"1000 points!"
Professor Cronos stood in front of the score settling screen, looking at the name and score of the top-ranking student, unable to help but clasp his hands together excitedly.
"As expected of Caesar!"
"A perfect score!!"
"Oh wow..."
The students excitedly looked at the names and scores on the list, discussing fervently.
In the third year at Duel Academy, during this graduation exam, Marufuji Ryo ended his perfect academy life with a perfect score.
According to this final result, Cronos formally informed Marufuji Ryo that he would be the student representative, showcasing his duel in the graduation duel.
Of course, the opponent was his choice.
And the result—naturally, there was only one, which was...
Yuki Judai!
Several days later.
"Ah, ah, ah, why, why am I still not beyond Hikari."
"Because you were too focused on the written test." Manjome sitting behind him crossed his arms and casually said, "Your Deck was not the same as your previous Deck, resulting in a slip in the upgrade exam, failing to get the highest score, isn't that obvious?"
"No, at least Daichi did score higher than me in the written test." Tenjo Hikari looked at the score sheet in his hand, feeling somewhat cold sweat dripping.
Just a little bit, really just a little bit, his first place for the year about to be snatched by Mitsuzawa.
Luckily, his duel score was perfect again this time, otherwise, it would really have been troublesome.
The three were discussing scores, while Marufuji Shou nervously watched the table.
In the school's Dueling Arena, Judai and Marufuji Ryo were already preparing, they were about to undergo the final graduation duel.
"Why..." He recalled the scene a few days earlier when Marufuji Ryo suddenly came to their dorm, smiling and saying he wanted to duel with big brother for the graduation duel.
"Why what?" Manjome asked casually.
"Shouldn't graduation duels be between the first and the first? Why choose big brother?"
Whew—
Just as he asked this, a figure crawled out from under the table, startling the people nearby, and causing Asuka to show a helpless expression.
"Orthodox versus the charismatic.
The brainy versus the instinctive."
Fubuki hugged his arms, posturing in style, making those around a bit speechless, then continued, "Those two are completely opposite duelists."
"I see." Manjome also pondered, "If we take orthodox and academy as two coordinates, the most academy type, most brainy obviously is Caesar, while the most personal sense and entirely self-reliant duelist clearly is Judai.
In comparison, although Tenjo is also very charismatic, his dueling is indeed the most orthodox sect."
"Meaning, when the strengths are similar, choosing Judai to witness his growth is more meaningful for Ryo." Asuka whispered.
At this moment, both of their preparations were already completed.
Tenjo Hikari also put away the book and seriously looked towards the stage.
What would become of the classic showdown in the original work in this world?
"Duel!"2
"My turn!" Marufuji Ryo quickly drew a card, then activated, "Activate Spell Card, Different Dimension Capsule, this card can banish a card from the Deck facedown. The second Turn after activation, when this card is destroyed, that card is added to the Hand Card."
It's the Different Dimension Capsule from the original work.
Tenjo Hikari saw the effect different from what he remembered and was not surprised.
"I banish a card from my Deck facedown."
"A card from the Deck..."
"Could it be Power Bond?"
The surrounding friends were discussing.
"Next, I Normal Summon, Cyber Dragon Drei!"
The Mechanical Dragon covered in gold markings appeared on his field.
Cyber Dragon Drei, LV 4, Light Attribute, Machine-Type, ATK 1800.
"While Cyber Dragon Drei is on the field, its name is treated as 'Cyber Dragon'!"
"Set a card, end of turn!"
"A set card..."
Judai looked at the card, thinking perhaps it was 'Cybernetic Revolution'?
"My turn!"
The friends couldn't help but swallow a breath.
How will Judai duel?
"Normal Summon, Elemental Hero Bubbleman!" He quickly summoned a Monster.
Wow...
Tenjo Hikari looked at this card, unable to restrain a brow lift.
Bubbleman—Judai's exclusive version!
A hero resembling Batman with a water gun hanging on his right arm appeared on his field.
Elemental Hero Bubbleman, LV 4, Water Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 800.
"Upon Elemental Hero Bubbleman's appearance, if there are no other cards on my field, I can draw two cards!"
This is Judai's exclusive Desire Hero! So powerful!
In the original work, many cards have their anime versions aligned to OCG effects after release, except for this Bubbleman, even with OCG release, the anime Judai always uses it for card draw, truly being an eternally indispensable card-draw support in Judai's deck.
"Next, I activate Field Spell Card, Fusion Gate!"
He placed a field into his Duel Disk, causing the entire Dueling Arena to transform, countless green lines filled the Arena, making everything appear surreal.
"It's a fusion assisting card, activating it at this moment?" Manjome looked surprised at it, "Is it possibly aiding Caesar's fusion of Cyber End Dragon?"
"But he's Judai, he won't think about those." Mitsuzawa laughed.
"I fuse Bubbleman from the field with The Shining from the hand—"
"Come forth, Elemental Hero The Shining!"
A radiant white hero appeared in grand style.
Elemental Hero The Shining, LV 8, Light Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 2600.
"The Shining's effect, for each Elemental Hero card banished, its ATK increases by 300 points!"
Elemental Hero The Shining ATK: 2600→3200.
"Battle, go, The Shining!" Judai excitedly commanded his hero, "Attack Cyber Dragon!"
The hero carrying the sun suddenly leapt and charged towards the Mechanical Dragon, as at this moment, Caesar Ryo activated his set card: "Naive, Judai!
I activate Set Card, Trap Card, Attack Reflector Unit!"
"What!!?" Judai was shocked.
"It wasn't Cybernetic Revolution!"
"Tribute one 'Cyber Dragon' on your field! From your Hand Card or Deck, Special Summon one Cyber Barrier Dragon!"
Caesar Ryo unleashed a strategy Judai had never seen before, as lights, lenses, and machinery appeared around Cyber Dragon Drei, frantically modifying it, and soon enough transformed it into a heavily armored giant Mechanical Dragon!
Cyber Barrier Dragon, LV 6, Light Attribute, Machine-Type, ATK 800.
"Ugh—continue attacking!" Seeing an ATK of just 800, Judai didn't think twice and shouted, while Caesar Ryo also quickly responded, "Cyber Barrier Dragon's effect, when this card is in Attack Position, once per turn, negate one attack from an opponent's Monster!"
Cyber Barrier Dragon raised its tail, aligning to The Shining charging forward, its mirrors constantly reflecting light, revealing The Shining's figure, temporarily confusing and bewildering The Shining, then idly halting its attack.
"As expected of Caesar!" Judai excitedly shouted.
"Then I'll end my turn like this!"