At the mention of this topic, Alexis and Misawa both looked at him with expectant faces.
After all, it was Seto Kaiba, the man at the pinnacle of this world. Anyone would be interested in an anecdote about such a legend, especially when it involved one of their own classmates.
"You want the truth?" Yugen asked with a solemn expression.
The two of them, sensing that some "tea" was about to be spilled, nodded repeatedly.
"Fine, then I'll say it."
Yugen took a deep breath and spoke at his leisure.
"Actually..."
The two held their breath.
"...Kaiba and I aren't really that close."
"..."
Yugen sighed. As expected, looking at their expressions, the truth was never believed.
He hadn't even spoken to the President more than a few times, and he didn't even have his contact info. If anything, he was just on familiar terms with Mokuba.
The two were skeptical. "Really?"
"Really," Yugen replied.
"Then is it true that he allocated a massive scholarship to you?"
"...True."
"And the sponsorship for our lab?"
"...True."
"People say you got many of your Rare Cards through internal KaibaCorp channels..."
"...Also true."
The two: "..."
"Ahem, but I heard Seto Kaiba is actually a very difficult person to get along with," Misawa said. "Supposedly, even back then with the King of Games Yugi Muto and the others, their relationship wasn't great. Everyone in KaibaCorp is terrified of him..."
This was what many were curious about. Kaiba wasn't just famous for his dueling skills; his bad temper was just as legendary. To get benefits from him repeatedly, how tight of a bro did you have to be?
Yugen shook his head. "Just rumors."
"So he's not actually like that?"
"Not exactly." Yugen thought for a moment. "If I had to put it one way... that is his mask."
"Mask?"
Misawa and Alexis looked at each other, confused.
"Seto Kaiba isn't exactly who you think he is." Yugen smiled. "You know KaibaCorp was originally an arms dealer, right?"
That was common knowledge by now; they both nodded.
Kaiba and his brother were adoptees, taken from an orphanage by the previous arms tycoon, Gozaburo Kaiba.
Originally, Gozaburo had his own agenda when he adopted him; he wanted to use Seto's body as a vessel for his biological son, Noah Kaiba, who had died in a car accident. Gozaburo wanted to download Noah's digital consciousness into Seto's body to resurrect him.
But no one expected the President to be such a prodigy. By his teens, he had already seized control of the company from the shadows, forcing the old man out and becoming the new President. The old man's plans failed, and he died in bitterness.
Yugen continued, "Kaiba took over a behemoth of an enterprise at sixteen. Every resource and foundation he has was built through his own hard work. Furthermore,
he stubbornly forced a group of people who had sold weapons for half their lives to follow his orders, turning a conglomerate that made planes and cannons into one focused on researching a card game... If he didn't act as eccentric and ruthless as the rumors say, do you think he could have done it?"
The two fell into deep thought and glanced at each other.
It seemed to make sense.
Besides, the President was a classic tsundere; he never admitted his inner thoughts out loud. The most representative example was how he called Joey Wheeler an "Underdog" all day long, even ranking him at a measly 2-stars during the duelist ratings.
However, during the Waking the Dragons Arc, when he saw Joey's soul being taken away, his first reaction was instinctive shock: "Even the Underdog lost?"
So in the President's heart, Joey was already a world-class duelist; he just refused to admit it.
"So if what everyone sees is just a mask, what is the real Seto Kaiba like?" Alexis asked.
"Who knows?" Yugen shrugged. "Once a mask has been worn for too long, it's not so easy to take off."
A brief silence followed.
Then Misawa spoke up, "But if you understand Kaiba so well..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
And you still claim you guys aren't close?
Yugen: "..."
A piercing siren suddenly blared, cutting through the quiet night sky like a sharp blade. It echoed through the forest in layers, continuous and unyielding.
"Is this... the Academy's intrusion alarm?" Misawa's expression changed.
Alexis frowned as well. "That alarm only goes off in emergencies. What's happening?"
A mechanical female voice came over the loudspeaker: "Attention all students, attention all students. Duel Academy has been breached by unknown personnel. All students must return to their respective dormitories immediately and stand by. The incident is being handled by the Academy Administration..."
"Invasion? Duel Academy?"
Alexis looked worried.
"Who could it be? Why would anyone target Duel Academy..."
"Who knows?" Yugen shrugged.
There were too many reasons this island could be targeted.
"Regardless, let's be cautious," Misawa stood up. "Let's follow the instructions and head back to our dorms."
***
Chancellor's Office.
Chancellor Sheppard stood by the window, looking out with a worried face. The sky had turned somber, heavy clouds swallowing the horizon, leaving only a dim undertone. Thunderclouds rolled in the sky like an enraged beast.
"A storm is coming..."
The office door opened. Professor Vellian Crowler hurried in.
"What's the situation, Chancellor?" Crowler asked urgently as he entered. "What's this about an invasion? Why suddenly order the students back to their dorms?"
"Calm down, Professor. We don't know the specifics yet, only that unauthorized persons have broken into the academy grounds. Their numbers and origins are unknown. However, the administration has already been mobilized to conduct a sweep. I believe we will track them down soon."
Professor Crowler stood to attention. "Then please, you must let me join the operation, Chancellor. I, Vellian Crowler, will never allow anyone to lay a finger on our students!"
"I understand your feelings, Professor. But for now, let us observe the situation. I will notify you if you are needed."
"Very well, Chancellor."
Crowler then lowered his voice.
"By the way, Chancellor... you don't think they're after those three cards, do you?"
Chancellor Sheppard pondered for a moment.
"I don't think so. This doesn't match 'that group's' methods," Sheppard shook his head. "But just to be safe, I've already dispatched men to the Spirit Gates to check on things."
He paused, his expression turning solemn.
"No matter what happens, the seal on the Sacred Beasts must not be compromised."
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