Chapter 271: Is This Even a Duel Tournament Anymore?

"Children of the Noble Duel Academy, I am Principal Principal Jiaodao."

Principal Principal Jiaodao took a deep breath and began to speak.

"First, before I proceed, I believe all of you have already heard that just recently, our academy's professor and head of the Fusion Department, Professor Ma Chima Chima Lingwang, led his duelists in a covert attack on the X-Dimension."

Although the X-Dimension responded swiftly, there was still heavy loss of personnel and casualties."

Even with rough estimates, at least a thousand people died in this attack, and hundreds more were turned into cards by Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's fusion army and spirits—along with countless destroyed facilities..."

"Critical infrastructure collapsed due to physical projections..."

He held a manuscript with a grim, heartbroken expression, reading off the numbers.

If not for an unknown individual sabotaging Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's logistics just before his assault, the death toll and structural damage would have doubled—or even multiplied several times over!

"Principal... " Yu Dai sat on his fusion department chair, his face heavy with sorrow.

"As principal of this duel academy, I failed to detect Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's treacherous intentions, allowing him to commit such an abominable act. This is my failure. I will resign shortly. As for collateral responsibility, it will be determined by the headquarters of Kaiba Corporation..."

"What!? Principal, we've never heard anything like this!"

"Oh my gosh—"

The two highest-ranking teachers, who had been bickering nonstop until the principal's return forced a fragile peace, immediately spoke up, pressing him for details.

"Principal! This isn't your fault!!" Yu Dai nearly leapt onto the table to defend him.

Yu Dai had a good relationship with the principal; when he arrived late for his entrance exam, the principal overruled objections and allowed him to compete in the duel test, securing his admission.

Daily, the principal often looked out for Yu Dai, so Yu Dai deeply respected him.

After Professor Professor Dadesi's "death," and since Tenjo Kou was a student of Kuronos, he too was the principal's student.

Now, the principal was being held accountable for Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's actions—he was heartbroken and desperately hoped this wouldn't happen.

"Stop. Can you truly be certain I had no connection to Ma Chima Chima Lingwang?" Principal Principal Jiaodao shook his head.

In truth, not just him, but every other teacher and professor would face subsequent investigations.

So...

"Fortunately, before I resign, I've prepared one final opportunity for you students."

Tenjo Kou raised an eyebrow.

He stepped aside, and on the screen, two massive letters lit up.

"GX."

"GX Tournament."

"A world-class, dimension-level duel competition initiated by our academy, open to all duel academies, branches, and professional duelists worldwide."

Principal Principal Jiaodao reappeared in the center of the screen, holding a badge—the emblem of "GX."

"After negotiations with Kaiba Corporation, this tournament will be fully overseen by Kaiba Corporation to guarantee absolute fairness and impartiality."

"All students will be transported to the Critical Point Dimension one week from now to participate in dimension-level duels."

"Kaiba Corporation has established twelve special locations within the Critical Point Dimension. Each location is guarded by a powerful duelist. Students must engage in at least eight duels against Star Duelists and earn their recognition to leave a mark on their badge."

"At the tournament's end, students with fewer than four recognitions will be deemed failing and must retake the exam."

"Those with eight recognitions will be recognized as Outstanding Duelists and receive prizes from Kaiba Corporation."

"The twelve duelists are ranked by star level, from 1 to 12—Twelve-Star Duel."

"Some are human, others are spirit duelists—choose your opponents wisely, students."

Tenjo Kou frowned, listening carefully to the rules.

These rules were nothing like the "GX" tournament he remembered—where you randomly challenged someone, stole their badge, and called it a day.

It sounded as if 1-star was easiest and 12-star hardest?

But since it's dueling, who knows? Maybe 1-star, 2-star, or 4-star are the strongest.

"Additionally, hidden within the Critical Point Dimension are several special duelists who also hold recognition authority—though their total number remains unknown."

"Moreover, professional duelists worldwide—even legendary duelists—may join this tournament, challenging students to face different Star Duelists—or duel those who hold recognition, directly seizing their badges."

"Yes, this duel permits both parties to wager their badges—but only if both agree."

Many students nodded.

"Of course, if badges can be seized, they must have special significance—why would professional duelists steal students' exam results?" San Ze Sanze Dadi sensed the inconsistency.

"I suspect some of you have realized: if badges are merely student grades, why would professionals want them? The answer is simple."

"Once a duelist obtains a badge with at least eight recognition marks, they become eligible to enter the final duel—the..."

"GX Finals!"

Tenjo Kou's frown deepened.

Did I just get reincarnated again?

Is this Pokémon?

I never expected the original GX tournament to become this.

But... well, I suppose it's fine.

Can a GX world without a GX tournament even be called a GX world?

"The champion will receive the opportunity to request a customized reward from Kaiba Corporation, along with social status, prestige, and cards."

"Even the legendary, legendary, legendary card hidden within the Chuanshuozhongdechuanshuozhongdekapian."

He repeated "legendary" multiple times to emphasize how powerful this card was.

"Rumors claim it rivals the Three Sacred Beasts."

"Waaaah——————"

"Sssss!!"

Yu Dai, who had just been worried about Principal Principal Jiaodao, now leapt onto the table: "Whoa, what card is that? I want to see it!"

"Also, during this duel, all food, lodging, and daily needs must be earned through duel performance as DP, then exchanged at Kaiba Corporation—so don't imagine staying in the Critical Point for half a year and returning to school effortlessly."

He took a deep breath.

He stared at the screen.

As if watching his students, as if watching this island—his beloved academy.

He let out a long sigh.

Silence stretched so long the atmosphere grew heavy, oppressive.

"Finally... before I step down, I beg you all: never lose hope."

"Whether you wear Obelisk Blue, Ra Yellow, or Osiris Red—you are all students of our Noble Duel Academy, our pride. Do not abandon hope because of color or entrance scores. Do not walk the dark path. Do not aid evil..."

"Previously, it was my failure in managing the school..."

"But now, in the Critical Point, countless spirits reside. Whoever possesses a true duelist's heart—regardless of origin—may earn a spirit's recognition and become a spirit duelist..."

"So I implore you: do not emulate Ma Chima Chima Lingwang. Do not adopt his unhealthy methods. Do not walk the path of Dark Duel..."

"Please."

"I truly beg you!!"

By the end, his voice trembled with tears—this period had brought one tragedy after another.

Just recently, Marufuji Ryo completed an Xyz Summon in this world, abandoned the electronic stream's ancestral "Respect for Duel," even came to him and stole the hidden "Inner Electronic Stream" deck from the electronic stream dojo—leaving him emotionally shattered. And now, this? He felt the world itself was crumbling.

Even the kindest man cannot stand under such weight. Had he not wished to give his students one final effort, he would never have spoken this long.

Now, he could only instinctively cover his eyes, breathing deeply, over and over.

Headmaster Napoleon and Professor Kuronos, sensing the danger, rushed to the camera and frantically shut off the broadcast, ordering students to prepare immediately.

At the door, Aunt Duo had already burst into the room.

The screen went dark.

"Ma Chima Chima Lingwang." Yu Dai whispered the name, its coldness instantly dropping the temperature of the activity room by more than ten degrees.

Seeing his respected principal in pain, weeping, Yu Dai's eyes turned completely gold.

"Yu Dai?" Wan Wan Zhangmu, closest to him, recoiled in shock.

He didn't understand what was happening—but he knew Yu Dai was now in grave danger—not just to others, but to himself.

Yu Dai clenched his teeth.

Dueling was supposed to be joyful.

But in this instant, Yu Cheng Yu Dai felt the world spin—his excitement for the tournament vanished, replaced by unrelenting, seething rage.

Slowly, he raised his hand, clenching his fist before him.

"I will never forgive him!!"

Chapter Two

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(End of Chapter)