Let's dial back the clock and go back a few days.

All the way back to the day Harui announced the camping trip for the first time.

But let's not focus on her or those who surround her.

Let's focus on Heiwa.

"Stand Up, Vanguard!"

Though known for changing every so often in the past the Royalty Room of Heiwa Academy had stayed the same since the day Endo became the school's headmaster, that being a small room that once doubled as a storage room, equipped with two couch chairs and a regular couch placed around a coffee table.

And each of those couch chairs, separated only by the table where their cards were, sat the last two fighters of a challenge turned completle wipeout.

"Double Gun of Dust Storm, Bart!"

On the Royalty's side, the King, King Tonitrus as he was known by his peers, real name Ryuden Daiki.

He was a second year with a short and round stature, already with a five o'clock shadow above his upper lip. The insignia of his position in the school's hierarchy, his King pin, was placed at the top of his tie, allowing it to be visible despite him always keeping his blazer buttoned.

"Divine Blaze Eye, Enryui."

On the challenging side, an average first year, with a sharp black eyes and equally dark hair in an almost-bob like style, characterized by their hanafuda earrings depecting a sakura tree in front of a red and orange sun.

"What a conundrum you five have put me in... I'm the only one who's left at this point. And at the hands of a group like you..."

"Do we not suit someone of your standing, King Tonitrus?" The challenger questioned with a small but amused smille.

"It's not about that. Anyone in this school's a challenger in my eyes, your group just happens to be filled with people I didn't expect to ever see challenge us, let alone go and snag four of our pins just like that."

"You make it sound as if you already have some profound knowledge of us, King Tonitrus."

"Ryuden or Daiki is enough, Ohdo Kyora."

The challenger looked more amused.

"Oh?"

"An half decent King ought to know who's under his rule, no? That's why I'm so taken aback by the people on your end."

Behind Kyora were the four other people that challenged the Heiwa Royalty for their titles, and the people who already possessed a pin signifying their new standing.

Holding the title of Joker, a first year boy with dark skin but bright orange hair and yellow eyes, who looked like he had better things to do than to be there.

Holding the title of Ace, a tall and calm first year boy with a pleasant smile and long, red hair, who despite being focused on his phone, kept his eyes always closed.

Holding the title of Queen, a first year girl with black hair and grey eyes behind her glasses, who had made a habit out of always keeping her lab coat on.

Finally, holding the title of Jack, a first year boy who kept himself in the shadows of the room, attentively watching over the fight with his gleaming blue eyes in silence.

"The boy who escaped going to juvie by coming to Heiwa, Zangeki Shiroakuji."

The new Ace perked his head at hearing his name being said.

"Oya? Am I needed?"

"Heiwa Middle's problem child who beat up a bunch of the guys in my year all throughout the previous school year, Idano Aoki."

The new Joker flicked his pin up and caught it with his left hand.

"The science club's aloof member. In the short time we spent together at the club, you never gave me the idea you were interested in becoming Queen, Tokiya Chiharu."

The new Queen fixed her glasses and looked away.

"Sorry, Leone-ya. Things changed on my end."

"The Divine Flame God, Ohdo Kyora, sometimes called by the epiteth of Divine Flame Kyora. For someone whose claims of ascension to godhood is the characteristic the masses clung on to, you're the only one here who has absolutely no reason to challenge any of us. Why be King when you can be a god, right?"

Kyora leaned back on their seat, chuckling in amusement.

"You are more than correct, Ryuden Daiki. Royalities are not something I ought to concern myself with anymore. However, I couldn't help but notice the order you called us out on. You said my name before the new Jack's."

"Yeah. Let's trade an answer for an answer then. I tell you why, you tell me why you're being someone's muscle."

"I'll respond with as much truth as you do."

"Those terms are good to me."

Ryuden looked past Kyora, at that somebody who kept himself exiled in the shadows of the room.

"Ohdo Kyora, Tokiya Chiharu, Idano Aoki, Zangeki Shiroakuji. You four have been students in my school since the start of the year, so I had some time to learn about you. I can't say the same for you, who only transfered to Heiwa at the start of this week, from none other than that high class school of lawyers. You're the only one I can't get a read on..."

King Tonitrus narrowed his eyes.

"Jasei Yura!"

The piercing blue eyes in the shadows of room didn't waver for even a second. It was as if the Royalty's King hadn't said anything on the first place.

Ryuden clicked his tongue.

"Nothing from you, huh... Well, while your goals are unknown to me, can't say the same goed for your name. You wouldn't happen to be the same Jasei Yura from Heiwa Middle's class 3-B from last year would you?"

Kyora laughed.

"Yahahahaha! How astute of you, Ryuden Daiki. Your words ring true in every possible sense, so allow me to answer you with equal amounts of honesty. Why would I lower myself to simply being hired muscle? My answer is that I have not. Even gods stretch a hand to their old friends when they find themselves in need of one."

Everything clicked in place.

Now it was Ryuden the one who laughed, laughing in a low ans gravely tone as he lowered his head.

"So that's how it is... You need the entire Royalty under your command, so rather than risk making your presence known by challenging me yourself and potentially fail, you got Divine Flame Kyora to fight the only roadblock on your plan. Damn good usage of past connections, alright... Let me match your seriousness with some of my own, Jasei Yura."

King Tonitrus raised his head, glaring eyes directly locked with those of the challenge's mastermind.

"You, who was such a key piece in Ibuki Harui's near fatal accident and Kiba Yukie's transfer out of Heiwa Middle, will not have your way while I'm this Royalty's King! King Tonitrus will protect every one of his subjects from you!"

For the first time, he spoke.

"If that is your justice, King Tonitrus..."

His blue eyes narrowed back at the King's.

"Then I'll negate it too."

Once again, Kyora laughed. They crossed their legs and mused, black eyes focused on the opponent before them.

"You ought to surmount me first if you wish to stop anything, Ryuden Daiki. King Tonitrus can overcome many foes, but can he overcome a god?"

"We'll find out soon enough, Ohdo Kyora. Is the Divine Flame God as unreachable as they claim to be?"

Both fighters locked eyes.

"Draw! I ride Roaring Flame Beast, Karaleor! Turn end!"

Ryuden
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

Kyora
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"My turn begins. Draw. Ride, Divine Blaze Ear, Synfol! Energy charge. (0>3) Enryui's ability, draw. Behind Synfol, Stealth Fiend, Shenryi. Attack! Shenryi's ability. (8000>>16000>>21000)"

"Hit me."

"(Flame Kickboxer, Tairan) No trigger."

"(Strafe Command Dragon)"

"Shenryi moves into the soul. Draw. Turn end."

Ryuden
Hand: 5
Damage: 1
OXO
OOO

Kyora
Hand: 7
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"Draw! Energy charge! (0>3) I ride Roaring Thunder Beast, Kitenraiz! Karaleor's skill! When Kitenraiz rides over him, I pay two energy to draw! (3>1) Along with that, my discarded Niam also goes off. Soulblast, botdeck her, draw one more card! I put down my Shenryi too! Battle! Boosted by Shenryi, Kitenraiz goes! Shenryi's skill! (10000>>18000>>23000)"

"I won't guard."

"Drive check! (Twin Buckler Dragon)"

"(Soaring Sun Presence, Forwd & Revertis)"

"Shenryi to soul and I draw again. Turn end!"

Ryuden
Hand: 8
Damage: 1
OXO
OOO

Kyora
Hand: 7
Damage: 1
OXO
OOO

"My turn begins once more. Stand and draw. Energy charge. (3>6) Ride, Flame-severing Dragon, Baldras! First, Synfol's ability, activated by Baldras being ridden over him. Soulblast to look through my top seven, and from among them, I reveal to you Tairan and Kotihblaze. Tairan is sent to the soul, but as Kotihblaze is a grade 3, they are added to my hand instead. Second, Falhart's skill. (6>3) Draw."

Kyora placed a card in their order zone.

"Play, Blazing Warcry. I look through my top seven, then call Shenryi from among it  as one is already in my soul. From hand, I call Flame Kickboxer, Tairan. Let us fight, King Tonitrus. Baldras attacks! (10000)"

"Conduct Spark takes the hit. (25000)"

"(Blazing Warcry) No trigger. Shenryi boosts, Tairan attacks! You are familiar with her ability by now. (10000>>18000>>23000)"

"I take it. (Construct Golem)"

"Once again, I trade Shenryi for a draw. Tairan's ability. I reveal to you the Kotihblaze in my ride deck to put him into the soul and draw one more card. I end my turn."

Ryuden
Hand: 6
Damage: 2
OXO
OOO

Kyora
Hand: 10
Damage: 1
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! Energy charge! (1>4) The clouds crackle and the heavens boom as the king of all storms descends! Roar, embodiment of primal lightning - Tonitrus Incarnate! Ride! Roaring Thunder Dragon, Triumph Dragon!"

"Kitenraiz's skill! When Triumph Dragon rides over him, either he calls himself out or I get three energy! He's staying! (4>7) Then, when Triumph Dragon rides, my Construct Golem's skill activates! I soulblast one to call him out from my drop and energy charge! (8>9) Triumph Dragon's skill! Tonitrus Calling! Counterblast, add 10k! (13000>>23000) Then, from my deck, I snag a Triumph Dragon! I call Strafe Command Dragon, Megaverse Dragon and Forwd & Revertis! Forwd's skill! Soulcharge, add 5k, then counterblast to call Shenryi! (10000>>15000) Battle! Boosted by Shenryi, Triumph Dragon attacks! Shenryi's skill! (13000>>21000>>26000) Then, Triumph Dragon's skill! Enegy blast four! (9>5) Add 5k and a critical! (26000>>31000/2) Tonitrus Kingdom - Monarch Thunder Valley!"

"I won't guard."

"King drive! First check! (Megaverse Dragon) Second check! (Conduct Spark Dragon - Critical) Critical trigger! I put all on Strafe Command! (13000>>23000/2)"

"A devious move... No, a king's gambit. Very well, Ryuden Daiki. Damage check. (Emberbreath Dragon) (Soaring Sun Presence, Forwd & Revertis)"

"Shenryi's skill, draw! Boosted by Construct Golem, Strafe Command attacks! His skill fires off! Soulblast one for 5k! But, since the soulblasted card was the Triumph Dragon Forwd soulcharged, he also gets a third critical! (23000/2>>31000/2>>36000/3)"

"I will guard with Parama, Justina and Forwd. (40000)"

"Construct Golem's skill! After he boosts Strafe Command, he goes to the soul! Countercharge! This one you'll take. Boosted by Megarock, Forwd attacks! (15000>>23000)"

"Is that your kingly insight?" Kyora asked. "But it is correct. I won't guard. (Conduct Spark Dragon - Critical) Baldras. (20000)"

"Like I said, I got enough time to get a read on you before this. I may be the type of King to encourage others to dethrone him, but that's not synonymous with me going down without punching back! Turn end!"

Ryuden
Hand: 7
Damage: 2
XXX
XOO

Kyora
Hand: 7
Damage: 4
OXO
OOO

"I can see that. You are truly deserving of your position as King of Heiwa Academy, Ryuden Daiki." Kyora admitted, eyes focused on their opponent and their constant smile of amusement. "But like yours, so is my positiom as god not undeserved. Stand and draw. Energy charge! (3>6) Divine flame hearth, ignite. To those who place this godhood in their sights, immolation only a god can manifest is your punishment. Prune away, common one. Ride! Fiery Immolation Dragon, Kotihblaze!"

"First, Falhart's ability. (6>3) Draw. Second, Baldras' ability. I draw one, then call Emberbreath Dragon from my hand. Emberbreath's first ability. My vanguard is Kotihblaze, so he gets 5k. (13000>>18000) His second ability. Counterblast to look through my top three. I reveal Blazing Warcry, and as it is mot a grade 2 or lower normal unit, it is added to my hand. The remaining cards are shuffled back. I play Blazing Warcry once more. I look through my top seven and reveal Kotihblaze. Instead of calling them, I will instead choose to put them into the soul. Finally, Kotihblaze's ability. Counterblast, look through my top five, and from among those cards, call Tairan and put an Emberbreath into the soul. I call Shenryi behind my vanguard. Let us fight. Tairan attacks. As Kotihblaze is my vanguard, Tairan gains 5k until my turn ends. (10000>>15000)"

"Forwd intercepts. (18000)"

"Emberbreath attacks next. (18000)"

"Megaverse Dragon's skill! While my vanguard's Triumph Dragon, he gets 5k shield, intercept and can do it from the backrow, so he intercepts! (23000)"

"Shenryi boosts, Kotihblaze attacks! Shenryi's ability activates! (13000>>21000>>26000) El Prometheus!"

"No guard!"

"Twin drive. (Blaze Maiden, Parama - Front) Front trigger. (18000>>28000) (26000>>36000) (15000>>25000) (Red Jewel Beast, Galnet)"

"Damage check! (Stealth Fiend, Shenryi)"

"The remaining of Shenryi's ability lets me draw. Now, Kotihblaze's ability activates! I soulblast the Emberbreath Dragon and Tairan in my soul to stand their versions on the field! Both gain 5k! (28000>>33000) (25000>>30000) Emberbreath attacks! (33000)"

"Conduct Spark, Megaverse Dragon! (38000)"

"Tairan attacks! His ability activates once more! (30000>>35000)"

"No guard! (Megaverse Dragon)

"Tairan's other ability. I draw. I end my turn, and as Emberbreath's ability was activated this turn, he is moved into the soul."

Ryuden
Hand: 5
Damage: 4
OXX
OOO

Kyora
Hand: 11
Damage: 4
OXO
OOO

"You did good, Divine Flame Kyora. Any other player would've probably folded against you by now, but I've got a crown to keep and a kingdom to defend! This is where your and Jasei Yura's machinations end! Stand and draw! Energy charge! (5>8) The clouds crackle and the heavens boom as the king of all storms descends! Roar, embodiment of primal lightning - Tonitrus Incarnate! Persona Ride! Roaring Thunder Dragon, Triumph Dragon!"

"Draw! (13000>>23000) (13000>>23000) Construct Golem's effect! Soulblast last turn's Golem to revive him behind Strafe Command! I call Dragritter, Amena! Her skill fires off! By botdecking the Triumph on my drop, I scry five and snag Strafe Command to my hand! Since I snagged one, I pitch a card and Amena gets 2k! (8000>>10000) Triumph Dragon's skill! Tonitrus Calling! (23000>>33000) That returned Triumph Dragon returns to mty hand! I call Strafe Command! (13000>>23000) Skill! Counterblast to draw!" Ryuden looked at his new card with an excited grin. "About time! I call Drifter Drill Dragon! Here it is, the ultimate strategem! Tonitrus Volley Formation! Battle! Boosted by Drifter Drill, Triumph Dragon attacks! (33000>>41000) Triumph Dragon's skill! (9>5) (41000>>46000/2) Then, Drifter Drill's skill! When he boosts and you got no rears, that's 10k he gets! (46000/2>>56000/2) Tonitrus Kingdom - Monarch Thunder Valley!"

"Stratagems of that caliber will never reach me, King Tonitrus! Twin Buckler Dragon, perfect guard."

"They don't need to reach you, they just need to pull you down to reality! Even kings shot gods out of the sky in our history! King drive! First check! (Conduct Spark Dragon - Critical) Critical trigger! I put everything on the left Strafe Command! (23000>>33000/2) Second check! (Dragritter, Salmer - Heal) Heal trigger! I put everything on the right Strafe Command and heal down to three! (23000>>33000) Boosted by Construct Golem, Strafe Command attacks! (33000>>41000) His skill fires off! I soulblast a Triumph Dragon for it! (41000>>46000/2)"

"I will guard with Parama and Burning Flail! (48000)"

"How about this then?! Construct Golem's skill! Countercharge! Boosted by Anema, Strafe Command attacks! (33000>>43000) His skill fires off! (43000/2>48000/2)"

"Those kings shotting gods out of their place in the heavens... Only means those gods cannot dream of ever reaching my own placement in the stars!"

Ryuden's eyes widened.

"What?!"

"Perfect guard! Twin Buckler Dragon! The victory is mine, King Tonitrus! You did well, but a king can only go as far as a king can, and no king has ever truly reached a god."

"No. If you survived the Tonitrus Volley Formation, then it means it's time for it to evolve further! If you fail to close this game next turn, the evolved Tonitrus Volley Formation will put an end to this! Turn end!"

Ryuden
Hand: 7
Damage: 3
XXX
XXO

Kyora
Hand: 6
Damage: 4
OXO
OOO

"If you fail to close the game next turn..."

Kyora threw their head back, hand covering their eyes as they laughed their heart out.

"Yahahahahaha! What a fun way of saying you'll clinch the game next turn! As good of a heart as you show yourself to have, your pride as King still shines through. Are you too good to admit you need one more turn like everyone else, or are you too dedicated to keeping your subjects out of harms way by never showing weakness?"

Ryuden opened his mouth to answer, but Kyora raised one of their fingers.

"Keep your answer. I don't have a need for it. You know, Ryuden Daiki... As god, I stick to one ideology. One's age. One's gender. One's woes. Matters of that caliber do not apply to gods. Therefore, I am exempt from such concerns. It means I don't have the need of masking my true words to save face. It means I don't have the need of keep an unfaltering image for others. It means I possess more freedom than anyone else. You are King because you claimed victory over a previous title holder and protected your throne until now. I am god simply because I am god!"

Ryuden grit his teeth.

"Ohdo Kyora...!"

Kyora closed their fist.

"As god, I will smite you out of your throne, King Tonitrus."

(Media - Difficult)

"Stand and draw! Energy charge! (3>6) Divine flame hearth, ignite! To all who aspired to reach this realm, the flames of retribution are your only fate! O' nameless mortal, be pruned from my sight! Persona Ride! Fiery Immolation Dragon, Kotihblaze!"

"Draw! (13000>>23000) First, Kotihblaze's ability! I place Forwd & Revertis into the soul and call Twin Buckler Dragon. I call Dancing Princess of Elegant Flames, Justina. Her ability activates. I discard one card to send a normal order from my deck to my drop, then can activate it from there. I choose to send Dragresonance!"

"Dragresonance?!"

"That is correct. I call Forwd & Revertis, and using their ability, I soulcharge one and they get 5k. (10000>>20000>>25000) Then, I counterblast one to call Tairan from the soul. (10000>>20000) Finally, from drop, I play Dragresonance! My vanguard gains a new ability! Let us fight one last time, King Tonitrus. Kotihblaze attacks! (23000) El Prometheus!"

"Guard! Conduct Spark, Salmer and Niam! (48000)"

"Twin drive. (Emberbreath Dragon) (Blaze Maiden, Parama - Front) Front trigger. (20000>>30000) (23000>>28000) (25000>>35000) Kotihblaze's ability activates! When there two copies of themselves in the soul, I soulblast both of them out and discard one! Kotihblaze, restand! Drive minus one, but 5k is added! (33000>>38000) Then, as they restood, the ability they gained from Dragresonance activates! All of the units in my front row gain another 10k! (30000>>40000) (38000>>48000) (35000>>45000) Justina boosts, Forwd attacks. (45000>>53000)"

"No guard! (Flare Veil Dragon - Draw) Draw trigger! Put all on Triumph Dragon! (23000)"

"Boosted by Twin Buckler, Tairan attacks. His ability activates. (40000>>46000>>51000)"

"No guard! (Burning Flail Dragon - Critical) Critical trigger! Put all on Triumph Dragon again! (33000)"

"Even the winds blowing behind your back will stop, King Tonitrus. Kotihblaze... Attacks! (48000) Divine El Prometheus, God Checkmate!"

"Twin Buckler! Perfect guard!"

"(Blaze Maiden, Reony - Heal) Heal trigger. I will give the power to to Tairan. (45000>>55000) Kotihblaze's ability! I soulblast Forwd and Tairan to restand the ones present on the field! They gain 5k! (55000>>60000) (45000>>50000) Forwd attacks. (50000)"

"Megaverse, Flare Veil! (53000)"

"Thus we come to our conclusion. Be at ease, Ryuden Daiki. Even kings are fated to fall to gods. Tairan attacks. (60000)"

His teeth grin as he felt the defeat weighing on his shoulders, Ryuden Daiki placed a sixth card into his damage zone.

King Tonitrus had fallen.

Ryuden removed the golden pin from his tie and placed it in front of the one who defeated him.

"I... Admit defeat. From now on, you reign as the King of Heiwa Academy's Royalty, Ohdo Kyora."

Kyora picked up the pin, but without even bothering to look at it, they tossed it back, to the hand who reached out of the shadows to grab it.

"As King, I command three conditions. One, my time as King is to never be disclosed. Simply put, I was never King. Two, any role I take in this Royalty is as a temporary placement. I do not need this place attached to me. Third, I give up my position of King and pass it to Jasei Yura, who I choose as my successor. It's your turn to finally speak, my old friend."

Kyora, their cards gathered and their deck put away, got up from the couch chair and joined the rest of their group, leaving the seat to be taken by the mastermind behind it all.

At last, those blue eyes revealed who they belonged to as they moved into the light.

With five folders in his left hand and his King insignia pinned to his blazer's breast pocket, the white haired first year crossed the light in the room and sat where Kyora first sat.

He spread the five folders on the table, lining them perfectly.

"As per our agreement before the fights began, I request the five of you sign the contract the folder with your name on it. To make a long story short, these are non-disclosure agreements. They forbid you from announcing the change in Royalty members to the remaining of the student body, aswell as teachers unassociated with the Royalty. In addition to that, you are not allowed to disclose the names of any of the permanent Royalty members by any means. As Ohdo Kyora is a temporary member taking the place of Jack, as deemed by the conditions they created as King, they are exempt from this rule. Legally, as we are all still underaged, I cannot take legal action against any of you should you violate the stipulations of these contracts. However, I will remind you that, as once members of a Royalty, you have an honour to uphold. You consented to us recording you agreeing to signing these documents, so we will use the video evidence, aswell as information gathered outside of this room, to assure you never step into a school's Royalty ever again, should you choose to break your oath."

Jasei Yura placed a pen in front of the previous king.

"Set the precedent for those you previously lead, Ryuden Daiki."

"You're damn thorough, alright... Turns out there is something I know about you afterall."

Ryuden picked up the pen and opened the folder with his name on the cover.

"I heard about a first year of that lawyer academy that took out all of his opponents in a way no one had witnessed before. He didn't argue and dissect his opponent's justices. He didn't try to understand any other justice. He outright negated them and imposed them on others. That earned him a moniker."

The contract signed, Ryuden raised his eyes to look at Yura's.

"The Unjustice."