Initiated by Kaiba Company, the Duel Academy's external exchange meeting was soon held with the efforts of the school, and Kaiba Mokuba himself attended and delivered the opening speech for this grand event.
Duel Academy is an institution dedicated to training Duelists, but it has always had a notable flaw.
That is the students' paths after graduation.
They can't guarantee job placements.
After all, for a Duelist, ultimately their career still depends on dueling.
And even the finest wine fears going unnoticed; the majority of Duel Academy students, even if quite skilled, often find themselves unsure about their choices after graduating.
Especially with the intense competition among Professional Duelists, it's really uncertain if a student just graduating can maintain their composure under such pressures.
In past years, Duel Academy's strategy was to support the students' own decisions.
Now, Kaiba Company's willingness to host such an event, akin to a "recruitment fair," is considered the biggest improvement to Duel Academy's development in recent years.
"Sorry, student, in recent years, our company's strategy is Dimension development, and it seems your physical condition doesn't support high-intensity Dimensional Duels..."
"Ah, student, you actually have LV 5 Spirit Adaptability? Would you like to try out Thousand Spirit International..."
The most sought-after talents are still the Duelists with high Spirit Adaptability. Although Other Dimension exploration has not yet yielded enormous returns, everyone in the world is acutely aware that exploring Other Dimensions is destined to be the most compelling project for years, decades, or even centuries, and if something exciting is developed during these explorations, getting rich overnight or even reaching the top of the world is not out of the question.
Moreover, if your company is not involved in Other Dimension exploration, relevant evaluation agencies will lose interest in your company, likely labeling it as an "unenthusiastic company," resulting in stagnant stock prices and lack of investment.
Indeed.
Even though still a freshman, Tenjo Hikari, with his LV 6 Spirit Adaptability, was instantly spotted by many discerning "scouts" as he passed by, who then rushed over as fast as the wind to gather around him.
"Hey hey hey, you're Tenjo Hikari, right!? Earlier this year, your duel with the X-Dimensional Duelist allowed our world a sigh of relief, your performance was perfect!"
"Hikari-san, you're a Fusion Duelist specializing in Fusion Duels, right!? Are you interested in having a look at our company, Fusion Motors..."
"Hikari-san, do you have future plans for your studies? Are you interested in some company visits and internships during your studies? Here's our company's card."
A large group of people gathered around Tenjo Hikari, making it difficult for him to move.
"Hahaha, looks like you're quite popular, Hikari." Tierra, not minding wasting time, saw so many people crowding around Tenjo Hikari and gave him a dodgy idea, "See if anyone's selling instant noodles, I think Instant Fusion cup noodles would definitely sell well!"
This was not just a jest but carried a hint of divine intrigue. Known for her infamous deceitful tactics, she figured that if she ate up all of the Magical Scientist's cup noodles, it might be an eternity before any more would be available. So why not let humanity from this world start mass-producing them?
Besides, she wasn't just talking nonsense; she had tried other flavors of instant noodles and cup noodles, and indeed, none were as good as Instant Fusion.
If Tenjo Hikari wanted a steady income or to earn more money, perhaps listening to her wouldn't be a bad idea.
"What's all the commotion over there?"
A handsome boy in a white suit climbed up the cliff of Academy Island, glanced at the crowd surrounding Tenjo Hikari, dusted off his hands, and raised an eyebrow.
Was it a fight over a student?
Ed Phoenix pondered for a moment, figuring out the situation.
As someone who had gone through such experiences before, he didn't have much to say about it. After the initial confusion, he quickly adapted to such matters, and with Saiou handling those trivial annoyances for him, he became less concerned.
He glanced up and saw a green-haired Spirit grinning.
A Duelist with a Spirit?
No wonder, even among school students, those with a Spirit would certainly be in demand in this new era.
He stretched his limbs a bit.
Originally, his plan was to visit during the recruitment season, but unexpectedly, Kaiba Company had arranged for an external exchange meeting at the Duel Academy. Being one of the most renowned Duelists in the Professional Duelist circles, he was also invited to the island.
He didn't mind; if he could come earlier, he would.
Of course, he was on the island under the pretense of being a "future freshman" for a visit—a guise many young nobles used to survey the island and also to meet their idols, the three students who triumphed against the X-Dimensional Duelists earlier this year.
Before leaving, Saiou performed a divination for him once more.
The outcome was... absolute victory!
In any duel with students on the island, he would always win.
"Only victory, huh..." Ed murmured, slightly disappointed.
Oh well.
Before anyone noticed him, he'd better check out the student area.
He picked up his large bag, pulled out a map, skimmed it, and put it away.
Akaba Leo and Saiou had made a "deal"; in exchange for gaining power differing from this world's, Saiou had him come to have a look.
He remembered... the establishment Saiou mentioned was called... the Fusion Department?
He walked along the path, occasionally stopping students to ask for directions. When they heard Ed was looking for the "Fusion Department," the students were very enthusiastic and pointed him in the right direction.
"Haha, are you one of the new students here to visit? You've asked the right person, just head this way and take a turn, and you'll see a two-story building with a sign that has Polymerization painted on it, that's the Fusion Department's activity room!"
Strange, was Akaba Leo's activity club this popular?
Ed walked to the front of the Fusion Department, half in doubt.
Today, there weren't many people at the Fusion Department; Judai, Mitsuzawa, and others were absent, and with Tenjo Hikari being intercepted halfway, Ed politely greeted the nearly dozing-off Kagurazaka, who immediately perked up upon seeing Ed in a suit, "Oh! Are you here to visit the Fusion Department?"
"Hello, senior, I'm a prospective Duel Academy student, and having heard about the Fusion Department's focus on fusion, I'm very interested!" Ed politely greeted again.
"Oh!! Then you've come to the right place!" Kagurazaka jumped up enthusiastically, "See this badge? Our leader made it overnight the other day; heard it was made with some kind of gold, some techniques, very exquisite, and looks great!"
He showed the badge in his hand.
The badge was essentially a Polymerization symbol, a design Ed recognized immediately.
"Hmm, it is very delicate indeed." Even having seen plenty of accessories, he had to admit this badge was quite exquisite. After taking it, a voice immediately sounded in his ear.
"Ed, this badge seems to possess special power that amplifies Spirit Power."
"Indeed, Ed, although faint, giving such a gift to newcomers is quite generous of the leader!"
His pupils slightly contracted.
Impressive, Akaba Leo, never thought you'd be this generous?
Guess I underestimated you before.
From the other side, more voices came through.
"Huh... oh, it's that guy from the Integration Department..." Kagurazaka noticed Marufuji Shou approaching, looking a bit displeased.
He had lost to Marufuji Shou before, and although inferior in skill, it was still somewhat embarrassing. Even after spending much time at the Fusion Department, learning from classmates and barely overcoming his disdain for Slifer Red, he still bore some resentment.
"Integration Department?" Ed, upon hearing this, formed a judgment in his mind.
Got it.
Is this the club Akaba Leo wants me to deal with?
If that's the case—there's no need for roundabout methods.
"Hey ——— senior!" Ed called out to Marufuji Shou, who had just arrived and was looking for Judai, "Senior, I'm a new student on the island here to visit and learn, may I duel with you!?"
"Duel? Me!?" Marufuji Shou, hearing Ed's words, first pointed at himself in confusion, and after looking around to confirm there was no one else, couldn't help scratching his head, breaking into a shy grin, "Hehe, could it be, has my fame spread beyond the campus..."
He felt slightly uplifted.
"Sure!"
Thus—
Just as Tenjo Hikari managed to break free from the companies, barely gathered a few business cards, and returned to the Fusion Department, he saw Marufuji Shou ready for a duel with...
Ed Phoenix???
He was suddenly full of questions.
Who's dueling who???
Can this even happen?