Lost again...
Akiza Izinski knelt on the ground with her legs bent outward, gazing up at the sky.
If the second round of the duel confirmed anything for her, it was probably the vast gulf between their powers.
It's not a gap she can overcome just by trying a little harder, or by pushing herself to the limit. This person isn't on the same level as any opponent she's fought so far; the difference is just too great.
During the first round, her opponent deliberately chose a plant card deck to duel her internally. At first, she thought it was merely mockery, but later she understood; perhaps it was to show her her own weakness.
Yes, she has always despised her own ability, rejecting it, so naturally, her potential has been limited by herself. Her development of her potential is seriously lacking, even her proud plant card deck isn't as well utilized as she had imagined.
The opponent demonstrated greater power, a higher ceiling, to make this evident to her.
But to achieve this, the opponent had to fundamentally be much stronger than her, strong enough to use a different card deck than usual, able to convey ideas through duel while treating it like a game.
This is what one would call being at ease.
The feeling was even more apparent in this recent duel. Through the duel, her opponent was telling her something again, making her recall her long-shelved dreams, the very reason she set out on the path of the duelist.
Once achieving his goal, her opponent ended the duel casually, leaving an impression of "effortless" throughout the process.
And then, there's Diwein...
For some reason, after this defeat, she did not feel as angry as the last time. Even the sadness and hatred seemed to have dissipated significantly.
It felt as though the void left by Diwein's death was filled by something else.
"Officer Godwin" slowly walked up to her.
The young girl looked up and met the officer's gaze, speechless for a moment.
"Interested," the officer suddenly said, calmly, "in working for me?"
Akiza: "......"
She suddenly felt as if the officer's thought process was somewhat abnormal.
Though her hatred had somewhat dissipated for reasons unknown, and her feelings had calmed, they were still fundamentally enemies.
Diwein was the person who sheltered her when she was at her most vulnerable, in a way replacing the father who abandoned her (She herself felt abandoned). By that reasoning, this person ought to be akin to the enemy who murdered her father.
And such a person, after killing Diwein, despite knowing the enmity between them, could so nonchalantly extend an olive branch...
What kind of brazen person could do such a thing?
"As I said earlier, Dragon Sealers are generations of guardians." Yugen said, "Soon, great Darkness may come.
It will be your Dragon Sealer destiny, to face your destined foes and dispel the Darkness enveloping the world.
Whether you wish it or not, enemies known as 'Dark Markers' will find you; fighting is your destiny."
Yugen paused, speaking deeply.
"Join us, the Public Security Maintenance Bureau will use our resources to aid your battles. In fact, you should have sensed by now, the Lucky Cup was founded for this purpose.
Gather all Dragon Sealers, awaken your powers through your clashes, so you can fight the impending Darkness threatening to destroy the world."
Akiza coldly said: "A world like this, let it be destroyed. Why should I fight for a world that hates me?"
"That answer should come from you." Yugen smiled slightly, "Well, through the recent duel, you should already understand, right?"
Akiza: "..."
Indeed, she wants to be a duelist, recognized and revered by all, a luminous duelist, not like now, where one is labeled a "witch" wherever one goes.
"If you succeed, the Public Security Maintenance Bureau will make the world know the truth." Yugen calmly said, "Everyone will know who stood forward at the darkest moment.
The citizens will recognize the heroes saving this city."
Yugen placed his hands behind him, facing the direction of the arena. At this moment, all the floating projections above the arena were displaying the image of Yusei Fudo.
Yusei Fudo from the Satellite District, with the mark of inferiority on his face, has emerged victorious, claiming the title of Lucky Cup Champion, and now has won the chance to challenge the King.
Though not entirely, the audience is starting to chant Yusei's name.
"Let me tell you another secret." Yugen smiled at Akiza, "The King, Jack Atlas, is also a man from the Satellite District."
Akiza: "!"
This is explosive news in the King-revering New Tongshiyi. The pinnacle of the city, the King crafted by the Public Security Maintenance Bureau as the city's symbol, is actually from the lowest Satellite District?
"With the capability of the Public Security Maintenance Bureau, even a pauper from the Satellite District can be turned into a King's legend. As long as you are gold, we can make it shine. Of course, you must first prove yourself to be gold."
Yugen paused, looking back at Akiza.
"So now the question is, are you?"
Akiza: "..."
The young girl remained silent.
"Of course, you don't need to decide now. You can choose after you see a few things."
Yugen waved his hand.
"After the competition ends, you can go back and take a look, return to your 'companions' in the Arcadia Movement. Go, and you will see what needs to be seen."
This was also a form of dismissal. Akiza hesitated for a moment, but ultimately said nothing, stood up, and quietly departed.
There wasn't much else to say.
She couldn't defeat this person; this fact was apparent, and she didn't even have the chance to risk everything against him.
But despite being such a strong individual, someone who completely crushes her in duels, abilities, and powers, he is uncharacteristically patient with her.
Akiza was curious as to what he wanted her to see.
Nevertheless, she listened to Yugen and did not immediately leave the arena.
The Dragon Seal was subtly painful, as if telling her there were still significant moments not to be missed in the ongoing competition.
The Dragon Sealers who have surfaced are all present at this competition. Jack Atlas, Yusei Fudo, Akiza, and that little girl Luna.
Legend has it there are five Dragon Sealers in total, only the last one remains, and might have already appeared here.
Akiza had already sensed that something might happen in the upcoming finals.