[Takahashi, LP 0]
Even the young girl Sakura from the Electronization Association, who had come with the Chief, was momentarily stunned. Her expression was somewhat confused, as if she couldn't quite accept the reality all at once.
The Chief... lost?
And not to just any card deck, but precisely to a user of their electronized deck, a student from Duel Academy...
If there were any more details to add, it was that the final blow was delivered by her very own soul, "Electrified Ice Blade Hand."
Sakura pondered for a moment.
Hmm, I don't know how the Chief would think, but if it were me, I might experience a "spiritual breakdown" after such a duel—the genuine kind.
She turned her head to look at Asuka, who was putting away her Duel Disc.
Was that really a Digital Angel you were using?
The effect that can only be activated with an otherworldly jump, and its absolute defense of both healing and attack blocking, like a turtle shell, especially the agony it brought to the opponent with its repeated comebacks—even the devil would give way three points...
Having finished the duel, Asuka picked up the Nasadiya on her Duel Disc and took a couple of glances, her expression also somewhat complex for a moment.
This card was only printed a couple of days ago, and today was her first opportunity to test it in actual combat, so she naturally hadn't had much time to rethink her card deck composition and strategy. Thus, a great deal of the strategic guidance and suggestions for the new strengthened deck were actually Yugen's ideas.
In fact, when Yugen first shared this "interesting approach" with her, Asuka instinctively resisted.
After all, she had played with electronized decks for so many years that summoning big monsters to battle instinctively was almost in her DNA. So when Yugen suddenly suggested trying to use this absolute defense-type angel with only 1000 attack as the core for a repeated resurrection strategy, her first reaction was inevitably a feeling of discord.
But now, having tried it, Asuka had to admit that she had an indescribable, lingering curious feeling deep inside.
It was a subtle sensation she had never experienced in the full-throttle duels she pursued in the past. It was hard to describe.
At the moment the duel concluded, a saying often uttered by classmate Judai involuntarily came to mind—
—"Won, what an interesting duel!"
So, playing cards like this can be so fun...
Asuka took a deep breath and carefully put away the "Digital Angel - Nasadiya," feeling a restless heart itching for more.
As if a door to a new world had been opened.
The attending experts were quite satisfied after watching the duel, enthusiastically discussing it, seemingly ignited by the excitement of the duel. The atmosphere of the venue had also become more relaxed.
Someone remarked that this student from Duel Academy was extraordinary, managing to defeat the Association's Chief with an electronized deck, and with an unlimited future.
More experts were already outside speaking with Yugen and Mitsuzawa.
Even before the conference began, the scene was already on fire, thanks to this opening duel. Experts eagerly discussed, smiles on their faces, especially intrigued by the new electronized card with faintly echoed the legacy of Wei Wu, and they bombarded the Duel Academy trio with questions.
In contrast, Chief Takahashi, who was initially most focused on electronized research, became much calmer after the duel.
Which is strange.
In theory, today as the Association's Chief, she should have gained a lot.
Today she discovered a treasure of a younger sister who perfectly inherited their electronized deck, and also found a potential new card that could bring breakthrough progress to their research, which had been stuck at a bottleneck for years.
Clearly two joyful events coincided, so why did playing a card game suddenly make her feel unmotivated...
As the conference was about to begin, Pegasus Nightwalker stood up as the host, picked up the microphone, coughed twice, and drew attention.
"Alright. First of all, thanks to Asuka Tenjouin from Duel Academy and Chief Takahashi from the Electronization Research Association for presenting us with a wonderful and delightful duel..."
The experts all nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Only Chief Takahashi remained expressionless.
Wonderful? Delightful?
Why don't I feel that way?
"At the same time, the results brought by the student team from Duel Academy have been shown in advance. I believe everyone has witnessed their remarkable breakthrough."
As Nightwalker spoke, he seemed to intentionally or unintentionally glance more at Yugen, a smile forming on his face.
Yugen wasn't sure what that meant. But from that gaze, he vaguely seemed to read the implication of "Truly a man who defeated me."
This suddenly made Yugen feel as if more people were keeping an eye on him...
He thought for a moment.
No, I can't just let people watch me like this for no reason.
In the future, I need to think more about how to turn this attention into benefits.
"And I think these young people from Duel Academy have given us a good start, and it is an excellent inspiration."
Pegasus Nightwalker continued.
"The world of Duel Monsters is vast, and we card developers are pioneers on the frontier, explorers to some degree.
As explorers, one of the major taboos is sticking to conventions, being constrained by existing frameworks, and forming fixed ways of thinking. Using common-sense assumptions to restrict the card decks we've developed while ignoring the potential new possibilities that cards may inherently hold."
As Nightwalker spoke, the experts below began to ponder, nodding slightly.
"And these young people have demonstrated this, finding a new direction that diverged from the original path of the card deck." Nightwalker glanced at the crowd present, "I hope this can serve as a reminder to lead everyone in allowing Duel Monsters to go further..."
"Well said."
The voice came from above.
Everyone lifted their heads to look towards the second floor of the venue.
The speaker was dressed in an elegant and sophisticated red suit, with silver white hair covering half of his face, hiding his left eye.
Some couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
That is...
Beckas J. Croverdo!
It was he who, in order to save his prematurely deceased wife, searched the world and excavated the three-thousand-year-old Duel Monster Stone Tablets in Egypt, awakening the power of Duel Monsters in the modern era.
Developing to this day, many regard Beckas's establishment of the "International Illusion Association" as the start of a new era.
And he is the man who holds the title of the "Father of Duel Monsters."
"Mr. Beckas!"
"Did he personally come to the venue..."
The experts quickly stood up in respect.
It is common knowledge that most of the affairs of the International Illusion Association had been entrusted to Beckas's two adopted sons, Pegasus Nightwalker and Pegasus Moonwalker, the twin brothers.
As the Father of Duel Monsters, Beckas had long retired from public life and rarely made appearances. No one expected to encounter him in person today.
"Everyone, don't be nervous, please sit down."
Beckas descended the stairs, speaking with a serene smile, his eye patch-covered gaze slowly sweeping across the venue, soon resting on Yugen and the other two.
Then he smiled.
"Students of Duel Academy? Then, may I ask how to address this young man?"