The duel is over.
Pegasus Moonwalker staggered backward, hosted in turn by their own grand monsters, their Life Points dropping to zero, half-kneeling on the ground for a long time without getting up.
With their head lowered, they looked almost shut off from the world.
Mitsuzawa and Asuka also had complex expressions. They looked at Yugen, then at Moonwalker, unsure of what to say for a moment.
He had won again.
Moreover, Yugen's odd new tricks seem to have multiplied once more...
Seeing Moonwalker, who hadn't gotten up for a while, they even started to worry that after today, a legendary duelist might lose their dream.
Has no one really been able to stop the warrior from the tabloids now...
Asuka instinctively placed her hand on her own card deck, thinking of her latest card, "Electronic Angel - Nasadiya," crafted under Yugen's guidance.
Suddenly, she seemed to notice a familiar taste in Yugen's tactics today.
She refused to believe that none of Yugen's personal quirks were mixed in...
At this moment, a voice came from the direction of the Illusion Association Building.
"I told you already."
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, only to see another "Pegasus Moonwalker" standing at the door, like a carbon copy. Without standing side by side for comparison, they would be indistinguishable.
No need for more explanation, this was naturally Pegasus Nightwalker, Moonwalker's younger brother.
Moonwalker stood up and looked at his brother: "Nightwalker."
"I said he was strong, brother, you probably aren't his match either." Nightwalker clasped his hands behind his back and smiled, "Of course, even hearing me say this, I knew you would still need to try."
Moonwalker shrugged and remained silent.
He turned to look at Yugen, seemingly adjusting his emotions, then chuckled lightly: "It was a good duel, I'm grateful for the experience."
What else could he say? Say that playing cards in this manner is wrong?
But he was using their father's cards. Mr. Beckas himself is a deep enthusiast of Minotaurs; surely he can't deny his own father's taste?
"No, no, I'm the one who learned something."
Yugen smiled and shook his hand again.
Nightwalker also greeted him, saying: "It hasn't been long since we last met, yet you look stronger already. You've quickly mastered the power of Sacrificial Demon..."
No, Nightwalker felt even that phrasing was an understatement.
Because it seemed like Sacrificial Demon, when in Mr. Beckas's hands, never felt as smooth as today... of course, maybe it also had to do with Beckas already retiring and no longer dabbling in cards.
"I lost."
Moonwalker said, glancing at Nightwalker.
"You were indeed right. Duels with him... with Yugen do have a special feeling."
He spoke as he looked at Yugen.
"Now that I think of it, perhaps this is the type of duelist you are."
Yugen raised an eyebrow.
"Many years ago, Mr. Beckas once commented on me like this... but that was a long time ago, during my early stage of learning to duel."
Pegasus Moonwalker revealed a thoughtful expression.
"Nightwalker and I were both orphans adopted by Mr. Beckas. Mr. Beckas adopted many children similar to us, nurturing them as his successors.
I was one of the earliest to emerge, showing extraordinary talent in dueling, leading all the other kids of my generation by a wide margin.
But at that time, Mr. Beckas, having personally watched my duel, gave such a comment."
He turned to Yugen and seriously said.
"'Your duel is virtually perfect. Every action from the first card onward is meticulously calculated to guide towards victory, like a master chess player.'
Perhaps that's why Mr. Beckas later gave me this title, 'Perfect Duelist.'
Mitsuzawa and Asuka also joined, listening intently to the master speak.
"But Mr. Beckas's concept of perfection was only the limit of my personal achievement. Compared to my brother Nightwalker, I'm already struggling to advance any further..."
Moonwalker closed his eyes and smiled gently.
"Moreover, when it comes to designing card deck configurations, calculating and controlling duels, when these factors stack up... Yugen, you are the more fitting 'Perfect Duelist.'
Moonwalker said sincerely.
"You're just like Mr. Beckas described, a duelist that relies on intellect, configurations, unwavering calmness at any time, to secure victory. Perhaps it's because you can foresee the path to victory steps ahead, your duels feel so breezy."
Yugen: "..."
Uh? Is that really true?
"Speaking of which..." Mitsuzawa suddenly remembered something, "It does seem that way. Comparing to that Yuki Judai, you're truly the two extreme ends of the duelist spectrum..."
"Oh?" Moonwalker sounded intrigued upon hearing that, "Is that also a student from your Duel Academy?"
"Yes, equally a bewildering character. But he's entirely opposite of Yugen... Mitsuzawa pondered, "How should I put it? If the feeling Yugen gives me is — always calm and collected, proficient in unconventional tactics, winning through cerebral efforts, then Yuki Judai..."
He paused, seemingly at a loss on how to continue.
Asuka laughed: "You mean to say, acts without using his brain?"
"Haha, somewhat of that vibe." Mitsuzawa laughed, "Judai holds an exaggerated passion for dueling, always appearing ignited no matter the time. Only now do I realize he's nearly Yugen's polar opposite.
His duels never involve deep thinking, rarely meticulous consideration. Yet he has a mysterious card-drawing capability, somehow always carrying breakthrough means regardless of the situation, also profound in strength."
"So he's entirely a duelist relying on 'heart.'"
Moonwalker's interest piqued at once.
"Your cohort actually has two rare duelists simultaneously? Duel Academy seems truly underestimable this year."
"Speaking of which, Judai indeed emanates a unique knack." Asuka agreed, "It feels like everyone approaching him inherently finds new zeal."
"Exactly. Even Hayato, who was planning to quit from Osiris Red, seems to rekindle his interest in dueling." Mitsuzawa added.
Realizing that, the two noted how Judai and Yugen seemed totally opposing ends in this sense.
One draws everyone around into card indulgence, the other seemingly quells dreaming cards for everyone...
Mitsuzawa suddenly felt he somewhat understood why these two teaming up generated that peculiar chemistry.
Maybe it's what they say about "complementing each other."
Possessing what each lacks, their union produces remarkable feats.
Yet Yugen pondered.
"Dueling with Judai... "
If this theory holds, dueling with Judai might deepen his understanding of duels.
He refrained from challenging Judai thus far, opting to reserve this vital milestone for gauging his divine draw practice phase results.
Initially, Judai wasn't particularly formidable; throughout the first term, he lost to Academy's Kaizamaru Fujisuke in a duel. And during that match, Marufuji Ryo supposedly didn't exert his full strength.
Not until the first academic year's end did Judai catch up with Marufuji Ryo, managing a draw during their graduation duel.
For Yugen, the true test was not about Judai's current prowess, but his exceptional "momentum."
Accepting a duel under such a level of "momentum" tests his cultivation's outcome optimally.
However, this opportunity is imminent.
Perhaps within the upcoming month, the annual freshman challenge between Duel Academy and Northern Branch is expected to commence.
The Academy will appoint first-grade freshmen for competition.
In the anime's original narrative, Mitsuzawa Earth from Yellow Dormitory was nominated to duel Yuki Judai to vie for representation in this round. So, unsurprisingly, Yugen thought he might replace Mitsuzawa nominated for this duel now.