Chapter 138: Tenjo Hikari

"Ai De, what happened on the island?"

In the pure white room, Lord Lord Zhai Wang gently washed the cards, noticing Ai De's return, and asked.

"Hmm… it's complicated. Let me tell you about it."

He carefully chose his words, recounting everything from what he saw upon arriving on the island to what happened afterward.

"So something like that actually happened," Lord Lord Zhai Wang's smile never faded. "Perhaps that too was fate guiding you, Ai De."

"Fate?" Ai De pulled out his deck, staring at the monster card names on it—the glaring 【Destiny Hero】 made him dazed.

"Then, Lord Lord Zhai Wang, what is this fate guiding me toward?"

Lord Lord Zhai Wang shuffled lightly and spread the cards across the table. Ai De walked over, drew one card from among them, and flipped it face up.

"The Sun," Lord Lord Zhai Wang frowned. "The Sun in the upright position."

"I remember—this card is beneficial regardless of orientation, right?" Ai De recognized the card and looked up at Lord Lord Zhai Wang.

Lord Lord Zhai Wang gave a slight nod.

"The Sun symbolizes light and hope."

"Light?"

"Light."

Now Ai De understood why Lord Lord Zhai Wang had hesitated.

In the past, Lord Lord Zhai Wang would have been deeply concerned, because this card might not be a "good omen"—it could mean his own power had grown stronger, making the destructive light even more eager to claim his body.

But today, Ai De had encountered a "Tenjo Hikari."

What exactly this light represented, neither of them could determine.

"In any case, Ai De, you must be quite satisfied with your trip to the Academy Island, right?"

Ai De nodded.

"Good. Don't worry," Lord Lord Zhai Wang drew a card; its surface shimmered with bright light, yet as the glow touched his eyes, thick black mist seemed to rise from the card. "You don't need to worry about Ma Ling Wang. I'll handle it."

"After all, I'm your agent."

"Heh… do as you please." Ai De laughed, Shou Society his deck.

He still had to travel to the next city, searching for clues to his father's killer.

Back at the Duel Academy, inside the Fusion Department.

Tenjo Hikari reached out, pasted several photos onto the department's blackboard, then slapped it hard and shouted: "In summary, Ai De Phoenix is the legendary 【Phoenix Hero】!"

"Ooooooo!" Judai couldn't even speak, only kept yelling.

"Huh? How did you connect them?" Sanze Sanze Dadi was still confused.

"Uh, yeah?" Wan Wan Zhangmu expressed strong skepticism. "Yes, Ai De Phoenix frequently travels the world and duels, and wherever he appears, rumors of the 【Phoenix Hero】 follow. But in reality, there are places he never visited where the Phoenix Hero still appeared—and places he did visit where the Phoenix Hero never showed up."

"Without sufficient evidence, Tiancheng, you're just making wild guesses."

"Most importantly, as a world-renowned professional duelist who has never lost a duel, he's a shining public figure. Why would he bother targeting petty thugs and street scum? Especially since they're mostly just pickpockets and petty thieves."

As a detective, Wan Wan Zhangmu didn't believe this theory—even though his detective's instinct told him Tenjo Hikari might be right, he still refused to accept it.

Because it made no sense.

After Ai De left, Tenjo Hikari and his friends returned to the Fusion Department. Seeing everyone idle, Tenjo Hikari brought up a "urban legend" to discuss.

Namely, the legend of the 【Phoenix Hero】.

The legend said there existed a worldwide traveling "superhero" who hunted criminals—the 【Phoenix Hero】. It was said that whenever he appeared, fiery effects accompanied him, making him incredibly cool, and a favorite topic among hero enthusiasts and urban legend lovers.

Judai naturally knew this story, but he had never before linked this figure to a public figure like Ai De Phoenix.

"And more importantly—the motive?" Sanze Sanze Dadi tilted his head up, thinking. "What motive could Ai De Phoenix possibly have?"

"It must be justice!" Judai declared loudly.

"Maybe personal family reasons?" Tenjo Hikari rubbed his chin, making things up.

Of course, he knew why.

He remembered: whether in the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX anime or manga, whether the younger or older Ai De, they all shared one common background—his father died in an accident.

It sounded like a dark joke, but it might truly be one.

Because from a design perspective, the Elemental Heroes were likely inspired by the "Marvel" series, while the darker, deeper, destructive heroes corresponded to the "DC" series… so Ai De's backstory was probably the editor's nod to Batman.

In the original anime, when Ai De was a child, someone broke into his home, killed his father, and stole a precious card. His father left him only the unreleased 【D】-series Heroes. Afterward, Ai De took on the identity of a hero from the shadows, relentlessly searching for his father's killer—and punishing card thieves along the way.

This served as a direct contrast to Judai, who simply loved heroes and used them for that reason alone.

Of course, in this world, things were harder to say—after all, this world had long ago begun "dimensional development."

Tenjo Hikari didn't know why the Ai De of this world still patrolled the night as the 【Phoenix Hero】.

"News! News!" At that moment, Chui Xue rushed into the Activity Department, waving a video tape excitedly while everyone was gossiping. "Ryo's first professional duel! The results are in!"

"Ugh, why wasn't Kaiser's first duel streamed?" Wan Wan Zhangmu was dissatisfied.

"He's still a student who hasn't even graduated. Even if he's highly regarded, not many people would pay attention," Sanze Sanze Dadi shook his head.

"Ohhh! After Hikari, it's Kaiser dueling a pro? That's so interesting—play it quick!" Judai, as always, got fired up.

Chui Xue paused at "Hikari dueling a pro," murmuring "Huh?" but didn't dwell on it. She quickly inserted the tape into the machine and started playback.

The screen was slightly blurry, but still viewable.

After watching for a while, everyone finally relaxed.

In his first professional duel, Marufuji Ryo won!

"No surprise—Kaiser!" Wan Wan Zhangmu had been tense, and only now, after the duel ended, did he exhale.

"Mmha, As expected, Kaiser is amazing!" Even though Tenjo Hikari had also defeated a professional today, it was an unexpected occurrence. No one knew if Marufuji Ryo might face an accident in his duel—only now, seeing the result, did Judai finally relax.

"By the way, did anyone talk to companies outside today?" After watching the tape, Chui Xue exhaled and smiled. "The exchange lasts a week, but something's better than nothing."

"No." "Uh, me too…" Judai and Sanze lowered their heads, looking reluctant.

"As for me…" Wan Wan Zhangmu pulled out a thick stack of business cards from his pocket. "I got this many."

"What!? How is that possible, Lightning! Did you bribe them?!" Judai shouted.

"Hehehe, big bro is super awesome! The moment they heard his name, they all crowded around him!" Ranghuan Huang suddenly floated out. All friends turned to look at it. After hearing its words, they understood.

"That's so cheap, Lightning!" Judai pounded the table again. "So cheap!"

He said it twice!

"Shut up—you little trash!" Wan Wan Zhangmu slapped Ranghuan Huang away and shouted, "I have a reason! I'm going to become president of Wan Wan Zhangmu Group. It's a must!"

"Huh! Wan Wan Zhangmu, you've got real goals," Chui Xue said in surprise. "What about you, Hikari?"

"Uh… I…" Tenjo Hikari felt awkward. Nearby, Tierra floated over, giggling twice, clearly ready to speak if he didn't.

"Actually… I… signed a short-term contract with a ramen company… uh…"

"What!??"

"You've already become a spokesperson!?"

"How? Everyone's still a student!"

Amidst his friends' exclamations, other Fusion Department students nearby heard and hurried over.

"What? Did the department head get sponsored?"

"Hikari's in first year and already has a spokesperson deal!? That's insane! Even Kaiser didn't get one!"

Tenjo Hikari grew even more embarrassed, quickly explaining: "It's just a short-term contract—and I still have to duel the duelist they assign me. Plus, if the flavor's bad, they won't accept it…"

"Oh, and I need Master Mo Ke's approval. Then I'll have to go to the Magic Clan Village… if he says no, it won't work."

But the students were already cheering.

They couldn't think that far ahead.

Besides, in their eyes, Tenjo Hikari could never lose!

Judai couldn't help looking up at the sky, imagining: "Will there be shrimp-flavored ramen? I'm so curious…"

"Wow, then we'll have endless ramen! We can spend all our money on card packs!"

"This is amazing! Joining the Fusion Department was the best decision of my life—I'll get my little brother to join too!"

"No no no, your motive's too obvious! At least make sure your brother likes fusion!"

"He'll dare not dislike it!"

"Haha, don't be like that—Hikari won't let you do that!"

Listening to the students' enthusiastic chatter, Tenjo Hikari tilted his head, thinking.

Hmm… now that he thought about it, maybe it was true.

Eating curry all the time did get boring. Occasionally having ramen didn't sound bad…

After all, he could still use the money to buy materials and cards!

Maybe he could even, like Ai De, equip himself with some gear to boost his combat power.

Thinking this way, he no longer resisted Tierra's urging him to partner with the ramen company.

Chapter Two, three thousand words. Also, pushing my friend's book again… I should've pushed it yesterday but forgot—awkward. Pushing it again, one more time.

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(End of Chapter)