The Chaos blade slashed down, bringing the duel to an end.
Even after the duel image disappeared, the professors of cards stood still, staring at the spot where the Chaos Warrior vanished, speechless for a long time.
Still immersed in the shock of "your blank card actually having an effect"...
Pegasus Nightwalker, however, quickly stood back up.
"A good duel, I lost," he mused for a moment, "but the Chaos Warrior... to gain such powerful abilities through the ritual materials, is this the correct evolutionary direction of Chaos?
It turns out the research direction so far has been wrong..."
He glanced at Keihei beside him.
"As expected of the Kaiba Group, known for its research capabilities, to have achieved such an astounding breakthrough. This overturns the academic claim that Chaos Warriors have long reached a bottleneck."
"Thank you for the compliment, but this time it's not our credit." Keihei smiled, gesturing at Yugen, "It's the Chaos Warrior that chose him.
Contrary to what you said, we were only able to achieve this result because of him."
Nightwalker was a bit surprised and looked at Yugen again.
He squinted his eyes. Yugen noticed he seemed to be observing something behind him.
Following his gaze, Yugen turned around to see the Chaos Warrior, having returned to spirit form after the duel, standing behind him like a bodyguard, holding the sword handle.
Yugen realized something: "You... can see it?"
"Yes. My 'Elf Affinity' is quite high," Pegasus Nightwalker smiled, "I see, no wonder there is this level of power... are you also a 'Chosen Duelist'?"
After all, being a former Evil God bearer, it was quite normal for Pegasus Nightwalker to have high elf affinity ability.
"A powerful elf is certainly a duelist's reliance, but a top-tier duelist can also be considered a blessing for the elf."
Nightwalker closed his eyes and smiled gently.
"I lost, nothing more to say. Even...
He paused, sizing up Yugen and the Chaos Warrior behind him.
"That form of the 'Chaos Warrior' hasn't shown its full strength, right?"
The professors of cards felt a chill in their hearts hearing this.
Wasn't that already all its power?
At least in their view, the suppressive power the Chaos Warrior just displayed was something that ordinary monsters couldn't compare with.
"Mr. Pegasus truly is perceptive..." Yugen admitted, "Indeed."
Opening and Nightfall, these two materials gave Chaos Warrior even more effects.
The Chaos Warrior summoned using these two knights as materials can activate "Dimension Slash" twice per turn, choosing two monsters to banish from the game.
Or choose between "attacking again after destroying a monster by battle" and "sealing a card in the opponent's hand until the end of their next turn."
So not only does this blank card have effects, but it also has a variety of effects, with skills so rich it easily makes the opponent feel like "just because it's not written on the card, I can have whatever I want"...
"Indeed, then it's a pity I couldn't witness the rest of its abilities. I hope I'll have the opportunity to see it again in the future."
Nightwalker smiled as he turned, suddenly speaking to the higher ground.
"So, President Kaiba, do you have any comments on this duel?"
Everyone followed his gaze, only to find Seto Kaiba had quietly appeared by the second-floor railing of the duel arena.
Keihei exclaimed with excitement, "Brother!"
Kaiba said nothing, vaulting over the railing and landing in a crouch.
His posture gave Yugen the first thought of how much that landing would hurt the knees.
The next thought was, isn't this height beyond human tolerance? President, are you sure you haven't taken super-soldier serum or something?
Can I have some too...
Keihei quickly approached, while Kaiba approached with arms crossed, exchanging a glance with Nightwalker.
After a few seconds of silence, Nightwalker was the first to speak.
"I've always wanted the opportunity to say this..." Nightwalker softly said.
"I'm sorry about what happened back then, President Kaiba."
Kaiba scrutinized him for a moment, without responding, only turning his back to him.
A few card professors seemed annoyed by this seemingly contemptuous gesture, wanting to say something, but were stopped by a glare from Nightwalker.
Kaiba took a couple of steps, paused briefly, and spoke without turning around.
"You're... at least somewhat of a duelist," he said, "if you're a duelist, then become stronger, and then challenge me directly."
With that, the president turned his head slightly, giving a confidently cold smile from the side.
"Of course, I'm afraid the current you might not have the guts anymore."
Nightwalker was stunned for a moment, then also smiled.
"I understand," he said seriously, "this is a duelist's promise."
"Hmph↓."
Kaiba didn't turn back again, this time looking at Yugen.
"Yugen's performance today was incredible, first battling the card professors in the Link System, and then the duel just now..." Keihei immediately said something nice, "And he just got the new Chaos Warrior card today, yet can use it so proficiently... right, brother?"
Kaiba didn't speak, but his eyes did contain some approval.
It wasn't long since he last met Yugen, but even in such a short time, the progress was astonishing.
The urge to duel began to subtly stir again.
"Duel City, don't forget," Kaiba reminded, "don't disappoint me when the time comes."
"Of course," Yugen nodded.
Provided I have the resources...
"Oh yes, President, I remembered one more thing," Yugen said, "actually, personally, I've loved Duel Monsters since I was a child, not just duels, but the exploration of Duel Monsters, card design research, and other aspects. Recently the academy teachers have also noticed my exceptional talent in this area and are guiding and nurturing me. With the support of the academy, I'm setting up a laboratory..."
"Get to the point."
The president interrupted.
So Yugen honestly cut straight to the point: "We need money."
That honest, no pretense.
He actually did his background research before coming to Kaiba Company's headquarters today. He knew the president had been pushing hard on Duel Monster research and development over the years, with many research teams under his belt, and substantial investments.
Many research institutes and individual teams have received investments from Kaiba Company through various channels. The president seemed to have specifically established a fund dedicated to investing in and developing Duel Monster research teams he deemed promising.
Yugen had set up a small laboratory, which could be considered an early-stage research team. Investment funding from the president would take just a word.
Indeed, rather than being annoyed upon hearing about needing money, the president seemed rather approving.
It seemed he thought there was potential.
He had always advocated for scientific card creation, which was how he got his pile of White Dragon Vests.
For the president, this was a trivial matter, so without a second thought, he gave a one-word response.
"Sure."