The last of the Seven Stars has been defeated, and the key holders can finally relax a bit.
Professor Cronos is very proud this time because Tenjo Hikari managed to turn the tide, drawing the card he wanted—Junk Fusion—which he had bought, giving him a feeling of genuine participation.
However, what irked him was that in the end, the usually timid Teacher Daitokuji actually mentioned taking care of the students right in front of him.
How condescending!
Judai and the other students from Red Academy were mostly in low spirits. Judai, in particular, had been unusually quiet for several days, more subdued than ever.
Having never experienced separation, seeing familiar and friendly people before his eyes turn to nothingness was quite a blow for him.
But this was an incredibly important, possibly the most important, growth for him, and even the two Heroes could only offer some comfort; apart from Winged Kuriboh, almost nothing could make him smile these days.
The only one seemingly carefree was Tenjouin Fubuki. Having participated in a Darkness Duel and been instantly defeated by Teacher Daitokuji, this carefree person played his guitar daily, claiming he had played cards with a master, so Marufuji Ryo wouldn't have to worry. He's healthy enough to wear a mask and casually use Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
This was something different from Tenjo Hikari's impression.
Originally, even though the mask's control was lifted, if one wanted to use Red-Eyes Black Dragon's power again, they had to wear the mask again and endure pain to borrow the power of Darkness.
But the world was different now; Fubuki could casually wear the mask and use Red-Eyes without Darkness's avatar affecting him.
A windfall of three Super Rare Cards, Fubuki actually quite appreciated Teacher Daitokuji, if only he hadn't humiliated him during the duel.
Tenjo Hikari took a break in the Fusion Department as usual and then looked at the Book of Emerald left by Teacher Daitokuji.
To be honest, this Book of Emerald should've been called the Book of Daitokuji, completely different from the original where Teacher Daitokuji found the Book of Emerald symbolizing cosmic truth. This seemed to be a brand-new book rewritten based on Daitokuji's knowledge and experiences, and it retained the Emerald name purely because Daitokuji didn't change it.
The book recorded plenty of Daitokuji's own summarized knowledge and practical experiment processes, including the "Dimension Gate's alchemy creation method." Besides, the book recorded numerous "Other Dimension coordinates," dazzling Tenjo Hikari.
Seemingly, solving the alchemy puzzles in the book would unlock the coordinates to Other Dimensions. If he learned how to create a Dimension Gate, he wouldn't need to rely on the school's Dimension Gate anymore!
Furthermore, a key was tucked in the book, leading to the "Artificial Dimension" that Teacher Daitokuji pulled them into before. By utilizing the book's power, Tenjo Hikari could easily access that Other Dimension.
This was extremely useful for Tenjo Hikari.
Not to mention, everything in the Alchemy Workshop, all the genuine "real goods" left by Teacher Daitokuji, was an invaluable treasure.
For instance, no matter how useful the Xu Dog's furnace in Black Myth: Wukong was, it definitely wasn't as good as Taishang Laojun's Eight Trigrams Furnace!
No matter how much Tenjo Hikari strengthens the simple tools he bought, they couldn't match the genuine goods left by Teacher Daitokuji!
Not to mention, the large furnace occupying half a classroom was something Tenjo Hikari could never set up at school!
"Your teacher left you quite a few good things, didn't he?"
Tierra naturally appeared in the workshop, carefully observing the surroundings, then looked at Tenjo Hikari's deck, saying, "Hmm, I've observed before. This dimension must have been created by your teacher as an artificial Other Dimension. It's a subspace attached to your school's space. If your school uses a Dimension Gate, he could forcibly pull you into this workshop through the back."
"That's already happened before, so you don't need to explain that..."
"I mean, if you don't duel often, your Spirit can directly reside in the workshop through the book," Tierra mused, snapping her fingers lightly. "Okay, come out, all of you."
Upon hearing her words, the first to be startled out was Crystal, followed by Golden-Eyes Idol, One-Eyed Battle, and Polymerization Alchemist, while Flame Sword Brothers appeared after consulting Tenjo Hikari.
The workshop's space was sufficiently large, but it was still quite cramped with so many Spirits gathered together.
Honestly, seeing so many Spirits together stirred a sense of boldness in Tenjo Hikari's heart.
"Hmm, this way seems pretty nice too," he thought. "Usually, you accompany me, waiting in your cards for a summon. If you could stay in the workshop, the larger space would allow more freedom."
These were like-minded companions. Offering them a place to move about and get some fresh air was quite alright.
"This artificial dimension is vast. While those planets floating in the sky aren't of real size, they're inhabitable," Tierra continued. "By the way, Alchemist, stop staring at the machinery. If you're interested in trying, consult your owner."
"Ah!" Polymerization Alchemist, startled, quickly returned to his senses, excitedly looking at Tenjo Hikari.
So that's it.
Tenjo Hikari generally grasped Tierra's point. If Polymerization could perform alchemy in this world, even just create some ordinary Normal Monster Cards, it was quite good.
After all, more card sources were always better.
Moreover, it could help him try other things, laying the groundwork.
Tenjo Hikari nodded to Polymerization.
"Alright, now that those small matters are settled, come, human, let's explore!"
"Explore? Explore what?"
"Of course, a core, or should I say...a card?" Tierra raised her magic staff, swirling it slightly in the air, tilting her head as if unsure, "In any case, quickly search together."
She flew out excitedly, and Tenjo Hikari hurriedly pursued her.
He didn't know what madness had taken over this Goddess of Rebirth, but he knew two things: One, he couldn't leave Tierra to act freely; two, this was Teacher Daitokuji's workshop, and he couldn't let Tierra damage it.
Following Tierra, after a while, they stopped before a platform resembling a controller with a look of excitement, pointing at the thing: "Hey, human! It's right here!"
Her fingers trembled with excitement, an emotion Tenjo Hikari had never seen in her; even when she awoke controlling Midrash's body from a long slumber, she hadn't been this excited.
Tenjo Hikari walked over, opened the cover for a glance, and then his eyes widened.
It was a card.
A green card.
A card labeled Sabatiel - The Philosopher's Stone!
Reading the card's description, Tenjo Hikari felt his breath grow heavier.
Pay half your life. This card can be exchanged with any card you possess (including cards not in your deck) during a duel and then returned immediately to your hand. In any duel, use is limited to three times total.
Pure power.
Absolute power.
"This..." Tenjo Hikari's eyes widened, constantly swallowing saliva.
"I knew it!" Tierra exclaimed, pounding her right fist on her left palm. "I said a human, no matter how genius, couldn't possibly create an artificial Other Dimension by hand."
"What do you think, human?" Tierra's voice filled with temptation, "Do you want to touch this power?"
Listening to this voice, Tenjo Hikari couldn't help swallowing saliva, and nearly reached out to touch, but stopped just shy of contact, took a deep breath, swallowed again, and with a seemingly cracked dry mouth, asked, "There must be more to this, right?"
"Hmm... Tenjo Hikari, you're quite interesting." Tierra wore a smile of inscrutable mystery on her face. "Well then... let's continue."
"This artificial dimension far exceeds your expectations."