The duel was over. This time, the Water-Attribute Invoked monster did not use its own power to return to its dimension. Instead, it calmed down and gently touched its forehead to Hikaru Amaki's.
The next moment, Hikaru felt a surge of power flow into his body.
A card depicting Invoked Cocytus appeared in the air. Then, after leaving a brief message, the water dragon Cocytus dissipated from the world.
"As long as you wish to call upon me, you may do so freely."
Hikaru caught the card and glanced at it.
Invoked Cocytus.
Next to it floated another card,Invocation.
So that's how it works?
It seemed that once Cocytus acknowledged you, you could summon it via Invocation.
So that's it.
At least, that was the case for most Duel Spirits.
The true process wasn't to first learn Invocation and then use it to control an Invoked monster,it was to build a good relationship with the Invoked monster first, and then it would naturally answer your call.
Thinking about it, that made sense.
In reality, most Fusion Monsters weren't bound to one specific "fusion method." As long as they could be Fusion Summoned, whether it was through Polymerization, Fusion Gate, or other unusual fusion spells, they could be brought out.
Invoked monsters weren't limited to just Invocation, just like how Cocytus had used The Book of the Law earlier.
As a Dragon, Dragon's Mirror was also an option.
Yet right now, these Spellcaster students only had their minds on the "invincible Invocation."
"Congratulations, Lord Hikaru," Battler said, scratching the back of his head as he walked over after the duel ended, coughing twice before offering his congratulations.
"Fortunately, Cocytus is quite easy to talk to," Hikaru mused.
In truth, Cocytus had plenty of other options and didn't have to concede directly. However, seeing that Hikaru's fusion knowledge and understanding met its standards, it chose not to struggle in defeat.
From any angle, it was a very prideful spirit.
"Easy to talk to… Heh, aside from you, Lord Hikaru, none of the Spellbook Tower's students have ever gotten close to it," Battler remarked, tapping his forehead lightly with his Spellbook.
After thinking for a moment, he added gratefully, "Regardless, thank you, Lord Hikaru. While these mages aren't my students, without you, they might have gone a long time without truly understanding Fusion or pursuing it as it should be understood.
This is something only you could have achieved."
Hikaru simply smiled and shook his head, not pursuing the topic further. Instead, he turned to watch the "novice summoning class" Spellcasters scrambling to clean up the field. As he observed them, he suddenly asked, "So, how did I do?"
"Eh? Lord Hikaru, what do you mean?" Battler suddenly grew nervous, turning his head with a bead of cold sweat forming. "I'm not sure I understand."
"No one's ever told you that your disguises are painfully obvious?"
"Ah, my senior has said so before, but I've never needed to learn that skill,cough, cough."
"So there's no need to try hiding it from me. I could tell during the duel , someone was watching me the whole time. Not these people here, and not any other teachers from your Tower, correct?"
After the incident in Muddy Mudragon's lair, Hikaru had specifically asked Tierra to help train his related senses. So in this duel, the strange, prickling sensation he felt was surely real.
And, most importantly…
He had confirmed it with Tierra.
During the duel, Tierra had sensed it as well and gave him a definitive answer.
Whoever it was, they weren't in this dimension.
That was all Hikaru needed.
Battler coughed twice, just about to reply, when his Spellbook suddenly emitted a series of beeps. Apologizing to Hikaru, he hurried off to the side and opened it.
A figure emerged from the Spellbook, speaking slowly to Battler. His expression shifted from tense, to calm, to finally letting out a deep sigh of relief.
After finishing his conversation with what was apparently a high-ranking Spellbook official, Battler returned to Hikaru.
"My apologies, Lord Hikaru,Director Juno just contacted me."
Hikaru nodded.
Juno… that should be High Priestess of Prophecy.
"Sorry for keeping this from you earlier. In truth, our Grand Spellbook Tower has always been in contact with Master Crowley." As he spoke, Battler opened his Spellbook, and two card images slowly emerged. The magic within the book transferred them into his hands.
They were two special cards.
In terms a Yu-Gi-Oh! player might use, they were essentially "Tokens."
That said, in this world, they were more like dimensional coordinates.
The card on the left bore a black sphere with overlapping triangles inside,a "Magical Counter."
The one on the right was a small tailor's spool of thread. Though it appeared to be just a thread, it contained some special power.
"I heard you were coming to challenge our Tower's subject, so Master Crowley was very curious and had us set up an observation array. That's how he was able to watch your duel."
"So Professor Banner was watching too?" Hikaru asked immediately, ignoring the cards.
"Of course," Battler nodded. "The Five-Rainbow Magician is one of the highest-level Spellcasters, and also a friend of Master Crowley. Being your teacher, he naturally takes great interest."
"I see. In that case, it's fine," Hikaru said after a moment's thought, not minding the 'spying.'
Tierra, standing nearby, curled her lip.
In this world, the only one Hikaru would 'let off the hook' like that was Professor Banner.
Even she had only earned his trust after her proxy duel with Light Force.
"These two are the coordinates for the Magical Citadel and the Magical Workshop. Based on our Tower's evaluation and review of your duel, you no longer need to spend extra time dueling additional proxies."
"Is that really okay? The spirits in those places won't object?"
"Rest assured,Master Crowley said that he, Lord Endymion, and Lady Rilliona became friends in the Realm of the Spellcasters. According to him, they each studied magic there, achieved their own accomplishments, and ultimately built the Village of the Spellcasters together.
Though they later formed different associations and nations due to diverging goals, their friendship remains unchanged.
Their bond is eternal!"
"As long as you have his endorsement, you can visit without prior permission, and your movements won't be restricted."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow slightly.
Friendship lasting forever,easy to say.
Still…
It did save him the trouble of making multiple trips back and forth to the Grand Spellbook Tower.