After the duel ended, even Professor Cronos, who usually wasn't fond of Judai, refrained from mocking and happily joined in the applause.
A brilliant duel always resonates with duelists—of course, there's also the more important reason that the principal couldn't wait to congratulate Tenjo Hikari, urging him to strive for victory.
"It was quite the duel, I've watched both of your duels." The principal smiled and clapped, "Judai, Tenjo-san, your passionate Duel Heart even got me a bit fired up.
Judai, though you lost, don't be discouraged. I think today's performance more than lives up to Ryo's recommendation of you back then."
"Oh, and about that—" Judai remembered, looked over and saw Caesar Ryo, quickly waving and apologizing.
He was able to step onto this "representative battle" platform all because of Marufuji Ryo's recommendation.
"Ha..." Caesar couldn't help but laugh.
"You actually laughed? Ryo?" Asuka asked, unable to contain herself, "Judai clearly lost... "
Originally, the academy's representative battle would definitely include the top duelist, Caesar Ryo. However, seeing that the Northern Branch chosen a new student, despite Principal Samejima's strong desire to win, they couldn't bully others, so Marufuji Ryo was asked to recommend a student.
His choice, naturally, was the newly acquainted, previously dueled freshman, Yuki Judai.
Though not as skilled as he was, Caesar Ryo saw Judai's potential as truly exceptional. Yet with today's loss... his reputation might indeed be affected.
"No problem." Caesar Ryo laughed, "Seeing an equally talented, if not more pure duelist than Judai emerge, should be exciting!"
"Eh..." Asuka sighed again, watching his expression light up at the mention of cards.
Why are the men around me always like this?
"Tenjo-san, are you confident in defeating your upcoming opponent?" Principal Samejima kindly held Tenjo Hikari's hand and asked warmly.
Had he not known the truth, Tenjo Hikari would have truly thought it was solely for the academy's sake.
"Hmm, it depends on the circumstances." Tenjo Hikari was not straightforward, "I can only say I'll try my best. After all, a duel is ever-changing. No one can guarantee the outcome until the very last moment."
"Oh?" Principal Samejima was a bit surprised by Tenjo Hikari's words.
He had assumed a young victor like this would be quite proud. But unexpectedly, Hikari was so calm.
Moreover, based on his experience, both Judai and Tenjo Hikari absolutely ought to win.
He watched Judai and Hikari chatting and laughing, along with Mitsuzawa and other classmates gathered around, nodding quietly to himself.
Victory without arrogance... defeat without discouragement.
The future of the school seems to rest firmly on the shoulders of these students!
In truth, even though he triumphed over Judai, Tenjo Hikari knew that at this point, Judai was still quite "green."
Despite Judai dominating first-year ranks, he was absolutely thrashed by Marufuji Ryo at this stage. Later, during the Seven-Star Incident, got toyed with by Kaibaman Spirit once more, and faced the Three Phantasm with only "Philosopher's Stone" to barely secure victory.
After enduring all that, he finally managed to draw with Marufuji Ryo by the final term—so just imagine how strong Marufuji Ryo was upon graduation?
Facing a younger professional duelist like Ed Phoenix than Yuki Judai was, he got defeated without even drawing out the opponent's true deck, further getting utterly broken in spirit!
It wasn't until he later found liberation, purely pursuing victory, did he start winning a single duel!
Every professional duelist simply pummels him!
Winning against the protagonist certainly excited him, but feeling the world's oddities, he must maintain high alert.
This isn't the time for pride!
The real crisis of this world still lurks beneath the surface.
Over the following days, Tenjo Hikari noticeably felt his study life become much more pleasant. On one hand, Yellow Academy's homeroom teacher Kabayama grew increasingly friendly towards him, even giving him chances for free lunch in the school cafeteria. On the other hand, many classmates in the Fusion Department started imitating him.
These weren't those who previously sought his advice or dueled him but students trying full deck fusion like he does.
But this was quite unnecessary.
The reason Tenjo Hikari used such a deck was because it's the only deck he could use. Moreover, he packed quite a few low-level monsters in the deck just to make it playable, only that with the presence of Super Polymerization, draws hardly included monsters.
Others copying him like this is more of a hassle for themselves!
Luckily, soon enough, students realized that copying Tenjo Hikari was practically impossible, for even if they loaded the deck full of Polymerization, they couldn't fill the 40-card requirement—Tenjo Hikari's fusions were too abundant while they severely lacked "Polymerization."
Thus, this trend quickly faded within Fusion Department, yet simultaneously, new rumors began circulating inside.
Indeed... attempting a full Fusion Deck is incredibly challenging, for Fusion Department's students attempting recognized Tenjo Hikari's "struggles," and admiration from them for him burned even stronger.
He's overcome so many challenges to be able to wield such a deck!
Duel Academy's representative, their Fusion Department's pride!
Even now, Blue Academy's students gaze at him full of enthusiasm, except that some upperclassmen have odd expressions which make things feel smoothly going.
He feels peculiar about those upperclass students observing him with a strange look.
Very odd.
With his performance, Tenjo Hikari believes he deserves the title of a first-year "Fusion Supremacy Fanatic" representative, though it's curious why the older and Fusion Faction-focused students see him even odder?
And aside from this, of course there's the classic scenario—
The night before the exchange duel.
"Tenjo-san, would you like to take this card?" As the dueling arena was mostly cleared, Marufuji Shou approached Tenjo Hikari, eagerly offering him a card.
Steam Gyroid, a favorite of Marufuji Shou's—a Fusion Monster, LV 6, effect-less Machine-Type.
"Tenjo-san, my Master of Oz is a Fusion Monster with 4200 ATK, would you like to use it?" Maeda Hayato recommended his ace monster, LV 9 Fusion Beast-Type, Master of Oz, with a whopping 4200 ATK, and no effect.
"Also, how about this, my Water Dragon?!" Mitsuzawa Daichi couldn't help but join in the fun.
"Hey, their cards might be okay, but your Water Dragon isn't even a Fusion Monster, though!" Tenjo Hikari couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Umi, you're making things difficult here!"
"Well, you see, chemical reactions can be considered fusion too, since you love alchemy?" Mitsuzawa Daichi stubbornly defended, all in an effort to boost his involvement, tolerating even being misnamed.
Honestly, Tenjo Hikari was indeed willing to accept these cards.
Excluding the cumbersome Water Dragon, the other two cards boast special techniques, needless to say, Master of Oz's ATK would suffice, and his deck has methods for direct Metamorphosis.
But, as said.
He's quite afraid Super Polymerization might just fuse his friend's cards.
"Ah, Tenjo, everyone, you're here, huh?" Right then, Judai walked in from outside the dueling arena, spotting them all immediately, "What are you guys doing?"
"Ah, brother, we're—"
Marufuji Shou explained briefly.
Tomorrow was duel day, and they earnestly wanted to aid Tenjo Hikari to secure victory while hoping their ace monsters might join the action given Tenjo Hikari's knack for material-free Fusion their monsters might get a chance!
"Oh—I see...speaking of which. Hikari, I'm giving you this card." As if reminded of something, Judai reached into his pocket and pulled out a purple monster card, handing it to Tenjo Hikari.
Tenjo Hikari glanced at the card, his eyes slightly narrowing as he accepted: "This is?"
Evil Hero Inferno Wing!
"Feather Wind has requested." Judai smiled, gesturing with his thumb beside him, "With my part given, you have to win, Hikari!"
In Tenjo Hikari's mind echoed the cold face of the dark-winged man, nodding slightly.
Looks like it was extracted from its dark side. Taking this card feels reassuring.
"How sly, brother!" "Exactly, Judai!"
"Hahaha..." Judai rubbed the back of his head, then shifted the topic, "Ah, by the way, on my way here, I've already seen the Northern Academy representative. Did you know? His beard is so long, so thick—and he's our age!"
Beard?
This description does not align with Tenjo Hikari's memory at all.
"Isn't it Manjome?"
He recalls it should be the lone traveler heading North as the original's second lead character!?
"What are you talking about? Hikari, Manjome's gone to Kaiba Company for training!"
???