering twice in the dim drawer as if offering her a small measure of comfort.
Nonetheless, it was far from enough.
The rest of the cards, those bearing the name "Blue-Eyes," embodiments of absolute destructive power, remained cold and silent, showing no sign of response.
The proud White Dragons still seemed to be waiting for their true master to display a brilliance worthy of them.
Sanako gazed at the glowing card for a moment, then abruptly shut the drawer.
In the silent top-floor office, only the faint hum of the air conditioner remained.
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going! [Patreon.com/RedZTL]