Duel Academy, Yellow Dormitory Rooftop.
"Sigh~"
The semi-transparent Artificial Human Soga hovered in the air atop the building, glancing down at the academy below from the rooftop's edge. Watching the students coming and going, the vibrant atmosphere of the new semester, he couldn't help but let out a wistful sigh.
It's been a long time since I've had a chance to show up...
Recalling the days when he first appeared, he had something of a boss-like presence. A mysterious ritual, sacrificed students, and Soga in the dark night resembled a death god claiming souls...
When did I start becoming like a background character?
"You're too weak."
A cold voice echoed from behind, as if coming from a pitch-black abyss.
"It's all because you're too weak, that's why you're hard to make use of..."
Soga turned back irritably, glancing at the equally boss-level ancient demon god-looking Evil Emperor Gaius. That semi-transparent body was indistinct, only an eerie outline, enough to scare someone half to death if encountered on a night road.
Hmm, he looks impressive, but he's also been benched for a long time.
"Ha, as if you're any better." Soga sneered, "You've also not been on stage for a long time."
"I'm different from you; I'm too strong." Gaius retorted justifiably, "You don't need a sledgehammer to crack a nut, right? You're different, even if you come out, you're just cannon fodder..."
Soga, angry: "Who are you calling cannon fodder?"
Gaius: "I'm calling you cannon fodder."
But after saying that, he immediately realized he had been tricked, got angry, and rushed up, ready to fight...
Yugen sat cross-legged on the rooftop, studying his deck build, habitually ignoring the commotion behind him. Alice, dressed in a maid outfit, quietly sat beside him, occasionally handing him cookies and tea.
"Master finally agreed to go out at night, I was almost suffocated."
The Vampire Princess, under a parasol, elegantly sat nearby.
"I don't even dare to come out during the day to get some air."
She hated the sun.
"By the way, speaking of which, when will us vampires get a chance to show up?" The princess leaned closer to Yugen, speaking softly, "I'm very strong too, if Master doesn't believe it, you can try me anytime."
"I know." Yugen smiled, "Let's see where fate leads. When the time is right, you'll get your turn."
Alice quietly refilled Yugen's tea, placing it beside him, like an emotionless tea-serving machine.
"Speaking of which, how's Miss Puppet's behavior during her sentence?"
The princess smiled as she looked at Alice.
"If she behaves well, can she go back soon?"
Upon hearing this, Alice hurriedly shook her little head like a rattle.
"I... I can't yet." She said, "I still need to... dispel the darkness! Yes, there's a big piece of darkness inside me, and I need to stay with Master to dispel it!"
Besides, she's realized, it's more promising to stay with Master.
Going off on her own to drag those duelists into a desolate realm where they lose their will to duel, not only is it inefficient, but it also poses risks—she might run into a stronger opponent and potentially end up as their plaything...
But staying with her current Master is different.
Almost every day, she could see a duelist falling into a pit of despair, even among them professionals and legendary strong ones. And the duels are so pleasing to watch, she enjoys it every day, even the gloom from her initial darkening has mostly been swept away.
Alice loves it here. Now, even if asked to go back to the display case to obediently act as a puppet, she'd refuse, throwing tantrums if necessary.
Eyeing Yugen, squinting, "You're quite a sinful man, aren't you, making so many adorable spirits constantly think about you..."
"Really? I hadn't noticed."
Yugen, without raising his head, reached for the teacup and drank. As soon as the cup was placed down, Alice promptly picked it up to refill.
"By the way, you're already so strong." Eye blinked with curiosity, "Why are you still fixated on new cards?"
Upon hearing this, Yugen finally raised his head slowly, speaking earnestly.
"There's a saying that learning is endless, and so is the way of cards. Being an elf, you don't know even this?"
Eye displayed a bewildered expression.
"Huh? Really?"
"Dueling is constantly improving and evolving." Yugen explained, "Perhaps I'm unmatched in the current era, but what about ten years from now? Twenty years from now?
The future will inevitably bring new cards, new elves, stronger systems, and invincible terminals. Even the ways to summon monsters will evolve.
If I don't prepare in advance, can't keep pace when the new era comes, won't I be quickly eliminated?"
"Ah... is that so?"
"Of course." Yugen replied seriously, "Moreover, not to mention the future times, what if I encounter duelists from the future?
If there's a future strong one with future cards, using a future card system and summoning technique far superior to the present one, how would I handle it?"
Eye contemplated for a while, then couldn't help but say, "This... don't you think you have a slight paranoia?"
Yugen shook his head, remaining silent.
"Anything is possible, especially in this world filled with extraordinaries."
Besides, in the Yu-Gi-Oh World, there's always been a group of top duelists traveling through time and space, active in different eras, coming from some far-off, apocalyptic future. It's not surprising to encounter them anytime.
"You think I seem strong now, only because you haven't seen the vastness of the sea, so you feel content with the creek before you."
Yugen continued building his deck while saying.
"If you've ever witnessed true strength, you'd understand, the power I have now, which outsiders might think is invincible in the Dueling Realm, is merely akin to a primitive man wielding a pitchfork."
"Is...is that so..."
Eye pondered for a few seconds.
Then suddenly realized something.
"Wait! Did you just say I lack experience?"
Yugen no longer responded.
The princess's eyes narrowed into crescents, almost leaning into Yugen's face.
"Master, do you know, your ambitious side is very attractive."
"Thank you." Yugen smiled, "As long as you don't get attracted to sucking my blood."
The princess covered her mouth and chuckled.
"How could that be."
She flashed her tiny vampire fangs, then glanced at a certain white-haired mage behind, who was showing a displeased expression.
"If I dared have such inappropriate thoughts, Sister Silence would skin me alive on the spot..."
"Ha, don't speak of such terrifying things. Silence is actually very gentle."
Yugen tucked away his deck, smiling as he casually patted Silence's head nearby when he stood up.
"Right?"
An ephemeral blush flashed across Silence's glacial face, and she feigned disdain, dodging his hand, smoothing her hair.
Signaling to Master not to mess up her hairstyle.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry. Better luck next time."
Yugen chuckled, slotting the deck back into the card case behind him, then stood up.
"Alright, it seems our new school friends from out of school have already landed on the island. There's a new friend who seems very interested in our island's facilities and is almost sneaking into our Alchemy Laboratory..."
He said this while using the Duel Disc to project the surveillance footage.
In the dim forest, a figure moved stealthily, searching through the shades on the island, none other than the son of a financial magnate, Ammon Galem, who had just landed on the island not long ago.
"Oh, a rather bold human, huh? Coming to our island with a purpose?"
The princess squinted.
"Master, should I go..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but bared her small fangs, showing a dangerous smirk, gesturing a throat-slashing motion with her pale small hand.
"Haha, no need, this is a school, wouldn't it be bad to make things so bloody? Besides..."
Yugen smiled, looking at Ammon on the screen.
"This young master might be useful. I'll personally go and chat with him about life."