Duel Academy.
The sunset's afterglow scattered across the boundless sea, glimmering and sketching a magnificent painting between blue and golden red. The helicopter slowly traversed this brilliant skyline, approaching the meticulously laid helipad by the coast.
The helicopter landed. Principal Jiaodao stepped off the plane, the sunset shining on his polished head reflecting dazzling brilliance, the hem of his uniform fluttering fiercely in the wind stirred by the rotor blades.
As he got off the plane, he was greeted by a frantic face covered in sweat rushing over.
"Principal... Principal, something big has happened, Nonne!"
Chronos rushed to him, hands on his knees, panting heavily, clearly having sprinted all the way back to greet the principal.
As everyone knows, Principal Jiaodao is a man on the move; when trouble hits the Academy in the anime, he is never around. At this moment, he just finished urgent business and returned from a business trip, only to be intercepted by Chronos right off the helicopter.
"Such frantic behavior is unbecoming of a professor's demeanor, Mr. Chronos."
Principal Jiaodao smiled, exuding a calm and poised demeanor befitting a master.
"What happened?"
"It's... it's Duel City, the finals are today, Nonne!" Chronos gasped for breath.
"Oh, the finals are today," Jiaodao pondered, "I also sent Ryo to compete, I wonder how he did..."
"Marufuji, you say?" Chronos paused, "Come to think of it, he did make it to the quarter-finals, Nonne..."
"Oh oh, the quarter-finals!" Principal Jiaodao's eyes brightened, nodding approvingly, "Not bad, not bad, that guy Ryo is doing quite well."
Jiaodao had a sense of his students' abilities. Although Marufuji Ryo was invincible in the Academy known as Caesar, ultimately he was just a school overlord. To battle in the star-studded Duel City and still make it to the quarter-finals was already highly commendable.
As a mentor, he was quite satisfied with the performance of his successor.
Moreover, Marufuji Ryo had not yet graduated and had not formally entered the professional world for battle and training, leaving ample room for growth. A promising future lay ahead.
Principal Jiaodao was filled with joy, deciding he would reward his apprentice upon return.
"Yes, Marufuji did quite well... but that's not the main point," Chronos shook his head, hurrying to say, "More importantly, the champion! The Duel King, Nonne! The Academy... has an enrolled Duel King, Nonne! Mamma mia, it's simply unprecedented..."
The professor's babble left the principal puzzled: "Speak slowly, what's the situation? What king?"
"The Duel King! Seto Kaiba personally participated in this edition of Duel City, claiming he'd wager the title of Duel King once more.
And our student won!"
Chronos shouted.
"Fujiki Yugen... Yugen won, Nonne!"
Principal Jiaodao blinked, as if feeling a bit confused.
"You said Yugen... what? He defeated Seto Kaiba?"
"More than that, he took the championship, Nonne!" Chronos yelled, "Yugen is now... already the Duel King, Nonne!"
Principal Jiaodao's eyes widened, his expression frozen for several seconds, and gradually his mouth opened uncontrollably, tempted to shout alongside Professor Strong Desire—
—Mamma mia!
Our Academy actually... produced an enrolled Duel King?
...
...
At this moment, the once silent Silence Dojo was completely ablaze.
Master Takeuchi watched the entire finals with his apprentices, almost needing quick-heart relief pills several times during.
And finally, as the dust settled, the invincible Vennominaga the Deity of Poisonous Snakes was swallowed by the Lava Demon God sealing the victory, Master Takeuchi nearly fainted.
Half a year ago, he already sensed Yugen's extraordinary talent, thinking that when he went to Duel Academy, he'd surely be a rising star. At the time, he'd thought at most Yugen would establish a name post-graduation in the professional circle, rise to star status, and bring fame to their dojo also.
But who could've imagined?
The Duel King!
The title only ever held by Muto Yuugi in the past, representing the pinnacle of strength in the current Dueling Realm.
Clearly, in this world where dueling holds increasing importance, this means fame and status have reached the world's apex as well.
He shall become the one revered by thousands, reigning at the apex of everything.
The disciples in the dojo quickly descended into revelry after their stunned reactions.
Especially Sato Koji, at this time proudly puffing his chest as if he'd undergone metamorphosis.
Yearning to tell anyone, I've been defeated by the Duel King!
By extension, doesn't this imply he's a legendary duelist too?
As the saying goes, when one succeeds, all associated rise. Yugen originated from here, his rise to the top made them brimming with pride; not to mention, they could boast that "I've been beaten by the Duel King" with pride now.
Though some have complex feelings.
In the past, Yugen's one-handed "Hand Destruction" left the entire dojo questioning their life choices. Back then, they thought it a mere trick, like rapid success with evil arts, seeming powerful at a glance but ultimately limited, ineffective against true experts.
Then they watched, eyes wide open, as Yugen paved his way with this "trick" into Duel Academy, toppling professionals and smashing legends, moving up until claiming the summit as a new-age Duel King...
Suddenly, the future of the Dueling Realm again seemed shrouded in clouds.
...
...
"Congratulations."
Keihei jumped onto the stage, patting Yugen's shoulder.
"So now you're the new Duel King... well, for now," he said with a grin, "But although you won this time, my brother won't give up so easily..."
"Keihei," Kaiba interrupted him.
Keihei stuck his tongue out, ceasing to say more.
"Okay. But seriously, you should be cautious too,"
He turned to Yugen and said.
"Duel King undeniably signifies the highest honor, but it brings more than just status and opportunity; it brings challenges," Keihei said, "Since Yuugi, there hasn't been another Duel King for so many years, attracting extensive attention.
Even Yuugi, having become the Duel King, attracted many challengers. He fought his way through them all..."
Yugen nodded: "I understand."
Since Yuugi became Duel King, challengers eager to wrest the title from him emerged daily. Both theater scenes and side stories showcased how people thronged to his school or card shop wanting a duel to snatch the title.
Though everyone knew Muto Yuugi was world number one, it didn't stop some from boasting unfounded confidence, thinking themselves on par with Seto Kaiba.
Yuugi, after winning the crown, fought against various global masters long-term, successfully defending his Duel King's title, and earned world-wide respect.
Now Yugen stands crowned, though it's merely the first step Yuugi once walked.
Numerous challenges await ahead.
"Yes, I know."
Yugen simply nodded his head.
Then he showcased his trademark, radiant smile.
"...Let them come."
Seeing this warming smile, Keihei suddenly felt, for no reason.
A sense of sympathy toward those future, unknown challengers...