Iwamaru looked at the Flame Emperor in his hand that he hadn't even had the chance to summon yet, even before it had warmed up in his palm, then glanced at the LP display on his Duel Disc, feeling momentarily at a loss.
This could be the most bewildering moment a Duelist might ever encounter.
Cards are still there, LP is still there, but the person is gone.
But this shouldn't be.
What about his Power of Four Emperors? Wasn't it said that obtaining the power of the Four Emperors would make him invincible in the future?
Wasn't it promised that after receiving the baptism of light, he would walk the correct path of destiny?
Then losing here today, being instantly defeated by such a group of Black Scorpion comedians and a Jackpot Pot combination, is this really his destiny?
"No, I don't understand..."
Iwamaru fell to his knees, bewilderedly staring at his hands.
"My fate, my... why is it like this?"
"I think I said this recently, but..."
Yugen stepped forward.
"When you leave the outcome to fate, you've already lost."
"This duel seemed like you were dueling me, but I could feel there was a real opponent elsewhere. That's not your strength, and even the course of the duel wasn't truly guided by your will.
It only looked like you were holding the steering wheel, but once you sat in the driver's seat, the car was in autopilot."
Iwamaru was speechless for a moment.
"A true duelist carves their own destiny. A duelist who doesn't even have the will to fight from the start is only at this level, after all."
Iwamaru: "..."
Well, it sounds quite reasonable. After all, the opponent's deck won, so there's no good way to retort.
But even if the atmosphere was well-set and the words were grand, he couldn't help thinking—
—so what the hell is that Jackpot Pot!?
Is this the path of destiny you've carved? Your path seems a bit dark, doesn't it?
Couldn't you win a bit brighter, so when I listen to your grand theories, it wouldn't feel so out of place?
In fact, not only was he roaring inwardly, but even the onlooking Hanuo Knight minions were secretly thinking, our leader sure isn't a nice guy.
It's fortunate that such a person is their leader rather than their enemy. In this duel, the main monster lineup was all Black Scorpion Thief Gang, which are usually just street comedians, but once the game started, it was either Card Destruction or Jackpot Pot.
Imagine that, even if it wasn't a Dark Duel, having a match with such a guy might cut your life short.
Even Kurosaki, once a leader himself, couldn't help but wipe sweat from his brow, suddenly realizing that Revolver Leader might have gone easy on him back in the day. This person might have a thousand ways to make him never want to touch cards again.
"Well, you've come a long way as a guest, a journey here isn't easy for you."
Yugen waved a hand.
"I won't keep you; you may go. Help me pass a message to Saio Mizuchi that I'll soon come for a visit in the next few days."
The relieved but not obedient Iwamaru did not turn to leave; instead, he looked tearfully at Yugen...
...or rather, mainly at the Card Deck that Yugen was casually putting into his pocket.
No, my Card Deck was taken by you, and I lost four Emperors and two Elves in an instant. Now that I've lost the power of light and returned to being an ordinary person, can I really survive going back to my superior with this disgrace?
But unexpectedly, he wouldn't have to worry about this for long.
At that moment, white light suddenly bloomed in mid-air, gathering a circular object like a mirror in form.
An elongated female voice came from the mirror.
"No need to pass the message, I already heard it."
Iwamaru shuddered as if struck by lightning, looking up in terror: "Mi... Mizuchi-sama..."
The figure hadn't appeared yet, but the female voice continued from the mirror: "You truly are disappointing, Iwamaru... well, it was expected, after all.
I said I shouldn't have expected anything from you; after all, you were ordinary mortals to begin with. Even if my brother and I intervened in your mundane fate, this is the best you can manage... never mind, you've done enough.
Now rest, Iwamaru. There's no need for you to worry about what's next."
As the voice finished, a beam of light shot out from the mirror, hitting Iwamaru.
"Mizuchi-sama!"
Iwamaru shouted one last time, and his entire body inexplicably vanished, transforming into a beam of light sucked into the floating mirror. Briefly, a card image flashed inside the mirror, clearly showing Iwamaru sealed in a card, but it only lingered for a moment.
Everyone present in the club was a Dark Duelist and, while turning people into cards should have been a commonplace scene, this sight still made them gasp.
The ability to turn people into cards is a power that relatively strong figures within the Dark Duel Realm possess, and this ability to transform someone into a card from thousands of miles away through a mirror was unheard of, even in the professional careers of these insiders.
The more one is involved with dark powers, the more they grasp the terrifying nature of the scene that just unfolded. This mysterious woman behind the mirror is undoubtedly adept in the Dark World; it's hard to say exactly how strong she is, but at least she holds power as a dominant force.
Yugen had always known that the Saio Siblings were unusual, so he wasn't surprised.
These siblings are different from most Dark Duelists; they are natural Power Users with the ability to predict the future.
Yes, in a Yu-Gi-Oh World so large and full of wonders, Power Users are not that rare. The Saio siblings were born with the ability to see the future, so when they came into contact with and learned the power of dueling, they naturally became quite formidable Duelists quickly.
Perhaps for this reason, Takuma Saiou was targeted by the Light of Destruction. Such extraordinarily talented, powerful vessels are not easy to come by.
The mirror soon displayed an image of a woman in a kimono with fair skin and quite a charming appearance.
"Revolver." Saio Mizuchi smiled, "A duelist who transcended the destiny predicted by my brother indeed is extraordinary.
By what you just said to Iwamaru, you must have taken control of my base, right?"
"I would've thought you predicted that future long ago." Yugen chuckled.
Mizuchi shook her head.
"Predicting one's own future isn't so easy, even for my brother and me. After all, in attempting to peer into your own destiny, it's hard not to be subjective.
But don't worry, I won't run, and I'm not going anywhere. I've longed to meet you as well... but not now, as the moment isn't right yet."
She smiled.
"Because before that, there is a special event today. In Duel Academy, there are two other young people, and today there will be a pivotal duel. My mirror's divination shows that it might be a turning point of destiny. I don't want to miss it.
Also, in Duel Academy, there are others I wish to meet. But don't rush, if things go smoothly, I will come to find you afterward."
Yugen squinted his eyes.
"Duel Academy?"