Youyu discovered that recently in the manor, the vampire who switched careers to become a full-time maid always seemed eager to make her presence known in front of him.
She would run over before and after meals to ask, "Sir Youyu, is there anything you need?"
Every day, within ten seconds of Youyu entering the door, she would appear hastily, lifting a skirt that seemed a bit too short for her, casually exposing her white thighs while bending over to greet him.
There's a saying that it's easy to change rivers and mountains, but hard to change one's nature.
To put it in simpler terms, it's like saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
That's exactly the case with this vampire, Quine.
Don't be fooled by her apparent change of heart, switching from vampire to maid; her nature hasn't really changed.
She hangs around Youyu all day, busying herself with serving him. But no matter how you put it, she still just wants to eat people.
...It's just a matter of which mouth she wants to use.
However, Youyu was long accustomed to handling such a vampire constantly craving like this.
Whenever he saw she had excess energy with no outlet, Youyu would give a big wave of his hand, rewarding her with a hundred laps of running, or else making her do single-handed push-ups to her heart's content.
Trying to stir up trouble? That's probably because she's too full and energetic.
More exercise helps with digestion; when she's tired, she naturally wouldn't want to cause any trouble.
Take now, for instance, where you can see this vampire lying on the ground like a dead fish, arms and legs sprawled out, her chest heaving up and down, her face flushed and breathless.
She still owes three hundred more push-ups, but seeing her like this, it's possible she might actually drop dead if she continues. Youyu, being a kind master who cares for subordinates, decided not to hold it against her.
But having her do push-ups this time wasn't because she was again lurking around Youyu, pushing her luck to the brink.
Rather, it was simply because... Youyu was feeling bored, and it was a spur of the moment.
After all, when a person is bored, it's not surprising to do anything. This is true across all worlds and universes, even for the strong.
Like the rumored Uchiha Madara, known as the Dance King of the Ninja World, who reportedly had a ridiculous interest in seeing who could pee the farthest with his buddies...
Quine left dejectedly like a fish out of dreams, seemingly having no energy left to come back again today.
Youyu propped his legs up, settled into his seat, and leisurely began sorting through the spoils of his battle with Yubel.
Though Youyu didn't have high hopes for Yubel's cards, after a quick glance he unexpectedly found a few cards he didn't own.
Being a Duel Monster Spirit, Yubel apparently had some skills of her own and got hold of some Rare Cards.
Yuki Judai could now be somewhat considered Youyu's apprentice, and most of the cards he has, he's already shown to Youyu. There were some cards in the deck confiscated from Yubel that Youyu was sure Judai didn't have, and her deck's theme was completely different from Judai's preferences.
At his current stage, Judai's abilities hadn't yet awakened, so he couldn't see Card Spirits yet, hence he didn't know that he had Yubel's spirit around him.
So it's fair to say Judai likely didn't know Yubel had secretly collected so many cards, either.
So, one might say, the deck he confiscated was Yubel's "secret stash"...
And the biggest contributor to this duel was likely the "Absolute Zero Hero" Yako had just sent to Youyu not long ago.
It could destroy all opponent monsters by simply fulfilling the "leaving the field" condition and only required an Elemental Hero and any water attribute monster to summon; truly a weapon of mass destruction in the Elemental Hero series.
This made him even more satisfied with Tenma Yako, who had been following the right path.
Speaking of which, when Yako first met him, wasn't his face saying "stay away" with a solemn expression?
At the time, Yako had come forward wanting to challenge Youyu, claiming he wanted to defeat the Duel King to prove his strength?
He was on a narrow path.
And later, somehow, after just one duel and a few chats, Yako suddenly found his path broadened.
The roads of this world might be narrow at first. The more people walk them, the wider they get.
Quine, who had just left, suddenly pushed open the door again: "Sir Youyu!"
"Hmm?"
Youyu was surprised she still had any energy left.
"What? Remember those 300 push-ups you still owe?"
If I didn't bring it up, did you think I forgot?
Quine's face quickly changed, shaking her hands in denial, "No, no! I just wanted to say... it's snowing outside."
"Oh?"
Youyu stood up from his seat and drew back the curtains.
Sure enough, just as she said, outside had started snowing heavily without him noticing.
The fluttering snow seemed like spirits from heaven visiting the entire city of Domino, which seemed to be the first snowfall this year—also the first since Youyu's arrival.
Thousands of white spirits descended upon the bustling Duel City, swaying mid-air as if dancing. The snow covered the roofs and eaves, piling on the treetops, the white contrasting with the city's neon lights creating an exceptionally beautiful picture.
Dark Magician Girl floated outside the window, flying joyfully in the falling snow.
Kuriboh floated up a small snow slope in the manor's yard, sliding down the slippery white slope to land precisely in the arms of the Silent Magician in her loli form.
"Kuriri~" Kuriboh snuggled in her arms happily, squinting its eyes in delight.
"That reminds me... it's almost Christmas." Youyu propped his chin.
He just realized that the city had recently adopted some festive vibes. For example, occasionally visible Christmas trees on the streets, wreaths, gold foil, and other decorations in shop windows...
He had unknowingly been ignoring these.
Maybe because he had no family to reunite with in this world, being a lone soul, he didn't have any special feelings towards the holidays.
Now that he remembered, his first reaction was...
... couldn't he take this opportunity to hang a "Christmas Sale" banner in the shop?
Sand-sculpting gamers love to indulge during special holiday sales, splurging their whole season's hard-earned cash in one go just to hear the thrill...
Just then, his phone rang.
Youyu picked up the phone, surprised to see it was the bald Master Samejima from Cyber Style.
"Master Samejima?"
"Is this Mr. Youyu? Sorry to bother you." Samejima chuckled, "So, recently Kaiba Seto's president arranged to get in touch with me, it seems your side at Kaiba Group finally decided to officially build a Duel Academy?"
Youyu thought to himself, it's not "our" Kaiba Group, I'm not that close with Kaiba...
He replied, slightly displeased, "Seems like it, what's up?"
"Well, I consider myself to have some insights in duel education and am interested in academy work. You seemed interested in student education last time; if you're available in the next few days, can we meet to discuss it?"
Youyu thought about Samejima's Duel Hall set on the Great Snow Mountain and felt reluctant, instinctively wanting to refuse.
But with a change of mind, he thought of something, and instantly changed his tone.
"Sure." He smiled, "But I plan to bring someone along, I hope that's okay with you."
"Of course!" Samejima was very polite, "Who do you plan to bring?"
"A student." Youyu smiled, "My student."