"Alchemist, do you have any healing potions here?" Realizing there might be nothing else in this Broken Dimension, Tenjo Hikari approached Professor Cronos, returned the cards he had "borrowed" earlier to his deck, and then helped him lean against a large stone, frowning.
How long has it been? Why hasn't he woken up yet?
Although always a bit offbeat, when faced with danger, Professor Cronos didn't run away but instead handed over life-saving tools to Tenjo immediately, allowing him to retreat safely. Regardless of his educational level, at a certain level, his "teacher's ethics" were explosively high. He didn't want the professor to remain unconscious.
"Don't worry. I've checked your companion's body; he'll wake up in about two hours at most. It's just that his Spirit Adaptability is too low..." The Alchemist shrugged.
Is that so?
Tenjo Hikari nodded, finally relieved.
In the later part of the original work, Cronos was considered one of the best professors, but actually, in the beginning, beneath Cronos's ludicrous and ugly appearance, his protection for students was already evident. For instance, although he was almost forced to participate in the Darkness Duel, he didn't think of resentment right before dying but used his last moments to teach students that no matter how strong Darkness was, it could be overcome, and not to be afraid, ultimately facing death calmly.
He was a teacher willing to die for his students, so no matter how offbeat, knowing the future, Tenjo Hikari never bore any malice towards him.
He called the professor along purely because of his high status, his possession of a mandatory escape device, and most importantly, for the highest-quality Fusion Material in his deck, the "Ancient Gear Golem."
In his view, their duo might not claim invincibility, but could at least be formidable.
Who knew that the Crystal, controlled by Darkness Power, would make a move without dueling?
Seizing this moment, Tenjo Hikari inquired about the Fullmetalfoes Alkahest.
How did he arrive here?
After asking, he learned that he had a different philosophy from his mentor and was determined to leave the Alchemy Institute, executing his own experiments to prove his theories.
"So what's the issue?"
"Philosopher's Stone," the Alchemist said.
"Philosopher's Stone?" Tenjo Hikari looked at the Alchemist in surprise. Is there anything strange about this?
"My mentor said the ultimate pursuit of Alchemy is the Philosopher's Stone, while Eternal Life and Elixirs are just by-products." The Alchemist tapped his back with a Magic Staff, shaking his head, saying, "I had a big argument with him because I think he's talking nonsense—the ultimate pursuit of Alchemy should be Gold!
The Philosopher's Stone is merely a tool to turn ordinary metals into Gold!"
Geez, a fundamentalist Alchemist.
Tenjo Hikari squinted at the various equipment around, narrowing his eyes slightly, and said with a hint of probing, "So...are you making gold here alone?"
"Alas, I've exhausted all the materials I brought on the trip, and nothing came of it." The Alchemist scratched the back of his head, lamenting, "But there are some by-products that are of no use to me, master. I'll give them all to you."
He rummaged through a box beside him and handed a large pile of items to Tenjo Hikari, who took a careful glance and recognized them—they were all lower-level Normal Monsters without "Spirits"!
He raised an eyebrow.
Not too bad.
The Fusion Materials for Fullmetalfoes Alkahest are [Metalfoes] monsters and Normal Monsters, so having a pile of Normal Monster materials is typical.
Though most are useless, it's not a big problem—they can be Super Polymerized.
Saves some money.
"I hope to make a King of the Swamp." Tenjo Hikari put away the items, and after a while, when Professor Cronos awakened, he simply told him he had finished the duel.
Professor Cronos could hardly remember what happened, only recalling that a rock knocked him out. Upon hearing that Tenjo Hikari dueled with his cards and received acknowledgment, he wasn't too troubled, instead feeling secretly pleased.
Mamma mia, no need to face Spirits, how wonderful.
After resting a bit—mostly for the image-conscious Professor Cronos to tidy up his appearance—once ready, the two returned to the real world through the Teleportation Gate.
Compared to the last time, Tenjo Hikari didn't feel as bad this time, more like just a bit tired, far from the feeling of running a thousand meters at full speed. It seems that there are differences between two Other Dimensions, and the realm of the Black Luster Soldier was indeed stronger.
"Mamma mia..." Professor Cronos walked on the familiar school floor, took out a handkerchief, and wiped his forehead, finally letting out a sigh of relief, while the principal who had been waiting warmly approached and greeted them.
"How was it, Professor Cronos, no surprises?" the principal asked.
"Ah? Uh, eh, no?" Cronos rubbed his hands together, trying to please Principal Samejima, saying, "It felt normal, as simple as eating and drinking."
Sleeping through the whole process was indeed embarrassing. He had already agreed with Tenjo Hikari beforehand that as long as Tenjo Hikari performed well in this exam, he would do his best to give him extra points. In exchange, Tenjo Hikari should not reveal what happened to him. Thus, Tenjo Hikari kept nodding consistently beside him.
"Alright, alright, then Tenjo-san, did you gain that Spirit's acknowledgment?"
Tenjo Hikari nodded.
"Hahaha, looks like next year, the folks up north will only be able to let freshmen challenge the friendship matches; they wouldn't dare let second-year students compete!" Principal Samejima laughed heartily. "Well then, thank you, Professor Cronos..."
Seeing the three of them chatting and laughing, on the other side, Akaba Leo's face had darkened enough to drip water.
"No surprises?" "Normal?" "As simple as eating and drinking?"
What does it mean?
Cronos, are you implying that my methods were useless and made you laugh?!
His hands behind him couldn't help but clench into fists. Cronos's ludicrous smile—what did it mean!
The "Gem-Knight Crystal" card was something he reclaimed from that eerie Ruined Dimension, aided by Kaiba Company's staff, along with a few different Gem-Knights, all accompanied by an eerie "Darkness."
Though he didn't use "full power," Kaiba Company didn't employ mediocrity, and the darkness of Gem-Knight Crystal far surpassed all other Gem-Knight cards. How could two ordinary people have come back unscathed so quickly?
Even if Tenjo Hikari had visited the Other Dimension, how strong could his Spirit be?
Isn't it just a Flame Swordsman? How many seconds could it last?
Could it be...
At that moment, Cronos turned to look at him with a peculiar and exaggerated smile that froze on his face, resembling a Pot of Greed—very eerie and abstract.
Mocking me!
Akaba Leo felt he was about to explode with anger.
Had he anticipated this scene all along!?
Had he thought even this step through!
Could it be that he possessed the Spirit of the Ancient Gear Golem? That would indeed counter the Crystal—
That damn old guy!
No, calm down, can't lose temper.
At least now, he's aware of one of Cronos's "bottom cards."
He took a deep breath, exchanged some pleasantries, claimed he had work in the department, turned to let other teachers deal with things, and left with big strides.
He feared he might not resist confronting Cronos directly!
No, mustn't be exposed, can't let his grand plans be hindered!
"Mamma mia... What happened to him?" Seeing Akaba Leo leave angrily, Cronos was somewhat baffled, lowered his voice, and quietly asked Tenjo Hikari, "Did I possibly offend him somehow?"
"Professor Akuma may not be good at chatting with people," Tenjo Hikari guessed a bit of Akaba Leo's thoughts, estimating this egghead's plan came to nothing, so he wasn't bothered.
He's figured it out.
Akaba Leo isn't fit to be the leader of "Polymerization."
Intentionally stirring internal conflict, treating students like trash, militarizing student management, scheming against students, attempting to trap them in the Other Dimension—
How can Polymerization thrive with such a person within the department?
He's the one who's worthy!
He decided to drain the Fusion Army in the future and establish a "New Fusion Department" himself.
As for now...
The mid-term exams are approaching.
He started planning.
The exams at Duel Academy consist of two parts.
One is a written test; the other, naturally, is "practical."
His goal, of course, is a scholarship. So now, he needs to focus all his energy on studying.