"Wh-what are you doing?"
Watching Yubel, who was guardedly covering herself with her wings, Youyu couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Why such a big reaction? It's like I'm some creepy old man plotting against a little girl.
Besides, I don't even know if you're male or female. Who would be interested?
At this moment, a thought popped into Youyu's mind, picturing someone possibly playing strip rock-paper-scissors at the Nightwalker World Headquarters, and suddenly, he felt uncertain...
Youyu asked, "The Duel Disc you just dueled me with, can I take a look?"
Let me see! (in a tone like Jaden)
Yubel felt puzzled.
What's so interesting about a Duel Disc? Haven't you seen one before?
But since she was now technically the defeated challenger, and a Duel Disc wasn't something unspeakable, she frowned but still flashed the Duel Disc on her arm.
"Hmm?" Youyu inspected it, "No buttons, no mechanisms either. Is it operated by mental intent? Or by magic power?"
Youyu was already contemplating whether to take this thing back to show the boss. Such a mystical Duel Disc, the boss is sure to like it...
"Hey, hey, I didn't give you permission to touch it!" Yubel pulled back the Duel Disc on her arm.
"So stingy." Youyu shrugged. "Is this part of your body? Can't it be removed?"
Yubel's gaze became more vigilant, pulling her arm back under her wings, wrapping herself tightly, and looking at Youyu with a "sizing up a suspicious individual" look.
"Boring."
The Duel Disc couldn't be removed, the spirit couldn't be collected, and Youyu started looking at Yubel with a bit of disdain.
You say, as a prominent boss in the GX saga, how come you're in such a pitiful state with nothing to gain?
It feels like robbing someone on the road and finding out they're poorer than you...
No wait, strictly speaking, Yubel was the one trying to do the robbing here? She just got beaten because she lacked the skills.
With a mindset of making do if there's nothing, Youyu said, "Alright, alright, just leave your card deck, and I'll let it go."
Yubel: "..."
"Don't worry, I don't want your original card." Youyu said impatiently, "You lost the duel, you have nothing left, at least give me something, right?"
Actually, other than Yubel's original card, this deck wasn't worth much. Youyu didn't really want it, but since Yubel had broken in at night, even saying she's Judai's guardian spirit, it's reasonable to expect something from her.
Yubel seemed to agree with the reasoning, realizing that her deck wasn't actually worth much, so she didn't resist and obediently handed over the card deck.
When she passed the card deck to Youyu, she squinted her eyes and asked, "Are you serious about being Judai's teacher?"
In this world where cards dictate, and even more so in the dimension Yubel came from in her past life. After being educated by Youyu through a card duel, Yubel was much more convinced now and willing to talk properly.
She already recognized Youyu's strength and felt he didn't seem too bad. Clearly having the chance to eliminate her but choosing not to, he didn't seem to have any malicious intent towards Judai.
Perhaps, letting little Judai be his apprentice... isn't entirely out of the question?
Although Yubel was confident the power within Judai was unrivaled, even she had to admit that Judai was still too young and would need time to grow.
Protecting Judai from any threats in this world—especially preventing the Supreme King's power within him from being targeted, was Yubel's main mission.
She used to be confident she could accomplish this mission alone, but after being defeated by Youyu, her overflowing confidence had been slightly reined in.
This time she lost to Youyu, so next time, how could she guarantee she could defeat any strong foes targeting Judai?
"Your dedication to Judai is quite touching, but you've gone too far," Youyu said, "As you said, this is a peaceful world now. Duels are not only a means of fighting but also games for ordinary people. Knocking out everyone who duels with Judai..."
"Hmph, it's none of your business," Yubel snorted, seemingly unwilling to change.
Youyu squinted his eyes: "If you keep this up, be careful Judai gets fed up with you. If one day he finds out the truth and can't bear it, he might just abandon you."
Yubel was stunned for a moment, blinking her beautiful odd-eyes, considering that possibility for a few seconds.
Would she... be abandoned by Judai?
The mere thought of such a possibility filled her with fear.
But she quickly shook her head, pouting with pride: "Hmph! That's impossible! Judai will never, ever abandon me! His love belongs to me alone!"
Youyu: "..."
Alright, I did my best.
If you get sent skyward, don't say I didn't warn you...
...
Finally, Yubel left the mansion, flying into the night in her spirit form, unable to resist taking one last look in the direction of Youyu inside the room from afar.
This Duel King named Youyu seemed a bit different from what she imagined.
She felt a tiny bit more curious about him.
Why does he, like herself, have so many cards that don't belong to this world?
Why does he know her Monster Effect?
Why is he surrounded by so many spirits?
...
Yubel left with her mind full of questions, only feeling this Duel King became increasingly enigmatic. The more elusive, the more curious she became.
Perhaps, the curiosity and desire for exploration in creatures apply to both humans and spirits.
Moreover, she faced him directly, staring at Youyu, only feeling as if no darkness could be sensed from within him.
Perceiving and utilizing others' darkness—hypnosis, mind manipulation, even possession—were Yubel's go-to tactics, almost her exclusive ability. Not sensing darkness was a rarity.
If you say Youyu has no darkness, she would never believe it; after all, such a person doesn't exist in this world.
In comparison, she thought there must be some mysterious and powerful force, which even she couldn't yet see through, concealing Youyu's heart, making her unable to see through it.
...Even more curious!
A kind of unbearable itchiness.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but want to raid again. But this time, not to take out Youyu, but to tie him up and study what secrets he's hiding.
...Unfortunately, she couldn't win.
So frustrating!
...
Yubel left, while Youyu stood quietly by the window for a moment, then suddenly turned his head.
"Had your fill of watching?"
Quine, in a tightly-fitted maid outfit, appeared from an inconspicuous corner of the room, bowing her head sheepishly: "Master Youyu, that was amazing, your skills are supreme, truly like a deity..."
"Did you finish washing the dishes?"
Quine's smile froze instantly, like she received a critical hit.
She wisely closed her mouth, turned around, and scampered back to the kitchen.