Chapter 130: Who

Initiated by Kaiba Corporation, the Duel Academy's external exchange event was quickly held thanks to the school's efforts, with Kaiba Mokuba himself attending to deliver the opening address.

Duel Academy is a specialized institution for training duelists, but it has long had a notable flaw.

That flaw is the post-graduation destinations of its students.

They can't guarantee job placements.

After all, duelists are duelists—ultimately, their careers must center on dueling.

Even if a student has real skill, most still don't know what path to take after graduation, for even fine wine fears being hidden down a narrow alley.

Especially since professional dueling is fiercely competitive; if a student joins the professional circuit right after graduation, whether they can maintain their composure under pressure is truly uncertain.

In past years, Duel Academy's strategy was to support students' personal choices.

Now, with Kaiba Corporation initiating this kind of "job fair," it represents the most significant improvement for Duel Academy in recent years.

"Sorry, classmate, in recent years our company's focus has been dimensional development—your physical condition doesn't seem suited for high-intensity dimensional dueling…"

"Ah, classmate, you have a Level 5 Spirit Adaptability? Have you considered joining us at Ten Thousand Spirits International…?"

The most sought-after talent remains duelists with high Spirit Adaptability; even though extraplanar exploration has yet to yield massive returns, everyone in the world knows it is unquestionably the most compelling project for the coming years, decades, even centuries—if anything groundbreaking is discovered in extraplanar exploration, overnight wealth or even a place among the world's elite becomes possible.

Moreover, if your company doesn't engage in extraplanar exploration at all, relevant evaluation agencies will lose interest, and you'll be labeled a "non-proactive company," with stagnant stock prices and no investment.

Naturally.

Though only a first-year student, Tenjo Hikari, who already possesses Level 6 Spirit Adaptability, was spotted immediately by sharp-eyed "scouts" as he passed by—they rushed over and surrounded him like a whirlwind.

"Hey hey hey, you're Tenjo Hikari, right!? You gave our world a huge victory last semester against X-Dimensional duelists—your performance was absolutely perfect!"

"Tenjo Hikari, you're a Fusion Duelist specializing in Fusion duels, right!? Would you consider checking out our company, Fusion Motors…?"

"Tenjo Hikari, do you have any plans for your future studies? Are you interested in visiting or interning with us during your studies? Here's our business card."

A crowd of people clamored around him, pressing him in so tightly he could barely move.

"Hahaha, Tenjo Hikari, looks like you're popular, huh?" Tierra didn't mind wasting time—seeing so many people clustered around Hikari, offering him bad advice, she chimed in, "Quick, check if there's any instant noodles for sale—I bet simple Fusion cup noodles will be a hit!"

This wasn't just teasing—it carried a hint of divine scheming. As a renowned deity skilled in conspiracy, she wondered: if she devoured all the alchemical scientists' cup noodles, how long would it be before any more appeared? If so, why not simply have humanity mass-produce them?

Besides, she wasn't just speaking nonsense—she'd tried other flavors of instant noodles and cup noodles, and none compared to simple Fusion.

If Tenjo Hikari wanted steady income or greater profits, listening to her might be better.

"What's all the commotion over there?"

A handsome boy in a crisp white suit climbed up the cliff on the academy island, watching the company representatives surrounding Tenjo Hikari. He brushed dust off his hands lightly and raised an eyebrow.

Were they competing for a student?

Aide Phoenix quickly assessed the situation and figured it out.

Having experienced this himself, he had no particular opinion on it; after initial bewilderment, he quickly adapted, and with Lord Lord Zhai Wang handling the minor details, he no longer minded.

He glanced upward and saw a green-haired spirit smiling cheerfully.

A duelist with a spirit?

No wonder—even school students with spirits are rare in this new era, so it's natural they'd be fought over.

He stretched his limbs slightly.

Originally, his plan was to visit the island during enrollment season, but he hadn't expected Kaiba Corporation to organize this external exchange event. As one of the most famous professional duelists today, he'd naturally been invited.

He didn't mind—he might as well arrive early.

Of course, he came under the pretense of being a "future freshman" to tour the island—in fact, many sons of prominent families used the same excuse to visit, hoping to meet their idols: the three students who had once defeated X-Dimensional duelists last semester.

Before departure, Lord Lord Zhai Wang performed another divination for him.

The result was… certain victory!

In duels against students on the island, he would win only.

"Only victory…?" Aide felt slightly disappointed.

Whatever.

Before they notice me, let's head over to the student area first.

He picked up his large bag, pulled out a map, glanced at it twice, then tucked it away.

Ma Chima Chima Lingwang and Lord Lord Zhai Wang had made a "deal"—in exchange for Lord Lord Zhai Wang receiving power unlike this world's, Lord Lord Zhai Wang had sent him here to take a look.

He remembered… Lord Lord Zhai Wang mentioned an organization called… Fusion Department?

He walked along the path, occasionally asking passersby for directions. When they heard he was looking for the "Fusion Department," they became enthusiastic and gave him clear directions.

"Haha, you're a prospective student wanting to visit, right? You asked the right person—go this way, turn the corner, and you'll see a two-story building with a sign depicting Fusion—that's the Fusion Department's activity room!"

Strange—was Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's club so popular?

Aide walked skeptically to the Fusion Department's entrance.

There weren't many people there today—Judai, Sanze, and others were absent; Tenjo Hikari had been intercepted en route. Aide politely greeted them. Leiban, who had been half-asleep from boredom, snapped awake at the sight of the suited Aide and immediately perked up: "Oh! You're here to visit our Fusion Department?"

"Hello, senior, I'm a prospective student applying to Duel Academy. I heard your department pursues Fusion, so I'm very interested!" Aide greeted him politely again.

"Oh!! You've come to the right place!" Leiban jumped up excitedly, "Look at this badge? Our department head stayed up all night making it—apparently crafted with some kind of gold and some technique, incredibly intricate and beautiful!"

He held up a badge in his hand.

The badge was clearly a Fusion symbol—Aide recognized it at a glance.

"Hmm, indeed very intricate." Though he'd seen countless ornaments, he had to admit this badge was lifelike. As he took it, a voice immediately sounded in his ear.

"Aide, this badge seems to possess special power—it amplifies Spirit energy."

"Correct, Aide. Though faint, giving such a gift to newcomers—your department head is generous indeed!"

His pupils contracted slightly.

Impressive, Ma Chima Chima Lingwang—I never thought you'd be so generous.

I underestimated you before.

On the other side, another voice came.

"Huh… oh, it's that guy from the Combined Department…" Leiban's expression darkened as Marufuji Xiang approached.

He'd once lost to Marufuji Xiang—though it was due to inferior skill, it was still embarrassing. Even after spending so long in the Fusion Department, learning from classmates, and barely correcting his habit of looking down on reds, he still harbored some resentment.

"Combined Department?" Aide heard this and formed a judgment.

Understood.

This is the club Ma Chima Chima Lingwang wants me to confront, right?

If so—then no need for roundabout tactics.

"Hey—senior!" Aide waved at Marufuji Xiang, who had just arrived and was looking for Judai, "Senior, I'm a new student who just arrived on the island—I'd like to visit and learn. Can I duel you!?"

"Duel? Me!?" Marufuji Xiang, startled, pointed at himself, then glanced around and confirmed no one else was nearby. He rubbed the back of his head and chuckled, "Hehe, so my fame has reached outside the school already…?"

He was slightly flattered.

"Sure!"

And so—

Just as Tenjo Hikari broke free from the company reps and reluctantly accepted a few business cards, finally returning to the Fusion Department, he saw Marufuji Xiang already preparing for a duel…

And… Aide Phoenix???

He was utterly baffled.

Who's dueling whom???

Can this even happen?

Chapter Three

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(End of Chapter)