The massive blackout swept over Duel Academy suddenly, with not a hint of warning. The entire academy was plunged into complete darkness, and the entirety of the teaching building was pitch-black.
The staff immediately began repairs, but after inspection, no one could clearly state what exactly caused the blackout.
Only a few duelists, who might be slightly sensitive to extraordinary powers, seemed to have felt a strange sense of dissonance right before the lights went out.
At the same time, in the dense forest outside the academy, a student wearing an Obelisk Blue uniform stood alone among the trees, looking up at the campus swallowed by darkness, silently smiling.
"It's about to begin," he whispered.
"I'm afraid not." A voice came from behind him, "Whatever you're hoping for, it probably won't go as planned."
The student showed a fleeting expression of shock, turning to see Youyu standing not far behind him, at some unknown point, had appeared.
He quickly regained his composure, putting on a delighted expression: "Principal Youyu! What are you doing in a place like this..."
"Let's drop the unnecessary façade." Youyu said, "We both know you're not a student of this academy... you're not even from this dimension."
"..."
He pondered for a moment, then raised his head again, with a relaxed yet graceful smile on his face.
"Indeed, at this point, there's no need to hide."
As he spoke, he swept his arm across, and his appearance immediately changed. The blue student uniform disappeared, replaced by a flowing black robe and a pitch-black scythe behind his back.
Reaper of Prophecy.
"How did you find me?" he asked.
"I have some insights on extraordinary powers as well." Youyu replied, "Moreover, I have my helpers in this area."
Lamore noticed his two colleagues floating behind him—Silent Magician and Dark Magician Girl, both being magicians as well.
Although the three had different schools of magic, they were all Spellcaster-Type and in the grand scheme of Duel Monsters belonged to the same major field, just with different research directions.
Lamore's gaze lingered briefly on Dark Magician Girl, then quickly shifted to the mature form of Silent Magician.
"Ah, so you used her power to lock onto me? Indeed, as the renowned Silent Mage, her magic is unique."
Dark Magician Girl blinked twice, stunned for a moment.
Hold on, why is it just assumed it's Silent Sister's achievement?
Why couldn't it be me who found you? Our Black Magic clan is also quite powerful!
"So what is it you seek, King of this world?" Lamore asked, "If you've asked Yubel, you should know, Yuki Judai... the soul sleeping within that child's body was originally part of him.
To stop his awakening is to deny himself, no one can interfere with this process."
"On that point, I agree." Youyu nodded, "No one can interfere, including you. I have utmost confidence in my student. Perhaps the power of The Supreme King may awaken, but he can handle it himself.
You're right in that regard, it's his innate destiny—no one, not even myself, can intervene in that process.
But what I can at least do is help him eliminate external obstacles."
Lamore said, "I'm merely doing my duty as a subordinate."
"Interesting, then I'm simply fulfilling my duties as a teacher." Youyu smiled, "It's truly unfortunate our duties conflict."
"That's really unfortunate." Lamore shrugged, "Honestly, I quite like you as the ruler of this world. But different stances can't be helped."
"Interesting, I'm also quite interested in you and that Card Deck of yours from another dimension." Youyu smiled, "In different circumstances and roles, we might hit it off."
"Oh, really?"
Surging magic in Lamore's hand transformed into a Duel Disc, the deck shuffling automatically in the slot.
Youyu's gaze was fixated on that automatically shuffling Card Deck.
That's it!
The legendary Spellbook, a meta-defining ultra deck of its time!
It's said that when facing powerful decks and opponents, the local duelist's so-called "Soul of the Duelist" would be eager to move. So, Youyu thought he should be in that eager state now.
Then without needing to say more, Youyu also activated his Duel Disc.
"Duel!" x2
[Youyu, LP 4000]
[Lamore, LP 4000]
"Looks like I'm going first, so don't mind if I do." Youyu said, "My turn, draw!"
Glancing at his hand, he also glanced at Lamore, his lips slightly curled up.
"If the opponent is you, this deck is more suitable."
"Oh? The Duel King even picked a specific deck to battle me?" Lamore smiled, "That's really quite an honor.
I wonder what you'll come up with."
"You'll find out soon enough."
Youyu drew a card and immediately placed it into the extension zone of his Duel Disc.
"Activate the Field Magic 'Kozmotown'!"
The scene spun, and the dense forest around them was instantly transformed into a vast starry sky. A futuristic interstellar city unfolded in the cosmos, brilliantly lit, with countless spaceships weaving between steel edifices.
"Kozmo?" Lamore smiled, "Ah, I see, it's the deck used by the 'Light of Destruction' back then? Seizing an enemy's deck as spoils, what a peculiar hobby..."
Youyu was unfazed.
Laugh, keep laughing.
Just wait till your Spellbook ends up in my pocket, let's see if you can still laugh.
"The effect of 'Kozmotown', once per turn, I can reveal any number of 'Kozmo' Monsters in my hand and shuffle them back into the deck, then draw the same number of cards."
Youyu revealed one card in his hand.
"I'll shuffle 'Kozmo Strawman' back into the deck and then draw a card."
After drawing, he immediately played another card.
"Summon 'Kozmo Tincan', in defense position."
[Kozmo Tincan, DEF 0]
"Set two Set Cards." Youyu said, "At the end phase, Tincan's effect activates. By paying 500 Life Points, I can select three 'Kozmo' cards from my deck to show my opponent.
Then the opponent randomly selects one to add to my hand, and the rest go to the graveyard."
Youyu picked out three cards, briefly displayed them in a 3D projection, then shuffled their order and turned them over.
Lamore raised his hand.
"The middle one."
"Then I'll add 'Kozmo Sliprider' to my hand, and the other two go to the graveyard." Youyu said, "End turn.
It's your turn, show me what a duel from your dimension's strong is like."
"Sure." Youyu smiled, "Rest assured, this duel, I guarantee you won't forget it for the rest of your life."