It didn't take long for Judai to wake up from his faint.
In fact, Youyu wasn't too worried about Judai's condition. Not only because he knew that his jellyfish-haired friend had the halo of the world protagonist, but also because he had confidence in Judai himself.
As long as it didn't play out like the animation, where teammates repeatedly sabotaged him into despair during life-and-death card duels, Youyu believed that Judai could suppress The Supreme King and eventually control that power.
There might just be some twists and turns along the way.
So to minimize variables during this time, he first needed to eliminate any potential threats that might stir up trouble for his beloved student.
Like the Reaper of Prophecy, who might still be lurking somewhere inside the academy.
Judai remained as carefree as ever—at least, that's how it seemed. After waking up, he appeared to have completely forgotten the previous events and clutched his stomach, clamoring for food.
Coincidentally, as soon as he woke up, his cute junior, Saotome Rei, was sitting by the bed. The young junior, not only pretty but also thoughtful, had brought along a homemade bento to visit her senior.
Upon seeing this, Judai's eyes immediately brightened, and he sat up straight with a quick snap, ready to dive into the bento box.
At that moment, Asuka, who also came to visit, became displeased.
"Wait a minute."
Asuka swiftly snatched the bento box from Judai's hand.
Rei pouted, "What are you doing, senpai? It should be a fair competition!"
"No... that's not what I meant!" Asuka blushed slightly, "I'm saying that bento is too flavorful, and with Judai still recovering, it might not be good for his health."
As she spoke, she also took out a bento box.
"As for the bento, I tried making one too. It's a well-balanced nutritious meal, which should aid in his recovery..."
Judai opened her bento box and immediately started drooling, "Wow, Asuka, you can make bento too! It looks so delicious!"
At this time, Asuka's brother, Fubuki, who usually had a low presence, popped up and said, "Wow, I'm so jealous! Even I, as her brother, have never had bento made by my cute sister.
Darn it, her first-time cooking is just so unexpectedly going to you, Judai..."
"Brother... Brother!" Asuka's face turned hot.
Her brother Fubuki had been in a coma throughout the Seven Stars incident, ever since being kidnapped. It wasn't until the incident concluded and the mastermind was defeated that he finally woke up.
When Fubuki first woke up, Asuka was overjoyed, but not long after, she couldn't help but feel that it might have been better if her brother had just stayed in bed.
Because Fubuki, well... he's quite handsome, and decent at dueling (allegedly), and he excels academically too, making him an impressive brother anyone would be proud of...
...However, it's a shame he has a mouth.
"Hmm? I'm just speaking the truth." Fubuki blinked, "Even I haven't tried my cute sister's bento."
"That's... that's because you were missing when I learned how to cook..." Asuka's voice trailed off.
Seeing Asuka's weakening demeanor, Rei seized the opportunity to attack. She quickly reached out and snatched back her bento box, "Senpai, you overthought it!
Teacher Chinai said that Judai's body is perfectly fine, with the issues being mainly mental.
So during times like this, nutrition balance isn't as important as eating something delicious to stay in a good mood!"
Asuka opened her mouth to retort but upon careful thought, realized Rei might have a point.
"Alright, don't argue you two." Judai laughed, grabbing both bento boxes, "Why choose only one? I'll eat both! I'm starving here..."
Judai: I want it all.JPG.
To be honest, Judai often didn't understand the arguments between Rei and Asuka.
He thought Rei was nice, and Asuka was pretty good too. Everyone was good friends, so shouldn't they get along?
Why did they both get along well with him, but always seemed at odds with each other?
He couldn't figure it out.
But then again, he's not the type to ponder too much. He never worried about things he couldn't figure out.
He always opted to fill his belly first!
Meanwhile, outside the door, a silver-haired world champion was "passing by".
Ed paused briefly at the door, glanced in to confirm that Judai was not only okay but was also in high spirits, and then relaxed as he turned to leave.
Before he had gone far, he found himself face-to-face with Manjome Jun down the corridor, who also seemed to be "passing by".
Ed, being courteous, nodded in greeting and stepped aside to let him pass.
Manjome raised an eyebrow, "I heard that the world champion of the pro circle is always very busy, but seeing you loitering around the infirmary makes you seem pretty free to me."
Ed frowned slightly.
This guy... Is he deliberately picking a fight?
Ed had been keeping an eye on the happenings around Judai before enrolling and was familiar with Judai's experiences in his first year at the academy.
He knew that Manjome Jun was the strongest opponent Judai encountered in his first year, somewhat of a rival.
Most duelists admire the strong, and Ed had a good impression of Manjome, who was decent at dueling and had affinity with spirits, but now he was a bit disappointed.
At this point, a short and shabby yellow spirit in a bright red pair of shorts emerged, whispering in Manjome's ear, "But big brother, aren't you just loitering around here too..."
Manjome's face changed instantly, and he scolded harshly, "Shut up!"
Ojama Black also floated out, "Big brother is not loitering! Big brother heard that Yuki Judai was in trouble, so he hurried over..."
"You shut up too!" Manjome's face turned dark.
Ojama Green: "Eek~ Big brother is angry again, so scary..."
Manjome's forehead was covered with popping veins, "You three losers, go back or I'll throw you all into the ocean to feed the sharks!"
The three Ojama spirits were terrified, huddling together with a cry of "Mama," then quickly hid back in the card deck.
"Manjome Jun, the GX Tournament champion... I thought he was a figure of significance but didn't expect such pettiness?" Ed shook his head, "Seems I overestimated you."
"That's not necessarily true." Having finally gotten rid of the pesky spirits, Manjome let out a sigh of relief, "How can you know without trying?"
"Oh?" Ed scrutinized him, "You're serious?"
"Of course." Manjome smiled, "I've been wanting to duel you, Ed Phoenix, the world champion. I thought we'd inevitably face each other in the GX Tournament, but you withdrew halfway through..."
"Humph, that kind of competition? Bullying some second rate novices doesn't give me any sense of accomplishment."
Ed chuckled lightly, paused, and then continued.
"However, if you're insistent, I don't mind having a match with you..."
The two locked eyes, a clash of wills ensue, and the air grew tense with the scent of gunpowder.
Heaven and earth clashed, needles pointed at wheat awns, a great battle was on the verge of erupting.
It was at that moment a crisp "pop" echoed in the corridor.
All the lights went out simultaneously.