The engines of the private jet roared like a dragon's growl before settling into silence as the sleek aircraft touched down on Duel Academy's private runway. Ace Romanov leaned back in his leather seat, the faint hum of the cabin quieting as the jet taxied to a stop. Platinum blond hair framed his sharp, aristocratic features, and his cold blue eyes—tinged with green—surveyed the tropical island visible through the window with a mixture of disdain and boredom.

"Another waste of time," he muttered in Russian, his deeper voice resonating with a rich timbre that would have made anyone listening swoon.

The pilot gave a polite nod as the cabin door opened, revealing a set of stairs leading to the tarmac. Ace adjusted his perfectly tailored black jacket, embroidered with golden threads that shimmered under the sunlight. The crest of his family—a proud phoenix surrounded by intricate swords—was displayed on the cufflinks he wore. In his hand was his custom-made duel disk, an engineering marvel that transformed into a sleek, black-and-gold mechanical watch.

Ace stepped out, his polished black boots clicking against the metallic steps, as a mild tropical breeze tousled his hair. Several academy staff members waited at the base, their faces a mixture of awe and uncertainty. His reputation had preceded him: Ace Romanov, the Russian prodigy of Duel Monsters, who wielded a mysterious Synchro deck that had yet to hit mainstream play.

"Mr. Romanov," Chancellor Sheppard greeted him warmly, stepping forward with a hand extended. "Welcome to Duel Academy."

Ace gave a curt nod, shaking the man's hand with the faintest hint of a smirk. "It's an honor, Chancellor."

Sheppard chuckled nervously, clearly trying to gauge Ace's unreadable demeanor. "We're excited to have someone of your caliber joining us, even if you're arriving a bit later than most students."

"I had… prior obligations," Ace replied smoothly, his accent just heavy enough to make his words sound deliberate and commanding.

"Ah, yes, I heard about your performance at the International Tournament. To be able to reach the top 10 at your age is incredible" Sheppard gestured toward a waiting golf cart. "Let's head to the main campus. There's something we need to discuss before you get settled in."

Ace followed without a word, the cart zipping past palm trees and pristine beaches. The island was picturesque, almost annoyingly so. Despite his aloof exterior, Ace couldn't deny a flicker of curiosity as they neared the towering academy building.

Once inside Sheppard's office, the atmosphere shifted. The Chancellor hesitated before speaking, his genial smile faltering. "Ace, because you arrived after the semester started, we weren't able to administer the placement exam. So, we've had to make an… unusual decision."

Ace raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp enough to cut through steel. "And that would be?"

"You'll be placed in Slifer Red for the time being."

The room went silent, the words hanging in the air like a bad joke. Ace blinked once, slowly, before leaning back in his chair. His lips curved into an amused smirk that didn't reach his eyes. "Slifer Red," he repeated, each syllable dripping with incredulity.

"I assure you, it's temporary," Sheppard added quickly. "Your dorm placement can change once you've demonstrated your abilities in the field."

Ace let out a low chuckle, a sound that was both disarming and unnerving. "Very well, Chancellor. If this is the challenge Duel Academy has set for me, I will rise to it. After all…" He leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Even the lowest of tiers can serve as a stepping stone to greatness."

Sheppard breathed a silent sigh of relief. "That's the spirit. Now, let me arrange for someone to escort you to the dorm."

Outside, the contrast between Ace and the vibrant chaos of Duel Academy life was stark. Students rushed to and from, shouting about strategies, card trades, and upcoming duels. Ace's arrival caused heads to turn, whispers spreading like wildfire. His height, his immaculate appearance, and the sheer aura of authority he exuded made him impossible to ignore.

"Who's that?"

"He looks like he belongs in Obelisk Blue."

"Did you see his duel disk? That's not a standard issue!"

Ace ignored the chatter, his focus only breaking when a small, familiar voice echoed in his mind.

"They're staring at you again," a soft, playful tone chimed.

Ace glanced to his left, where a faint, shimmering figure floated beside him. It was Mo Ye, the duel spirit of his Sword Soul Strategist card. Her silver hair billowed as if caught in an invisible wind, and her mischievous smile was one of the few things that could soften Ace's icy demeanor.

"Let them stare," Ace murmured under his breath, his lips barely moving.

Mo Ye giggled. "You're such a show-off."

The moment was interrupted when a loud, enthusiastic voice cut through the crowd.

"Hey! You're the new guy, right?"

Ace turned to see a boy in a red Slifer jacket jogging toward him, a beaming smile on his face. His spiky brown hair and wide, innocent eyes screamed "friendly protagonist."

"I'm Jaden Yuki! Nice to meet ya!" Jaden extended a hand, his energy almost palpable.

Ace regarded the hand for a moment before shaking it briefly. "Ace Romanov."

"Whoa, that's a pretty unique name are you from another country? That's so cool!" Jaden exclaimed, oblivious to Ace's reserved demeanor. "You must be good at dueling to have that fancy duel disk."

Ace smirked faintly. "You could say that."

"Well, welcome to Slifer Red! Don't worry, it's not as bad as people make it out to be. We've got good food, great duels, and—oh, I almost forgot! You've gotta meet our head chef. He's a riot!"

Ace's expression remained neutral, but Mo Ye's amused laughter in his head betrayed his inner thoughts. "This one's going to be trouble, isn't he?"

As the sun set over Duel Academy, Ace finally reached the Slifer Red dorm. The building was modest at best, more akin to a glorified shack than the kind of luxury Ace was accustomed to. He stepped inside, his nose wrinkling at the faint smell of ramen and damp wood.

"This… is where I'm staying?" he muttered in Russian, his tone laced with disbelief.

Jaden clapped him on the back, grinning. "Yup! Home sweet home!"

Ace sighed, running a hand through his platinum hair. "Perhaps this will be more challenging than I thought."

"Don't worry," Mo Ye said with a smirk, her figure shimmering beside him. "You've faced worse."

Ace smirked faintly. "True. Let's see if this place can surprise me."