Chapter 148: Active Application

When he returned to school, Tenjo Hikari saw a large crowd on the island holding banners to welcome him.

The spectacle made him glance once and think he had crossed over again.

Only after he stepped ashore did he learn that the school had found out about the incident and arranged this welcome for him—reportedly on the principal's personal orders.

Huh—

That principal really comes up with ideas the moment he slaps his own head.

Fortunately, the students were just there for the fun; after a while of revelry, they went back to their own business, though not without some complaints—like having wasted time on a date, wanting to catch up on classes, or planning to go to the library…

"Hikari-kun," as Hikari walked with Professor Chronos toward the Fusion Department, the professor couldn't help pulling out a handkerchief and continuously wiping the corners of his eyes, tears welling up, overflowing with emotion: "If Professor Professor Dadesi were watching from above, he would surely be proud of you…"

"Eh… uh… hmm."

Hikari wanted to tell him that Professor Professor Dadesi wasn't "dead" but "reincarnated," but the words caught in his throat—he figured this professor probably wouldn't think in terms of spirits, so he let it go.

After discussing some emotional and personal matters, Professor Chronos, walking alongside him, asked Hikari about his trip—his interactions with Fengguang Company and his observations on-site.

To be honest, he very much wanted to go with Hikari, but he couldn't abandon Marufuji Ryo; during this time, he had been rushing around for Ryo's sake.

He had no ability to split himself, so no matter how worried he was, he could only let Hikari travel far away alone.

"Hey, Professor… isn't it me who's the one far from home?" Hikari couldn't help interrupting his rambling.

"No, Hikari-kun, this is your home," Professor Chronos said, unusually serious, wiping his tears and fixing his expression to meet Hikari's gaze directly: "Hikari, this place—this is your home. Whenever you want, you can come back. You can live here at the school anytime."

"Don't lie to me, Hikari-kun," Professor Chronos said seriously.

Ever since Hikari acquired a large number of gems and specifically asked him to be his guardian during their sale, Chronos had investigated Hikari's background.

Blank. No parents. He became a student at the Duel Academy through dueling alone.

He had no "home" at all!

If that was the case, then the school was his home!

"…Professor." Hikari understood his meaning, took a deep breath, "You are unquestionably the best professor I've ever met."

He grinned with an astonishing smile and said: "Of course I am."

After finishing that topic, Hikari and Professor Chronos returned to the Fusion Department. Before entering, Hikari noticed the department was also "decorated with lanterns and streamers"—everywhere hung with various ornaments, including not only the previous decorations for welcoming new students and company visitors, but also new banners reading "Celebrating the Department Head's Triumphant Return."

Yet, no one was guarding the entrance.

"Oh my goodness, what's going on?" Professor Chronos was surprised.

Shouldn't a large group of students be waiting to welcome Hikari back to the Fusion Department?

Only after they entered the Fusion Department and heard the sounds inside did they understand what was happening.

"Why did Mr. Dinosaur discard his hand card for a direct attack now? He could've summoned normally to reach 4000 attack points."

"He probably still has follow-up tactics in his hand. We can ask A-Guang later—he'd know better."

"Wow, full-field destruction! A-Guang's Ultimate Giant is down!!"

"Too bad—if Tenjo's graveyard had a second Ancient Mechanical Giant, he'd have won right now."

Intense discussion—

"Electronic Load Fusion! Hehehe, of course, at this point, you still need the Cyber Dragon!"

A passionate voice rang out.

"Wow, he won! He won!"

"No wonder A-Guang—he even defeated a legendary duelist!"

Hikari and Professor Chronos walked into the Fusion Department. Chronos cleared his throat softly: "Erk."

Hearing that cough, several students initially shouted "Don't disrupt!"—but when they turned around and saw, they gasped: "A-Guang's back! Oh, and the Professor—"

"The Department Head's back!? What's going on? Where are the welcoming students?"

"Uh… they came to watch the replay—"

The student who asked sheepishly pulled his hand back and awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

Real.

"A-Guang! That's insane! You actually defeated such a legendary duelist!" Judai shouted excitedly.

"It wasn't that impressive—it was pure luck," Hikari tilted his head. Dinosaur Long Qi really was strong: "If we did it again, I couldn't guarantee a win."

"Well done, Hikari," Marufuji Ryo nodded approvingly. "With this big victory, our schoolmates will surely have more options in the future."

After finishing his professional match, Kai Sa completed some formalities and returned to the academy with Professor Chronos. Hearing about Hikari's duel, he joined the department's students to watch the recording.

Watching a duel against such a legendary duelist made his blood boil with excitement.

More importantly, Hikari had used Cyber Stream cards at the end!

This gave him, who hadn't participated in the duel, a strange sense of involvement—and he was genuinely excited.

"What's that?" Hikari looked at the video. "A recording?"

"Yes. It's the recording of your duel with Mr. Dinosaur Long Qi. Someone apparently recorded it on purpose—it's been trending online these past two days," Wan Wan Zhangmu said casually. "I found this video gradually going viral while browsing online, so I played it for everyone."

Hikari studied the footage closely—from the camera angle… this doesn't look like something a passerby filmed.

Probably a promotional video by the company, trying to ride the hype.

Hikari nodded and replied to a previous student's question: "Mr. Dinosaur had a card called 【Infinite Dinosaur】 in his hand. That card's original attack becomes 1000 points for each Dinosaur-type monster banished."

"So Mr. Dinosaur wasn't just summoning powerful Dinosaurs—he was also banishing Dinosaurs along the way."

Hikari rubbed his chin, recalling further: "After reviewing the duel, I realized—if I hadn't defeated him in that turn, his next turn would've allowed him to summon an Infinite Dinosaur with 4000 attack. I'd have lost for sure."

"Ah, so he held onto that card because of the field-destroying card, and didn't summon it?" Marufuji Ryo instantly grasped the entire sequence: "Dinosaur Long Qi… truly worthy of the title Legendary Duelist."

"So cool! I really want to duel him once!" Judai exclaimed.

Hikari smiled back: "If you really want to, there's a chance—he said he might visit during the holidays. He might even come tomorrow, since Seamon Company's event hasn't ended yet."

"Ooooh!"

The group replayed the entire duel again, finding it more thrilling with each viewing. As dusk approached, Hikari checked the time and asked: "Judai, have you decided where to go on your next Dimensional Journey?"

If he needed a partner for a Dimensional Journey, Hikari would still choose the strongest and most compatible teammate.

"Ah, you mean that one… the 【Mountain】 Dimension, right?" Judai tilted his head, arms crossed, looking conflicted: "Umm… I really want to go too, but Chui Xue-senpai asked me to ask you—could he come along?"

"Eh? Chui Xue-senpai?"

He looked around, scanning the room, and realized the Tian Tian Shangyuan siblings weren't there.

Hikari never expected that this guy, who constantly joked, played music, and pulled pranks on his sister and brother, would ever want to voluntarily join a Dimensional Journey.

But that's fine.

After all, he's a senior. And he's one of the vessels of "Darkness"—his spirit strength is no concern.

First update

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(End of Chapter)