Yugen yawned, resting his chin in his hand, propped up on the desk, looking at the sunlight streaming through the mottled branches outside the window, momentarily lost in thought.
This was actually somewhat rare for him; he seldom got distracted in class. But last night, after staying up late with Judai, by the time he logged off, it was already dawn, disrupting his always regular routine. So today he indeed felt a bit off.
Also, he was just a bit bored right now.
The professor for this class had assigned in-class work, presenting a few problems for the students to answer then and there. Unlike the classmates who groaned at the mention of assignments, Yugen solved the problems in three minutes, leaving him with nothing else to do.
But honestly, whether it's essays or assignments now, he's pretty much self-motivated. Even if he wanted to ask for help, most teachers aren't confident enough to teach him.
Almost eighty percent of the answers he provides are directly regarded as the standard. If there's a conflict with the textbook answers, his answer is often taken as the correct one.
The professors had a simple explanation—
—The textbook authors have never held the title of Duel King.
That's right, Duel King, it changes everything.
It's like suddenly, his status in the academy is no longer that of a simple student.
Walking through the campus, even just showing up at the cafeteria automatically turns him into a focus of attention. Teachers and leaders stand to greet him, students look at him with cautious reverence, the seats in the library naturally attract beautiful senior sisters like magnets, and even the cafeteria aunt sometimes shows respect...
Upon waking and taking a walk, all the details seem to constantly remind him he can no longer be just a simple student.
Yugen thought to himself that he certainly couldn't say he didn't enjoy this. Saying that would be hypocritical. However, he still hoped it wouldn't affect the chance for regular learning.
During the first semester at Duel Academy, he truly felt he gained a lot and made great progress. Bearing the Duel King title doesn't mean he's at the pinnacle with no room for improvement. This semester's study and research tasks are still intense, there's still a lot he can learn, and he doesn't hope his shining title would make professors hesitant to teach him like they do other students.
But there are advantages. All the teachers essentially assume he doesn't need to attend classes, do assignments, or complete any learning content. And regardless of his attendance or participation in instruction, he only needs to show up for exams, and all grades default to a perfect score.
He could even avoid the exam process if he wanted to discuss it.
And this wouldn't set a bad example for others. First, Yugen's image as a study maniac was established long since the first semester, not like Judai who never shows up for class but is a natural card genius.
Secondly, even other students naturally feel it's normal for someone like him not to be bound by classroom rules.
It's a joke – Duel King, what does that mean? There are only two in duel history.
He can do whatever he wants; it's only natural.
Or rather, many feel it's astonishing for such a person to reach such heights yet sometimes still attend class and study like everyone else.
Yugen now can freely choose the courses that interest him, and his schedule is more flexible than before.
It's worth mentioning that the Alchemy class, which nearly no one attends half-way through the first semester, he still maintained perfect attendance and never skipped a single session.
With his in-class work finished, Yugen glanced out the window.
In that instant, it seemed he caught a glimpse of a shadow at the corner of his eye.
Seemed to be a bat.
Yet on a closer look, the window view was empty.
Yugen slightly frowned.
A bat... Camilla?
Vampire Camilla among the Seven Stars was good at using bats as her apostles, using them as her eyes to gather intelligence.
In the animation, before the battle, she used bats to spy on the card deck construction of all duelists who held the Seven-Star key to get to know herself and her enemy.
Honestly, Yugen did not find this approach too disagreeable. Though many duelists in this world view it as cheating, to Yugen's accustomed environment, intelligence is naturally part of the equation.
Having intelligence on the opponent versus not having it are two different games; it's an important factor influencing winning odds.
In broad daylight, there shouldn't be bats, so it's very likely the apostle of the Seven Stars.
Yugen mused on this, frowning.
In the original work, Camilla was supposed to be the second Seven Star to appear. However, since Shadow Blizzard, who was supposed to go first, has already been taken down by Yugen, it might not be improbable she comes first.
Also, in the original, the principal handed seven keys to seal the Three Phantom Demons separately to seven reliable teachers and students, after which the Seven Stars came to snatch these keys. But now the principal hasn't even mentioned this.
So maybe they are going directly for the principal?
Not necessarily, actually. At the end of the season, the final boss Kagemaru revealed that the so-called sealed keys were just a decoy. The actual way to unlock the Phantom Demon seal is through the energy generated when the Seven Stars duelists conduct Dark Duel, disregarding the keys entirely.
Yugen turned slightly, acting nonchalantly as if he hadn't noticed the bat spying, but his mind was already processing.
Then he whispered, "Silent."
The Silent Magician silently emerged, holding the magic staff, standing by his side, indicating readiness for orders.
Yugen gestured to her. The Silent Magician hesitated for a moment, then bent down, nestling her little head beside him, her silver spirit body hair draping over his desk and penetrating it.
Yugen leaned in close, whispering softly in her ear.
Most classmates were engrossed in answering questions. Even if someone looked over here, they wouldn't see the spirit-form elf, just Yugen seemingly talking to himself.
The Silent Magician listened to his instructions, occasionally nodding sincerely, her small face very serious.
After giving instructions, she phased through the wall, exiting the classroom to somewhere unknown.
Having issued orders, Yugen rested his chin again, pondering at the desk with a slight smile on his face.
Vampire Camilla, adept at pre-game spying and gathering opponent intelligence, conducting intelligence warfare.
However, knowing this trait in advance means it can be used against her.
Yugen doesn't need prior investigation; he already has a rough idea of the card decks used by Camilla and the entire Seven Stars.
Yugen smiled slightly.
After making some preparations and arrangements, just waiting for a fated vampire to voluntarily take the bait.