The emergence of new cards is definitely not a calm matter for the students of Duel Academy. These brand-new monsters not only surpass previous cards in "numerical value" but occasionally also include monster cards that assist with special summons. For ordinary students without access to good cards at Duel Academy, it's absolutely a significant enhancement.
Judging by the enthusiastic atmosphere among the students, Tenjo Hikari knew that this exam, this practical exam, would certainly be a "bloodbath."
Another surprise for Tenjo Hikari was that after the new card incident, Akaba Leo did not send "assassins" to trouble him as he did before. There were no controlled spirits, nor any students possessed by Phantasms, as if he didn't care about the incident at all.
In fact, it wasn't that he didn't care; Akaba Leo was actually entangled in another matter.
Firstly, he had discovered that people from Kaiba Company were investigating him. As an excellent scientist, after two dimensional teleportations, he quickly realized someone was tracking his teleportation path.
In this academy, aside from the deceased Daitokuji, probably only Kaiba Company could achieve this.
Of course, he also considered Cronos, but Cronos had never shown strong scientific abilities. If Cronos had such capabilities, Akaba would question his purpose at this academy.
After all, he was hiding in this academy mainly for convenience and because it was relatively secluded.
Just imagining Cronos suddenly turning against him with a malicious smile someday gave him a stomachache.
Because of this, he couldn't frequently visit his "base" during this time and could only wait silently, either figuring out who was investigating him or just commanding remotely instead of personally giving guidance.
On the other hand.
He was also "meeting" with a powerful entity these days, unable to spare much time.
Inside a giant, pristine white room, the relatively dark-colored Akaba Leo sat primly on a small chair, directly facing a person whose face was obscured by a white cloak.
The person was looking at the cards on the table, and just as Akaba Leo was getting a bit impatient and wondered if the person had fallen asleep, the man suddenly spoke.
"Face forward."
Akaba Leo quickly refocused his attention.
"Light is shining upon you, bringing peace to your inner self. You will see through the cycle of cause and effect, and the world will appear to you as it truly is."
The voice was gentle yet sounded quite "eerie."
The youthful presence continued speaking slowly; Akaba Leo understood every word, but together, they formed esoteric and bizarre statements.
"Are you saying my goal will definitely be achieved?"
"Destiny decrees so."
"Destiny, huh?" Akaba Leo expressed rare emotion, "Destiny is the least thing I believe in."
"Hehehe, regardless, destiny cannot be changed." The man collected the cards slowly, "If the light does not dissipate, then your goal will succeed one day."
This time, Akaba Leo did not reply; his attitude was firm and unwavering.
"Besides, Dr. Akaba, the matter you requested of me earlier, after much thought, I still believe I should refuse."
"!!" A sharp gleam flashed in Akaba Leo's eyes, "Are you sure you won't reconsider?"
The man's facial expression gradually collapsed, breaking into a rather exaggerated smile: "The destiny I am meant to embrace is not one you, Dr. Akaba, can influence. Only one person can truly change my life!"
Only one person.
Akaba Leo glanced at a young man standing against the wall nearby.
The young man had blue eyes, short silver hair, an attractive appearance, and wore a silver-white suit. Judging by his age, he was possibly younger than both Judai and Tenjo Hikari. At this moment, the young man was leaning against the wall, lost in thought.
"But for the next entrance exam, Ed can go to Duel Academy."
"...Hah, that's enough." After hearing this, though a bit disappointed, Akaba Leo didn't feel regret anymore.
Because he knew that person.
Ed Phoenix, referred to by Pegasus, the father of this world's Duel Monsters, as the fourth strongest duelist after Muto Yugi, Kaiba Seto, and Jonouchi Katsuya.
Moreover, the cards he used were imbued with great power, he was protected by a spirit, and he had "Saiou Takuma," a close friend on the "same side" as himself. Even if he did not follow him, just supporting him was already sufficient.
"Well then, I'll take my leave." Akaba Leo stood up, greeted Ed, and strode out of the giant divination room.
Once Akaba Leo left, Ed Phoenix asked in confusion, "Duel Academy? You want me to go to such a place? Play house with those kids?"
Even though he was a year younger than Judai, Ed had already become a professional duelist, undefeated thus far. Hearing his friend ask him to go to such a place left him puzzled.
"And I've heard about Akaba Leo; his reputation is terrible. Even within Kaiba Company, many dislike him."
"His Fusion Department has recently been opposed by other students, too. What can I learn from him?"
Learn to be a disgrace?
Thus, he couldn't understand his friend's thinking.
His friend, Saiou Takuma, was innately endowed with the special ability to "foresee the future," able to see through anyone's future. According to Kaiba Company's current standards, he was considered a genius with a spirit adaptability beyond "ordinary" understanding.
"Ed," Saiou, speaking to Ed Phoenix, softened his tonality significantly, "I have already seen the future. I saw our two destinies breaking free from the hardship."
"Huh?" Ed looked bewildered, "With Akaba Leo?"
He gently shook his head, "It could also be someone else. Destiny is enveloped in endless light; even I can only glimpse a small possibility...
The world, no... these countless dimensions intertwined, destiny interwoven densely, becoming increasingly elusive.
The only thing I can see is that light, growing ever larger!"
Saiou Takuma had once seen a fate where he destroyed the world in light at a very young age. Through divination, he found his destiny-altering friend, "Ed Phoenix." However, as he aged and the world developed rapidly, he discovered that his destiny seemed increasingly "set in stone," leading him into despair, thinking about resigning to it.
Until two months ago, in a broken dimension, he met Akaba Leo and saw a new possibility for "destiny."
In Akaba Leo, he saw the same "trait" as himself!
"I see." Ed furrowed his brows, rubbed his forehead slightly, thought for a while, and sighed resignedly, "In that case, I'll go and take a look."
Duel Academy?
Although he outwardly dismissed it as a "child's play," having rarely attended school, it was a rare experience for him.
With two months remaining, he'd make a visit then.
Meanwhile, Duel Academy entered a new phase.
It was during the "midterm exams" period.
With Teacher Daitokuji no longer present, the "Alchemy" course was canceled, eliminating Tenjo Hikari's subject for setting himself apart from other students. Recently, Mitsuzawa Daichi and Manjome were gearing up, hoping to defeat Tenjo Hikari. But before that, the most important thing was—
Practical exam.
And coincidentally, Tenjo Hikari's opponent this time was...
Mitsuzawa Daichi!
"This would be our first formal duel in the academy, right?" Mitsuzawa Daichi tidied his clothes and faced Tenjo Hikari directly.
Tenjo Hikari nodded. Previously, though they intended to compete or collaborate, various reasons caused them to miss their chance.
"Whoever wins will be the top of the grade. This time, I will be the number one, Hikari!" Mitsuzawa Daichi declared with high spirits, head held high.
"Hehe, Daichi, save such big talk for after you win!" Tenjo Hikari retorted immediately.
"Good luck, Hikari!" "Mitsuzawa, don't let Tenjo off easy!" "Mitsuzawa, Hikari, both of you, give it your all!"
From the audience, friends finished with their exams gathered around to cheer both of them on.
"Alright then, both sides get ready!" The judge was Kabayama from Yellow Academy. Seeing the two "prideful students" full of passion, he also got excited, "Start—"
Both activated their Duel Disks in unison and shouted:
"Duel!"
Mitsuzawa Daichi LP: 4000.
Tenjo Hikari LP: 4000.