John Anderson did not appear immediately.
As Ammon said, this person is like a ghost. Among the five people who came to Duel Academy, he is the only one who has yet to show up in front of the others.
But the reason is not that he is aloof or mysterious. It's simply because John...
...is terrible with directions.
Yes, that's right, he got lost.
Of course, it's not a big problem. After the principal awkwardly smiled for a few seconds on stage, the legendary John Anderson finally appeared at the door, panting heavily and sweating profusely as he made his way to the podium.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, I didn't realize the Academy's headquarters was so big, and couldn't find the auditorium, ahaha..."
The principal coughed and didn't pay much attention.
The last to be introduced was Professor Kobra.
This professor looked fierce, and his words were even harsher. He took the microphone and straightforwardly said, "Today is supposed to be a day to greet everyone and build relationships, but saying this won't improve anyone's abilities.
So let's end the boring pleasantries and jump straight into practical combat. This is my educational philosophy!
Let's implement this philosophy immediately, with an exhibition duel for cross-campus exchange!"
With these words, even the principal and the instructors on stage looked at him in surprise.
Huh? Was there such a segment? Never heard about it?
He just decided on this on his own…
"The combatants will be decided by me personally."
Although he was an external faculty, Professor Kobra spoke so autocratically, as if he was the principal.
Kobra squinted his eyes.
The student he was most concerned about in this school was, of course...
"Yuki Judai!"
Judai on the stands pointed to himself in confusion: "Huh? Me?"
Professor Kobra didn't answer and continued to point to John, who had just gone on stage.
"John Anderson!"
He had previously wanted to collect data on Yuki Judai but failed. Since he failed, he decided to straightforwardly use his exchange professor status to arrange a duel...
He glanced at Principal Jiaodao behind him: "No problem, right, Principal?"
Principal Jiaodao furrowed his brow but decided to give this visiting professor face: "Hmm… practical combat is indeed the best way, I have no objections."
Kobra nodded satisfactorily: "Very well, in that case, let's decide..."
"Wait a moment."
Someone interrupted.
Kobra looked towards the student seats and frowned when he saw who stood up.
The students began to stir.
The Master of the Yellow Robe of the academy!
"Mr. Yugen!" John, who already knew Yugen, waved frantically.
First-time viewers O'Brien and Jim couldn't help but look over.
"That's the living legend of Duel Academy, the Duel King..."
Jim couldn't help but rub his hands: "The thing I most wanted to do on this headquarters trip was to try dueling the legend once. Isn't that right, Kalan?"
The crocodile named Kalan behind him also excitedly roared twice.
"You are Yugen... right?" Professor Kobra frowned, "Do you have a problem with my approach?"
He couldn't help but complain inwardly. There were already rumors saying that while Jiaodao was the nominal principal here, this person was the one who actually called the shots. He thought, no matter what, this person is still a student, so they should at least give the principal some face...
Even the principal nodded, yet he expressed opposition. Could it be that everyone has really accepted that this academy is run by this student?
"No, no, no problem." Yugen smiled, "I just think, since it's a demonstration duel, it should showcase the highest level of dueling. It would be more valuable for the strongest teacher to demonstrate to all the students than for student exchanges, right?"
"Oh?" Professor Kobra frowned, "Yugen's point is..."
"I heard before that Professor Kobra is a duelist with a military background and rich practical experience, who transferred to the academy for teaching."
"Since there's this rare opportunity, why not let the professor guide me in a game, and also let everyone see what a duel representing the highest level looks like?"
Kobra's face darkened... but that was his usual expression, so no change was visible.
He looked expressionlessly towards Jiaodao.
"What does Principal Jiaodao think?"
"Uh... Yugen has a point." Principal Jiaodao rubbed his bald head, "How about we do it this way?"
The two highest-ranking professors of Duel Academy, Chronos and Napoleon also nodded repeatedly.
Professor Chronos: "Yugen makes a good point, Nonne."
Instructor Napoleon: "Why not just listen to Yugen then, eh, daaloo."
These two professors, one with a catchphrase "Nonne" and the other with "daaloo," were distinctive in their speech and personalities, often resembling comedians more than professors.
Last semester, Professor Chronos was promoted to acting principal, while Instructor Napoleon was promoted to head instructor, replacing Chronos's previous position.
Now that the principal has returned, Chronos went back to being a head instructor, but this position was already being held by Napoleon, putting him in an awkward place. The two have always been competitors and didn't get along well.
Professor Kobra sneered lightly.
What's up with this academy's principal and leadership? They are blatantly listening to this kid's words...
This disrupted his plans.
"Well... okay then."
Kobra nodded.
"Let's put on a demonstration duel. Just as well, I've heard of Yugen before, so taking this chance to try him out wouldn't be bad..."
He paused for a moment and said,
"But I'm not prepared for a duel on such short notice. So, let's schedule it for... two days later."
He looked at Principal Jiaodao.
"Isn't there a school banquet two days from now in the evening?"
Jiaodao was taken aback, nodded, and said, "Yes, there's a banquet for welcoming new students and exchange colleagues..."
"Then let's set it for that time."
Professor Kobra nodded.
"Just as well, I also have subsequent teaching activities to announce to all students at that time."
Yugen inwardly sneered.
Saying it's an arrangement for teaching activities, what it actually is, is organizing a school-wide dueling competition, similar to the GX tournament format, allowing all students to duel freely on the open map of Academy Island, calculating grades and scores.
The claim is to hone skills through practical combat, but the professor's real intent is to absorb the energy generated by students during the competition, providing energy for Yubel's revival. However, this process causes students to become exhausted, fall into a coma, bedridden, and even have more severe reactions depending on their physical condition.
"Is this acceptable to you, Yugen?"
Professor Kobra looked at Yugen.
"Of course."
Yugen smiled, saying one is just a student, what opinion could they have.
"I follow the teacher's arrangements."