Actually, no one really doubted the outcome of this duel from the start. After all, no matter how legendary this "Spider Monster who hunts rare cards" is rumored to be, they surely couldn't beat a rookie.
But what was truly eye-opening was the special LOCK of this "Electrified Ice Blade Hand."
Even Mitsuzawa didn't know what to say for a while. He considered himself somewhat familiar with Yugen by now, and somewhat resistant to his peculiar tricks, but he still often found himself caught off guard by Yugen's sudden and strange tactics.
Asuka, on the other hand, was even more taken aback, arguably the most shocked of all.
Even after the duel ended, Asuka was still full of questions.
Huh? Is this how you use Ice Blade Hand?
In fact, in the entire anime, Asuka only used Ice Blade Hand's powerful three-effect once, and that was to break through a stalemate with three opposing monsters on the field for a one-turn kill.
So she rarely used this three-effect.
However, after observing Yugen's performance today, she felt as if a new world had been opened to her...
Only, she had a premonition that, while the world beyond that door was vast, it could also be incredibly dark.
Once she stepped through, she might never be able to return.
Reflecting on the duel for a long time, she finally snapped back to reality, looking complexly at Yugen who was nonchalantly putting away his Duel Disc, as if he had just done something trivial.
When she first joined Yugen's team, she didn't feel it, but now Asuka was slowly beginning to get a sense of making a deal with the demon.
Spending too much time with a demon, though she gained power, she also risked being tainted by the dark.
And once stained with the demon's color, there might be no turning back.
Finally, relieved from the tormenting duel, Xiaoyuan looked up to the sky and let out a long breath.
Maybe... I'm really not cut out for dueling?
Maybe I should just go home and become a farmer...
"..."
The next morning, at the student council.
"Did you just find it?"
Senior Sister Hinoaka Seika stared at Yugen in shock.
"You only heard about this mysterious duelist the day before yesterday, and then you captured them today?"
"Yes, because I already had plans the night before last, so I had to postpone it for a day and acted only last night," Yugen said.
Little Hinoaka Seika: "..."
So, if you had free time that night, you would have caught the culprit immediately?
Yet, the student council members have been investigating for days without making any progress, and you make us look dumb...
"Well, Detective Yugen," Senior Sister Seika sat back down in her seat, "First, I thank you on behalf of all the Obelisk Blue students."
"Oh, it's what a student council officer should do," Yugen waved generously, "But if Senior Sister insists on thanking me, then I'll reluctantly accept just picking a couple of cards as a token from the student council's inventory."
Senior Sister Seika: "..."
Well, that's surely inconvenient for you.
"Cough cough, I really didn't expect the true identity of the mysterious duelist to be a student from Ra Yellow. But for a Yellow Dormitory student to defeat so many Blue elites, Ra Yellow is really full of hidden talents this year."
Yugen thought, what's so strange about that, over in the Ninja Village next door, it's normal for a lower-level ninja to beat a higher-level ninja...
"The world is unpredictable, and it's normal for the occasional anomaly to occur." Yugen said.
Senior Sister Seika glanced at him and couldn't help but nod deeply: "Indeed."
You are the most anomalous guy.
"Still, I didn't expect you to actually bring back all the stolen goods..." Senior Sister Seika mumbled softly.
She glanced at the rare cards spread out on the table in front of her.
These were all the rare cards snatched away from the victim students.
Yugen raised an eyebrow: "Isn't this a basic duty for us officers?"
Since they were obtained by illegal means and against the owners' wishes, they naturally should be returned to the rightful owners.
It wasn't really a surprise, just that when Yugen brought these cards back, the thought "Huh? You're actually the good guy?" instinctually flashed through Senior Sister Seika's mind.
Every time Yugen came to the student council so far, it wasn't for a game but to ask for cards. Given her personal "Lava Demon God + Torture Wheel" painful experience, she had instinctively classified him as part of the "dark forces".
"We'll be responsible for returning these rare cards," Senior Sister Seika said, "Thanks again on behalf of the victims."
"Oh, it's what I should do. No need for thanks, I only have a small request," Yugen smiled, "Before the victims come to claim their cards, why not let them have a friendly match with me? Just a friendly exchange and spar, what do you say?"
Little Hinoaka Seika: "..."
What do I think?
I think you've completely given up on being human, haven't you?
But Senior Sister Seika smiled slightly and without much hesitation, folded her arms and nodded in agreement: "Sure."
After all, this is Duel Academy, just harmless friendly sparring, there's nothing wrong with that.
Moreover...
The senior sister also wanted to watch.
The scene would certainly be very interesting then.
"Of course, this endeavor was actually quite dangerous for me too," Yugen continued with lingering fear, "The two of them combined were truly formidable. To uphold justice and order for the student council, I gambled my soul-like card deck and barely won in the end..."
Senior Sister Seika squinted her eyes.
Extremely risky? I think if those two even managed to touch your LP, that would be a win, right?
But she didn't expose it and directly turned around to shout, "Sato, bring the warehouse key."
"Coming."
A student council officer named Sato quickly appeared.
"For today's events, Yugen has made a great contribution, take him to the warehouse to see the inventory as a reward."
"Alright."
Sato nodded but then recalled something and couldn't help asking.
"Wait a minute, which area do we pick a few cards from, President?"
"How would I know how many? Just ask him," Senior Sister Seika waved impatiently.
Sato was dumbfounded.
Huh? That casual?
What if he takes the entire warehouse back with him?
"Go, go," Senior Sister Seika waved again.
It didn't matter anymore.
She had a premonition that if things continued this way, it wouldn't be surprising if, one day, the entire Duel Academy changed its surname to 'Yugen.'
So let him go.
"Generous President," Yugen expressed his gratitude politely.
Then he followed Sato to the warehouse with light steps.
That's what I mean.
Who would care about that little bit of stolen goods when there's an entire warehouse of legitimate rare cards to choose from?
Even though getting rare cards as a reward from the student council is already a lot, it's his first time entering the warehouse.
Most of what appeared here were cards from the academy channel that once existed, although many rare cards were long out of print after being sold out, so they could no longer be bought through the academy.
Yugen went round and round, picking and taking notes. Some cards he instinctively felt might be useful but couldn't think of specific combinations, he'd note them first but prioritize the ones he could use right now.
No rush, there should be plenty of opportunities to come again.
He even unexpectedly found some Alien Insect series cards here.
This was a rather old Yu-Gi-Oh! card series, all Light Attribute Reptile Race monsters, mostly featuring flip and flip-related effects.
Based on experience, card decks revolving around flip themes tend to be quite tricky.
But there were only a few in stock, not a complete card deck. Yugen picked a few that interested him, just in case for future needs.
After picking and choosing, he left with over forty cards, enough to form a deck.
"Let's leave it at that." Yugen decided to stop at a good point.
After all, he couldn't really empty the student council's coffers.
Sato watched from behind with envy.
Dang it, I wish I could have some too, but the President never allows me to...
Before leaving, Yugen thanked the President again and casually asked: "By the way, how's that new card deck going that you mentioned last time, Senior Sister?
Why don't we try it out? I can help you see if there's anything that needs adjusting?"
Senior Sister broke out in a cold sweat, then laughed loudly.
"Ahaha... ahahaha, I've hit a bit of a snag in my thoughts, it's not ready yet."
Originally crossing her legs, Senior Sister Seika quickly sat upright, leafing through the files in her hand to appear busy.
"Oh dear, I actually have a lot of work on hand right now, what a coincidence. How about this, why don't you have a match with Sato first? Next time, I'll definitely come."
Sato: "???"
Why am I always the one who gets hurt!