Chapter 334: The Last Opponent Before Summer Vacation Ends (4k)

"The splitting of the Spirit World..."

"To think such a thing could happen."

After returning to Duel Academy, Manjoume and Judai’s minds were still immersed in the major event of the Spirit World’s collapse.

Especially upon learning that the Spirit World was still undergoing a slow, continuous splitting to this day, the two of them felt a constant urge to do something.

And it wasn't just them; even Tenjou Hikari, who had known in advance, and Daitokuji, who had known even earlier, along with top-tier spirits including the Summoner Aleister, were all currently in the dark, having no idea what had actually transpired.

This was a terrifying matter. Because according to them, even the one in the Spellcaster domain, the [Dark Magician], didn't truly know what had happened.

Even that strongest of all magicians didn't know!

Therefore, after testing Manjoume and Judai’s abilities and feeling he could finally set his mind at ease, Daitokuji prepared to delve deeper into the investigation with Aleister.

He hadn't had the energy or stamina while "alive" to seek the truth, but now that he had become a spirit, although he worried about his students, seeing their growth had eased his concerns. Thus, he simply told Manjoume and the others about the Spirit World and prepared to investigate.

A reunion after more than a year, only to face a potentially longer separation—this made Judai feel a bit sentimental. Fortunately, having already accepted such things after Marufuji Ryo’s departure, he simply made a promise with Professor Daitokuji to reunite once the crisis in their world was resolved.

Tenjou Hikari looked at the "Five-Rainbow Magician" that had appeared in his hand.

This card was Daitokuji’s new "true form." As long as this card existed, even if Professor Daitokuji encountered danger in another dimension, he could use it as a beacon to evacuate quickly.

Perhaps this was one of the advantages of becoming a spirit.

In any case, Daitokuji had handed this card to Tenjou Hikari. On one hand, Tenjou Hikari was his most trusted disciple; on the other, only Tenjou Hikari’s deck could make use of it.

Although Judai’s deck also contained Spellcaster-type monsters, gathering the fusion materials for it would be far too difficult.

But Tenjou Hikari’s deck was filled with Spellcasters everywhere.

This made Judai feel quite regretful, as he also wanted to use Professor Daitokuji’s card.

"There will always be a chance," Tenjou Hikari replied with a smile.

"Sigh—"

Judai slumped over the table, feeling listless.

Tenjou Hikari flipped through the *Book of Emerald* to get a rough idea.

According to Professor Daitokuji, the dimensions he had specially marked were those that had "possibly come into contact" with the mastermind or were "currently being influenced," such as the "Eldlich" dimension.

Daitokuji had personally adventured in this world’s Eldlich. Because that dimension was also a famous site for alchemy research, Daitokuji had always been interested. Upon arriving, he discovered that the Golden Lord there had gone mad due to some special reason, and it was only through his rescue that the Lord gradually regained his senses.

After that, the Golden Lord became his close friend and had been accumulating power, preparing for "revenge."

If there were no accidents, according to the deductions of Daitokuji and Aleister, the Golden Land where the Golden Lord resided was likely one of the locations that had been "pierced head-on," which was why the Golden Lord had gone mad as depicted in the card art.

Although it seemed the influence in the Golden Land had faded for now, or perhaps because it was hit directly, the Eldlich dimension was actually one of the furthest locations from the "mastermind." Regardless, the Eldlich dimension was extremely dangerous, filled with spirits that had been directly affected. Aside from the Golden Captain and the Golden Cultist who joined later, it was basically impossible for the spirits there to abandon their responsibilities and leave their dimension to follow Tenjou Hikari, so Daitokuji advised against Tenjou Hikari going there.

Of course, if Tenjou Hikari wanted to gain the Golden Lord’s recognition and obtain some special alchemical materials, he could try.

Aside from that.

The Dark World was also one of the dangerous zones. Professor Daitokuji strongly advised Tenjou Hikari against going, but if he truly wanted to challenge his "self," it wasn't impossible.

There was only one dimension that Professor Daitokuji truly and solely opposed Tenjou Hikari visiting—

The Self-Forgetful Art School!

Tenjou Hikari touched a card, rubbing his chin incessantly.

[The Self-Forgetful Art School was the central point when the dimensions split, and it was... the very center!]

The very center!

A location even more central than the Golden Lord, it was the initial point of the split and the place most deeply affected by the mastermind. Daitokuji had once reached that dimension, but after merely taking one look, he evacuated at light speed.

His conclusion at the time was that it was a "dimension humans absolutely must not enter" and that it caused "visual and mental destruction that the human body cannot resist." Even after transforming into a top-tier Spellcaster spirit, Daitokuji still felt lingering fear.

Because even he, as the world’s most excellent alchemist, had been infected by the "art" upon entering that dimension, even developing the thought of abandoning alchemy to devote himself to painting!

This was simply terrifying—because he had spent his entire life studying alchemy; he could be called the darling of alchemy!

And yet, even he had developed such a thought!

Therefore, even now, he would not consider going to the Self-Forgetful Art School in the short term!

On one hand, the danger level was too high; on the other, the Self-Forgetful Art School was currently the "very bottom" of all spirit dimensions. It was indeed the most affected dimension, but at the same time, it was the dimension furthest from the mastermind.

Perhaps only after exploring other dangerous dimensions and failing to obtain any information would he consider stepping into that dimension again.

"Is it really that dangerous..." Tenjou Hikari looked at the card in disbelief.

"Could it be that once you enter that dimension, you’ll forget how to fuse and devote yourself to art? I don't believe it," Tierra chimed in from the side.

"But since Professor Daitokuji said so, there shouldn't be any other possibility, right?" Hearing Tierra’s words, Judai scratched his head. "But... Hikari-kun obsessed with art instead of fusing... ah, it’s hard to imagine."

Manjoume nodded as well.

He couldn't imagine such a thing either, but conversely, if the "Self-Forgetful Art School" dimension could do even that, it was definitely a forbidden zone for humans.

If even a "Fusion" duelist of Tenjou Hikari’s level would have his brain washed, then other duelists would likely never return.

Tenjou Hikari leaned back gently against his chair, feeling his body much more relaxed.

Having finally completed his long-standing goal, Tenjou Hikari felt his heart become light all of a sudden.

He wouldn't need to work hard to find the Three Sages, gain their recognition, and then go to the Spellcaster domain anymore. With this experience, perhaps he could visit more often; at least the Dark Magician Girl was quite easy to talk to. Next time he went, he should have time to ask that Evil Eye of Selene.

Moreover, because he had saved on his goals, Tenjou Hikari could finally go to the "Gladiator Beast" and "Vampire" dimensions next.

*Flutter—*

The room door was pulled open directly. Tenjou Hikari and the others looked over and saw Serena and Ruri.

"Eh, Master? You’re back!?"

Tenjou Hikari quickly sat up straight, adjusted his posture, and asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Oh my..." Serena looked a bit embarrassed, and Ruri beside her couldn't help but lower her head, looking like a child who had done something wrong.

The three of them exchanged glances.

Manjoume asked with a bit of PTSD, "Serena, you aren't thinking of sneaking off to other dimensions alone again, are you? And taking Ruri with you?"

"No, no—" Serena waved her hands quickly, saying a bit bashfully, "Actually, it’s like this..."

She began to explain.

It turned out that earlier, Professor Chronos had brought professors from other branch schools to visit the Fusion Department. They had basically finished touring the first floor and were now on the second. Serena felt bored and troubled, and fearing that Professor Chronos would make her "perform a talent" in front of the many professors if he saw her, she wanted to find a place to slip away and hide.

There was no place more suitable for them to hide than a conference room that was "in session," so they simply ran in.

Clearly, they were planning to play cards and hide from the crowd for a while, waiting until everyone had left.

It was normal enough.

Tenjou Hikari occasionally had times when he wanted to hide from his teachers to have some peace and quiet; they were students, after all.

What’s more, Serena and Ruri were two years younger than them, making them more playful, so it was even more normal.

"Professors from other schools... huh?" Tenjou Hikari thought for a moment and said, "Fine, then you two stay here and hide. Keep the noise down; I’ll go take a look."

"Really? Thank you, Master!" Serena shouted excitedly.

Tenjou Hikari stood up. Manjoume and Judai thought about it and stood up as well. Both were very interested in the upcoming Global Duel Academy Exchange Meeting, and the latter was looking forward to meeting some novel friends, so they were quite keen to go and see.

Leaving the conference room, the three walked down to the second floor and happened to run into Professor Chronos, so they quickly waved and ran over.

The three of them wore school uniforms of different colors—red, black, and blue—but arriving together, they immediately attracted the attention of all the professors.

Tenjou Hikari and Manjoume, the champion and runner-up of the GX Tournament!

And who was that in the red uniform?

"Professor Chronos!" the three greeted them quickly.

Tenjou Hikari scanned the group slightly and saw the person he had expected... "Professor Viper."

He didn't know if Viper had reached a cooperation with Yubel yet, but in any case, Tenjou Hikari scanned them twice and didn't find anything strange.

Seeing the three appear, Professor Chronos quickly began introducing the students he was so proud of to the many professors. Most of the professors’ gazes remained on Tenjou Hikari; only Professor Viper looked at Judai from time to time, clearly very focused on him.

However, this initial meeting didn't lead to any interaction. The group of professors just followed Professor Chronos to tour the Fusion Department. In the end, amidst the bickering and play-fighting between Manjoume and Judai, the group of professors slowly left the Fusion Department. It was when Judai and Manjoume were play-fighting that he suddenly shivered violently and couldn't help but wrap his clothes tighter around himself.

Tenjou Hikari noticed these details and guessed that she must have arrived.

Yubel.

Although he didn't know where she was hiding, it was clear she had definitely arrived on this island.

Tenjou Hikari stretched.

It seemed it was time to see how much the members of his Fusion Department had grown over the past year.

Tenjou Hikari waited for the professors to leave and couldn't help but stretch his limbs.

Although Tenjou Hikari’s philosophy had always been "everyone has their own business and goals, there is no need to interfere," he never concerned himself with what others wanted to do.

But among these, there were a few things Tenjou Hikari would specifically manage.

One was Reiji Akaba; Reiji Akaba made Tenjou Hikari feel disgusted and annoyed.

The other was Yubel—Tenjou Hikari, who knew the "original work," was very clear that even if he didn't want to manage Yubel’s affairs, Yubel would definitely target him, the "best friend" of "Judai Yuki," from various aspects.

Guaranteed.

Therefore, it was time for him to prepare.

To eliminate the second messenger of the "Light of Destruction" that was known and on the surface.

However...

Before that, he still had one last thing to do this summer vacation.

The next day, Tenjou Hikari received a call. A private jet arrived at Duel Academy. Tenjou Hikari boarded it curiously, thanked the other party, and then asked about the destination.

However, even the other party didn't know the final destination; he only knew he was to take Tenjou Hikari to New Domino City.

And upon arriving in New Domino City, Tenjou Hikari saw that legendary legend, the legend of all legends, the strongest duelist, the strongest gamer, the person of [Certain Victory], the King of Games—

Yugi Muto!

The first moment he saw him, Tenjou Hikari thought he was going to duel this master. Although shocked, he was also somewhat excited.

To duel the strongest duelist in this world, and perhaps even the strongest in all dimensions, would be worth it even if he lost!

But soon, seeing the drawing board and other things Yugi Muto was carrying, Tenjou Hikari knew that this time, the opponent was likely not Yugi Muto.

The two boarded a KaibaCorp private jet, transferred to another location, and flew from noon until afternoon, finally arriving at their destination in a place covered in yellow sand.

It was also at this moment that Tenjou Hikari learned who the opponent he had to face was, for this duel opportunity with a "legendary duelist" that Rex Raptor had managed to get him—

The Gravekeepers!

Tenjou Hikari felt a jolt of shock.

Previously at the GX Tournament, there had been Gravekeeper duelists, but at the time, Tenjou Hikari thought they were just Gravekeeper duelists out on an adventure.

But now it seemed that wasn't the case.

It seemed that, without Tenjou Hikari knowing, Seto Kaiba and Yugi Muto had already reached an agreement or cooperation with the Gravekeepers?

A gust of wind and sand blew by, and several figures slowly walked out from a hidden place. Some people with exotic styles gradually appeared before Tenjou Hikari’s eyes. Among them, a dark-brown-skinned bald man attracted all of Tenjou Hikari’s attention.

Yugi Muto smiled gently and said in a low voice, "How is it, Tenjou-kun? A suitable opponent I specially found for you."