Shh—
Steam erupted from all around the spaceship.
The Spirits quickly dodged aside, and as the Duel ended, the Virtual Images also began to slowly dissipate. At this moment, everyone was surprised to discover that the damage caused by the various thunder, lightning, and storms in the Duel still remained on the ground.
That was destruction materialized in the truest sense!
Manjome was panting heavily. After the Duel ended, he felt as if all his strength had been drained, unable to stand even if he gave it his all.
Click—
At that moment, he heard the sound of footsteps, accompanied by an order: "Stand up!"
He gritted his teeth and struggled to get up, looking sideways.
"Ma…ster."
Kaiba Seto!
His mentor!
The true organizer of this tournament.
Kaiba Seto didn't say much, he glanced at Manjome, then walked towards Tenjo Hikari without looking back.
Tenjo Hikari wasn't in a great condition either, forcefully using the "Ultra Polymerization" card, leaving him somewhat exhausted.
This card symbolizes Yugi's "Fusion Power" in the original work, a card that represents the devouring of other avatars. Although Super Polymerization brought forth this card's OCG version, it seemed to possess a certain special power, just like the OCG version of Super Polymerization. Not much, but indeed some.
Of course, most importantly, this card forcibly deducts 2000 Life Points, making him somewhat fatigued.
This Duel Disk is truly very "realistic".
Kaiba Seto looked at the Duel Disk on Tenjo Hikari's body. During the Duel, the blue light was infected by Tenjo Hikari's power, turning purple.
He nodded imperceptibly again.
He gathered his subordinates, causing Duelists and spectators to disperse, and headed back towards the venue.
Once they returned to the venue, Tenjo Hikari had just about fully recovered, and although Manjome still felt a bit weak in the legs, he could more or less move normally.
The spaceship slowly landed, and the Duelists aboard disembarked one by one. Even someone like Mitsuzawa, who wasn't particularly noticeable, was immediately cheered when he got off the spaceship. When Caesar and Manjome appeared, the applause erupted like a tidal wave.
"It's a pity we didn't Duel this time, Caesar."
"Haha, you want to become a Professional Duelist in the future, right? You'll have a chance then."
Even though they both lost to Tenjo Hikari, even one of them being the runner-up, neither was assured of being able to guarantee a win against the other.
Of course.
The loudest cheers were naturally for one—
Champion!
Tenjo Hikari descended the stairs and was greeted by countless lights and applause. Serena's loud voice was drowned out by the incredibly loud cheers that shook the venue.
They called Tenjo Hikari's name, and also chanted the word Fusion. Tenjo Hikari smiled and waved to everyone.
Manjome chuckled softly, nudging his companions to make space for Tenjo Hikari.
After a while, the award ceremony began just like that.
There was no waiting for the next day, no choosing an auspicious date; Kaiba Company never liked wasting time.
Kaiba Company first took stock of the overall performance of all the students this semester and this tournament, specifically criticizing some students who didn't manage to obtain all four stamps, bluntly stating, "The President said if this continues, they might as well graduate and transfer schools, and do whatever they want."
Following this, Kaiba Company particularly praised certain individuals in this tournament, those who did what they should do, or even things they shouldn't have but were very "noble" during special events.
This group included mainly Tenjo Hikari, Yuki Judai, and some other students and Professional Duelists, like the Marufuji Brothers, Tyranno Kenzan, Jim, O'Brien, etc., who helped and rescued others during the Archfiend attack.
According to Kaiba Company, these participating students would receive additional points in their evaluations, and the most outstanding performer would receive a gift from Kaiba Company later on.
Finally, it was time for the awards ceremony.
"A card on par with the Egyptian God cards…"
"What card is it!? I can't wait!"
"I guess it's the Magician of Chaos—"
"No, no, no, although that's also powerful, it falls a bit short compared to the Egyptian God cards, right?"
Tenjo Hikari first picked up the trophy and made some remarks, thanking classmates, Professor Cronos, company colleagues, and others for their support. He then went to the award podium, facing Kaiba Seto directly.
"Hmph… not bad," Kaiba Seto said as he looked Tenjo Hikari up and down.
He had been observing Tenjo Hikari all along, and Tenjo Hikari was also one of the candidates he prepared for the cross-dimensional Duel "KC Cup" in the future.
For the final prize, he prepared two cards, one representing himself, and the other...
If Manjome had won, he would have given his card to Manjome, but unfortunately, he didn't win.
Still, Kaiba was quite satisfied with Manjome's performance in this tournament, especially when he dismantled the XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon, summoned the XYZ-Dragon Cannon, and finally the Light and Darkness Dragon.
"This card is a Legendary Card recreated based on Yugi's experiences traveling different dimensions and Kaiba Company's technology—"
Upon hearing that it was a card related to Yugi, countless people gasped.
That is the legendary King of Games, the Duelist among Duelists, the true "pinnacle" card that's been recreated?
"Take a look, a card on par with the Three Egyptian God Cards, the Legendary Dragon—
The Eye of Timaeus!"
He raised his hand, and wind howled across the award podium. With Kaiba Seto's movement, the pedestal "sealing" the card automatically opened. A blue eye first appeared before Tenjo Hikari, and then, beyond the eye, fangs and Dragon Armor slowly emerged.
Spell Card, The Eye of Timaeus!
Tenjo Hikari was initially shocked, then suddenly gasped.
"The Legendary Dragon!?" he exclaimed.
"The Legendary Dragon!!!" Following Tenjo Hikari's exclamation, the audience, both those present and watching the livestream, echoed the astonishment.
The legendary Three Dragons!
This is indeed a card comparable to the Three Egyptian God Cards!
Tenjo Hikari stared blankly at the prize.
In his efforts to create The Claw of Hermos, he had exhausted himself, achieving only about half completion. Unexpectedly, one appeared before him so simply.
But on further thought, this card is the culmination of the past half year of the GX Tournament, with its consumption and time far exceeding that of The Claw of Hermos…
"This card is a simulation, recreated through technology using Duel Energy, not as powerful as the original card. The only direction it might change is into a Dark Magician card," Kaiba Seto slowly explained. "Nonetheless, it still contains formidable power, the power of Fusion!"
"So—do you have the courage to bear its power?"
"Of course!" Tenjo Hikari didn't waste words, reaching out to take the card. The card exuded waves of resistance, and Tenjo Hikari frowned, feeling a physical pain with his heart bizarrely racing.
However, this sensation came quickly, and left even quicker!
When Tenjo Hikari was very close to The Eye of Timaeus, feeling the resistance become quite intense, a red light suddenly emitted from the spare card on his waist, eliminating the resistance from his body, allowing him to easily approach the card.
As Tenjo Hikari reached out, Kaiba quietly uttered "Hmm?"
Originally, it shouldn't have been this way.
For some reason, The Eye of Timaeus sensed a familiar or peaceful power, thus reducing its suppression on Tenjo Hikari.
How is that possible?
A card of the Legendary Dragon should only resonate with the Legendary Dragon itself.
Tenjo Hikari effortlessly and easily touched the card, carefully holding it in his hands as if it were a fragile item.
"Interesting…" Kaiba said softly.
Tenjo Hikari raised the card, holding it above his head with both hands, gesturing towards the audience.
With this, the final ceremony also concluded.
Just as Tenjo Hikari was preparing to end everything and take a good rest for a while, Kaiba suddenly cut off the microphone and communication, and said to Tenjo Hikari, "You want the Blue-Eyes, don't you?"
"That's right," Tenjo Hikari responded instantly.
"Such boldness, you're the first person in years to dare make such a request."
Tenjo Hikari thought for a moment, then said, "I consider it an honor."
"Hahahaha—indeed, it is your honor… However, you're indeed not bad. This championship is well-deserved." Kaiba laughed a few times, then glanced at Manjome Jun, scaring him into lowering his head, then turning back to continue speaking to Tenjo Hikari, "Once everything is settled, come to Kaiba Company's headquarters, you will get the opportunity you desire… But—
acquiring the Blue-Eyes is not so simple.
If you can't gain my approval, you absolutely won't be able to take the Blue-Eyes from there."
My?
Tenjo Hikari became confused.
What, have you developed a split personality too?