Chapter 62 – Dark Magician Girl
Spring Break came and went faster than anyone would've liked, and before long, the familiar rhythm of school life resumed as though the brief vacation had never happened.
For most students at Promethean Academy, however, the return carried an unmistakable change as graduation was drawing closer.
With only a few months remaining before the end of the academic year, the teachers gradually began increasing the pace of their lessons. Classes became more focused, assignments more frequent, and homework noticeably heavier.
Naturally, none of it was excessive.
Promethean Academy wasn't merely an expensive elitè school. It was one of the finest educational institutions in the country, backed by generations of prestige, exceptional faculty, and resources that few schools could ever hope to match. The teachers understood exactly how much pressure their students could endure before it became counterproductive.
Their goal wasn't to overwhelm them but to prepare them for the future.
Future executives, researchers, lawyers, scientists, politicians. Many of the students sitting inside those classrooms would someday occupy positions capable of influencing entire industries, and the Promethean Academy intended to ensure they were ready.
Alexander, however, barely noticed.
The lessons remained interesting enough, but academically speaking, he had already mastered virtually every subject taught during high school.
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, History, everything taught in class had long since become review as his real education now happened elsewhere.
Business management, Engineering, Ancient civilisations, Magic, Duel Spirits, Spirit Energy and whatever other subject happened to catch his curiosity.
The increased workload simply meant another hour spent completing assignments before returning to what he actually wanted to study; however, Chuck and Ginny didn't enjoy that luxury.
Both remained among the best students of their grade, capable of keeping pace without too much difficulty, but unlike Alexander, they still needed to devote genuine effort toward maintaining those results.
Homework gradually consumed more of their afternoons while study sessions became longer, and as a consequence the four friends found themselves meeting less often than before, not because anyone wanted to but simply because responsibilities came first.
Alexander found himself smiling the first time Chuck declined an invitation because he needed to finish an essay.
It was oddly reassuring to see that even Chuck knew where to draw the line.
Industrial Illusions, meanwhile, continued moving steadily toward another milestone.
Duel Monsters had already reached nearly every corner of the United States, and only a handful of states remained before complete nationwide distribution became reality.
Sales continued exceeding expectations. Tournament attendance remained equally encouraging. The Duel Monsters Opens had established themselves surprisingly quickly as the game's primary competitive events despite only a few of them being hosted, and even tournaments organised in comparatively smaller markets regularly attracted well over one hundred participants, while larger cities routinely hosted several times that number.
Watching reports arrive each week had become strangely satisfying, but not because of the profits, although those certainly didn't hurt; rather because the game had the game community continued to develop and expand.
Players discussed strategies, collected cards, traded with one another and organised local gatherings entirely without Industrial Illusions' involvement.
For the first time since bringing Duel Monsters into this world, Alexander truly felt as though it was going to become a phenomenon surpassing what the memories of his other self projected.
It was going to become something larger, something alive and unique.
But not everything progressed quite so smoothly, as counterfeit cards remained an ongoing headache. Fortunately, ignoring its most recent development, it was one Alexander had expected from the very beginning.
Elizabeth provided periodic updates whenever significant developments occurred.
Another illegal printing operation dismantled, another warehouse discovered, another lawsuit filed.
Progress remained frustratingly slow, but it existed, and more importantly, Cooper Attorney Firm's recent expansion into Cooper & Associates had already begun producing results.
Additional attorneys meant additional investigators, additional investigators meant simultaneous operations across multiple states.
The counterfeit problem wasn't disappearing overnight, and Alexander had never expected it to, but steady progress was more than enough to slow it down until it became manageable.
His own routine continued advancing just as steadily.
Every few afternoons, Alexander and Roland drove to one of the designated Duel Monsters gathering locations.
The process was more or less the same.
Integrate into the group, talk a bit, give a few suggestions here and there, trade a few cards, duel when possible, earn DP and DE, return home.
Thanks to that, his reserve of Duel Energy had likewise grown considerably over the past months, enough that he no longer worried about the expense to summon minor Duel Spirits like Kuriboh daily.
The Duel Points, however, remained his primary objective.
Five hundred. That single number occupied the back of his thoughts whenever he checked the YGO System's store, more specifically a particular item on the very expansive list, Technology: Solid Vision Knowledge.
The purchase represented far more than a new technology; it represented a real revolution in the game, the likes of which no one else would expect.
Real holograms, Dueling Arenas, Duel Disks, everything that had transformed Duel Monsters into a global phenomenon in Yu-Gi-Oh! anime.
Every successful farming session brought that future one step closer.
'I'm getting close...' The thought crossed Alexander's mind as Roland steered the car through the mansion's gates following another productive afternoon, 'Another few weeks, perhaps.'
Roland glanced toward him and asked, "Something good?"
Alexander smiled, "Very. But for now I'd like to keep it a surprise..."
"I shall look forward to discovering what it is."
Alexander chuckled and muttered, "So will I."
Once home, he focused on his homework first, as always.
Nearly an hour later, Alexander placed his pencil aside before stretching his shoulders and said, "Done."
He gathered the books into neat piles before standing.
Roland happened to be organising several documents nearby, so he informed him, "I'm heading downstairs."
The butler looked up immediately and asked, "Prototype cards?"
Alexander nodded and added, "I've recovered enough backlog already."
Roland offered a small smile and said, "I shall make certain no one disturbs you."
"Thanks."
The study greeted him with its familiar scent of wood, ink and freshly prepared card stock.
Alexander quietly closed the door behind himself before approaching the large worktable occupying the centre of the room.
Then he called up the YGO System interface and opened the Card Database before looking at organised rows of completed prototype cards.
He couldn't help smiling while thinking, 'Yesterday... I have finally completed every Level 1 through Level 5 monster belonging to Series 2. Weeks of work. Hundreds of hours. All leading here. Only the stronger monsters remain.'
His eyes drifted toward another area of the Card Database; here the cards displayed were in black and white, indicating that he still had to complete them.
Spellcasters. Dragons. Warriors. Spells, Traps, Powerful boss monsters.
Several cards immediately caught his attention, yet one stood above the others, and without even realising it, Alexander grinned and said, "Finally... Your turn had come... Dark Magician Girl."
Perhaps no monster represented Duel Monsters quite like she did.
She had become an icon in her own right.
Popular among duelists, recognised even by people who had never actually played the game. She is the waifu of many generations of Yu-Gi-Oh! players.
Alexander himself had always liked her design and character. Bright. Energetic. Playful. Everything about the card radiated personality.
It somehow felt appropriate that she would be among the most important monsters he created for Series 2.
Without another thought, he began preparing the necessary materials.
Fresh cardstock. Ink. Pigments. Specialised engraving tools.
Once everything settled into its proper place, he finally willed the YGO System into action.
The familiar holographic Blueprint materialised above the desk, rotating slowly before stabilising into a translucent reference only he could perceive.
Alexander inhaled deeply, then reached for his pen.
Months of repetition had transformed the once unfamiliar process into something approaching instinct.
His hands moved confidently. Every measurement remained precise, every border aligned perfectly.
The framework and outlines appeared first, then the attribute, stars, card name, statistics.
Each step followed the next in practised succession, and soon only the artwork remained.
Alexander paused, not because he had grown tired but because experience had simply taught him never to rush the most important step.
He placed the pen down and slowly rolled the stiffness from his shoulders before walking over to pour himself a glass of water. The cool drink helped clear the lingering tension from his mind.
Only after emptying the glass did he summon from the YGO System a familiar card and, spending 1 DE, he called out, "Come on out, Kuriboh."
A soft glow surrounded the card before it shattered and the little furball materialised in midair.
"Kurii!"
The tiny Duel Spirit immediately floated toward him with an excited chirp, circling his head once before settling comfortably atop his shoulder as though it had done so a hundred times before.
Alexander chuckled, "Good to see you too."
Kuriboh rubbed its fluffy body against his cheek before hopping into his waiting hands, earning gentle strokes across its impossibly soft fur. The little Spirit gave a contented hum, its large eyes slowly closing as it leaned into the familiar affection.
For several quiet minutes, neither of them did anything else.
Alexander simply closed his own eyes, allowing the comforting presence beside him to steady his breathing and clear away every stray thought. A week of repeating this small ritual had taught him that enjoying Kuriboh's company helped steady his mind, which in turn also helped with the prototype card creation process.
Eventually, the five-minute limit imposed by YGO System came to an end.
Kuriboh opened its eyes, gave one last happy "Kurii!" and dissolved into countless motes of light that reformed into a card as it returned to the Spirit World.
"Thanks," Alexander murmured with a small smile.
Only then did he pick up the pen and resume.
The first lines appeared almost hesitantly.
A gentle curve, then another.
Soon the broad brim of the oversized hat began emerging across the cardstock.
Alexander found himself smiling almost immediately.
Even after all these years, the silhouette remained unmistakable. Countless duelists from another world would have recognised it from those first few strokes alone.
His pen continued moving.
The ornate staff came next, followed by the flowing locks of blonde hair that framed an energetic face. Every line flowed naturally into the next, as though the image had always existed beneath the blank surface and he merely needed to reveal it.
Every detail demanded complete concentration, yet unlike some of the other powerful Duel Spirits he had drawn, this one never felt oppressive.
When he had created Red-Eye Black Dragon, the overwhelming intensity of the dragon had nearly stolen his breath. Summoned Skull's artwork had carried an ancient aura that seemed eager to burst free from the card itself. Even Dark Magician possessed an air of quiet dignity and ancient wisdom that commanded absolute respect.
Dark Magician Girl was different.
The growing connection between them felt lighter, warm, almost playful.
Rather than testing him, the distant Duel Spirit seemed content to quietly watch his progress, gently nudging his hand whenever the smallest adjustment became necessary without ever attempting to guide it herself.
It was less like fulfilling a demanding commission and more like painting alongside an old friend.
Time quietly slipped away.
Minute after minute, more of her personality emerged upon the card. Bright emerald eyes filled with curiosity. A confident smile that hinted at mischief. The elegant magician's attire completed by ribbons and intricate golden ornaments, every detail coming together into the iconic apprentice magician recognised by generations of duelists.
Nearly an hour later, Alexander finally placed the pen aside and leaned back.
The artwork was complete.
For several silent moments, he simply admired it before a satisfied grin slowly spread across his face as he commented, "I think... This might be one of my best works yet."
After allowing himself that brief moment of satisfaction, Alexander carefully placed both hands beside the completed card.
There was only one step remaining, so he commanded, "System. Begin compatibility verification."
The familiar blue window appeared almost immediately.
[Ding!]
__________________________________
[Analysing prototype card... Complete.]
[Evaluating prototype card... Complete.]
[Congratulations.]
[The prototype card "Dark Magician Girl" is compatible.]
[Connecting to the Spirit World...]
___________________________________
Alexander quietly watched the final line, then waited while thinking, 'Based on previous experience, the negotiation should begin shortly...'
He mentally reviewed everything he had learned from previous Spirit Bindings, 'Observe first. Speak respectfully but not servile. Listen more than talk. Avoid unnecessary assumptions. Be clear and upfront. Every Duel Spirit possesses a unique personality. Dark Magician Girl will likely—'
The space above the completed prototype suddenly distorted.
Alexander's thoughts stopped as a circular portal slowly unfolded in midair.
Unlike the gentle summoning portals produced by the System, this one pulsed with remarkably lively Spirit Energy.
Soft golden light spilt into the study, and moments later a familiar figure stepped into view.
A young woman stepped gracefully through the portal, appearing no older than sixteen or seventeen.
Long golden-blonde hair flowed freely down her back, seemingly untouched by gravity as it drifted gently around her with every movement. Bright emerald eyes sparkled with boundless curiosity, their playful light making them seem far more expressive than any illustration could ever capture.
She wore the unmistakable attire of the legendary apprentice magician.
An oversized blue hat adorned with pink trim rested atop her head, matching the short cape draped over her shoulders and the fitted tunic that gave way to a layered blue skirt. Polished golden ornaments decorated every piece of her outfit, from the spiral clasps securing her cape to the intricate bands wrapped around her sleeves and boots. In one hand she carried the ornate staff Alexander knew so well, its crimson gem glowing faintly with genuine magic rather than reflected light.
Yet what truly distinguished her from the artwork wasn't her appearance, but it was the way she moved.
Every step possessed an effortless grace, almost as though she were dancing instead of walking. Her cloak fluttered despite the still air, tiny motes of Spirit Energy shimmered briefly in her wake before fading from sight, and an infectious energy surrounded her that made the entire study feel just a little brighter.
She looked exactly as Alexander remembered; no, if anything, she was even more expressive.
Dark Magician Girl.
Her eyes wandered around the study with open curiosity before immediately settling upon Alexander, and a cheerful smile that somehow managed to brighten the entire room appeared on her face.
Before he could even introduce himself, she exclaimed, "Oh!"
She floated downward until she landed lightly beside the desk and asked, "So you're the one my Master talked about?"
Alexander blinked as he remembered the connection between Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl before replying in a timid, "...Yes?"
She giggled, then without another word, she raised her staff before gently tapping the completed prototype card.
A tiny ripple of Spirit Energy spread across its surface.
Then she looked back at Alexander, winked and said cheerfully, "Just don't make too many copies of me, Master!"
Before Alexander's brain could even process what had happened, she turned, gave him one last playful wave and casually stepped back through the portal.
The opening immediately collapsed behind her.
Silence.
Several long seconds passed.
Then the System calmly announced,
[Ding!]
____________________________
[Binding Successful]
____________________________
Alexander continued staring at the empty space where the portal had been.
"..."
"...Huh."
He had spent the entire walk downstairs mentally preparing himself for another negotiation, and instead Dark Magician Girl had appeared, made a joke and accepted the contract without either discussion or hesitation, then left before he could say more than a single word.
Alexander looked down at the completed card, then toward the ceiling.
Finally, he simply laughed.
Shaking his head with an amused smile, he carefully added the newest prototype to the growing collection before quietly saying, "Well... That's Dark Magician Girl."