Who Let Him Play Yu-Gi-Oh! novel Chapter 129

Chapter 129 - 129: The Paradox Brothers

The day of the tag-team duel had arrived.

Although it was labeled a punishment duel, word had spread throughout the academy, drawing a sizable, curious crowd. Many idle students came specifically to watch, and all the teachers and administrators had gathered as well.

Kira and Jaden were already somewhat famous among this year's freshmen, especially among students who had previously fought them. Whether out of a desire to learn or just for entertainment, no one wanted to miss today's duel.

The only person looking sour was Professor Crowler, who had originally proposed this game.

That was because the perennial underachiever, Syrus Truesdale—whom Crowler had handpicked to get kicked out alongside Jaden—had been replaced.

Crowler watched Kira and Jaden walk up to the stage, his face set in a perpetual grimace.

Given the way things were unexpectedly playing out, even if the pair lost, it was unlikely the problem students would actually be expelled.

So what had he gone through all this trouble for? Why orchestrate this duel and even invite big shots to spectate?

On the stands, Chazz watched the pair head to the field, unconsciously clenching his fists until veins bulged on his forehead.

"Damn it, both of them at once—number one and two on my list of people I must defeat!"

He gritted his teeth. "This should've been my duel! Both of them—no, all of them—should be my opponents to defeat!"

His minion B looked puzzled. "Huh? But Boss, you couldn't beat either of them one-on-one. If they team up, won't you just get completely thrashed—mmm!"

Before he could finish, minion A quickly covered his mouth. But it was too late; Chazz's sore spot had been hit, and he glared at the two fiercely.

"Hmph!"

He scowled.

Just wait—one day, Chazz will pin them all under his feet.

He would become the new king of this academy!

"..."

"All right, looks like the students are ready," Chancellor Sheppard said, rubbing his hands in anticipation. "Professor Crowler, please call in your duelists."

"Ahem, of course."

Crowler took the microphone.

"This time, I've specially invited experts with deep experience in tag-team dueling. Take a look!"

As he finished, two bald men emerged from the crowd!

They each did a series of acrobatic flips onto the stage, landing back-to-back in a flashy display.

One had "Para" written on his forehead, the other "Dox".

"We are the Wandering Guardians—the Paradox Brothers!" the bald duo announced, arms crossed, faces brimming with confidence. "We have no grudge against you; we're just here for a full-power battle."

"If you defeat us, the path ahead will open!"

The arena erupted in surprise.

"Those are... the legendary duelists?!" a student exclaimed, jumping up.

"That's right! The Paradox Brothers once dueled the King of Games himself, Yugi Muto," Crowler declared. "They're tag-team duel specialists!"

The entire student body was stunned.

A punishment duel—in which their opponents turned out to be legendary duelists? How outrageous!

"I've heard of them," Alexis said. "Supposedly, even the King of Games struggled against them."

"Indeed," Misawa added, furrowing his brow and glancing at Kira and Jaden on the field. "I've also heard that Kira once defeated a legendary duelist before coming to the academy."

"If they can surpass legends, I'd love to see it for myself," Misawa muttered.

"..."

Jaden, meanwhile, was wide-eyed. "It's them! The real deal! We get to duel against legends—how awesome is that?"

"Haha, it's not bad," Kira chuckled.

How much weight "fought against the King of Games" actually carried was debatable. When they faced Yugi, it was back in the Duelist Kingdom, with a maze-based duel and different rules. Not necessarily the best reference point.

"Don't get too excited—remember our strategy," Kira reminded him.

Jaden nodded enthusiastically. "I remember, I remember!"

With all four duelists in place, Crowler stepped into the center with the mic.

"Each team shares 8000 LP, and both the field and graveyard zones are shared. Neither team can attack in their first turn. Now then, if everyone is ready..."

Crowler sliced his arm down.

"Tag-team duel—begin!"

He hurriedly jumped off the stage.

"Duel!" x4

[Kira & Jaden, LP 8000]

[Paradox Brothers, LP 8000]

"I'll go first—draw!" said the elder Paradox Brother.

"I summon 'Jirai Gumo'. Turn end."

[Jirai Gumo, ATK 2200]

An opening move identical to their anime debut.

Jaden: "Whoa, straight away with a 2200 ATK monster!"

Misawa raised an eyebrow in the stands.

"Jirai Gumo has high ATK for a four-star, but when attacking, you have to toss a coin. If you guess wrong, your LP gets halved before the attack continues—a risky side effect. As a first-turn field presence, it's good, but..."

Alexis: "But?"

"Uh, nothing. It's just that next turn, it's Kira's move. If the opening is handled so simply, they might not get another easy chance."

Alexis quickly caught his meaning and nodded. "True."