The other card Yugen pulled out was "Carbon Dragon."
Because it's quite a cheap card by itself, and Mitsuzawa used it in a previous duel which brought it to Yugen's mind, he decided to use it for testing.
The effect of the original animation's Carbon Dragon was that when this card is in the graveyard with ten or more cards stacked above it, you can remove it from the game to Special Summon "Diamond Dragon" from your hand or graveyard.
Diamond Dragon is just a 2100 ATK Mortal Bone, and not only is this activation condition troublesome, but it also limits Special Summoning to using only the hand and graveyard, making it somewhat inconvenient to use.
However, after upgrading to the physical card effect, the cumbersome condition of "stacking ten cards in the graveyard" is removed. You only need to remove it from the graveyard to activate the effect.
The summoning target is not limited to Diamond Dragon anymore; it can be any Ordinary Monster of the Dragon Race below Seven-Star. The range is also no longer limited to the hand and graveyard, it can even pull monsters directly from the card deck, making it significantly stronger.
Another card he brought out was the Ritual Magic, "Mechanical Angel Ceremony."
The first effect needs no explanation: "Until the total levels exceed the level of the Ritual Monster, use monsters on the field as tributes for Ritual Summon," a common Ritual effect, consistent with the original.
However, after some experimentation, he successfully added a hidden second effect to this Ritual Magic.
[When your Light Attribute monster is destroyed by battle or effect, you can remove this card from the graveyard as a substitute.]
This additional layer of destruction resistance is also quite a good boost for Asuka's Digital Angels card deck.
Actually, when the idea of "enhancing original cards" first came to mind, Yugen first thought of Digital Angels. First, because this card deck is available for purchase in the Academy's structures, and secondly, among the card decks he has access to, this one shows the most pronounced and obvious improvement compared to the animation version.
If developed along the physical card line, this deck has the potential to leap across an entire generation.
But actually, when Yugen first began, the first to try was "Digitalized Angel - Benten." The physical card Benten has the effect "when used as a tribute, you can search any Light Attribute Angel Race monster from the card deck," making it a solid asset.
He realized the difficulty level of researching this card was quite high after a few experiments.
Very soon, Yugen concluded that, generally speaking, Monster Cards seem to be harder to develop than Magic and Traps, and the higher the level and stronger the monster, the more so.
So in the end, he only managed to successfully upgrade this Ritual Magic Card.
But that was already enough to astonish Teacher Dade Temple.
"Wow, I didn't expect Yugen not only to be a dueling genius but also in scientific research,"
Teacher Dade Temple quickly recovered from his shock, adjusted his glasses, and returned to his usual squinted eyes.
While petting a cat, he said, "These developments alone are enough to publish several good papers. I envy you—ha ha, since I've been in the Academy, I haven't achieved anything..."
Yugen smiled.
Here comes another daily routine of a big shot pretending to be a newbie.
But he didn't expose him, just smiled and said, "It's all thanks to the guidance from the teacher. However, I do have another idea I want to ask about, whether it's possible for me to apply to the Academy to have my own laboratory and then form a team for research?"
"Oh?" Teacher Dade Temple raised an eyebrow.
He tilted his head in thought.
"Hmm... historically, no student has ever done this before, since a student like you is truly one of a kind here. But as long as you show the achievements you've made, I think even the research department would be taken aback. I don't see any reason why they would refuse." Teacher Dade Temple smiled and said.
Duel Academy also has its graduate students. After graduating from the Academy's higher department, you can continue to be a graduate student, and later there is a chance to stay and teach. During the last season of GX, Asuka considered this route while planning her future.
Research and development also require resources and funding, possibly manpower as well. Yugen considered that although he could predict a lot of card potential based on his mental resources, he is still relatively new to card crafting and his personal energy is limited.
If he could have his own laboratory and receives research funding and resources from the Academy, it would save money, effort, and the efficiency could be improved several times.
When Yugen left the Alchemy Laboratory, Teacher Dade Temple, still petting the cat, watched his back for a long time until he completely disappeared from sight.
Only then did he smile slightly.
"What a promising young talent~ Don't you think so, Pharaoh?"
Pharaoh: "Meow~"
...
...
It wasn't until two days before the team battle that Yugen finally exchanged card decks with Judai.
"Judai, slip in this card."
Yugen handed a card to Judai.
Judai took it and was full of question marks at the moment.
Meaning☆less☆thing.
Judai hesitated, "But this thing doesn't seem to pair well with my heroes..."
Yugen squinted. What's there to be afraid of, anyway, you never get stuck.
But seeing Judai seem not very willing, Yugen patiently explained his tactical arrangement and considerations to him.
As Judai listened, initially he nodded quite blankly, but then his expression grew more excited and his eyes gleamed with growing excitement...
"Eh? Can we duel like this?" Judai excitedly remarked, "Sounds like so much fun!"
"Right?" Yugen chuckled.
Indeed, Judai is the typical card enthusiast. As long as he feels the fun of dueling, especially in fresh dueling methods he hasn't tried before, he's likely to cooperate easily.
"Got it, I understand!" Judai happily accepted the card Yugen gave him, "Then let's perfectly coordinate to blow everyone's mind."
Hahaha by then, everyone's shocked looks will surely be very amusing..."
"Yeah, yeah," Yugen smiled, "Oh, and 'that'; make sure to remember 'that' after the duel."
Judai paused, "What?"
"Your signature phrase," Yugen laughed, "'That was a pleasant duel,' that one. I'm sure when the duel ends, the opponent will also be able to experience the joy of dueling."
"Oh, that, haha, of course, I mustn't forget," Judai laughed.
Yugen agreed strongly, "Yes, yes, dueling should be enjoyed with a smile."
"Indeed."
Judai seemed to find Yugen more and more agreeable.
"I always thought we might get along surprisingly well. My intuition is always spot-on."
"Isn't it?"
As the setting sun dyed the sky in a fiery orange-red hue, their silhouettes sitting side by side on the hillside were stretched long by the afterglow.