The graduation duel concluded perfectly, offering students a spectacular possibly unforgettable duel.
The explosive effect damage might forever linger in their minds.
Because of this, after the third-year students graduated, the first and second-year students couldn't help but discuss who was stronger during this period.
"Big brother clearly lost to my older brother in an instant before, but now they tied!"
"Judai is improving so fast, it's surprising—humph, but that makes chasing after him fun."
"I'm really curious, who's stronger now, Judai or Hikari?"
Even students from the Fusion Department couldn't resist discussing at this time.
One side believed Judai could be compared to Caesar, which certainly meant he'd surpassed Tenjo Hikari; the opposing side argued that Tenjo Hikari had previously defeated Judai, so they couldn't jump to conclusions before the two dueled.
"Truly underestimated, Tenjo Hikari! Go show that human named Judai that he should kneel!" After passing by two arguing students, Tierra turned around and shouted to Tenjo Hikari, "Hurry and prove you're the pinnacle of the academy's Fusion Department!"
Tenjo Hikari wore a speechless expression and didn't respond to her.
He was on the phone.
"Yeah, sure, don't worry." He responded to the person on the other line while on the call.
"Judai has been quite relaxed lately, rest assured." Tenjo Hikari reassured the inquirer, "You know Judai's personality; since he's parted ways with you, there's no way he'll dwell on it."
Indeed, at that moment, Tenjo Hikari was speaking with Marufuji Ryo on the phone.
By then, he had left the academy, becoming a duelist for a group, soon stepping onto the professional stage.
When he left, Tenjo Hikari specifically asked for his contact information, ready to contact him anytime.
In fact, he had seen through Marufuji Ryo's concerns.
Because there were a few issues he couldn't put to rest.
"As for Shou... he actually seems quite well." Tenjo Hikari responded while stroking his chin when asked a crucial question, "Since then, the Integration Department has been quite low-key, and after Ed Phoenix appeared, they became completely dormant, primarily using Marufuji Shou as a figurehead to recruit newcomers.
But after living for a year, naturally, people wouldn't go back, so maybe more movements would occur after the new school year begins."
Tenjo Hikari harbored no ill will toward Marufuji Shou, although Marufuji Shou had been somewhat abstract during the original Otherworld arc, the current him was at most a slightly out-of-the-ordinary "subpar guy."
Moreover, due to personal style and the fact that he recommended Marufuji Shou, he bore no animosity toward the Fusion Department, and during the Integration Department phase, he mostly shared some "extraordinary" little booklets with classmates.
High school boys, who favor female monsters, understand.
Even Manjome would be somewhat charmed by the Dark Magician Girl; it's normal for him to be a fervent admirer of her.
Anyway, it's a good thing.
As long as the Integration Department doesn't bully students recklessly, it's a good thing.
"Sorry, Hikari." On the other end, Caesar continued on the phone, "This should've been my duty, but I ultimately chose to duel with Judai."
He had indeed considered dueling Marufuji Shou in the end, but he couldn't ignore Judai's condition.
So, he could only ask Tenjo Hikari at this time.
He was still worried Marufuji Shou would go astray due to the Integration Department.
But Tenjo Hikari thought there was no need for that—who knows who would lead whom astray.
Marufuji Shou was indeed a person with great dueling potential. In unofficial duels, his winning rate was the highest in the school, and in the original, when using a machine for simulated duels, even Judai would be thrashed by him.
Yet besides this, his character had an element beyond cowardice—a significantly "perverse" side.
For the former, having been the representative for the Integration Department for a while gave him a slight ego boost; the latter was something that couldn't be changed.
However, the latter wasn't much of a problem.
Tenjo Hikari thought over it—it wasn't a big deal, after all, it wasn't fighting Yubel or battling Saiou Takuma; just keeping an eye was fine, so he responded:
"No worries, anything concerning Fusion is my responsibility."
"Haha, such reassuring words..." Caesar laughed.
Moments later, after ending the call, Tierra continued encouraging Tenjo Hikari to formally duel with Judai.
"Is there really a need for that?" Tenjo Hikari wondered aloud, "Even if a duel results, it would just be temporary."
He looked at Tierra perplexedly, seemingly not understanding.
Tierra wasn't really a god who cared much about her "reputation"—often indifferent to human matters, seeing ordinary mortals as air; she only spoke up for things she was interested in.
At least for now, Tierra's interest in the human world was limited to cards and duels, and at most, instant noodles.
That day's duel, despite having watched it all, left little ripple afterward, merely acknowledging both humans were quite impressive.
Yet today, she mysteriously insisted on a duel with Judai? Even bothering to mention Judai's name?
This was unlike her.
"You're not doing this on purpose, are you?"
"Uh... hahaha~ as expected of my Divine Favored, you saw right through me." Tierra chuckled, clasping her hands under her chin without any embarrassment. Of course, part of it was an impulse to see Tenjo Hikari prove he was the strongest, being her Divine Favored—though since being found out, there was no need to elaborate on another intention.
Was it really intentional?
Tenjo Hikari initially tried to provoke a reaction from Tierra, but he didn't expect such a straightforward admission from Tierra.
Or maybe, upon being recognized, she no longer wanted to play games.
Meaning—she believed he'd agree?
Tierra clasped her hands under her chin, slightly bending over, elbows perched on an unseen table, after a brief chuckle, raised her right hand from her chin, gently waved her index finger in front: "Let me be direct, Tenjo Hikari.
I sensed a powerful, terrifying dark force from that human called Judai. This force was initially well hidden, glimpsed at once before, but revisited and felt again at your hospital—and during the recent duel, when damage totaled over fifty thousand, it confirmed my suspicion.
His body houses a deep, terrifying power of darkness beyond my expectations, and it's awakening at this moment."
She tilted her head, smiling: "This is a magnificent opportunity. A duel now might fetch you a super powerful card!"
"It would also expedite your energy recovery, right?" Tenjo Hikari sighed in resignation, "Your plans are written all over my face."
But... power awakening?
Indeed.
With the emergence of Light of Destruction, Yubel's further damage inflicted, Judai's "The Supreme King Power" awakening, it all made sense...
"Strange, considering how you duel with different people daily to integrate various duelists' energy, there's no harm dueling him too, right?" Tierra inquired curiously.
"Heh, a genuine [Duel] begins at the most opportune moment." Tenjo Hikari softly explained, "That's why Judai's never approached me for a duel during this period, isn't it?"
So that's how it is—
Tierra understood.
They aimed for the most suitable, perfect timing to duel, under everyone's witness, to determine the victor.
Like how that human Marufuji Ryo chose Judai for his graduation duel?
Duelists... how intriguing.
"Then you must acquire more power, see, that human's already amassed light, wind, fire, water—four attribute powers, while you only have dark and wind." She referred to Elemental Heroes and El Shaddoll, "It's time to speed things up—hey! I have a brilliant idea!
Quick! Transform Captain Crystal into the Fire Attribute!"
She'd done this once, so it should be simple.
"Lord Midrash..." Captain Crystal couldn't help protesting vocally.
Tenjo Hikari shook his head.
He wouldn't do something like that.
Moreover, he'd already decided on the next step.