Chapter 164: Tierra

The graduation duel ended perfectly, and many students witnessed a thrilling duel they might never forget.

The explosive damage effect may forever remain etched in their minds.

As a result, after the third-year students graduated, first- and second-year students couldn't help but debate during this time who was truly stronger.

"Big brother was clearly defeated in one hit by his older brother, yet now he's holding his own against him!"

"Judai has improved too fast—it's shocking! Hmph—still, that's what makes chasing him fun."

"I'm really curious—right now, who's stronger: Judai or Hikari?"

Even students from the Fusion Department couldn't help joining the discussion at this time.

The pro-Judai side argued that Judai could now be mentioned alongside Kaisa, meaning he had surely surpassed Tenjo Hikari; the anti-Judai side countered that Tenjo Hikari had already defeated Judai before, so no conclusion could be drawn until they faced each other.

"You're being underestimated, Tenjo Hikari! Quickly, knock that human Judai to his knees!" After passing two more arguing students, Tierra turned and urged, "Go prove you're the pinnacle of the academy's fusion!"

Tenjo Hikari wore an expression of utter disbelief and didn't respond.

He was on the phone.

"Mm, okay, don't worry," he said into the phone while responding to the other end.

"Judai's been relaxed lately—you can rest assured," Tenjo Hikari replied upon hearing the question. "You know his personality—he already said goodbye to you, so he won't dwell on it."

That's right—at this very moment, Tenjo Hikari was speaking on the phone with Marufuji Ryo.

He had already left the academy and become a duelist for a certain corporation, about to enter the professional stage.

Before leaving, Tenjo Hikari specifically asked for his contact information, ready to reach out anytime.

Or rather, he had sensed Marufuji Ryo's inner turmoil.

Because he still had a few things he couldn't fully let go of.

"As for Xiang… he seems to be doing fine," Tenjo Hikari said, stroking his chin as he answered the key question. "You know, since then, the Fusion Department has become extremely low-key. After Aide Phoenix appeared, they went completely silent, mostly just using Marufuji Xiang as a mascot to recruit new members."

"But everyone who's lived through a year won't go back, so maybe some activity will resurface after the new semester starts."

Tenjo Hikari held no real malice toward Marufuji Xiang. Though Marufuji Xiang was extremely abstract in the original story's otherworld arc, right now he was merely a slightly over-the-top "annoying guy."

Moreover, due to his personal style—and because Marufuji Xiang was someone he himself had recommended—he had no hostility toward the Fusion Department. During his time there, he mostly shared "over-the-top" little sketchbooks with classmates.

High school boys who like female monsters? You know how it is.

Even Wan Wan Zhangmu gets dazzled by a Black Magician Girl—so his obsession with them is perfectly normal.

In any case, it's not a bad thing.

As long as the Fusion Department doesn't bully students randomly, it's fine.

"Sorry, Hikari," Kaisa continued on the other end of the line. "This should've been my duty, but I ultimately chose to duel Judai."

He had considered dueling Marufuji Xiang at the end, but he couldn't let go of Judai's condition.

So now he had no choice but to ask Tenjo Hikari for help again.

He still worried Marufuji Xiang might be corrupted by the Fusion Department.

But Tenjo Hikari thought such concern was unnecessary—it was hard to say who was corrupting whom.

Marufuji Xiang himself was an exceptionally gifted duelist; outside real duels, his win rate was the highest in the entire school. In the original story, even Judai was crushed mercilessly by him in machine-simulated duels.

Yet beyond that, his personality, aside from his cowardice, contained a significant "pervert" streak.

The former made him slightly arrogant after serving as Fusion Department representative; the latter was utterly unchangeable.

But the latter wasn't really a problem.

Tenjo Hikari figured it wasn't a big deal—neither fighting Yu Beier nor confronting Zhai Wang—so he might as well keep an eye on him and replied:

"Don't worry. Anything related to fusion is my responsibility."

"Hahaha, that's a convincing statement…" Kaisa laughed.

Moments later, Tenjo Hikari ended the call, and Tierra immediately pressed on, urging him to challenge Judai to a formal duel.

"There's no need for that," Tenjo Hikari said, puzzled. "One or two duels—even with a result—are only temporary."

He looked at Tierra with confusion, clearly unable to understand.

Tierra was not a deity who cared much about maintaining her "reputation." She often ignored human affairs entirely; ordinary mortals were as invisible to her as air—she only spoke up about things that interested her.

At least for now, Tierra's only interests in the human world were cards and duels, and maybe instant noodles.

She had watched that duel in full, but afterward felt no strong reaction—only a quiet admiration that both humans were quite strong.

Yet today, she suddenly wanted him to duel Judai? Even named Judai?

That didn't sound like her at all.

"Are you doing this on purpose?"

"Mmm… hahaha~ No wonder you're my divine devotee—you figured it out," Tierra chuckled, stacking her hands under her chin with zero embarrassment. Of course, she did have a genuine urge to make Tenjo Hikari prove he was the strongest—after all, he was her divine devotee—but since her hidden motive had been spotted, she saw no need to voice it.

So she really was doing it on purpose?

Tenjo Hikari had only intended to test her reaction—but Tierra admitted it so bluntly.

Or perhaps, the moment she was caught, she no longer wanted to play games.

That meant—she was certain he'd agree?

Tierra stacked her hands under her chin, slightly bowing, elbows hovering over an invisible table. After a soft laugh, she lifted her right hand from under her chin and held it before her, gently wagging her index finger: "Then I'll be direct, Tenjo Hikari.

From that human Judai, I sensed a powerful, terrifying darkness. This force was hidden extremely well—I once caught a glimpse of it and felt only a vague impression. Later, I rediscovered that same sensation in your hospital—and during your previous duel, when the total damage exceeded fifty thousand, I finally confirmed it.

He harbors a darkness far deeper and more terrifying than I imagined, and right now, it's awakening."

She tilted her head, smiling lightly: "This is a perfect opportunity—if you duel him now, you might obtain an ultra-powerful card!"

"Won't that also accelerate your energy recovery?" Tenjo Hikari sighed helplessly. "You're already counting your coins on my face."

But… energy awakening?

Of course.

The emergence of the Light of Destruction, Yu Beier's renewed injury, Judai's awakening of the "Overlord Power"—it all makes sense…

"Strange—you duel different people every day to absorb their duel energy. So why not duel him?" Tierra asked, puzzled.

"Hmph. True 【duels】 must begin at the most fitting moment," Tenjo Hikari murmured. "That's why Judai hasn't challenged me during this time, has he?"

Ah, I see—

Tierra understood.

They wanted to settle their rivalry at the most perfect, ideal moment, witnessed by everyone.

Like how that human Marufuji Ryo chose Judai as his graduation duel opponent?

Duelists… fascinating.

"Then you should gain more power. Look, that human has already gathered the four elements: light, wind, fire, and water. You? So far, only darkness and wind," she said, referring to the Elemental Heroes and Divine Shadow-Depths. "It's time to accelerate—hey! I have a brilliant idea!

Quick! Turn Bai Jing into a fire attribute!"

She'd done this before—she knew exactly how.

"My Lord Midelas…" Captain Bai Jing could no longer stay silent and protested.

Tenjo Hikari shook his head.

He wouldn't do such a thing.

Besides, he had already decided where to go next.

Chapter One, please vote~

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(End of Chapter)