Returning home from the dojo, Yugen took out the treasure the owner had just given him, the "True Silent Magician", and placed it on the table, examining it carefully from all angles.
Of course, it wasn't because the art was a perfectly round and tall figure drawn beautifully; he was genuinely researching the authenticity of the so-called elf legend.
He tried hard to recall from the original work, in GX, after Judai got the Elf Card of the Feathered Chestnut Ball from the game, it seemed like nothing was done, and in the first episode, the Chestnut Ball floated out by itself and started talking to Judai with a "Kurikuri".
But this card in his hand doesn't seem to move at all...
"Hello?"
"Are you there?"
"..."
Great, as expected, there's no response at all.
Then a thought came to his mind, and he quickly pulled out his Duel Disc and unfolded it with a swish.
There's a theory that not everyone can see elves, as "Elf Affinity" is a talent only a few possess. Perhaps the elf has already appeared, but he just can't see it.
But there's another way.
Summon it using the Duel Disc's 3D projection system, using the technological power of Kaiba Company to give the elf a tangible image carrier. Maybe he could at least communicate this way.
The Duel Disc's projection system activated, and with a magnificent Magic Array, a majestic mage elegantly stepped out. Her magic robe, pristine and flawless, swayed gently with her movement, her long, slender white legs were partly visible, and the hem of her robe twirled like snowflakes.
Silent Magician, summoned.
She stood expressionless, as cool and aloof as an immovable crystal tree, her snow-white face like a glacier more than three feet thick.
Yugen fixed his gaze on the tall mage, scrutinizing her attentively.
"Hmm..."
Maybe Kaiba Company's projection technology is just too realistic, this skin texture, this cold gaze, indeed looks just like a real person.
But with those unblinking eyes, that impassive expression, it surely is just a 3D image...
...Hm?
Yugen, circling to observe from the left, suddenly took a step back and looked up into the eyes of the Silent Magician.
They were still as serene as ever, staring straight ahead.
But was it just his imagination?
Just then, for a moment, he thought the Magician young lady's pupils moved slightly?
Seemed to have glanced at him, but the moment he looked up, they immediately retracted.
Returning to that aloof ice-cold poker face.
But the moment was so brief he couldn't really be sure if he saw it wrong.
"Could there really be an elf... but she's pretending to play dead?"
But afterward, no matter how he circled around the 3D image, there was no more suspicious reaction.
Having no other options, he had to shut down the Duel Disc, place the card back on the table.
That evening, he planned to take a bath first, then go out for a walk to get some dinner, come back to do some questions in preparation for the assessment, then go to bed early.
At this moment, he suddenly had a genius idea.
He remembered hearing that music is the common language that transcends races and cultures in the biological world. Some studies indicate that many animals or plants react to music, even in some fantasy works, aliens could communicate through music?
So, thinking there was no harm in trying, he turned on the music player, and initiated some BGM suitable for card games. An impassioned heavy metal melody, the drum beats crashing down like stormy rain, each note brimmed with passion and power, like thousands of warriors charging on the battlefield.
Perfect music to fuel card players, just listening to it filled him with energy, as if the next draw would change the world.
Yugen satisfiedly set it on loop, then turned to the bathroom to bathe.
The fatigue of the day quickly flushed away with the running water, Yugen drying his wet hair as he returned to the room. But as soon as he came out, he paused, frowning slightly as he realized something unusual.
The music had disappeared.
What was going on?
He moved close to the table, realizing the player had unknowingly stopped.
Could it be...?
He thought for a bit, then pressed the play button again.
Then pretended to leave the room, staying busy elsewhere.
But he quickly turned back, peeking into the room through the door seam.
Patiently waiting for less than a minute.
Then he soon saw, that illusory, almost transparent figure, emerged from the faint ripples emitted by the card on the table, appearing out of nowhere.
Clad in a white magic robe, her skin appeared even paler and nearly transparent in this ghostly state, almost holy under the moonlight outside the window.
Yugen couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Good gracious, the owner wasn't bluffing after all.
There's truly an elf...
With a holy light effect, the mage looked somewhat sacred, yet her silent floating movement seemed a bit sneaky, nervously glancing around, like afraid of being caught.
She furtively reached out and pressed the player.
The music stopped.
Yugen: "......"
He self-reflected for a moment, feeling that his consideration fell short. After all, she is called the "Silent" Magician for a reason.
Apparently, she wasn't very fond of the owner's thoughtfully prepared music.
But by a stroke of luck, though the process was somewhat bizarre, his musical ritual somehow managed to summon the elf...
So Yugen suddenly pushed open the door, appearing at the doorway.
Silent Magician: "!!!"
The silver-haired lady was caught off guard, covering her mouth and taking a step back, while a blush quickly spread across her cold face.
As if caught doing something naughty at home when a parent suddenly barges in.
Then with a whoosh, the lady mage transformed into a white light, retreating back into her card.
Yugen: "..."
He was now certain.
His elf was indeed pretending to be dead earlier.
Why though? Could it be I don't look like a good person?
Yugen only glanced at himself in the mirror for two seconds, the handsome face quickly dispelled that thought.
Absolutely not possible.
So is it possible that the elf is just socially anxious?
It's often said the bond between Duelists and their cards is the key to victory, and encountering an elf is a rare opportunity Yugen felt was worth seizing. So he sat back at the table.
"Hey? Are you there?"
Silence: "..."
"By the way, I've actually realized you're here."
Silence: "..."
Yugen was a bit stumped.
The anime's Duel Kings all say that playing cards relies on bonds, but nobody seemed to elaborate on how to cultivate this bond?
This isn't Pokémon, you can't feed them or train them... The key problem is she doesn't even come out of the card normally, so what to do?
Thinking, he tentatively asked: "How about... let's find another song to listen to?"
Silence: "!"
The card face rippled with a slight change again.
A few seconds later, the Silent Magician re-emerged, clutching the magic staff in both hands, looking down with an awkward expression, floating there.
She remained silent, but with those movements and reactions, Yugen understood her.
As long as he doesn't speak, anything else is negotiable.