Chapter 90: The Shocking News of the New Semester

"This… how is this possible?"

In the dim room, a bright beam of light illuminated a figure, and a synthesized voice slowly emerged from the speakers.

"Armnile actually failed?" came a withered, nearly lifeless voice, as the old man, manipulating machinery, spoke in disbelief, "How is this possible?"

"Clearly, he underestimated the strength of Kuronos and his group."

A bald man sat in a chair, facing the player, hands clasped, expressionless, speaking calmly.

Akuma Reo was in a meeting.

"Underestimated their strength?" the old man remained puzzled, "How could any human be stronger than Armnile?"

The elder knew Professor Dadesi too well—he had witnessed Professor Dadesi's "death and resurrection," and even the resurrection ritual and techniques of the Phantom Demon had been taught to him by Professor Dadesi out of gratitude. He could not imagine Professor Dadesi losing.

"When the prepared strike the unprepared, Armnile was unready—he was defeated, and that is not impossible," Akuma Reo insisted.

Having been repeatedly obstructed by "Kuronos," he now held deep suspicion toward this man; he had never seen Armnile's duel, so he did not know what had truly happened.

But since Armnile lost, he must be connected to Kuronos.

In a sense, Akuma Reo was right—this time, Tenjo Hikari won solely thanks to the scrap fusion acquired by Professor Kuronos.

Akuma Reo did not dwell on this issue but furrowed his brow, as if proving his loyalty, and asked anxiously: "But if this is true, Director, you will no longer be able to recover all the keys…"

"Should I prepare a new team to compete for the cards? Among my secret forces, there are still excellent duelists."

"There is no need."

Slowly, the suspended figure of Sheppard, kept alive in his cultivation pod by nutrient fluid and scientific technology, spoke: "You are mistaken about one thing, Dr. Kuma."

"Our goal has never been to seize the keys—but to make the key holders complete a 100% full-power Dark Duel."

Sheppard bubbled noisily, then continued: "Armnile is a once-in-a-generation genius—he designed for me the perfect ritual to restore youth. Even without knowing whether other key holders gave their all, he ultimately challenged nearly all of them, igniting every key. So, it is enough!"

He could not help but marvel at how precisely he had judged his investment in Professor Dadesi back then.

If he had been even slightly late, when Kaiba Corp invited experts from the public, how could he have encountered a genius like Professor Dadesi?

Although he could see that Professor Dadesi had never fully devoted himself to serving him, did that matter?

What mattered was his talent!

Just like Dr. Kuma—if one has talent, he can afford to treat them with utmost respect!

"Now, I only need to duel Yuusei Joudai, the one with the strongest Spirit power, to awaken the Phantom Demon's strength, regain my youth! And under Professor Dadesi's ritual, immortality and world domination will be no problem!"

He strained his throat excitedly, coughed twice, and released more bubbles.

Originally, Professor Dadesi's first suggestion to him was to directly use an alchemical artificial body—though not true youth restoration, it would still grant him decades more life, which was quite good.

But since he had met Professor Dadesi, learned of the other dimensions, and obtained the Three Phantom Demons' cards, how could he settle for something so simple?

He wanted the best—he wanted to be the strongest, to enjoy this world eternally!

"So, does that mean the Phantom Demon cards sealed within can already be retrieved?"

"Not yet. They must be fully activated by dueling someone with immense Spirit power—namely, Yuusei Joudai." As immortality loomed before him, his words poured out endlessly, aided by the machinery: "Once activated, their power will radiate outward, absorbing the strength of all card Spirits in the world, then instantly restore my youth, making me the strongest duelist, ruling—"

"So, right now, can we already use the Phantom Demon cards to influence and control Spirits?"

"?" Sheppard was still slow to react, explaining: "No, without full activation, the Phantom Demon cards' power cannot be fully revived…"

"Absorbing the power of all card Spirits in the world is indeed powerful—but it is far too conspicuous," Akuma Reo said slowly. "I prefer to gather strength in the shadows, using cards and humans."

"…Dr. Kuma?" Sheppard, belatedly, voiced a startled question.

"Thank you, Director. These past years working with you have been most enjoyable." On Akuma Reo's face, a rare smile appeared.

"Then."

"Goodbye."

With that, Akuma Reo flung his cloak aside, severed all communication with Sheppard, leaving only a cold, unyielding back.

"Wh-what? Kuma—" Sheppard heard a series of mechanical clicks and a slow trickle of liquid. He was too old to see or hear—he could barely survive and communicate through machinery—and now, as these sounds arose, he felt heat rapidly draining from his body.

At last, he understood.

He had been tricked!

"Dr. Kuma—Kuma Zero—Kuma… Kuma…"

The mechanical voice, calm yet thick with fury, slowly faded into darkness.

Rejuvenation? Eternal youth? Immortality? World domination?

Foolish.

Your ambition is far too small!

Akuma Reo pulled back the curtain and gazed out the window, squinting.

My ambition? All dimensions!

As time passed,

the new semester arrived.

Since Professor Professor Dadesi's sudden action, the school had fallen into sudden calm. To Tenjo Hikari's surprise, until the start of term, he heard no strange rumors and saw no Spirits flying across the sky.

This puzzled him greatly.

Where was Sheppard?

Had he given up on restoring his youth?

Amid confusion, he spent a peaceful and fulfilling holiday at school. On the first day of term, Principal Principal Jiaodao, with a somber expression, announced a "tragedy" during the opening ceremony.

The school's president, Sheppard, over a hundred years old, had finally succumbed to the failure of his life-support machinery and peacefully passed away during the holiday.

As president, he had secured many benefits for the school within Kaiba Corp; last semester's interdimensional competition was made possible entirely by Sheppard's efforts. As president, he was filled with love for the school, respect for education, and deep concern for the children…

Tenjo Hikari stopped listening after that.

He had only one thought.

How did Sheppard die?

Who's going to use the Three Phantom Demons now?

Who's going to be the first-stage boss of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX?

Could it be… that Professor Dadesi was actually the "final boss of Stage One"?

Then Yuusei losing to him suddenly made more sense?

Hey!

He suddenly remembered something.

That means he didn't need to spend the Philosopher's Stone at this most awkward moment!

Good, good, good—Eiwan, you died perfectly—

No, no.

Tenjo Hikari quickly halted that thought.

This world's Eiwan hadn't done anything evil—he couldn't be labeled a villain.

But regardless, not having to waste the Philosopher's Stone at this most critical yet awkward moment was, for both Tenjo Hikari and Yuusei Joudai, something to be glad about.

Meanwhile, Principal Principal Jiaodao reached the final point.

"Lastly, though sorrowful, it is also cause for celebration: due to Director Eiwan's years of outstanding management and his lifelong dedication to education and dueling, Kaiba Corp has decided to hold the most extensive memorial tournament this semester for the students!"

"The final prize will be… a replica of the Legendary Monster!" Principal Principal Jiaodao himself seemed deeply excited, "Supposedly, it is the very monster used by Mr. Motoyugi himself when facing a god!"

"Waaaah!?!?"

"Oh my god!!"

"This-this-this, Director, I don't mean disrespect, but you really died too well…"

"I—I might actually get the Legendary Monster?!"

"This school is worth every penny!"

Countless students cried out, marveled, and rejoiced—the appearance of a Legendary Monster, specifically one used by the Duel King himself, left everyone exhilarated!

Moreover, the past half-year had seen too many thrilling events; now, with a major event right at the start of the new semester, how could they not be thrilled?

Tenjo Hikari couldn't help but stroke his chin, lost in thought.

A card used against a god?

Isn't that range too broad?

What about the likes of Dragon's Sword Knight, Celestial Knight, Black Magician—there must be countless monsters that faced gods directly.

Principal Principal Jiaodao 's description was too vague—he couldn't recall clearly, only remembering the most famous few.

But it didn't matter. After all, the original deck contained many cards related to Fusion—nearly every monster had a Fusion form. This event was absolutely worth joining!

Bonus chapter!

Please recommend, please monthly tickets~

I took a quick look at today's new card info.

Is the Rai-Ka reinforcement a bit too abstract? Is the Ryu-Hua reinforcement kind of weak? Is this really "strong gets stronger, weak gets weaker"? You're something else, Konami.

Again, please monthly tickets~~

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(End of Chapter)