Marufuji Ryo's defeat plunged Duel Academy into a deathly silence.
Even before, Yuki Judai had managed to draw against Marufuji Ryo, but for the students and teachers at Duel Academy, Marufuji Ryo was still the undefeated "Caesar."
And today.
Even though there were counter-attacks, even though there were brilliant maneuvers, within just a few turns, Marufuji Ryo actually lost to Ed Phoenix.
This shock left the students in a daze for a long time, and the entire academy was silent for more than ten minutes.
At this time, the post-duel interview had already started.
Regarding the duel, Ed stated that his opponent was a respectable duelist, only his own destiny was a notch higher.
And when asked about "Destiny Hero," he mentioned a few things.
Of course, not the whole story, just that it was the last deck his father designed before he passed away, a new series in the Hero collection, symbolizing destruction, destiny, and darkness.
Then, he spoke about some of the most important aspects.
For example, in the S Dimension Friendship Cup, during the duel, Yuki Judai used a Hero Deck, performed excellently, and became known among duelists and spectators alike, seemingly becoming synonymous with the Hero Deck, but he also used a Hero Deck.
Upon hearing that Yuki Judai had tied with Marufuji Ryo before, he wanted to see in this duel if defeating Marufuji would perhaps prove that he was stronger than Judai—of course, he wouldn't claim that so easily, so he planned to formally challenge Judai after attending Duel Academy.
His Destiny Heroes are much stronger than Elemental Heroes!
In Duel Academy, as the students gradually regained their senses, they all turned their attention to Judai, who sheepishly scratched the back of his head and laughed foolishly.
"Alright! I'll have to work hard too!" He said excitedly, cheering, "I can't let my adorable juniors down!"
With that, he shouted enthusiastically, sprang from his seat, and ran outside, presumably to adjust his deck.
"Big brother!" "Big brother!!" Marufuji Shou and Kenzan hurried after him.
"As expected of Judai... Even at a time like this, he has the mind to think about tweaking his deck..." Mitsuzawa still had a bit of cold sweat on his forehead, took a deep breath, and couldn't recover for a long time.
"Ed Phoenix... definitely can't be underestimated." Manjome folded his arms, recalling the details of the duel, increasingly feeling Ed's threat.
It's possible that Ed Phoenix had anticipated the last turn's situation before the duel even started, and perhaps letting his opponent go first wasn't out of respect for "academy seniors," but because he thought it would make winning more convenient.
"Tenjo, what do you think?"
"Think about what?" Hikari Tenjo replied, puzzled.
"Judai! Judai—Ed is coming to challenge Judai, and he is someone who defeated Caesar!" Manjome swallowed hard, "It's possible that even Judai might find it hard to win!"
"That's true, but it doesn't really concern you or me, does it?"
"Huh?"
"This is something between them as [Heroes], no matter how you think about it, it's not something I should interfere with." Hikari Tenjo rubbed his chin.
Moreover, it's not just that.
In the original work, Ed's challenge to Judai was on Saiou's orders and out of hostility towards Judai, but in this world, Ed not only visited Duel Academy in advance but also joined their Fusion Department.
Additionally, he didn't mock Caesar like in the original work, and his evaluation of Caesar after the duel was very positive—most importantly, anyone who watched the duel could see that Ed wasn't ruthless but genuinely dueling with his opponent and trying to connect heart-to-heart.
Therefore, the duel Ed initiated with Judai wasn't something he should interfere with.
Considering all these factors, even if in the original work, Judai fainted after his first duel with Destiny Heroes and couldn't even see his cards, losing his "Duel Heart," Hikari Tenjo wouldn't prevent Judai, or even outright replace him to duel Ed.
There's no justification for that.
The duels between [Hero Envoys] should be decided by themselves.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be very harmonious.
Moreover, even if, like in the original work, Judai was crushed by the power left by Saiou in Ed's deck, it would still be a step in his growth and part of getting to know the "Neo-Spacians."
Although Hikari Tenjo isn't sure if the Neo-Spacians exist in this world.
However, compared to this, what he's actually more curious about is Caesar's situation.
After all, being defeated by a junior three years younger in front of professional league audiences worldwide is something that indeed impacts popularity.
But it seems Caesar's phone has been blown up, and Hikari Tenjo tried dialing briefly, realized he couldn't get through, and then stopped trying.
Given the situation, it's best to assume the worst and prepare for medical aid in advance.
Due to Caesar's eleven consecutive losses in the professional league, the academy subdued significantly in a short period. Even the newcomers, sensing the atmosphere among the second and third-year students, lowered their voices during daily conversations, making the school's atmosphere somewhat gloomy.
Professor Cronos and Duel Academy's "Instructor" Napoleon tried various ways to liven up the atmosphere, but the academy remained quite subdued. Even after hosting several competitions and organizing events, the mood only slightly improved.
In this rather repressive period.
A massive ship slowly arrived at Duel Academy Island.
As the ship approached the academy's port, a ladder automatically extended from it, and a blonde woman with a slightly high-and-mighty demeanor walked off the ship with a hand on her waist.
"Duel Academy Main School, finally back again. Haha, why does it seem like there's not many people here to greet us?"
Gloria Tyler glanced down from the ship and noticed Professor Cronos and some students, spotted Hikari Tenjo, and her mouth curled into a remarkable smile: "Ah, it doesn't matter as long as the most important person is here."
"Sister, speaking like that is rather unrefined." Grace Tyler, upon seeing the welcoming students and teachers, slightly curtsied and then gently raised her hand to wave to the people below the ship.
This time, the number of students transferring from the United States Branch wasn't small—some were in the second year, others in the third—adding fresh blood to Duel Academy's main school.
Hikari Tenjo had been waiting for their arrival and watched each student disembark, but he didn't see the one he most wanted to meet—Yuri.
However, among these people, he spotted a male student with noodle-like hair, pretending not to attract attention and looking like an ordinary student.
Dennis Macfield...
He's here too.
Hikari Tenjo glanced at him.
In the original, he was a "spy" dispatched by the Fusion Army to the "Basic Dimension."
"Alright! Enough of these formalities!" Sister Gold Horn of the Tyler Sisters had enough of the pleasantries, and after saying goodbye to the teachers from the United States Branch, she strode forward, pointing at Hikari Tenjo, "Come on, Hikari Tenjo, I can't wait to tear you to pieces!"
She raised her left hand, and the Duel Disk automatically unfolded, transforming into a sword-like shape.
"Mamma mia, are you going to duel Hikari?"
"Yes! What's the problem with that!" Gloria was already impatient.
She had been longing for a direct, complete duel with Hikari Tenjo and had been looking forward to this for a long time.
Hikari Tenjo was also quite surprised.
He had already agreed with Manjome and the others to welcome the duel with the Tyler Sisters, the "strongest tag duelists of the Fusion Army," upon their arrival at the academy.
So, Manjome had specially prepared in advance, sneaking to the seaside with Hikari Tenjo while Judai was busy preparing for Ed Phoenix's arrival, and Mitsuzawa Daichi hadn't reacted yet.
Unexpectedly.
Professor Cronos would block them at this time.
"Ahem—" Professor Cronos suddenly became serious, forming his hand into a microphone-like fist, half-raised in front of him, and coughed gently, "Actually, after a joint evaluation by our faculty, we have decided to conduct a rank promotion duel—
Hikari Tenjo, you will duel with a teacher, and if you pass the test, you will be promoted from Ra Yellow Academy to Obelisk Blue."
He turned around, his mouth unable to hide his excitement and pride: "Apologies, Tenjo-san, we didn't notify you until just now."
"Originally, we wanted to tell you this good news in a more grand way."
The Tyler Sisters exchanged glances.
Not the most opportune time, coming right now!