Cough, cough…
"Professor Banner!"
The simulated star plummeted from the sky. As it shattered open, students tumbled out. Among them, the three Slifer Red students—led by Jaden—rushed over to Banner's side with worry etched deep in their faces.
Though he had been their opponent, Banner hadn't hurt them. In the past six months, he'd told them stories, cooked meals, snuck in extra helpings, laughed and played with them. He'd been more than a teacher—he was family.
Especially to Jaden. To him, Banner had become like an older brother. And now, all he could do was watch helplessly as the professor's body slowly broke apart, fragment by glowing fragment.
"Hikaru, how are you holding up?" Zane and Professor Chronos came over to check on him, concern thick in their voices.
Bastion helped steady Hikaru Amagi.
Though he hadn't taken part in the duel, Bastion had stood by Hikaru the whole time, shoulder to shoulder. Now, as the duel ended, he was the first to catch Hikaru as he nearly collapsed.
"I'm fine... Just some mental fatigue," Hikaru exhaled, casting a glance at Tierra. She waved a hand dismissively, explaining his physical condition.
Banner hadn't held back during the duel—but neither had he aimed to harm.
Supported by Bastion, Hikaru stepped toward the crumbling alchemist. The others gathered as well.
"Jaden, don't cry," Banner said gently, smiling as he saw the pain and confusion in the boy's eyes. "This body… it's nothing but an artificial vessel I created. The real me—died long ago while exploring another dimension."
"...!!"
"I returned here to leave behind my knowledge, my legacy. This homunculus body allowed me to return, to become your teacher."
He closed his eyes and laughed softly as his body continued to dissolve.
A wizard-like figure shimmered into view beside him—it was the spirit of Aleister the Invoker. He stretched out a hand, collecting the glimmering particles of Banner's body with care.
"Jaden," Banner said again, his crimson eyes now filled not with menace, but with warmth, "You're far stronger than I imagined… but also far gentler. You still haven't truly grasped the terror of Shadow Duels. Your friends' support has dulled your lone warrior spirit. If you truly wish to be a Hero… you've still got a long road ahead."
He turned to the others.
"Chazz, your pride is immense, but it hasn't brought you power. Still… the fact that you didn't abandon it—that makes me proud."
"Alexis, Atticus… you two have grown too complacent."
"Zane… your honor and devotion to dueling are admirable. But a duel… must always have a winner."
"Professor Banner…" Jaden's face twisted with grief.
Banner was clearly saying his final words.
"Hikaru—"
"Professor?"
"This book… I leave it to you. My life's research, my records of countless Duel Spirits I've met. They're all yours now."
He handed over the heavy tome to Hikaru. Hikaru took it, gripping it tightly.
"Professor Banner… if you could create this body… why…"
"Why still choose to die?" Banner smiled faintly. "As I said… I became too powerful."
He chuckled. "I know it sounds boastful, but I surpassed human limits. This world no longer permits someone like me to exist as a mere mortal."
"I see…" Tierra murmured from the side. "He's like me, then."
Like her?
"Even the Pharaoh had to return to the spirit realm in the end," Banner whispered, closing his eyes.
"Professor Chronos."
"Eh—!?" Chronos jumped, startled by the calm voice.
"These students… I leave them in your care."
"Hmph! What nonsense are you saying?" Chronos snapped, quickly hiding his trembling. "I am the noble head of Duel Academy! Of course they are my responsibility!"
"…Good…"
As he closed his eyes, his entire form—body, cards, all—dissolved into dust. The spirit of Aleister gathered the fragments into a massive sphere of light.
The students watched in silence.
Aleister slipped the sphere into his tome and turned to face them.
"Warriors of humanity," he said solemnly. "As per my pact with Banner, I shall escort his soul to the Realm of Spellcasters. His soul is far too potent—it will attract dark forces eager to exploit it. I must personally ensure its safety."
None of the students knew how to respond. Talk of magical realms and evil invaders—it was beyond them.
But Hikaru and Jaden remembered the Warrior Domain. They understood what such a place must mean.
Aleister turned to Hikaru.
"Young alchemist. Your resolve is impressive. Truthfully, I could stay and assist you. But to honor our pact, I must go. And your trials are not yet over."
"When you've studied the book and found the Realm of Spellcasters, I shall return."
He raised his staff, drawing a glowing array in the air. A hulking figure emerged—a beast of flame and metal.
Invoked Magellanica, one of Banner's most beloved cards.
It transformed into a card and floated into Hikaru's hand.
Hikaru took a deep breath and secured it safely.
Then, brilliant green glyphs exploded across the sky. They enveloped the entire group.
When Hikaru next opened his eyes, he was lying in the forest near Duel Academy.
All around him, teachers and students were sprawled unconscious on the forest floor. The alien sky, the battle, the sacrifice—it was all gone, like a dream.
But the echo in his ears told him otherwise.
"The book contains the key to the laboratory. If you wish to continue your alchemy… it will take you back to that artificial dimension."
"Until we meet again. I look forward to it."
The key to the Alchemy Lab…
He opened the book and found it—pressed between the pages.
So Banner had not become a spirit guide like in the original timeline.
Hikaru felt a pang of sorrow. He had expected the duel would not separate them like this.
In the original, Banner had protected Jaden until the very end—even following him through his lone journey. He was the one who had always been there for the protagonist.
But the appearance of other dimensions had changed everything.
Still… it wasn't a final farewell. They would meet again.
And until that day came—he had studying to do.