"Everything is as destiny foretold."
Saiou Takuma, inside a divination house, flipped through card after card, looking at the images on them, while thinking to himself.
The affair with Akaba Leo sparked a terrifying wave of discussion around the world.
Some called him foolish, some said they would never act so rashly if they were him, some argued that dueling should have been the way, while others completely opposed these views, insisting on friendly contact with the Other Dimension, with some even expressing a desire to volunteer in the X Dimension.
However, regardless of the opinion, they could not deny one thing.
Akaba Leo was the first to do such a thing, but it doesn't mean he will be the last.
In fact, even without Akaba Leo, surely there were already those in the world eyeing other dimensions, hoping to claim them.
And Akaba Leo's rash actions allowed these individuals to see the truth and temporarily suppress their inner desires.
But before that, even before Akaba Leo's actions, Saiou knew there were already "smugglers" and "looters" among the different dimensions.
His eyes could see those paths of destiny.
Someone will always do these things, it's just a matter of who acts first.
The desire for destruction filled everyone's hearts.
Saiou Takuma picked up a Tarot card.
The Death Card.
It was sealed away by Duel Academy's Northern Academy, a Death Card that can seize the soul of a Duelist. As long as one possesses this card, whatever card they want to draw, they will draw it—said to be the ultimate drawing assist.
Now, that Death Card has been recovered by a member of his Light Society and handed over to what he believed was the most fitting existence.
Wanting to annihilate all dimensions is no simple task.
Rather.
Some might call it a delusion.
Even he doesn't have that level of confidence.
If it was just destroying one Earth, he already had the means, for he knows of a small nation on Earth possessing planetary weapons capable of obliterating the entire surface.
But for him, who has now seen other dimensions and sensed their destinies, that is merely child's play.
He picked up another card.
[The Sun].
Tenjo Hikari.
He initially thought his fate would be closely tied with Yuki Judai and Ed Phoenix.
However, as the exploration of Other Dimensions unfolded, he gradually realized Earth's destiny had become too insignificant.
And this man appearing before Ed, causing him to have different thoughts, possessed determination and fighting spirit far beyond ordinary Duelists.
His duels were full of absolute trust in Polymerization, an absolute understanding of Polymerization.
And his own destiny is "The Sun."
Upright, hope, warmth.
Reversed, overcoming obstacles, finding hope.
Most importantly, before, he had successfully glimpsed the root of Tenjo Hikari's power.
It was not the conventional, nurturing sun, but rather an extreme darkness that absorbs all existence around it.
Not a matter of good or evil.
But extreme absorption.
He... lacked the method for complete dimension annihilation.
But he could sense, if Tenjo Hikari could be his "blade," then the method would be within reach.
Just like his original plan to defeat Prince Aokim and acquire the celestial satellite key for Earth's destruction from him.
Tenjo Hikari harbors some ultimate existence capable of causing total dimension destruction!
His eyes slowly flickered with purple light, opening his mouth, hot air flowing out, staring at the card as if looking at some weapon.
Is it that?
El Shaddoll Winda.
Though used only a few times, Saiou Takuma could tell it was merely a disguise of its "true form."
That card holds an incomprehensible vast darkness.
But—
No matter its essence.
As long as Saiou can acquire that "existence," he can amplify it under the power of Wave of Light, applying that force to all dimensions.
Then "destroying all dimensions" would no longer be a delusion.
GX Tournament.
What a perfect opportunity.
His lips curled upwards.
Tenjo Hikari will surely receive 8 acknowledgments, so he will definitely have a chance to duel Tenjo Hikari.
As long as during this time, he can gather intelligence, observe Tenjo Hikari, and influence him with others' destinies, he will then have a chance to gain the power capable of destroying all dimensions in that duel.
And as for himself, he need not worry about the seals at all.
Under destiny's guidance, he will defeat a prince holding 8 acknowledgments, allowing him to enter the final competition naturally.
Truly anticipating it...
Heh heh heh heh heh.
With that, on the other side of the story.
Over on Tenjo Hikari's side, after they got their seals stamped by Gaia, Serena and Mitsuzawa Daichi watched a thrilling horse racing competition in the arena.
Ever since defeating the Light Monarch, Gaia changed the rules for the entire region. Now, the main competition in this "Glory Knight Zone" is horse racing, with knights aiming for first place to undergo trials.
Spirits capable of dueling are a relatively rare presence among spirits. Through this way, they train their power, gaining acceptance in the "Duel Ceremony," something spirits are willing to pursue.
More importantly, knights are always eager for combat. Rather than battles of brute force, being able to release their passion through horse racing is, in Gaia's view, the best option he could think of.
Unfortunately, they can't duel.
Besides this, with Tenjo Hikari's support, Gaia also teaches ordinary spirits how to duel and even on Polymerization beyond their daily lives, so the spirits in this region are highly receptive to Tenjo Hikari, dueling, and Polymerization.
Removed from the crowd, Serena found solace with these pure spirits, free from the distrustful gazes of humans, feeling relieved and in better spirits.
As for Mitsuzawa Daichi, he enjoyed playing the "teacher," educating ordinary spirits on dueling knowledge, earning unanimous praise.
Compared to Serena, although his issues were equally serious, they didn't directly entail ruin, so he bounced back quite quickly.
Days later, seeing everyone in good spirits and engrossed in their entertainment, Tenjo Hikari interrupted their fun, informing them that it was time to head on their journey.
As the minister, captain, and mentor, Tenjo Hikari still had to look after the schedule.
Although reluctant to leave, Serena bid farewell to the spirits, received a foal from Gaia, and followed Tenjo Hikari toward the "forest" of their planned destination.
Even though they spent a few extra days, since other students moved between different areas mostly on foot, while Tenjo Hikari and the others could ride spirit horses, they made up for the lost time, so none actually minded the time.
After all, no matter how fast, if you can't win the duel or obtain acknowledgments, isn't it all a waste of time?
In the end, it all comes down to the duel!
The Forest Zone.
According to Gaia, this area is also known as the "Sacred Healing Zone."
Upon reaching the boundary of the forest zone, they saw scattering Beast Spirits lounging about, causing the incoming Horse Racing Spirits to carefully tread, walking cautiously in the woods.
It seemed far more serene than the previous Knight Zone.
After walking for a while, the three finally reached the spot marked on Kaiba Company's map.
As they arrived, Tenjo Hikari spotted a large group of students sprawled on the ground, pretending to be "corpses," wailing.
"Wow—" Before Tenjo Hikari could speak, a gentleman covered in numbers was thrown out of the vast forest, landing with a thud.
"It's the Professional Duelist, the Math Doctor." Mitsuzawa Daichi recognized the man nearby, "Even he was thrown out, huh?"
Although Tenjo Hikari had defeated Professional Duelists twice before, they remained an insurmountable mountain for ordinary students.
And to be so casually tossed out suggested a complete overwhelming of the Math Doctor!
"If that's all you have, warriors, return to where you belong. This is not a place you can approach." A sacred voice echoed from behind a curtain of vines, reverberating over their heads, "High aspirations do not define a true warrior."
"Wow…" At the same moment, Serena noticed a sign in front of the curtain.
Six stars!
Indeed, it seemed well beyond the level that ordinary students should challenge right off the bat.