The world was at peace. It was a world shared by many tribes: The Human Tribe, the Beast Tribe, the Dragon Tribe, the Elf Tribe, the Dwarf Tribe, the Angel Tribe, the Demon Tribe, and the Spirit Tribe.
The eight tribes settled their relations, established their livelihoods, built their countries, avoided pointless wars amongst themselves, and—with only the occasional exchange between tribes—spent their days in peace.
A world where many different tribes existed, yet its tranquility prevailed from end to end.
In such a peaceful world, perhaps inevitably, there were those who wished for conflict. Those with strong battle instincts, overpowering conceit, vehement disdain for others...among various other reasons, there was no scarcity of those who wished for a conflict zone where they could fight and prove themselves.
And so, the dueling city was built, to allow them to fight to their heart’s content.
“—Aight! I’m not gonna lose today!!”
On a street of an old-fashioned townscape, a cheerful girl’s voice echoed far and wide. The girl sported silver hair, her pointed beast ears twitching back and forth as she lifted up her straight sword. Her sword was so large it was taller than she was; its blade overly wide, almost like a shield. She turned both this sword and her large, round, turquoise eyes toward the enemy who stood before her.
“And if I win...Fram, your cheeks are mine to squish!!” Her voice made it clear she was having the time of her life, her silver tail wagging in pure delight.
Upon seeing that, the girl called Fram let off a long and deep sigh. “...Athena. Enough already. Why don’t you stop challenging me each and every day?”
“No way! Your big sister’s not going to end off on a losing streak!”
“I’m over four hundred years older than you.”
Her voice level and composed, Fram swept back her deep blue hair. By all appearances, she looked to be a child around twelve. Additionally, her hair, done up in two tails, only accentuated her youth, and wearing a dress a doll might wear, it was hard to believe she was over four hundred.
However, while the girl appeared to be human, she was not of the Human Tribe.
“For a child with no respect for her elders...perhaps some discipline is in order.”
Fram rather indifferently held up her right hand, enveloped in a black decorative gauntlet.
It happened just as Athena burst into a blooming smile upon seeing Fram enter her battle stance: a white inferno emitting a blinding radiance manifested, warping and swaying behind her.
“Hmhmm! It’ll be real embarrassing if you lose a duel while calling it ‘discipline,’ you know?”
“That’s quite alright, because I won’t lose. I’ll give you a good spanking later, do prepare yourself.”
“If you want to hit my bottom, it feels really good at the base of the tail!”
“Taking that statement out of context, you sound like a complete deviant.”
Despite their nonchalant exchange, the aura surrounding them had changed in an instant. They readied their weapons, the air growing more and more tense with every passing second.
“Righty-ho—let’s do this thing!!”
With Athena’s call, the two of them held their left hands to the heavens. This was the sign of a duel. The surrounding spectators erupted in cheers as the bracelets on their left arms started to glow.
And, as the cries and cheers enveloped them, the two took on their stances.
“Now, now! I’ve got work after this, so let’s end this with a bang!”
“Yes. Let’s finish up quickly.”
“Ah, come to think of it, whaddya want me to do if I lose?”
“Treat me to a nice dessert.”
“Okay! Anything you want, your Big Sis’s treat!!”
“I’m getting the feeling you’ll treat me regardless of the outcome.”
The two of them smiled, enthralled, through the bloodlust and fighting spirit. As duelists, they sought out battles, enjoyed battles, their minds always racing for the next one. Finding lighthearted fun in the act of fighting, at times staking their all on these fights.
This was the new form of battle that took place in a peaceful world: battle entertainment. A form of entertainment to be shared among all of the eight tribes. In the midst of each battle, the duelists would learn, pile up experience, better themselves, and aim for the summit. They walked forth with dreams of becoming the strongest duelist of all.
This was simply the day-to-day—of Duel City Babel.
✦ ✦ ✦
Meanwhile, there was another...a boy fascinated by battle who would stop by the duel city. Under a cloudy sky of plucked cotton strands, the boy narrowed his eyes through the salty sea breeze.
“Just a little more, a little more, I should see it soon...”
He stood on the deck of a ship cutting its way through the pastel blue waters; the black-haired boy continued gazing forward as if he simply couldn’t wait for what was to come.
Appearance-wise, ‘boy’ was the perfect word to describe him. Neither an adolescent nor a man. He was small-built for a human, and his facial features were considerably young. However, only a human adult would be allowed to ride the ship alone...meaning he had to be over fifteen.
“Wah... There it is! It’s really there!”
His eyes locked onto the large structure peeking through the clouds, and he leaped at it with such force he nearly stumbled over the handrail.
A massive tower rising high into the sky. The symbol of the artificial continent...Duel City Babel.
“It’s been ten years...!”
The tower firmly in his sight, the boy’s expression glimmered as he recalled a past he could never forget. Ten years ago, the boy aspired to be a duelist. He was charmed by the battles and prayed he would one day take part in them himself. It was then and there that he decided he was going to become stronger than anyone.
“I’m going to enjoy my fill of fighting!!”
The boy laughed innocently at the wide-open sea and yelled at a distant tower. All the while praying he could delight in fighting with all his might. His thoughts racing toward the strong contenders he had yet to see.
With all manner of emotions, past and present, embraced in his chest—Yuri Eniastar, from the bottom of his heart, rejoiced at the fact that he would be a duelist.