Yugen returned to the academy and continued his routine of attending classes during the day and exploring the Elf Realm at night. Another week went by like this.
During this period, the laboratory also produced some new results, which were presented at international conferences hosted by the International Fantasy Association and Kaiba Company.
Now that Yugen has become the new Duel King, his reputation has greatly increased the lab's visibility. The former Duel King, Muto Yuugi, has been retired for many years, making Yugen's title of "the only current Duel King" even more prestigious.
As a result, the lab naturally received more sponsorship and more collaboration invitations.
This month, Yugen personally traveled two or three times to discuss cooperation with representatives of world-renowned companies or institutions. But after a few meals, he quickly felt that this was a waste of time, so he simply contacted the principal to have experts from the academy take over the negotiation process, as they were much more professional than him.
As the funding increased and the departments expanded, management work also became quite challenging.
So Yugen considered enlisting the help of his nominal superior in the Student Union, Senior Sister Hinoaka Seika.
During the past half year, he observed that although Seika was only average at card games, she had won the Miss Duel Academy title for two consecutive years and managed the Student Union with great organization and interpersonal skills.
Having achieved the title of Duel King within six months of enrollment, Yugen had become a legendary figure in the academy. When Senior Sister Seika received his invitation, she was quite flattered and spent the following days tirelessly managing department affairs, even bringing trusted members from the student department to help when they were short-staffed.
This senior sister was indeed talented in departmental management, handling all sorts of matters in the lab efficiently.
However, as things developed this way, the student union seemed to have a vague feeling of being swallowed by Yugen's lab...
Over the weekend, "Revolver" returned to his faithful Hanuo Knight.
"We found something about the 'Master of Seven-Star'... but it might just be a rumor."
Kurosaki reported to him.
"There's intel saying that before 'Seven-Star was established,' he was also a Dark Duelist, and when he roamed the Underworld, he used the codename 'Celestial Vault Master.'
"Celestial Vault Master?" Yugen was curious.
That wasn't mentioned in the animation.
"Yeah, it's said to be related to the card deck he used back then. But there's no clue as to who he actually was..."
"What about President Kagemaru, whom I asked you to investigate?" Yugen interrupted.
"Oh, that old guy, he's still missing," Kurosaki said, "It's said he disappeared due to a severe illness, and it's been quite some time. He has no family or heirs, and the board hasn't seen him in a long time. They all think he's long dead..."
Kurosaki glanced cautiously at his leader and tentatively asked, "Does this president have any connection to this matter?"
Yugen shook his head, deep in thought.
"Well, although there are claims that the Celestial Vault Master is now the Master of Seven-Star, there's no concrete evidence. However, he had quite a few stories from many years ago."
Kurosaki said.
"For example, seven years ago, there was a record of an ancient evil demon occupying a village. At that time, the Dueling Realm wasn't as developed as it is today, and the village was in a remote area, allowing the demon to dominate and enslave the villagers as mere livestock.
It was at that time that the Celestial Vault Master and a close friend passed by. After learning about the local situation, they bravely stepped up to fight the demon.
In the end, although both of them were severely injured in that final battle, they narrowly won through a duel and destroyed the stone tablet that the demon had buried beneath the village.
This is the last known record related to this person."
Celestial Vault Master, this sounds like the kind of gallant hero from the card world.
It doesn't sound like the cunning old man Yugen imagined who would do anything to survive, Kagemaru.
"Ah, there's another matter. Although we still haven't figured out the Master of Seven-Star, we might already have a lead on a Seven-Star Officer."
"Oh?" Yugen asked, "Which one?"
"Uh, it's a woman. She claims to be an Amazonian and looks the part... To be honest, she's not difficult to find. Because she's... uh... hosting an event in the underground arena of Tongshiyi."
Yugen was surprised: "An event?"
...
...
That night, "Revolver" personally went to Tongshiyi City.
When he found the underground arena at the address mentioned in the intel, he was immediately struck by the bustling and vibrant atmosphere of the arena, confirming Kurosaki's claim that this Seven-Star wasn't difficult to find.
Because she was publicly holding a card battle tournament to find a suitor.
That person was Tania of the Amazons.
Tania certainly couldn't be considered conventionally beautiful—gentle and soft with fair skin and an elegant figure... such descriptions didn't quite fit her.
In comparison, the term "large and robust" might be more appropriate.
She had chocolate-colored skin, a build taller and more muscular than most men, and a rough, bold voice, embodying the essence of a natural-born warrior.
Despite this, in the original story, Mitsuzawa was utterly infatuated with her, and when they reunited in the Other Dimension, he felt he had found true love. He decided to stay in the Other Dimension with her, living an unabashed life and never returning to reality, residing in the Elf Realm for the rest of his life.
As Yugen followed the steps down to the bottom level, Talia was on stage engaged in a fierce battle with a man using a magic mirror.
"... Amazon Swordsmen, attack the 'Demon Zoya'!"
[Amazon Swordsmen, Attack Power 1500]
[Demon Zoya, Attack Power 2600]
The magic mirror man was shocked: "Attacking with a monster with lower attack power!?"
But at that moment, the Swordsman had already lunged forward fearlessly toward the cerulean demon. The demon let out a roar and retaliated with its claws. With the overwhelming attack power gap, the Warrior's long sword naturally snapped in one strike, breaking into two pieces with a clang.
"The effect of Amazon Swordsmen," Tania declared, "The battle damage from this card's battle is inflicted on the opposing player!"
"What!?" The magic mirror man's pupils constricted, "Oh no, Demon Zoya's attack power is 2600..."
[Magic Mirror Man, LP 1000]
"That's right, you'll have to bear the brunt of this battle damage yourself, take this!"
The Swordsman's broken long sword twirled like a throwing knife, piercing through the magic mirror man's chest like a boomerang.
"Ahhh!"
[Magic Mirror Man, LP 1000→LP 0]
With the outcome decided, the surrounding audience erupted in a wave of cheers. Tania stood in the center of the arena, raising her right fist and shouting boldly, "Next one!"
"Too weak, too weak!"
"How can a man like that satisfy me!?"
The cheers from the crowd grew louder.
Seeing this, Yugen noted that no one stepped forward for a moment, so he took the stage following the steps.
"Oh? Are you the next challenger?"
Tania squinted her eyes and scrutinized him.
"I'm only interested in strong men; only a man among men deserves to stand before me. Who are you? Do you have confidence in your strength?"
"Me? You can call me 'Revolver.' As for whether I'm confident or not..."
Yugen slowly unfolded his Duel Disc, smiling slightly.
"Why don't you come and find out for yourself?"