After that, a lot of things happened.

The play-off for 2nd place was held between Etou and Agon.

During that time, I went back to the GEN Academy control room and received a celebratory return from everyone.

"Minoru-san, you did it! You really did it! You won the Tri-deity Circuit!"

The first to greet me was Yuuma, who rushed up to me in a bear hug.

"Congratulations, Minoru-san! How does it feel being an Ace now?" Reona said.

"Ku ku... I had my doubts, but you managed to prove me wrong. Fair play." Kuyou said.

"I feel like you could've handled that better, but... congrats." Iori said.

"Good work, Takamine-san!" Momoka said.

"Welcome to the realm of Aces. Congratulations on your victory." Akitani said.

"I'm so proud of you, Takamine-san! Congratulations, you deserve it!" Lucina-sensei said.

The only person who didn't say anything to me was Busujima, who shortly left the room.

I put on a smile and thanked everyone.

Even though I was glad to be receiving this attention from everyone...

...deep down, I wasn't satisfied with this outcome.

I tried to be happy about what I had achieved, but the anxiety from losing my connection with Sagitta overrode everything else in my mind.

Just sitting in that room, being referred to as the "winner" despite all the sacrifices I had to make to get there, felt nauseating.

I excused myself to escape from that suffocating atmosphere.

And while aimlessly walking around, I stumbled across Busujima.

Her eyes widened.

It was the first time I'd ever seen her facial expression change.

"Takamine-san... you smell like Mars."

I lowered my head.

So, that thing from earlier...

It was...

The other alien.

The game ended with Etou winning, meaning she came in 2nd, while Agon came in 3rd.

I clenched my fists.

"...Busujima-san. I think I know who's after you."

"Who is it?"

"Agon."

I smiled self-deprecatingly to myself.

Then, there was the victory ceremony.

Everyone came out as I, along with Etou and Agon, stood on a podium as we were given our medals by officials.

Our pictures were taken, I did an interview with the press, and that concluded the end of the Tri-deity Circuit...

...at least, for everyone else.

Things weren't over for me yet.

As the sun was setting, and everyone had cleared out, I loitered around Alba Academy's control room.

The door opened.

A sole man stepped out.

I stepped out as well, getting in his way.

"Oh my..."

I narrowed my eyes at the man standing before me.

"To think you'd come to the belly of the beast."

He licked his lips, running a hand through his black hair.

"What can I do for you, Saionji Minoru?"

It was Enmitsu Mario.

"Give it back."

He tilted his head, smiling.

"Give what back?"

"You know what I'm talking about. Give it back!"

"I sincerely don't know what you're yapping about. Now, if you would please get out of the way..."

"Sagitta. Give me back Sagitta!"

Mario paused, raising his eyebrows.

"Ah... you mean that little trick Agon-san pulled."

He chuckled, his eyes darkening.

"Sorry, but no can do."

"Why not? What's your end game here? Why the hell did you sever my bond to Sagitta?!"

Mario leered over me, making a clipping motion.

"Every good birdie needs their wings trimmed from time to time. Your feathers were so overgrown, I thought it would be for the best if I tore them off... completely."

"Mario...! I'm going to seriously kill you!"

I wanted to rocket my fist into his face, but held back since getting punched in the head would be too good for this creep.

"If you want to kill me, you're more than welcome to try. I'd love to get into a death match with you, Minoru."

My eyes widened as Mario took out his Desire Specs.

"Winner lives. Loser dies. Are those acceptable terms for you?"

"Don't even joke about that. How about if I win, you drop all of your schemes, and leave mommy and I alone once and for all?"

"That's a pretty tall order... but fine, I can comply. In that case, if I win, I want you to quit Vanguard."

"What? Isn't that a little unfair?"

"I think it's perfectly acceptable. You're asking me to give up on my dreams, so I'll ask you to give up on yours."

"How do mommy and I fit into your dreams, you creepy old man?"

"It's my dream to see both of you dead."

"I think there's a pretty huge difference between you making me choose a different career path and me asking you not to murder us!"

Mario sighed, the corners of his lips rising.

"Fine. I suppose those two aren't so equal when you put it that way. In that case, we'll go for a middle ground... forfeit your Category."

My eyes widened.

"B-but, I just became Category Ace today..."

"Oh? That's more reason for you to try and win then. Defend your title... or sink to Category Zero, where you belong."

I narrowed my eyes, growling at him as I pulled out my Desire Gazer.

"Alright, fine! I have no intentions of losing to you anyways!"

"Brilliant. I can't wait to see you wallow in despair."

Mario laughed as he put on his Desire Specs.

A blue card each descended in front of us, with me grasping at mine and Mario snatching his. A burst of special effects ignited the cards, realising our decks.

A sangria crest of bird wings appeared over my deck, while a black crest of formless shadows appeared over Mario's deck.

"Before we begin, I'm liberating my authority!"

Mario grinned maliciously, thrusting out his right hand to me. Even though no circuits illuminated his body, two crosses oozing in pitch black slashed open on his palm.

"Judgement ability, activate."

My eyes widened. Those weren't two crosses... they were the Roman numeral— XX.

"What...? You're using your Arcana before we even begin the game?!"

I've never seen anything like this before... just what the hell was he planning?

"All the world under one banner... Synchronised Pile!"

I flinched as a radiant multi-coloured light emitted from his Roman numeral, covering the digital world in a thin bubble.

"Now we can begin."

Mario smirked. I grit my teeth, looking around me, trying to discern what the field he set-up was.

"What did you— no, what did your Arcana do?"

"Patience. You'll find out soon enough."

I glared at Mario.

"Keeping me in the dark, huh...? You really are a coward."

"You seem to falsely equate cowardice to playing smartly. Not like you'd ever know what that is."

The system decided I would go first.

"Stand up, the! Vanguard!"

"Absolute Zero, Rix!"

"Unison Dragon, Sybilt!"

Dragon Empire, huh? It seems he's changed nations since the last time he fought mommy. Before, he was using Dark States.

"Stand and draw! I discard to ride Absolute Zero, Claio! I set the Energy Generator! Arkha's skill, energycharge! Claio's skill, scry 7, add Kashua! Turn end!"

Minoru:
Hand: 6
Damage: 0
Energy: 1
OXO
OOO

Mario:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I ride Boy Aspiring to Join the Protectors, Sperod! I get the Energy Generator with 3 energy. Sperod's skill, I add Sperod and Sybilt, Who We Once Were from deck to hand! Then I draw from Sybilt! I call Cerrgaon!"

My eyes widened.

"Huh? Wait, that card is from Keter Sanctuary... what's it doing in your deck?!"

Mario smiled, raising his hand to reveal his glowing XX.

"It's the authorisation of my Arcana. All the world under one banner. You can understand what that means, yes?"

I narrowed my eyes, finally getting what that stupid phrase means.

"So you can use cards from other nations, is that it? Big whoop, your deck is just a pile of generic crap with no real identity then!"

"I wouldn't throw stones from a glass house if I were you. Your deck is just as guilty, Minoru. Boosted by Cerrgaon, Sperod attacks! (8000 > 21000)"

"Yeah, you try going a year without any direct support and see what you have to resort to. No guard!"

"Just change decks. It's that simple. In fact, I made it even easier for you, no? Drive check! (One Night Witch, Strega)"

"Don't you dare insinuate I'd betray Sagitta that easily, you ugly bastard...! Damage check! (Surreptitious Prayer Judge Maiden, Kraali)"

"Honestly, kids these days. When I was young, you had to change your deck accordingly to keep up with the meta game, instead of playing one singular deck. Nowadays, because Arcana abilities have spiralled out of control, you've all gone soft and rely on it to carry your wins, allowing you to cling to the belief you can make it to the top with even a tier 5 deck. Cerrgaon retires, I scry 2, and add one to hand. Like with everything else in life, that deck's lifespan will one day come to an end and end up at the bottom of the well— so why grow so attached to it? There are plenty of decks in Vanguard. Just move on. Turn end."

Minoru:
Hand: 6
Damage: 1
Energy: 1
OXO
OOO

Mario:
Hand: 8
Damage: 0
Energy: 3
OXO
OOO

"Done yapping yet, old man?"

"How rude. You weren't listening to anything that I just said?"

"Ha. That would be too good for an ugly bastard like you. Of course I wouldn't give half a fuck about what you have to say, you killed my father, you irredeemable piece of shit!"

"Please do not blindly accuse someone of murder. As you can see, I am not guilty, since I'm not in jail."

"Then I'll show you my own justice... stand, draw, and charge! I discard to ride Absolute Zero, Kashua! Kraali goes to soul! I play Truehearted Ruby! I counterblast to draw 2 and discard 1! I call Francette, Yuika, and Godelieve! Boosted by Godelieve, Kashua attacks! (10000 > 15000)"

"Being a vigilante doesn't suit you. No guard!"

"Drive check! (Sky-coloured Tranquility Judge Maiden, Arkha)"

"Damage check! (Burning Flail Dragon) Critical trigger, all to vanguard! (8000 > 18000)"

"Boosted by Yuika, Francette attacks! Her skill, +5k! (15000 > 23000)"

"Volition Rigour guards! (33000)"

"Yuika bounces Francette, Francette bounces Godelieve! Turn end!"

Minoru:
Hand: 6
Damage: 1
Energy: 4
OXO
OOX

Mario:
Hand: 7
Damage: 1
Energy: 3
OXO
OOO

"Stand, draw, and charge! I ride Distorted Heart, Sperod! Biscotti's skill, I energyblast 3 to draw! I play Sperod and Sybilt, Who We Once Were! It goes to soul and my vanguard gains a skill to bounce a rear-guard when it's retired outside of main phase! I call One Night Witch, Strega and Stealth Fiend, Shenryi! Strega's skill, I soulblast to scry 5 and call Cerrgaon!"

"Seeing Teith— or I suppose, Stregaon outside of Keter is throwing me for a loop..."

"You're about to be thrown around even more. Boosted by Shenryi, Strega attacks! (10000 > 23000)"

"Godelieve guards! (25000)"

"Shenryi goes to soul, I draw! Boosted by Cerrgaon, Sperod attacks! Sperod's skill! With a distorted mind, he retires Strega, gets +5k, and I draw! But thanks to my order's skill, I bounce Strega to hand! (10000 > 15000 > 28000) Isn't it great? It's just like bouncing her with Yuika!"

"I wouldn't be surprised if you had her in that pile of yours... no guard!"

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. The point is... don't you think we're not so different after all, Minoru?"

Mario smiled thinly. I spat at the floor.

"Don't even think about comparing us to each other! It disgusts me to think you can even see a part of yourself in me!"

"We share one thing in common at least... the desire to defile Saionji Yuuri. Just in different ways, of course. Drive check! (Burning Flail Dragon) Critical trigger! All to vanguard! (28000 > 38000/1 > 2)"

"If you lay a hand on mommy, I'll seriously kill you! I'll kill you, I'll kill you! Damage check! (Loving Pink, Francette, Absolute Zero, Sagitta)"

My eyes widened as I saw Sagitta hit the damage zone.

Usually, I wouldn't think anything of it, but...

After what happened today, it felt like she had given up on me as well.

"You sure are quick to turn to violence... did you not get enough love when you were younger? Cerrgaon retires, I scry 2, and add one to hand. Turn end!"

Minoru:
Hand: 5
Damage: 3
Energy: 4
OXO
OOX

Mario:
Hand: 10
Damage: 1
Energy: 3
OXO
OOO

"Stand, draw, and charge! Become enraptured under the sweet starlight and dance to your death as you listen to the feathered diva's rising melody! Return to origin... I ride my avatar, Absolute Zero, Sagitta! Arkha's skill, energycharge! Kashua's skill, she and Claio gets called from soul! Sagitta's skill, I energyblast 4 to get +10k and a drive! (13000 > 23000/2d > 3d) I play Truehearted Ruby! I counterblast to draw 2 and discard 1! Sagitta's skill, I counterblast to draw! I call Yuika and Francette! Let's take flight! Kashua attacks! Her skill, +5k! (10000 > 15000)"

"Strega and Falhart guard! (20000) Falhart's skill, energyblast 3 to draw!"

"Kashua retires and I draw! Boosted by Claio, Sagitta attacks! (23000 > 31000/3d) Arkha's skill, she revives! Repent Wing Frenzy!"

"Elementaria Sanctitude, perfect guard!"

"Ha, you're scared of me triple critting your sorry ass! Triple Drive!!! (Want to Behold That Profile, Orpha, Soapy Splash, Riviena, Snowskip, Palvi) Front trigger! (10000 > 20000) (31000 > 41000) (10000 > 20000) Boosted by Yuika, Arkha attacks! Her skill, +10k! (20000 > 30000 > 43000)"

"No guard! (Repelled Malice Dragon)"

"Yuika bounces Arkha! Sagitta's skill, I discard to let Francette attack boosted by Yuika! She gets +5k! (20000 > 25000 > 38000) Arkha's skill, energycharge!"

"No guard! (Cerrgaon)"

"Yuika bounces Francette, Francette bounces Yuika! Turn end!"

Minoru:
Hand: 9
Damage: 3
Energy: 4
OXO
OXX

Mario:
Hand: 7
Damage: 3
Energy: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand, draw, and charge! Where there is light, there is also darkness. Everything will be destroyed, then revived in an infinite cycle. Death and reincarnation will become meaningless distractions. The answer to life is an unnecessary temptation. The only thing needed is a return to the very beginning, in this rebellion! When the sun glows, tear open the root to infinity! Cross out the story and Synchro Awaken— Malwyrm, Sybilt!"

"That might be the most obnoxious ride chant I've ever heard..."

"I am idealist, not a pragmatist. I play Sperod and Sybilt, Who We Once Were! It goes to soul and my vanguard gains a skill! I call Mutual Thoughts Maiden, Panse and activate her Unique Skill! She gets +5k (10000 > 15000) and I energyblast 3 to scry 7, mill one, and revive from my drop The Second Mythisch, "Midgarsormr" Garzorums! Garzorums's skill, since your vanguard is grade 3 and I played an order this turn, it gets +15k! (10000 > 25000)"

"Crap, that's one giant beat stick!"

"A usually terrible card in it's home nation of Brandt Gate, under my banner it can unleash it's full potential as the strongest beater in order centric decks! I call Shenryi and Cerrgaon! Sybilt's skill, I soulblast to choose rear-guards equal to your vanguard's grade and give them Mental Pollution! I pick Garzorums, Panse, and Cerrgaon! They get +5k but retire at end of turn! (25000 > 30000) (15000 > 20000) (8000 > 13000) Garzorums attacks! (30000)"

"Palvi guards! (33000)"

"Boosted by Cerrgaon, Sybilt attacks! (13000 > 31000) Genesis Omega Dereliction!"

"No guard!"

"Twin Drive!! (Volition Rigour Dragon) Critical trigger! Power to Panse, critical to vanguard! (20000 > 30000) (31000/1 > 2) (Star Dragon Deity of Infinitude, Eldobreath) Over trigger!"

I stepped back, my jaw dropping.

"W-what...?"

Even though I should've expected it, I was still blindsided by Mario's choice of Over trigger.

Of course it would be Eldobreath... of course it would be the strongest Over trigger in his deck!

I grit my teeth, putting a hand to my heart.

"All effects on Sybilt! (13000 > 100,013,000/2) Eldobreath's additional skill! I double the power and critical of all my front row units! (30000 > 60000/1 > 2) (100,013,000 > 200,026,000/2 > 4) (30000 > 60000/1 > 2) Take it, Minoru... take all four damage and lose the game!"

"I can't believe now of all times is when I have to activate it... like hell I will! I'm unfreezing the King's authority!"

The crystal blue circuits in my heart began lighting up, before swirling together and surging to the rest of my body. Channeling its overflowing power into my right arm, I raised it to reveal the Roman numeral engraved on the back of my right hand.

0.

"Fool ability, activate."

"Nightingale Fader! Until the end of my turn, all of your unit's power, critical, drive, shield, and grades are set to 0!"

"Burning it nice and early, that's what you want to see. (60000 > 0) (200,026,000 > 0) (60000 > 0) (8000 > 0) (18000 > 0) Cerrgaon retires, I scry 2, and add one to hand! Order's skill, I bounce Cerrgaon to hand! Turn end! Panse and Garzorums retire! Sybilt's skill, when my Mental Polluted rear-guards retire during end phase, I draw!"

Minoru:
Hand: 8
Damage: 3
Energy: 4
OXO
OXX

Mario:
Hand: 8
Damage: 3
Energy: 0
OXO
XOO

"You have one turn while I'm frozen, Minoru. Better make it count."

"You don't have to tell me... stand, draw, and charge! Become lost under the punishing moonlight and freeze to your death as you listen to the feathered diva's final judgment! Return to origin... Persona Ride my avatar, Absolute Zero, Sagitta! (13000 > 23000) I energyblast 4 to give Sagitta +10k and a drive! (23000 > 33000/2d > 3d) I call Yuika, Kashua, and Francette! (10000 > 20000) (10000 > 20000) Both Yuika get +5k! (8000 > 13000) (8000 > 13000) Claio's skill, I discard to give my front row rear-guards +5k! (20000 > 25000) (20000 > 25000) Let's take flight! Kashua attacks! Her skill, +5k! (25000 > 30000)"

"No guard! (One Night Witch, Strega)"

"Kashua retires and I draw! Boosted by Claio, Sagitta attacks! (33000 > 41000/3d) Arkha's skill, she revives! (10000 > 25000) Go, Repent Wing Frenzy!"

"Repelled Malice, perfect guard!"

"Triple Drive!!! (Sigh of Relief, Fabiola) Heal trigger! I can't heal, but power to Francette! (25000 > 35000) (Cooling Heart, Yuika, Astecise, Misa) Critical trigger! All to Arkha! (25000 > 35000/1 > 2) Boosted by Yuika, Arkha attacks! She gets +10k! (35000 > 45000 > 58000/2)"

"Once more, Repelled Malice, perfect guard!"

"Damn it... so you had two of them ready for this? Yuika bounces Arkha, and I discard her so Francette can attack boosted by Yuika! She gets +5k! (35000 > 40000 > 53000) Arkha's skill, energycharge!"

"I always come prepared. No guard! (Malwyrm, Sybilt)"

"Yuika and Francette bounce each other! Turn end!"

For the first time in my life...

...someone managed to survive Nightingale Fader.

My shoulders slumped.

I didn't know how to feel.

On one hand, I was grateful to be shown that my Arcana wasn't invincible.

Every time I used it, it felt like a win now button.

On the other hand, I despised that it was Mario who stopped me.

The one time I needed my Arcana to be that win now button... it failed.

Minoru:
Hand: 11
Damage: 3
Energy: 5
OXO
OXX

Mario:
Hand: 4
Damage: 5
Energy: 0
OXO
XOO

"Final turn! Stand, draw, and charge! Where there is light, there is also darkness. Lurking between the two in the plane which blends their existence is the inescapable trace of reality. He sees everything. He hears everything. He touches everything. When the sun glows, tear open the root to infinity! Cross out the story and Synchro Persona Awaken— Malwyrm, Sybilt! (13000 > 23000) I play Shroud in Darkness to revive Garzorums and Cerrgaon! (10000 > 20000) Garzorums gets +15k! (20000 > 35000) I call Strega! (10000 > 20000) Her skill, soulblast, scry 5, and call Purple Jewelled Beast, Almethys! Almethys's skill, I put two cards back to my ride deck face up to countercharge! Sybilt's skill! I soulblast to give Strega, Cerrgaon, and Shenryi Mental Pollution! (20000 > 25000) (8000 > 13000) (8000 > 13000) It's time for the sun to set on this world... battle! Boosted by Cerrgaon, Strega attacks! Her skill, I counterblast to draw and get +10k! (25000 > 35000 > 53000)"

"No guard! (Fluffy Lady, Godelieve) Critical trigger! All to vanguard! (13000 > 23000)"

"Cerrgaon retires, I scry 2, and add one to hand! Boosted by Almethys, Sybilt attacks! (23000 > 31000) Genesis Omega Dereliction!"

Narrowing my eyes, I looked over my hand. I had two perfect guards, but his rear-guards were becoming extremely large compared to his vanguard, so in this circumstance I'd just risk taking the first attack...

But because of what's on the line, I didn't want to lose just because he sacked a crit. If that happened, I would regret this moment for the rest of my life, knowing Mario got one over me by sheer dumb luck.

As such... due to my fear of the game ending outside of my control, I made a decision against my better judgement.

"Sanctitude, perfect guard!"

Mario grinned like a shark in the water who just saw blood.

"Twin Drive!! (Cardinal Draco, Enpyro) Front trigger! (35000 > 45000) (31000 > 41000) (35000 > 45000) (Elegy Pixy) Heal trigger! Power to Garzorums, healing a damage! (45000 > 55000)"

I grit my teeth. Damn it, after seeing that, I should've just taken it like I originally was. That was my best chance to save shield while also digging for a defensive and I just blew it...

"Sybilt's skill! I counterblast to restand either my vanguard or a unit with Mental Pollution with +10k! However, since you're grade 3, I can choose a total of two instead! Sybilt and Strega restand! (33000/2d > 0d) The skill of Sperod and Sybilt, Who We Once Were in drop! I bind it and discard 1 to set my vanguard's drive to 1! (33000/0d > 1d) I'm going to cook you, Minoru. Sybilt attacks once more! (33000/1d) Genesis Omega Deletion!"

"Riviena, perfect guard!"

"Drive check! (Burning Flail Dragon) Critical trigger! All to Garzorums! (55000 > 65000/1 > 2)"

"T-triple triggers... but how...?"

"Deck compression and selection. I used Strega and Cerrgaon multiple times throughout the game to get rid of the normal units in my deck to leave behind a bomb of triggers. It wasn't a matter of "how"... but a matter of "when". Now, die. Boosted by Shenryi, Garzorums will show you the sunset! (65000 > 78000/2)"

I looked at my hand, then at Sagitta.

Even with the damage trigger from earlier, I still didn't have enough.

My body began shaking.

"There's no way... there's no way, right...?"

I gulped, squeezing my fist.

Sagitta... if you're still out there somewhere, please...

Please respond to my call...

I need you... I need your help more than ever!

Blood trickled down my hand.

I don't want to lose.

I don't want to lose to Enmitsu Mario.

I don't want him to get his way.

I came here to destroy Mario once and for all.

But instead, I...

I became the one destroyed instead.

The golden hue filtering through the windows disappeared.

Over the horizon, the sun had set.

SAGITTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

And entering my damage zone were two cards.

Sky-coloured Tranquility Judge Maiden, Arkha.

And...

Absolute Zero, Sagitta.

"As per our agreement... your Category will become null."

Mario grinned as a screen appeared in front of me.

I looked away, unable to look, but Mario grabbed my bangs and dragged my head up, forcing me to watch as all the VP dropped I earned so far in the MGP deplete all the way down to zero.

And at the same time, my Category flipped from Ace to Zero instantly.

Mario let go of my hair and I dropped to my knees.

I'd never seen a fall off this big before.

I felt like I was going to cry.

"You really are the Fool."

Mario echoed the last words Agon gave me before leaving.

And he too, walked away like his job was done.

I keeled over, digging my fingers into the carpeted floor.

Through my bangs, I could see Mario's figure go further and further away in the distance.

Gritting my teeth so hard it felt like they would chip, I screamed out to this rotten world.

"ENMITSU MARIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I'M GOING TO GET MY REVENGE ON YOU, I SWEAR TO GOD!"

I hit the floor repeatedly, until both my hands were bleeding.