## Chapter 149: Rematch with Yugi
Even though Lemuria hadn't harmed anyone like Dark Bakura, and according to Joey and others who had watched his game, he didn't use a Shadow Realm Deck. In fact, his Deck wasn't even as devious as Sheppard's; it was just a typical Aqua-Type Deck.
However, for some reason, Hayato always felt that this guy wasn't a good person. Moreover, Lemuria seemed to have a greater interest in him than in Yugi.
According to Mai Valentine and Sheppard, no famous Duelist was named Lemuria. Hayato even searched online and found that the name wasn't something a normal person would use, as it originated from a lost civilization called "Lemurian Civilization."
Although there was no concrete evidence, Hayato was already convinced deep down that this guy was using a pseudonym.
Catching Hayato's gaze, Lemuria's expression didn't change in the slightest. There was no subconscious flinch as one might expect when being stared at. Instead, he stood up and walked openly toward Hayato, clapping his hands as he spoke in a gentle voice, "Congratulations, Hayato. After defeating Sheppard of the Cyber Style, you're one step closer to the title of 'Duel King.'"
"Now, the only ones standing in your way are Yugi, and the eminent Pegasus, aren't they?"
"Uh, thanks? And, do we know each other?" Hayato knew better than to be rude to someone who was smiling. Although he couldn't warm up to this blue-haired guy, he wouldn't react negatively just because the other party congratulated him.
Lemuria smiled and shook his head, "No, of course we don't know each other yet, but who knows what the future holds?"
"Compared to Yugi, I actually prefer to see you win the 'Duel King' title, so I'll give you a Card."
With that, Lemuria extended a Hand, holding a face-down Card. Opening his palm, Lemuria nodded with a smile, signaling Hayato to take it.
Hayato was puzzled, but he picked up the Card and flipped it over. He found it was a Field Spell Card, (Lemuria, the Forgotten City). It seemed to hold some specific meaning, or perhaps it was a coincidence, but the Card Lemuria handed to Hayato also happened to be named "Lemuria."
As soon as Hayato looked up, he saw that Lemuria had already descended the Audience Seating steps. After glancing back at him, he left the castle with a Man in Black without looking back.
Hayato didn't dwell on Lemuria for too long. Although he couldn't figure out what was going on with that mysterious guy, since the other party had given him a Card, Hayato, adhering to the principle of "if you don't pick it up, you lose it," accepted the (Lemuria, the Forgotten City) Card he didn't even need, tossing it into his card pool with a clear conscience.
Time passed minute by minute. Hayato and the others watched as the Men in Black dismantled the original Duel Arena and brought in new equipment from outside the castle for installation. It took over half an hour for them to finally finish setting up the new Duel Arena.
Hayato looked up at the Spectator Stands above. It had been vacant for the past two days, only briefly occupied by Pegasus during Bandit Keith's Duel with Hayato yesterday.
Now, it was time for the Finals between Hayato and Yugi. Hayato wondered if Pegasus would come.
Croquet, the diligent old butler, appeared beside the Duel Arena with a microphone: "The Duelist Kingdom Finals will begin in ten minutes. It will be a match between Yugi and Hayato. Please proceed to the Duelist Prep Room in advance and prepare for your Duel."
Hayato turned his head and looked toward Yugi. At that moment, the Millennium Puzzle hanging around Yugi's neck once again emitted a dazzling light. His previously soft facial features hardened, and his entire demeanor shifted from gentle to resolute. After growing a few centimeters taller, Yami Yugi's gaze met Hayato's.
"Hayato, let's have a game more exciting than any other Duel," Yami Yugi said with a confident smile. With a competitive spirit far stronger than Yugi Muto's, he seemed eager to start the Duel.
"As always, full of fighting spirit, Yugi," Hayato chuckled, high-fiving Yami Yugi with an unspoken understanding. They both walked down the steps into the Duelist Prep Room.
Spreading out his Deck again, Hayato replaced "System Crash" with (Witch's Strike), beginning to consider how to modify his Deck.
"Compared to Yugi Muto's Trap-heavy Strategy, Yami Yugi's Deck relies more on Monster synergy and Spell/Trap Chains, plus a bunch of peculiar Cards."
"Dragon Destroyer, Magnet Warrior, JQK, Black Luster Soldier, and the classic Dark Magician – none of them can be ignored. And I'm sure that Yami Yugi, who already knows a bit about my Deck, has definitely prepared some Counter Cards."
Thinking this, Hayato glanced at a Deck placed to his right. It was a Deck he had purchased from the System after entering the Duelist Kingdom, a surprise he had intended to save for Pegasus. Before today's Duel with Sheppard, Hayato hadn't planned on using this Deck.
However, after defeating Sheppard today, he unlocked an Achievement. A new function within that Achievement made Hayato think that he might use this Deck in his Duel against Yugi.
Ten minutes passed in a flash. Hayato and Yugi stood on opposite sides of the Duel Arena, placing their Decks down.
"You seem highly motivated, Hayato," Yugi said with a smile.
Hayato took a deep breath, looking at his strongest opponent, and returned a smile. "Because my opponent is you, Yugi. I really want to defeat you. For that, I've prepared quite a few things."
"Right on time, the Duelist Kingdom Finals! Featuring Hayato versus Yugi! Both Duelists are ready," Croquet announced from the side of the Duel Arena, as always. "The winner of this Duel will be crowned the Duelist Kingdom Tournament Champion."
"The title of Duel King, a large sum of prize money, and even the right to challenge the father of Duel Monsters, Maximillion Pegasus. The winner will claim all of this."
"I declare, the Duel, officially begins!"
"Duel!" x2
[Hayato: 4000 LP, 5 Cards in Hand]
[Yugi: 4000 LP, 5 Cards in Hand]
"First Turn is mine, Draw!" Hayato claimed the right to attack, drawing a Card from his Deck first. Immediately, he slammed the drawn Card onto the Duel Arena.
"I Summon (Noble Knight Artorigus) in Attack Position! I Set two Cards! My Turn ends."
A human Warrior, clutching a finely crafted longsword and clad in sturdy armor, appeared on Hayato's Field, his face resolute.
[(Noble Knight Artorigus)][Level 4 / LIGHT Attribute]
[Warrior-Type / Normal Monster]
[1800/1800]
No more unnecessary flair; unlike Hayato's previous Dueling style, this time, against Yugi, Hayato ended his Turn quite simply.
(end of chapter)