Chapter 133: Facing a Professional Duelist

For a moment, Ai De's thoughts experienced a brief glitch.

As a world-renowned duelist, called the fourth greatest by Pegasus, Ai De Phoenix naturally possessed no shortage of wisdom and calmness as a duelist—and precisely because he was not lacking in wisdom, when Marufuji Xiang shouted "Tenjo Hikari" and others called that person "A Guang," Ai De realized—

Dammit, did I pick the wrong person?

"Hikari-nii, Sanze!" On the other side, Shen Shen Leban, who had been watching the duel and noticed Marufuji Xiang couldn't even beat a newcomer, rushed over laughing loudly and pointed at Ai De, who was trying to pretend he wasn't there, "This is the new student who just came to observe our Fusion Department and said he's considering joining our club!"

"Huh?"

"Really?!"

Sanze and Wan Wan Zhangmu exclaimed in shock.

Is this for real? Is our Fusion Department really that famous? Even a pro like Ai De Phoenix is interested in our department?

Ai De put on an awkward yet polite smile—the so-called professional smile, a basic skill common among good-looking pro duelists like him.

Tenjo Hikari noticed the badge pinned to Ai De's chest.

It was an alchemical product he hastily made a few days ago for an exchange event; it had no special ability, only slightly enhancing one's affinity for spirit energy, but was useless against Level Four spirits or higher.

It was just a temporary badge he made to identify Fusion Department members.

He even pinned it to his suit?

Even Tenjo Hikari was baffled.

Could it be that in this world, Ai De really came just to observe the Fusion Department?

He remembered that in the original story, Ai De came to the island because Lord Lord Zhai Wang had divined that someone on the island would make Ai De stronger—that person was Judai—more or less.

And Lord Lord Zhai Wang himself, because he was possessed by the "Light of Annihilation's" "Light Wave," developed a second personality and embarked on the path of "destroying the world."

Though not blood brothers, as close friends they shared a bond of life and death; Ai De had always sought his father's killer with Lord Lord Zhai Wang's help, while Lord Lord Zhai Wang divined that Ai De was one of the few who could save him from his fate of annihilation.

But…

Considering that in this world, the darkness had already vanished early on, who knows what the Light of Annihilation might have done somewhere Tenjo Hikari didn't know about.

After all, even now, Tenjo Hikari had no idea what exactly caused the "Shattered World of Spirits" that all spirits had experienced.

Of course, there was another possibility?

For example, in Yu-Gi-Oh! A5, Ai De Phoenix joined the Duel Academy and became the "Commander-in-Chief of the Fusion Army." Perhaps Ai De was simply someone who loved fusion deeply, so in A5 he became part of the Fusion Army—and in this world, he just came here again and ended up joining the Fusion Department?

Tenjo Hikari pondered for a while and felt this possibility was very high.

Haha, so my obsession with targeting the Combined Department and stealing their name really paid off!

Tenjo Hikari greeted Ai De, forcing a stiff smile in response.

He couldn't refuse—no matter what, a duelist must stand by his word; how could he back out so quickly?

At that moment, his phone suddenly rang. He bowed slightly to the students, then hurried off to take the call.

"Maybe it's a parent?" "Or perhaps his agent?" "Pro duelists really are busy."

Ai De went to a corner, checked the caller ID, and finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"Hello? Lord Lord Zhai Wang!" His tone carried a rare hint of complaint.

"Ai De, how was the duel on the island…?" Lord Lord Zhai Wang's gentle voice came through the phone.

He barely suppressed the faint resentment rising in him, then glanced toward Judai and Xiang again, feeling both exasperated and speechless: "Don't even mention it… it's too… sigh…"

"Are you disappointed?"

Now, Ai De had learned from Judai and the others that Marufuji Xiang was this year's "Combined Department Representative"—the top first-year student of the Professor Chi Ma Sect.

Top student?

This?

Honestly, he was just being polite. Originally, when he saw Marufuji Xiang charging forward recklessly, he'd been ready to activate a face-down card to win without losing LP—but then he thought it might be too cruel for ordinary students, and since he was only here to test the waters, he held back.

Of course, if Lord Lord Zhai Wang had ordered him to go all out, he wouldn't have fought this way.

But the moment he realized this was the "Combined Department's" top student, he felt dizzy.

Am I supposed to go to a place like this?

"Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's people should have contacted you already—they'll take you to his Fusion Army," Lord Lord Zhai Wang continued, the sound of card shuffling audible in the background. "But according to my divination, you've already met someone who can influence your fate."

What?

He looked at Shen Shen Leban.

Impossible.

He looked again at Marufuji Xiang.

Too weak.

Could it be…

He glanced at Tenjo Hikari, Judai, Wan Wan Zhangmu—was it one of them, or several?

But remembering his current situation, he immediately stopped that line of thought and instead told Lord Lord Zhai Wang: "No… Lord Lord Zhai Wang, this… things here are a bit complicated."

"Hmm?" Lord Lord Zhai Wang sounded confused.

What's complicated about it?

Find the Fusion Department, join the Fusion Department, find your enemy, duel, win.

It's straightforward.

Ai De noticed a group of students in purple uniforms approaching and realized they were here for him. He quickly said: "Lord Lord Zhai Wang, I'll explain everything in detail when I get back—it's too hard to explain here!"

"Uh, okay…"

On the other side, the Combined Department members had spotted Ai De and immediately cheered.

"Found him! It's Ai De Phoenix!"

"Marufuji Xiang is here too! No wonder Marufuji-kun—he easily found the low-key Ai De Phoenix!"

Everyone turned to look.

Besides a few Fusion Army members, the group searching for Ai De included several tall adults who weren't wearing purple uniforms but had special medals embedded on their clothes—clearly high-ranking. Also, two girls, tall but with unimpressive figures, one with golden hair and one with silver hair, both sporting strange hairstyles, rushed over.

Are these former pro duelists from the Fusion Army?

Tenjo Hikari immediately realized.

If other pro duelists and corporate staff could visit the island, then of course the Fusion Army could too.

"W-what, why are you looking for me?" Ai De asked, forcing himself to speak.

He wasn't just being stubborn—he just couldn't back out now. He'd already talked to Fusion Department members, even accepted a badge from Shen Shen Leban; there was no way he could suddenly vanish and shout, "I was lying!" That would be absurd—and utterly unbecoming of a duelist.

"Ai De Phoenix, come with us right away—the professor already notified you, didn't he?" the lead pro duelist said casually.

"Hey!" Judai jumped in front of Ai De, blurted out, "You Combined Department people are going too far! Even trying to steal a student who hasn't enrolled yet!"

"That's right!" Wan Wan Zhangmu bluntly activated his duel disk, "You won't get away with this in front of our Fusion Department!"

Hearing this, Ai De couldn't help but cover his face.

What the hell is going on? I just came here to observe!

"It's you guys again!" The Fusion Army members noticed Tenjo Hikari and the others, instinctively flinching—but then remembered they had pro duelists and even Fusion Army 【Elite Warriors】 beside them, and regained their courage: "You bunch, don't think this is like before! This time, Ai De Phoenix's agent contacted the professor directly—he's joining our Fusion Army!"

"Really?" Judai looked at Ai De in surprise, "That can't be—I feel nothing like that."

"Besides, he's already joining our Fusion Department!" Wan Wan Zhangmu added.

Hearing Ai De had joined the Fusion Department, the Fusion Army members' expressions changed instantly.

Of course, they didn't know about the deal between Lord Lord Zhai Wang and Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang—they only heard the professor had arranged things with Ai De's agent, but had no idea what Ai De himself thought!

"I get it!" Seeing their expressions, Tenjo Hikari narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, standing before everyone, "I understand—it must be this way!

Ai De, you really love fusion, so you wanted to join a fusion-related club at the Duel Academy, and your agent recommended you, right?"

"Uh… yeah." At this point, denying it was impossible.

Ai De felt like he couldn't breathe.

On the other side, Tenjo Hikari felt he had pieced everything together.

Understood! Everything made sense now!

So, following normal procedure, in this world Ai De must have joined the Fusion Department because he loved fusion, then earned Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's trust due to his exceptional talent, became Commander-in-Chief of the Fusion Army, and began invading the Xyz Dimension—all connected!

Then—

We absolutely cannot let the Combined Department take him away!

No matter the reason.

That 【Commander-in-Chief】 cannot be tricked away by the Combined Department!

How can we fight in the Dimension War without a Commander-in-Chief?!

"I, Tenjo Hikari, will never let any duelist who loves fusion be deceived!" Tenjo Hikari unhesitatingly activated his duel disk, "At the very least, let him himself understand the difference between our Fusion Department and your Combined Department—let him decide!"

"Again with this! Always this! Tenjo Hikari!!" The Fusion Army members were furious.

As he seethed, a series of bright, clear laughs rang out.

"Hahaha~~" The two girls, nearly identical in appearance, laughed together—the golden-haired one, seemingly the elder, said, "We've heard the professor at the main academy is constantly troubled by Tenjo Hikari."

"Seeing you in person is even more amusing," added the silver-haired younger sister.

They're…

The Taylor sisters from Yu-Gi-Oh! A5?

Tenjo Hikari finally recognized them.

"Then, Senior, why not… choose the way he likes best?"

The two girls spoke in unison, looking toward the adult in the group wearing medals, who appeared to be around twenty.

"Fine. Tenjo Hikari, since that's the case, do it your favorite way—duel!" He casually took a Fusion Army duel disk; its sharp design resembled a sword more than a device. "I'm a pro duelist, but today happens to be Exchange Day, right? How about it?"

"Hmph. A pro duelist of advanced age challenging a student? Interesting," Wan Wan Zhangmu snorted.

"Fine, I'm also quite curious to see how skilled you fusion military duelists are." Tiancheng Guang didn't mind.

Ai De had already started dialing, eager to contact Lord Lord Zhai Wang and get a new divination.

Can I just drop out of school?

Lord Lord Zhai Wang seemed to be busy—the call wouldn't go through.

He let out a long sigh.

Never mind...

A duelist of fate?

He looked at Tiancheng Guang, preparing for the duel.

Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's "thorn in the eye," the universally known "Absolute Fusion Duelist."

Interesting...

If so, then if Tiancheng Guang truly defeats a professional duelist, I could accept joining Ronghebu.

"Duel!"

Third update of the chapter—this chapter is longer, written until now.

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(End of chapter)