"This... how is it possible?"
In the dim room, a bright light shone on a figure, and an electronically synthesized voice slowly came from the speakers.
"Armnile actually failed?" It was an old voice, almost devoid of any vitality, manipulating machinery and speaking with confusion and uncertainty, "How is this possible?"
"Apparently, he underestimated Cronos and their strength."
A bald man sat in a chair, facing the player directly, hands raised, expressionless, he spoke calmly.
Akaba Leo was in a meeting with someone.
"Underestimated their strength?" The old man was still puzzled, "How is it possible, how could there be humans stronger than Armnile?"
The old man knew Teacher Daitokuji too well. He had watched Daitokuji "come back to life," and the revival rituals and methods of the Phantasms were taught to him by Daitokuji out of gratitude. He could hardly imagine Daitokuji losing.
"A calculated risk. Armnile was unprepared, being defeated is not impossible." Akaba Leo still insisted on his idea.
Having been constantly obstructed by "Cronos," he was now very wary of this person. He had never witnessed Armnile's duel and therefore did not know what exactly happened.
But since Armnile lost, it definitely had something to do with Cronos.
In some ways, Akaba Leo guessed right. This time, Tenjo Hikari's victory was all thanks to Junk Fusion acquired by Professor Cronos.
Akaba Leo did not dwell on this issue much and furrowed his brow, like swearing loyalty, he asked anxiously, "But now, President, you might not be able to recover all the Keys...
Do you need me to prepare a new team to compete for the Cards? In my secret forces, there are still excellent duelists."
"There's no need for that."
Resting in the cultivation chamber, relying on nutrient solutions and scientific techniques to barely maintain life, Kagemaru slowly spoke, "You misunderstood something, Dr. Akuma.
Our goal was never to seize the Keys, but to... make the Key bearers give their all in a Darkness Duel."
Kagemaru gurgled bubbles as he continued, "Armnile is a peerless genius. He designed a ritual for me that can perfectly rejuvenate youth. Even without knowing whether the other Key bearers were giving their all, he dueled nearly all the Key bearers in the end, lighting up all the Keys. So, that's enough!"
He couldn't help but admire his precise vision when he invested in Daitokuji back then.
If he were a bit later, when Kaiba Company invited experts from the public, how would he have the good fortune to encounter a genius of Daitokuji's caliber?
Although he could see that Daitokuji was not wholeheartedly serving him even now, did that matter?
What mattered was that he had talent!
Just like Dr. Akuma, as long as there is talent, he could afford to be accommodating!
"Next, I just need to duel Yuki Judai, who has the strongest Spirit Power, to awaken the power of the Phantasms and return to youth! Even under Daitokuji's ritual, eternal life and world domination are not a problem!"
He excitedly reached his throat, coughed twice, and more bubbles emerged.
Initially, Daitokuji's suggestion was to directly use the Alchemy Artificial Body. Although it was not truly rejuvenating, it would extend life by several decades more than a normal person, which was pretty good.
But, since he encountered Daitokuji, knew about the Other Dimension, and obtained the Three Phantasm cards, how could he settle for something so simple?
Of course, he wanted the best, to be the strongest, to eternally enjoy this world!
"I see, so now, can the cards of the sealed Phantasms be taken out already?"
"Not completely, you must still duel with the one who possesses powerful Spirit Power, that is Yuki Judai, to fully activate them." Immortality was in sight, his words seemed to have opened the floodgate completely, with mechanical aid, he couldn't stop talking to Akaba Leo, "Once they are activated, their power can radiate out, absorbing the power of all the world's Card Spirits, and then instantly return me to youth, become the strongest duelist, and rule—"
"So now, is it possible to use the Phantasmal cards to influence and control spirits?"
"?" Kagemaru was still a bit slow to react, explaining to him, "No, this way, the power of the Phantasm cards cannot be fully revived..."
"Absorbing the world's Card Spirits, this power is indeed strong, but it is too conspicuous." Akaba Leo said slowly, "What I'm more accustomed to, is using the Cards, using humans, to gather power in the shadows."
"...Dr. Akuma?" President Kagemaru belatedly issued a puzzled inquiry.
"Thank you, President, for working with you these years, I have had a very happy time." On Akaba Leo's face, there was a rare hint of a smile.
"Well then."
"Goodbye."
With that, Akaba Leo flung his cape and stopped communicating with Kagemaru, leaving him only with a merciless back.
"Wha, what? Akaba—" Kagemaru heard a mechanical clattering sound and a gentle flowing sound. He was already too old to see or hear, relying only on machinery to barely live and communicate, and at this moment, accompanied by these sounds, he felt the heat rapidly draining from his body.
At this moment, he finally realized.
He was deceived!
"Dr. Akuma—Akaba Leo—Akaba... A—"
The mechanically flat yet angry voice slowly perished in the darkness.
Rejuvenate? Eternal youth? Immortality? Rule the world?
Foolish.
Your ambition is way too small!
Akaba Leo drew back the curtains, looked out the window, and squinted.
My ambition encompasses all dimensions!
As time passed by.
The new semester arrived.
Ever since Teacher Daitokuji's sudden action, the school suddenly calmed down. To Tenjo Hikari's surprise, until the start of school, he hadn't heard of anything strange, nor had he seen spirits suddenly flying across the sky.
This left him quite puzzled.
Where is Kagemaru?
Doesn't he want to regain his youth?
In confusion and puzzlement, he spent a remarkably peaceful and fulfilling vacation at school. In the first year of the new semester, Principal Samejima, with a grief-stricken expression, announced some 'bad news' during the school's opening ceremony.
Their Duel Academy's President, the over-a-century-old President Kagemaru, eventually passed away during the holiday due to the inability of mechanical life support to sustain him any longer, leaving this world peacefully.
As the President of the school, he fought for many benefits within Kaiba Company. Last semester, it was thanks to President Kagemaru's efforts that they could participate in international exchange competitions. As the President, he was filled with love for the school, respect for education, and sincerity towards the children...
Tenjo Hikari didn't want to listen to anything further.
He had just one thought.
How could Kagemaru die!
Who will use the Three Phantasm Cards to duel now?
Who will act as the BOSS of the first stage in 'Yu-Gi-Oh! GX'?
Could it be... that Teacher Daitokuji is actually the 'Stage One Final BOSS' of this world?
Then it's no wonder Judai lost to him?
Eh!
He suddenly remembered something.
Doesn't this mean that the Philosopher's Stone doesn't have to be spent at this most awkward time?!
Great, Kagemaru, your death is well-timed —
No, no, no.
Tenjo Hikari quickly stopped himself from continuing with this thought.
Since the Kagemaru of this world hasn't caused trouble yet, he can't be deemed a villain.
But anyway, not having to spend the Philosopher's Stone at this most necessary yet awkward time is something to be grateful for, both for Tenjo Hikari and Yuki Judai.
Meanwhile, Principal Samejima also mentioned the final key point.
"Finally, although this is painful, it's also something to be grateful for... because of President Kagemaru's years of dedication, outstanding performance, and contributions to the educational and dueling fields during his lifetime, Kaiba Company has decided to prepare the greatest memorial tournament for this semester's students!"
"The ultimate prize will be... a replica card of a legendary monster!" Principal Samejima himself seemed very excited, "It's said to be a monster once used by Mr. Yugi Muto when facing the Gods!"
"Wow!!??"
"Oh my God!!"
"This, this, this, President, it's not that I don't respect you, it's just that your death is too perfectly timed..."
"I, I might actually, possibly have a chance to get my hands on a legendary monster!"
"It's really worth going to this school!"
Countless students exclaimed, marveled, and were excited. A legendary monster, and one that the Duel King used, no one could remain calm!
Moreover, the past six months at this school have been filled with exciting events, and now with the new semester beginning, there's another big event. How could they not be thrilled!
Tenjo Hikari couldn't help but touch his chin and started pondering.
A card used when facing the Gods?
Isn't that range too broad?
Monsters like Buster Blader, Arcana Knight Joker, and Dark Magician, there should be quite a few monsters that have faced the Gods, right?
The range described by Principal Samejima is really too expansive, and at the moment, he couldn't recall beyond the most famous monsters.
But it doesn't matter, after all, in the original deck, there are quite a lot of cards related to Polymerization, almost every monster has a fusion form, making this event truly worth participating in!