"My turn!"
Obaro was a blond-haired, blue-eyed white man. He was a teacher at the South American branch of Duel Academy, holding the position of "Instructor"—an equivalent rank to one of the teachers working under Vice-Principal Napoleon here.
Although his rank was lower than that of Vice-Principal Napoleon and Professor Crowler, that didn't mean his dueling skills were inferior to theirs.
Teachers employed by Duel Academy were all outstanding Duelists or specialized instructors, carefully selected through rigorous screening. Each of them possessed talent in some field far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
For example, even Professor Sartyr from Ra Yellow Dorm—who barely left any impression—was a world-class expert in curry.
Every teacher at Duel Academy was a "talent," and almost all of them had a particular area of expertise. Some, in the original series, were even capable of unsettling Jaden or making him doubt himself.
But Obaro was not one of those types of teachers.
He was a pure dueling instructor—someone who specialized only in teaching dueling. In other words, his dueling ability alone equaled the combined talents of other teachers.
He glanced at his hand, nodding slightly, but didn't act hastily.
His opponent was none other than Professor Crowler of the Duel Academy main campus—the man who constantly opposed Professor Akaba.
This theft of the Shadow Rider Key wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision, nor was it simply bad luck that led to Crowler catching him. He could only make his move at this time.
Due to the Fusion Army's blitz on Shinson, every branch of Duel Academy was under inspection. Although he wasn't exposed thanks to being an Instructor in the "Assassin Unit," he had no opportunity to infiltrate the main campus to steal the Shadow Rider Key.
It was simple: before Crowler returned to campus, the principal's office was sealed off. KaibaCorp's security wouldn't let anyone near it.
Only when Crowler was released and allowed to return—and before he entered the principal's office—did Obaro have a window to sneak in. And, just as he predicted, Crowler had gone to check the dimensional transport room after reporting to the KaibaCorp personnel.
Unfortunately, he miscalculated one thing.
Crowler didn't immediately go to the principal's office—not because of negligence, but because he was confident no one would attempt anything with the Shadow Key.
Truly worthy of being a main campus professor capable of butting heads with Professor Akaba.
Obaro raised his eyes and stared directly at the hideous principal, then gave a cold snort.
If that's how it is, then before this guy causes even more trouble, he'd better settle things with him once and for all!
Thick black miasma spread across the ground. Crowler watched as the black mist enclosed the area, gradually forming a dark ring that surrounded the two duelists. He couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy—but even now, he clenched his teeth and didn't show it.
"It's all your fault, Crowler! If it weren't for you, the Professor's plan would've succeeded already!" Obaro roared. "Aaaaaah! I offer my soul—I'm going to make sure you stay here today!"
As he shouted, a black, winged humanoid being emerged behind him, gazing at Obaro's body. A strange energy began seeping from Obaro, flowing into the angelic figure.
Obaro's face turned visibly paler.
"Mamma mia…" Crowler shuddered instinctively.
He was no longer the same man he used to be… he now understood that this wasn't some special effect. This was likely a true Shadow Duel.
"I activate the monster effect of Darklord Ixchel from my hand. By discarding this card and one 'Darklord' card from my hand, I draw two cards!"
'Darklord!?'
Only now did Crowler take a closer look at the dark silhouette.
Indeed, from this perspective, the eerie figure did resemble a Darklord!
"I discard Ixchel and Darklord Superbia from my hand to draw two cards!"
He sent two cards from his hand to the Graveyard, then drew two from the top of his Deck.
"I activate the Spell Card, Darklord Contact!"
He inserted a card into his Duel Disk.
"This card can only be activated once per turn. I can revive a 'Darklord' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position!"
"I choose Darklord Superbia from my Graveyard!"
A dark ring manifested in the sky. Crimson wings slowly unfurled as a grotesque, ring-like black angel descended from the air.
[Darklord Superbia] Level 8│DARK│Fairy│2400 DEF
"It's out already…" Crowler grew even more tense.
It already looked powerful.
"When Superbia is Special Summoned from the Graveyard, I can target a 'Darklord' monster in my Graveyard other than Superbia and Special Summon it!"
"Awaken—Darklord Ixchel!"
Pure white wings spread across the sky. A beautiful six-winged white angel gently descended. A single white feather floated down, only to be tainted black by the dark ring's energy midair.
As the angel's radiance faded, her body turned into a fusion of black and white under the corrupting force.
[Darklord Ixchel] Level 10│DARK│Fairy│2900 DEF
"Two Darklords... just like that—" Cold sweat dripped from Crowler's forehead.
His opponent was clearly strong.
Using just a single card from his hand, he had created such a powerful setup. That kind of ability was quite impressive, even among the main campus faculty.
But that was exactly why—
The tension in his heart was gradually overtaken by confusion and doubt.
If this teacher possessed such talent, such dueling skill, then why would he need to rely on Leo Akaba? Someone like this could easily carve out his own path—there was no reason to depend on Akaba's power.
He had learned from KaibaCorp that some teachers joined the Fusion Army due to financial difficulties, poor living conditions, or a lack of rare cards.
But this man was using a Darklord Deck—something no one else in the Fusion Army even touched!
Why would someone like him associate with Leo Akaba?
Even without voicing the question, just pondering it was enough to drive away Crowler's fear and anxiety, replacing it with confusion,
doubt, and… fury!
Obaro glared at Crowler.
Even after Special Summoning two high-level Darklords, Crowler didn't flinch. Instead, his face burned with anger.
Impressive.
But the Darklords' power... was just getting started!
Obaro looked at the trap cards in his hand.
"I Set two cards! Turn end!"