"Vampire?"
The Student Union, Senior Sister Hinoaka Seika personally led Yugen to the Student Union's warehouse and then followed behind him.
She was quite surprised when she saw Yugen select those Vampire cards.
Vampire Grace, a 6-star with Attack Power of 2000.
Effect: When this card is in the graveyard, if an Undead Monster Effect allows a 5-star or higher Undead to be Special Summoned to your field, you can pay 2000 Life Points to Special Summon this card. And once per turn, declare the type of a Magic Trap or Monster Card, and your opponent must send one card of the declared type from their deck to the graveyard.
It's indeed a Rare Card, received by the Student Union a year ago. But not many students use the Undead Race at the Academy, so it's been sitting in the warehouse until now.
Yugen had seen it before but wasn't interested at the time and didn't choose it. Now it seems he remembered there's such a card and came specifically to pick it.
"Yugen, weren't you not interested in Vampires before?" asked Senior Sister Seika.
"Yeah, back then, I was missing too many cards," he replied, "couldn't build a deck."
"So now you can?"
"Seems like it." Yugen chuckled.
"Does this mean we'll soon see your new deck, Yugen?" Senior Sister Seika showed anticipation.
Nowadays, Yugen has become somewhat iconic at Duel Academy. Everyone knows that regularly, he'll suddenly reveal a new deck, and often it's astonishingly creative.
Previously, the Master of the Yellow Robe already had loyal followers, but since Yugen became Duel King, he's almost a national idol. Students even organized a website to record the various decks used by Yugen.
Now, every duel by Yugen is like a release event for some album, with countless students eagerly waiting for his new deck. And any series he's used sees a crazy price surge—as long as it's a commonly available theme.
Everyone knows that Yugen is quite familiar with the Illusion Association and Kaiba Group, so many of the cards he uses can't be bought anywhere.
Not to mention everyone knows he has his lab, with many cards self-produced there, leaving others no chance to access them.
It's no surprise that Yugen's lab is where numerous people are vying to get inside.
Of course, it's not easy. It's not just Academy students; now, many outside people are trying hard to get into Yugen's lab.
With increasing competition, it naturally becomes more intense. His lab now lacks no high-level talent, and not everyone can enter.
"Alright, that's about it for today." Yugen turned to Senior Sister Seika, "About the credits..."
Senior Sister Seika laughed awkwardly.
"You're joking, Yugen. Your return to pick cards is an honor for the Student Union. Talking about credits would hurt the sentiment..."
"That won't do; can't let anyone say I don't follow rules."
Yugen insisted.
Anyway, he doesn't really need those credits now.
In the end, Senior Sister Seika couldn't argue with him and reluctantly agreed to accept the Dp points exchanged by Yugen's credits. But leaving the warehouse, she still pouted, a bit upset.
Perhaps she thought Yugen felt a bit distant.
Just as they came out, they ran into a Student Union student rushing towards them.
"Slow down!"
Senior Sister Seika stopped him.
"Why so frantic?"
"Monster!" The student exclaimed, "I saw the Self-closing Revolver!"
Senior Sister Seika was taken aback, then realized.
Self-closing Revolver is a nickname given by students to a certain Duel Monster.
Leader Zarug, notorious alongside the bicycle and submarine from the Mechanist family, is one of Duel Academy's shared psychological shadows.
It's widely known that Zarug often teams up with the famous Hand-Breaking Three Divine Artifacts under the Master of the Yellow Robe; his revolver can destroy hand cards, combining with various hand-breaking divine artifacts to take away the opponent's dueling rights by destroying their hand cards.
Hence the name "Self-closing Revolver."
"What's so special?" Senior Sister Seika wondered, "It's not unusual for someone to imitate Yugen using similar monsters."
"No... not similar monsters, an actual living one! Elf!"
That guy said.
"Huh?" Senior Sister Seika gasped, "Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?"
According to Academy lessons, elves do exist but not everyone can see them. Unless summoned in a duel, most cannot see elves.
"Absolutely!"
The student was adamant.
"Not just me; many others saw it too!"
"It will soon spread in the Academy!"
Yugen, on the other hand, raised his eyebrows with interest and smiled.
This is intriguing.
...
...
Behind the academy, in the dense forest, a dry well.
"Just what are you guys doing here!?"
Leader - Zarug wearing a coat and hat, glared harshly at the few brothers from the Thief Gang in front of him.
"I just got on the island when a kid pointed at me and screamed that I'm a monster..."
"I barely convinced him, saying I just happen to look like that majestic and strong monster 'Leader Zarug', and deliberately mimicked this outfit..."
"Then walked a few steps, and other students pointed and screamed at me too."
"How am I supposed to sneak like this?"
This is entirely not according to the plan.
Zarug fabricated the identity of a police officer, claiming to be investigating the Seven-Star incident on the island, wishing to gather information about the Seven-Star Key and steal it.
Yet he couldn't even get to the school buildings from the port; at least a dozen students had recognized him.
As the leader of the Black Scorpion Thief Gang, Zarug had not faced such a tough situation before.
"Boss, could it be your face is too distinctive..." Zik muttered softly.
"What did you say!?" Zarug roared.
"Nothing..." Zik lowered his head, not daring to speak.
None of the minions spoke either, yet inwardly agreed with Zik.
Unlike them, even if others recognize their cards, a little disguise or change of attire allows them to blend into the academy without drawing attention.
But their boss Zarug is different. Not only does he have a fierce look, the key is he's one-eyed, with a very eye-catching Eye of Horus.
With his face now so recognizable at the academy, it's impossible to hide...
The thieves were troubled, suddenly hearing laughter from the darkness behind.
"Who's there!?"
The Thief Gang was startled, they all turned to look.
"Haha, sorry... apologies."
In a shadowy corner of the empty dry well, Yugen silently emerged, laughing.
"Your plan is quite interesting and creative, but it seems you made a slight mistake."
His gaze swept over the thieves, smiling playfully.
"No one told you when you accepted the mission?"
"The stolen Seven-Star Key is useless."