"Hmm, I suppose many of you have already heard about it."
In the Dueling Department, the newcomers were all gathered, and that big senior was standing at the front giving a speech.
"Yes, the Dueling Department organizes a newcomer duel every year. On one hand, it's to help the new members get accustomed to the competitive environment quickly, and on the other hand, it's to make everyone become partners faster.
This year's intra-departmental tournament is set for about two weeks from now, so everyone still has time to adjust their card decks..."
Shortly after the speech ended, Yugen felt that quite a few eyes seemed to be focused on him.
They weren't exactly friendly gazes.
"Um... Senior, does everyone have to participate?" someone asked.
"Of course, what would it mean to join the Dueling Department and refuse to duel?"
"Ah~"
Some students groaned, especially those from Yellow Dormitory, pulling faces as if they had lost a parent.
No way? Another newcomer exchange match?
We've already done the exchange matches, can't we skip this one...
Just the thought of potentially facing "that person" from the Yellow Dormitory legend again made their spines shiver.
After all, they were going to be stuck in this school with that person for the next three years, having to duel them countless times...
Suddenly the future seemed bleak.
"Well then, that's all for today, you're dismissed," the senior laughed, "However, the Dueling Department encourages everyone to duel at any time. The members present today can start with a simple match to get to know each other..."
"Senior! I suddenly remembered I forgot to turn off the kettle before leaving, I need to go back quickly!"
"Me too!"
"..."
Moments later, more than half of the people had already run off.
"This year's newcomers are really boring."
The senior crossed her arms, pouting.
Then she saw Yugen walk up to her, smiling: "Senior, as you can see, there aren't many people left. It seems the match isn't going to happen. So how about... you and I improvise a game?"
The senior took a sharp intake of breath.
"Ah, sorry junior, I also suddenly remembered I have laundry out, I need to go... you all have fun, hahaha..."
Saying so, she turned on her heel and ran off in a hurry.
Not finding a match, Yugen shrugged, unfazed.
No worries, actually, in the past couple of days, he had already had quite a few matches at the Dueling Department. However, most opponents were one-time-only; no one seemed eager to take him on a second time.
Strangely it felt a bit like when he first came to the dojo...
But the gains have been substantial. This week he earned quite a few Dp points and found some interesting cards in the Dueling Department's inventory.
Among them, one card stood out.
[Abyss Soldier, 4 Star, Attack Power 1800
Effect: Once per turn, discard a Water Attribute Monster from your hand to return one card on the field to its owner's hand.]
Although it's considered a Rare Card, it's not particularly expensive because the Water Attribute is relatively unpopular, not having much of a market among most duelists.
Nevertheless, Yugen felt the card's performance was definitely worth its price, and decided to get three copies of it.
Meanwhile, a deck construction idea that could bring joy floated in his mind...
After dinner, Yugen took a short walk and returned to the dorm early. Since arriving on the island, he has maintained a regular schedule, persistently going to bed and waking up early. The Academy's teachers say that even duelists need to maintain a good mental state, as poor spirits can affect performance.
But soon after returning to the dorm tonight, Yugen sensed something.
Vaguely feeling something, he got up and looked out the window, only to see the Elf of the Chaos Warrior had flown out at some point, hovering outside the window, staring somewhere far off in a trance.
Such a reaction from an elf was rather unusual. Yugen opened the window and asked, "What's wrong?"
"..."
The Chaos Warrior pondered for a moment, hesitatingly replying, "Not really sure, but... an elf's reaction."
"An elf, on the island?" Yugen thought for a moment, "Can you sense the direction?"
The Chaos Warrior nodded.
So Yugen casually put on a coat, "Let's go, check it out."
Leaving the dormitory, he walked along the coast into the forest area. The forest seemed to be shrouded in a thick darkness, with faint moonlight filtering through the treetops, casting its glow on the damp earth, the air filled with the scent of soil and leaves.
Academy Island is a magical place, often in the original stories appearing gateways to the Elf World—and each time it was a different dimension. Various elves occasionally emerged from who-knows-where for cameo appearances, including the duelists' shared waifu, the Black Mage Girl.
The anime also stated that the site of Duel Academy itself is one of the places in any dimension most closely connected to the Elf World, explaining why this small academy had so many adventures in three years. So encountering elves here is not unusual.
Fallen leaves crunched underfoot, especially clear in the silent night, like whispers from deep within the forest. The twisted shadows of trees faded in and out in the darkness, as if hidden figures in the shadows might reach out with tentacles to drag passersby into the abyss at any moment.
As Yugen progressed, he soon arrived in front of a dilapidated building.
Its appearance vaguely suggested it was a long-abandoned old dormitory, its outer wall peeling and revealing the gray, dull bricks inside, telling tales of time gone by. The windows were long shattered, leaving empty frames covered in cobwebs, rattling in the wind with an eerie sound.
"Is this... the abandoned dormitory?"
Yugen realized. Rumors spoke of many students disappearing from this place, including someone called "King Fubuki," Tenjouin Fubuki, Asuka's older brother, who was said to be an ace of Duel Academy alongside Caesar.
Of course, as portrayed in the anime, Fubuki was a literal "undefeated myth," given a decent amount of dueling screen time but never actually winning, so his reputation of being on par with Caesar still had room for discussion.
Then he heard a rustling noise from the other end of the abandoned dormitory.
It seemed like someone was approaching.
...
...
Marufuji Sho: "Big brother, it's so dark and scary here, why don't we head back...?"
"What are you saying!" Judai was full of energy, "If you back down at this level, how can you call it an adventure!"
Hayato Koarago: "Well, it was originally Judai who insisted on dragging us along for this adventure..."
As they spoke, a brittle snap of a branch breaking sounded behind them.
Sho and Hayato hugged each other, screaming, "Oh my god! It's here, a ghost!!!"
The flashlight beam quickly swept over. Yugen raised an arm to shield his eyes, calmly saying, "Don't worry, it's me."
Only then did the two relax.
Judai: "Oh? It's you."
"Hmm? The person from Yellow Dormitory recently..."
Brother Hayato, having evidently watched Yugen in a few duels and heard some circulating infamy, seemed a bit conflicted to say the least.
"Well, if it's Yugen, then there's nothing to be afraid of." Hayato broke into a sweat at the back of his head, scratching his head with a laugh, "After all, with Yugen around, even ghosts would be scared, right...?"
Yugen squinted, "That's too much."
At first, he thought Hayato was a genuine person, but he turned out to follow the trend and slander him.
Although some people lost their smiles after dueling against him, overall, Yugen felt that his duels brought smiles to more faces. Even those who had been defeated by him, upon joining the spectators later, appeared quite happy...
So overall, his duels created more joy. The malicious rumors circulating in the academy were purely baseless.
"But what are you guys doing here...?" Yugen examined them.
"Exploring!" Judai planted his hands on his hips proudly, "Teacher Dade Temple told us about this place, sounded very interesting!"
Yugen nodded knowingly.
Ah, so it was tonight in the storyline where Judai and the others encountered the posing "Dark Duelist" Titan.
Marking the first true appearance of a "Dark Duel" in the GX story.