Bonus Chapter
"Master Alexander. I believe... it is finally time we spoke about everything that has been happening."
The room fell silent.
Alexander lowered his eyes to the polished wooden floor while thinking, 'I expected that this conversation would eventually happen, ever since the first Duel Spirits had appeared, ever since Industrial Illusions had begun producing cards that sold all over the country, ever since tonight's Shadow Game. I have known that this moment was inevitable. Just... Not tonight.'
His mind drifted through the past several months, 'The System. The Spirit World. Shadow Duels. Industrial Illusions. Creating cards. Negotiating with Duel Spirits. Training his control of his Spirit Energy and Ba. Watching the future still somewhat follow the memories of another life despite the clear differences. There are so many secrets. Some are dangerous. Some sound completely impossible. Some are things I still don't fully understand yet.'
For one fleeting moment he wondered how much he should reveal, 'The System alone raises countless questions. Would Roland believe any of it? Would he think I have finally broken under the pressure?'
Then another thought quietly surfaced, 'He's been with me since before I can remember. Roland had been present for every birthday. Every lesson. Every scraped knee. Every fever. Every victory. Every childish mistake. He had taught me how to tie a necktie properly. How to hold myself during formal dinners. How to conduct myself as heir to Hugh Jones. He had quietly stood behind me through every stage of my life without ever asking for recognition. If there is one person in the world who had earned my trust... It is Roland.'
Reaching that conclusion, Alexander drew in a slow breath before giving a small nod and said, "Alright..."
His voice was quieter than usual as he continued, "...I'll tell you everything."
Roland neither rushed him nor spoke another word; his attention never wandered; he simply waited for him to be ready, and Alexander appreciated that.
There was no pressure, only patience.
For several seconds, he simply watched the old butler until he finally spoke, "It all began months ago..."
His fingers unconsciously tightened together, "...the morning I woke up with memories that didn't belong to me, at least not entirely."
He started from the very beginning, not with Duel Monsters, not with the System and not even with Duel Spirits.
He started with himself. He explained awakening to memories that felt every bit as vivid as his own.
Another childhood, another school, another experience, another world. A lifetime that had somehow become intertwined with the one he already possessed.
"I remember lying in bed and thinking I was dreaming." A faint smile crossed his lips as he added, "When I stood up... I couldn't remember which room belonged to which life."
He laughed softly, "Heh... It sounds ridiculous now."
Roland remained silent.
Alexander appreciated that even more.
No interruption or disbelief but only attentive listening.
"I honestly thought I'd gone insane." His smile became slightly self-deprecating as he continued, "There were moments I couldn't tell whether I should expect breakfast in this mansion... or whether I should be getting ready for work somewhere that didn't even exist."
He looked toward the window, "It took weeks before the memories finally settled."
Roland gave a thoughtful nod before he asked, "So these memories possess the same clarity as your own?"
"They do."
"You do not distinguish between remembering this morning... and remembering that other life?"
Alexander hesitated before he replied, "Not anymore."
The answer surprised even him as he explained, "I used to separate them."
He looked down at his hands and said, "Now... They've simply become... my memories."
Roland considered that quietly before nodding once more, "I understand."
Alexander wasn't entirely certain anyone truly could; still, it helped hearing Roland say it.
He continued, "The memories belonged to another version of me. A parallel world. A world remarkably similar to ours."
He smiled faintly as he said, "...Except for one crucial difference."
Roland raised an eyebrow while Alexander searched for the right words, "That... That world was about 40 years in the future and knew stories. Movies. Comics. Games. They depicted events vaguely similar to what has begun happening here, making me realise just how dangerous this world actually is."
Roland's expression shifted almost imperceptibly, "So... You know the future?"
Alexander immediately shook his head, "Not exactly. I know fragments. Important moments. People. Concepts. But this world is different from the one I know of thanks to those stories. And that only makes it more dangerous."
He let out a quiet sigh and added, "The more our diverges from what I know... the less useful those memories become."
A crooked smile appeared, "So despite appearances, I don't possess nearly as much of an advantage as other people might think."
"I see."
Roland accepted the explanation without argument, and only then did Alexander begin explaining the YGO System. Not every menu, not every function, not every hidden mechanic, but only the essentials.
He described the translucent windows that had appeared shortly after his awakening, the main functions, the gradual accumulation of Duel Energy, and the realisation that creating Duel Monsters was not merely possible but was a necessary requirement.
Roland's questions were exactly what Alexander should have expected. Practical and direct.
"If you had chosen not to create these cards..."
Alexander nodded before Roland even finished, "Then Duel Monsters would likely never have existed."
Roland folded his hands again and said, "So you did not create the cards out of nothing. They aren't a product of your creativity."
"No. I just introduced them to this world. The game itself likely exists in many other realities with its own variants. In some it is a mere card game, in others... Well, the cards have powers as you've already seen."
Roland absorbed that before he asked, "If the game already exists in other realities, why do you have to create every card yourself?"
"The originals are unique." Alexander reached toward the deck resting on his desk and continued, "The System requires me to personally create the prototype so that it can be bound to the System and only after the prototype is completed can Industrial Illusions manufacture ordinary copies."
"So every card sold to the public... is ultimately derived from one original prototype you created? And any other card is simply a piece of paper without that process?"
"Exactly."
Roland looked toward the deck with renewed interest and commented, "That's remarkable."
Alexander smiled and commented, "It still feels surreal saying it aloud."
Then the conversation naturally shifted toward Duel Spirits.
Alexander leaned back slightly and said, "This is where the explanation becomes..."
He smiled, "...Considerably stranger."
Roland's expression remained perfectly neutral as he commented, "I suspected it might."
Alexander chuckled, then he said, "The cards aren't merely pieces of cardboard. They're anchors. They connect this world to beings known as Duel Spirits."
He explained how every original card formed a bond, how completing one required meeting the corresponding Duel Spirit, how negotiations differed wildly depending upon the Duel Spirit involved.
Some had been friendly, some had demanded tests, others...
He remembered Shadow Ghoul and said, "...were less cooperative."
Roland noticed the brief shadow crossing Alexander's face and asked, "So today's attacker... was one of them."
Alexander nodded and said, "Yes. But under circumstances that shouldn't normally happen."
He briefly summarised his growing theory regarding counterfeit cards. Nothing definitive, only observations.
Roland listened with complete focus before he commented, "If your assumption proves correct, then counterfeit cards represent considerably more than intellectual property theft."
Alexander laughed tiredly, agreeing with the old butler, "Exactly. They could become genuine security threats. Potentially even supernatural ones. Luckily, despite their impressive nature and abilities, everything can still be resolved through a duel."
Roland slowly inclined his head, "This is indeed quite concerning. Maybe in future we should create a small department that takes notice of potential rogue Duel Spirit activity and deal with it."
Alexander blinked and commented, "That's not a bad idea... I hadn't even considered we could do that."
"It seemed prudent to be prepared."
That answer sounded so perfectly Roland that Alexander couldn't help smiling.
Then Roland added, "But I have to admit that the idea of all the creatures represented in your cards being real does concern me"
Hearing that, Alexander reassured him, "Not all of them are bad. Many are wonderful and trustworthy partners..."
Alexander finally raised one hand, making one card suddenly appear between his fingers and said, "I think... It'll be easier if I show you."
He spent a single point of Duel Energy, and the card between his fingers started to shine before it shattered into countless motes of light.
Golden light shimmered through the room. Tiny particles gathered above the desk, drifting like fireflies. The air itself seemed to ripple, and a heartbeat later.
"...Kuriii!"
The cute Kuriboh appeared with his usual cheerful smile.
The tiny ball of brown fur immediately floated toward Alexander before enthusiastically rubbing against his shoulder.
Alexander laughed and greeted him, "Hello to you too."
Kuriboh chirped happily.
Only then did the little Spirit notice Roland, and its large eyes blinked curiously, "Kuriboh...?"
Roland observed the creature for several long seconds.
His expression barely changed as he commented, "Extraordinary..."
Alexander couldn't resist teasing him, "I expected something slightly stronger than 'extraordinary.'"
Roland adjusted his glasses with complete composure as he replied, "I have already witnessed an undead monster attempting to kill you this evening. I believe my standards have shifted considerably."
Alexander laughed harder, "Fair enough."
Kuriboh slowly floated toward Roland, and the elderly butler extended a cautious finger.
The fluffy Spirit immediately bumped into it with an excited chirp before happily settling atop Roland's shoulder as though it had known him for years.
Roland blinked once and greeted it, "Good evening."
"Kurii!"
Alexander smiled and commented, "I think he likes you."
Roland looked sideways toward the tiny creature perched comfortably beside his head and said, "I am honoured."
Kuriboh puffed up proudly, and Alexander couldn't stop smiling because the sight was simply too absurd. The world's most dignified butler calmly accepting a fuzzy magical creature sitting on his shoulder as though this happened every Tuesday.
The demonstration made the remaining explanation much easier.
Alexander described Duel Spirits in greater detail.
How they possessed distinct personalities. How stronger Spirits developed individual goals and emotions. How they formed genuine bonds with Duelists. How some acted almost like lifelong companions.
A small smile appeared as Kuriboh floated lazy circles around the room as he explained, "They aren't simply monsters; they're people in a manner of speaking. Some are kind. Some are honourable. Some are mischievous. And some..."
His thoughts briefly returned to Shadow Ghoul and concluded, "...Are dangerous."
Roland nodded and commented, "So morality is not determined by the card, the Attribute, the Type or some other factor."
"No. Only by the individual Spirit."
"I understand."
Eventually the conversation turned toward Alexander himself.
He explained Spiritual Awareness, the ability to sense and perceive what is hidden by the other senses.
The existence of Spirit Energy, a form of energy that existed everywhere and can also be produced by a being's spirit/soul/Ba that can be manipulated and used to empower both Duel Spirits and likely spells.
The confusing concept of Ba, the essence of a person's personality or self, which is linked to the mind and soul, which is necessary to channel Ka, basically a summoned monster, and is somewhat analogous to Spirit Energy in some functions.
Only the fundamentals. Enough to establish context without drowning Roland beneath unfamiliar terminology.
By the time he finally finished speaking, the room had grown quiet once more.
Kuriboh slowly floated back toward Alexander before settling comfortably beside him, almost as though sensing the conversation had reached its most important point.
Roland lowered his gaze while several long moments passed.
Alexander remained silent as he knew exactly what Roland was doing; he was organising everything in his mind.
Another world. Another lifetime. The System. Living Duel Spirits. Magic. Shadow Games. The burden Alexander had quietly carried alone for months.
Finally, Roland exhaled and said, "Haa... That is certainly..."
A tiny pause before he concluded, "... More than I expected."
Alexander smiled weakly and commented, "I imagine."
Roland glanced toward Kuriboh before adding, "Although, after witnessing living monsters emerge from cards, I suppose I should have anticipated an equally extraordinary explanation."
Alexander laughed softly, "Heh... fair enough."
Roland became thoughtful once again, then he asked quietly, "May I ask one question?"
"Of course."
The elderly butler met his eyes directly. "Which Alexander is sitting before me?"
The words settled heavily between them.
Alexander looked down at his own hands while thinking, 'How many nights have I asked myself that exact question? Had the original Alexander disappeared? Have I taken someone else's place? Am I an impostor wearing another boy's face? Those fears had haunted me for months. But now... the answer feels surprisingly simple.'
He smiled and replied, "Both."
Roland waited as he continued, "At first I believed I'd become someone else. I thought the other Alexander had replaced me."
He slowly shook his head and said, "But the more the memories settled, the more I realised neither of us disappeared. The child who grew up in this house and the person who remembers another world... They're both me."
He placed a hand against his chest and said with conviction, "I'm simply Alexander."
Roland studied him quietly. For several seconds he said nothing, then he muttered, "I see."
No judgment or hesitation, only understanding.
The silence that followed felt strangely peaceful.
Finally, Roland stood. He smoothed the front of his suit with habitual precision and said, "In that case nothing has changed."
Alexander looked up.
Roland's calm expression remained exactly as it had always been, "Whether you possess one lifetime of memories or two... you are still the young master I have watched grow up."
Something inside Alexander quietly loosened, a knot he hadn't realised he still carried. For months he had feared that someone would eventually look at him and see a stranger, but Roland didn't; he simply saw Alexander. Nothing more, nothing less.
Alexander smiled, a genuine smile, one that reached his eyes.
Perhaps for the first time since awakening with memories from another world, he truly believed it himself.
Roland's gaze drifted toward the deck resting on the desk and announced, "Very well. From this point onward, I shall require a considerably more comprehensive understanding of Duel Monsters and Duel Spirits."
Alexander blinked and asked, "You will?"
Roland nodded matter-of-factly, "If creatures capable of injuring you truly exist, then it would be irresponsible for me to remain ignorant of the danger."
A brief pause followed before he added, "...Or of the proper methods of protecting you."
Alexander stared at him for a moment.
The words struck far deeper than Roland probably intended.
He had carried these secrets alone because he wanted to protect everyone else, yet Roland's first instinct had been exactly the opposite, to protect him.
Alexander lowered his eyes briefly, holding back the tears that threatened to fall before looking back up and saying, "Thank you, Roland."
The elderly butler gave a small, respectful bow before he said, "There is no need to thank me, Master Alexander."
His voice carried the same calm professionalism it always had, "I simply have a great deal of studying to do."
Alexander chuckled, "Knowing you... You'll probably finish reading every document before breakfast."
"I shall endeavour to meet that expectation."
Kuriboh gave an enthusiastic little chirp as though volunteering as well.
Alexander laughed again.
The sound came far more easily this time.
Outside, the night remained as dark as ever.
Shadow Games still existed. Counterfeit cards remained a concern. The world was still marvellously the same. Danger had not disappeared. Nothing about the world had become safer, and yet the weight pressing against his shoulders felt lighter.
He was no longer carrying it alone, and for the first time since the Shadow Game, everything felt just a little brighter.
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