The duel has been decided; the ultimate victor is Manjome.
However, even though the outcome was determined, the audience's cheers for Mitsuzawa Daichi were not much less than those for Manjome.
Perhaps this duel has informed everyone that the youngest member of the Manjome Group is not just an overhyped duelist—his pride, arrogance, and confidence in dueling, along with his inherent strength, are all genuine. Likewise, Mitsuzawa Daichi's goal and wisdom are also not to be underestimated.
Kaiba Seto observed Manjome Jun and Mitsuzawa Daichi as they shook hands, exchanged apologies or encouragements, and patted each other's shoulders without showing any reaction.
He doesn't dislike his disciple having "friendship" in him.
"A diplomat, huh? Interesting."
Casually, he picked up an application form.
This was Mitsuzawa Daichi's application from long ago; he wanted to visit the X Dimension, but due to a sudden attack by the Fusion Army, the matter had to be abandoned.
Nonetheless, this application form remained within the Duel Academy. Some time ago, after acting Principal Cronos finished handling school affairs, he found time to send this application form to Kaiba Company HQ.
And before the top eight began, upon learning that Mitsuzawa Daichi entered the top eight, Kaiba Company's employees hurriedly forwarded the application form to Kaiba.
Kaiba Seto wasted no time, casually placing the application back on the desk, and from his pocket, he took out his phone to make a call.
Evidently.
It wouldn't take long before someone from Kaiba Company would contact Mitsuzawa Daichi, and his application form would soon be approved.
Furthermore, according to Kaiba's plan, the next contact work with the X Dimension might very well invite this Mitsuzawa Daichi along.
Even though he isn't the student Kaiba Seto looks most favorably upon, Mitsuzawa Daichi is the most suitable to reconnect with the X Dimension, whereas Tenjo Hikari should definitely not go anytime soon.
At least not in the coming months, possibly not even within the year; perhaps at most, he could briefly appear in the next exchange tournament.
Of course, these matters are not Kaiba Seto's concern—his brother would take ownership and manage them.
He merely anticipates, anticipates more excellent duelists.
"Impressive, Ghost God. I thought you'd spent so much time training just for couple time, but here you are playing such a Deck!" Tenjo Hikari greeted the two as they returned from their duel, while also teasing Mitsuzawa Daichi.
"Heh, I originally intended to use it directly on you, but encountered Thunder halfway through, and didn't win." Mitsuzawa Daichi didn't hide his thoughts, speaking with a smile.
"That truly is daunting, hahahaha—"
Tenjo Hikari had to admit, the combo set, when first confronted unprepared, was basically tough to get past.
However, if already familiar, then Tenjo Hikari had solutions.
Firstly, like Manjome, through card synergy, using Traps or Fusion Cards during the opponent's turn to deal with critical cards in the Infinite LOOP, like the Feirce Flame or Flame Sword's supporting Trap, or finding a way to use Blue Gem to deal with the Super Fusion Beast. Of course, Tenjo Hikari might even consider Special Summoning a Midrash; as long as he has Summoner Aleister, then the inability to continuously Special Summon Gemini Monsters will get stuck halfway.
Secondly, Tenjo Hikari had another solution: to fuse directly with Chain Material and Fusion-related cards for D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc.
Although Tenjo Hikari hadn't used this card-effect before, but faced with Mitsuzawa Daichi's setup, this card was truly "invincible."
With Attack Power 2800, it wouldn't be destroyed by Gigaplant using attack power, and its own effect was that as long as it's on-field, any damage dealt to oneself would turn into life points recovery.
As long as this card remains on-field, Mitsuzawa Daichi's "infinite damage" would transform into "infinite recovery."
Thus, Tenjo Hikari indeed had multiple angles prepared to counter such an Infinite LOOP.
The only issue is.
On his first encounter, Tenjo Hikari might rely on luck.
Of course, now aware, with preparation, it wouldn't be so dire.
That's dueling for you; having information vs lacking it are two different matters—otherwise, there wouldn't be people boasting Intel's Sky Striker, nor many duelist casually tossing a Hand Pit against unfamiliar Decks only to lose.
Tenjo Hikari himself was once defeated by Reptile Balance, unable to find his bearings.
"Who's up next then?" Mitsuzawa Daichi casually asked.
Next round—
Tenjo Hikari glanced towards Caesar, noting his attention, Caesar smirked: "Hehehe, Hikari, just wait. I'm about to achieve victory and from you, attain an even more exciting victory—"
Though outwardly completed, Caesar had long unleashed his spirit.
Ultimately, he didn't genuinely seek to respect every opponent; what he respected more was the duel itself.
"Ha, boastful—" a duelist using a Venom deck scoffed upon hearing his words, "Kid, don't think having mastered Xyz makes you powerful. Before you joined the Professional Duelist circle, I already achieved world number one points!"
He glanced towards all the top-eight contestants in the hall, displaying a confident smile: "I'll win!"
Having said that, he flung his clothes and was first to stride towards the arena.
Tenjo Hikari and the others exchanged looks, especially Manjome, scratching his head with some hesitance: "Huh… sounds so familiar..."
Manjome himself had said this before, and had recently heard others say similar words, so he was somewhat sensitive.
But he had to admit.
Amongst the eight, which duelist was not selected from the world's elite?
This "GeniusX" tournament aims to crown the world's most genius genius. Although only one would take the championship, it doesn't imply the losers are weak.
After all, even those phased out in the first round are recognized duelists in this Critical Point Dimension through dueling, and dueled with at least 8 powerful duelists/spirit duelists, with none being outright weak.
And those who made it to the top eight can already be considered "geniuses among geniuses."
Even Caesar Ryo, none of the students could guarantee his definitive victory—after all, during his match with Tenjouin Fubuki last time, Caesar nearly lost.
This duel might just turn out—
Some time later, everyone's concerns dissipated.
"What's happening—why, I clearly destroyed Cyber Dragon Nova!"
"Haha, naive. When Cyber Dragon Nova is sent to the Graveyard by the opponent's effect, I can directly Special Summon one Machine-Type Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck!"
The broken Nova mechanical structure began to fragment, revealing beneath its silvery sheen.
Cyber End Dragon, Special Summon!
"Ooh—"
Caesar won.
Tenjo Hikari beside him clicked his tongue in amazement.
Though not altogether surprising, it was truly fascinating...
But at the same time, enthusiasm surged within him.
Thus, his opponent indeed was—Caesar!