Yu-Gi-Oh!: Transformed into a Girl, Starting with Trickstar

Morgan was saying strange things again.

Jade looked at her helplessly. She'd often heard Morgan say things that didn't fit her age, but lately it had been happening even more often. She truly had no idea what went on in Morgan's head.

What surprised her even more was that Morgan planned to form a team—something she'd never mentioned before.

"Morgan, why do you suddenly want to form a team? Besides, you need at least three players for a team… where will you find the other two?" Jade tilted her head, puzzled.

Sure, Morgan had the Junior Division Duelist League champion title and was a Platinum-ranked Virtual Duel player, but she was still just a Middle Division student who hadn't even graduated. No one would want to join her team.

And without club sponsorship, a team could barely last a few matches before collapsing from lack of funds.

Did Morgan even have that much money?

Isla was also confused. She guessed Morgan was forming a team to join the Duel King selection tournament, and while Morgan had prize money that could start a team, the tournament had an age restriction—you had to be an adult.

Morgan was far too young; even if she wanted to join, she'd have to wait years.

But Rowe thought differently. Nerissa had already told her that Morgan's strength was more than enough to support a team and had urged her to convince Morgan to enter the selection tournament. Rowe was still wondering how to bring it up when Morgan had already decided.

This reassured Rowe somewhat.

Nina and her crew, on the other hand, looked at Morgan in disbelief. They'd thought they were finished—after handing over their Decks, they'd be sent to the Duelist Alliance and stripped of their duelist status.

Yet, before they could even process it, this little girl who had just beaten Nina was offering them jobs.

It was unbelievable, and none of them dared believe it.

"Hehehe…"

Seeing their doubt, Morgan laughed. She hadn't planned on entering the selection tournament, but the Shadow Duelists' actions piqued her interest. Dueling them was risky; regardless, it was also the fastest way to rack up Duel Points.

If the crops were hiding themselves, it was her duty as the farmer with the scythe to hunt them down.

Morgan had a feeling that as long as she moved toward the selection tournament, Shadow Duelists would keep appearing.

"Are you serious?" Nina asked incredulously. They'd only become Rare Card Hunters because they had no other options. If they had stable jobs, they'd quit this dangerous line of work immediately.

That said, she'd only just met Morgan—trust wasn't easy.

"Of course. I'll register a team and hire you as its dedicated D-Wheel mechanics. The goal is to enter the Duel King selection tournament."

"Once it's over, you can go your own way. I'm not interested in managing beyond that."

Nina's eyes lit up. The proposal not only let them return to their old trade, but also lifted their heavy burden.

At that moment, Jade tugged Morgan's sleeve and whispered, "Morgan, are you serious? Do you even have the money?"

Morgan chuckled—so that's what she'd been worrying about. Jade knew her family wasn't well-off; forming a team seemed like a pipe dream.

"Don't worry. My prize money is enough to keep a team running for a while."

Jade realized she'd forgotten about Morgan's championship win. Plus, the prize included a custom D-Wheel, saving the cost of buying one.

Isla then asked, "What about teammates? You need three to enter, and the team battle comes before the singles."

"Aren't they right here?" Morgan gave a meaningful look at Isla and Jade.

Both widened their eyes.

Jade waved her hands vigorously. "No way! I'd just drag you down. I barely passed the exams… let alone a tournament."

Isla shook her head. "I'm a member of the Blackstone Club. There's no way they'll skip the selection tournament, and I'll likely be a substitute."

Morgan, expecting these excuses, said calmly, "Jade, don't worry—I'll train you. I want you to join me in entering the Duel Academy's senior division. And Isla… do you really want to be a substitute who might not even play, or ride with me on the battlefield?"

The words struck home. Both fell silent.

Rowe, watching, was impressed—she hadn't expected Morgan to train her own teammates from scratch instead of buying top prospects like the clubs did.

Morgan knew they needed time to think, so she turned to Nina. "You're Nina, right? As their leader, do you agree to my offer?"

Nina looked around. Everyone nodded. She gathered her courage and said firmly, "I agree!"

…

Soon, the training camp ended. The three who had arrived in high spirits left in silence—not from quarrels, but from deep thoughts.

Back in Solmere City, Morgan funded a repair shop for Nina and her crew. Until the tournament, they'd need to keep it running through repair work. If it failed, Morgan would stop investing.

They treasured the opportunity—their skills were solid, just unused.

Within months, they had regular customers. Morgan even found herself making a tidy profit.

Not long after, Jade agreed to Morgan's training offer. She wanted to enter the senior division with Morgan, and with her grades, she needed training anyway.

Isla disappeared for weeks, then returned determined. Her father had agreed, but only if she took it seriously. If she treated it as a game with no results, she'd be kicked out of the Blackstone Club.

He also wanted to invite Morgan to dinner… and mentioned Isla's handsome, well-behaved younger brother.

Morgan refused without a second thought.

She could hear that matchmaking attempts speeches echoing in her ears from across the world.

While Morgan had expected Jade and Isla to agree, she hadn't expected Rowe to join too.

"Nerissa told me to enter the selection tournament with you and learn from your dueling."

"But aren't you from Team Predator?" Morgan asked through a mouthful of chicken wrap. Lately, she'd been eating a lot, constantly hungry—she'd grown taller in just months, though her chest showed no sign of change.

"Nerissa said, since you don't have a club behind you, mine won't stop me. And you might not know this… your plan to form a team has already rocked the dueling world. Lots of clubs want to send their rookies to you!"

Morgan blinked, swallowed, and picked up a burger.

Three members plus one sub was all she needed—no more.

"Luckily, Milo and Nerissa turned them away. Otherwise, they'd be lining up."

Rowe waved it off, then asked, "By the way, have you picked a name for the team? If not, I can help. How about 'Venom Fang Squad'?"

Morgan finished her burger, crumpled the wrapper, and wiped her mouth. Rowe's naming skills left much to be desired, but she'd already picked a name.

For a high-speed team battle, what could be better?

"The team's name is 5Ds."

"5Ds?" Rowe froze. She'd expected something unique, not… whatever that was.

"Does it mean something?"

"Don't ask—just know it's got soul," Morgan said with a mysterious smile.

…

Third year flew by. Morgan spent nearly every day training Jade and fine-tuning her Deck. Soon, it was time for the senior division entrance exams.

They were strict, overseen entirely by the senior division. Cheating meant losing the right to be a duelist.

Still, a few were caught each year—a testament to the division's allure.

The exams were held on the top floor of a building with 360-degree surveillance.

"Morgan, I'm so nervous…" Jade gnawed her nails. Even after a semester of training, her confidence was shaky. The exams were notoriously hard, and her cramming left her odds low.

"Relax. There's a written test and a duel. The senior division values dueling skill. You passed the written part—just beat the exam instructor and you're in."

Morgan had seen past exam footage. The instructors often used defensive Decks to draw out students' abilities.

The Deck she'd built for Jade was strong enough to earn top marks. Only Jade's nerves could get in the way.

Meanwhile, Isla had no worries—her skill and perfect written score meant she could afford mistakes in the duel.

As for Rowe, as a club pro, the exam was no obstacle.

Soon, the exams began. At the same time, another was underway—the teacher recruitment test.

Hannah stood emotionless. After a year of relentless study, she'd earned her teaching certificate, and today it would finally end.

If she could help it, she'd never relive those dim days crammed in a dark room memorizing questions. She was made for sunshine, the sea, and the beach, not this BS.

"Next applicant, please!"

Hannah took a deep breath and entered the interview room.

…

"Applicant 43—failed!"

Another failure. The pass rate was under ten percent despite half the day gone, adding huge pressure on the rest. Faces were pale with fear.

"Applicant 62, begin!"

Jade flinched—it was her turn.

She looked at Morgan, took a deep breath, and entered the arena.

Her examiner was a burly, stern-looking man, though Morgan had noted he was the most lenient, even offering hints to struggling students. It was Jade's best chance.

"Name."

"Jade."

"We begin. Any objections?"

"N-no…"

Meanwhile, Director Charles stalked the exam floor, irritated. This year's students were disappointing—did they really think they could enter the senior division with such skill?

The senior division was no safe haven. Without strength, students would only suffer—or worse. The division was also a research hub for duel monsters, and accidents could happen…

He stopped suddenly, recalling something. Shaking it off, he started walking again—when he overheard an examiner.

"Applicant 62, why didn't you destroy my monster this turn? Even with a set card on my field, judging from my Deck's type, you should know it's not defensive."

"S-sorry…"

Charles frowned and looked at the nervous girl. Shaking his head, he thought such a student would only be cannon fodder for the geniuses.

His gaze darkened. "Applicant 62, you can't make such simple mistakes. The exam is over—you fail."

Jade's face went pale. The examiner protested, "Director, she hasn't done badly enough to fail. Isn't this too—"

"Huh? Are you questioning me? I said fail, so she fails. 62, you can leave."

Jade bit her lip. She'd worked for a year toward this and promised to enter the senior division with Morgan.

The onlookers pitied her but could do nothing.

Then, a clear female voice rang from the waiting area.

"Isn't your judgment a little too subjective, sir?"

All eyes turned to the speaker.

Morgan ignored the stares and frowned. "She just made a nervous mistake—not enough to fail."

Charles stared in surprise. No one had ever defied him on the exam floor.

"A real duelist doesn't make mistakes!"

"Really? So you've never made one in a duel?"

"Of course!" he shot back. He was known for meticulous combos and calculations.

"Then… would you be my examiner?" Morgan's words sent a shock through the crowd—it was a direct challenge.

...

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