No—
This fool, despite having accepted "as long as justice can be achieved, the power of evil doesn't matter," is still worried about the invasion of the Spirits.
Still a big fool.
However…
As expected, till now, he can't completely like Yuki Judai.
Judai looked at the cards in the Graveyard, feeling somewhat conflicted.
How should this Duel proceed?
After a moment, he gritted his teeth, not activating would be even worse, he absolutely cannot waste—
"The effect of Shadow Mist in the Graveyard. When this card is sent to the Graveyard, activate. Add 1 Hero Monster except Shadow Mist from the Deck to the hand."
A dull thud.
Judai's body was pierced once again. Simultaneously, Professor Moushou also banished Judai's Shadow Mist, drawing a card.
Yuki Judai, LP: 3600→3200.
He searched through the Deck and took a Thunder Hero into his hand. He looked at the Monster Reborn in his hand, biting his teeth. Originally could use Mask Change…
"Judai is quite nervous." John said from the side.
"After all, one card costs 400 Life Points." Manjome rubbed his forehead, "Moreover, this situation is completely different from Tenjo's previous encounter. Even if Tenjo Fusion Summoned D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc, it couldn't stop this effect.
Because this effect is a [payment] of Life Points, essentially a COST… it's an effect completely unstoppable."
Everyone silently nodded.
This type of effect is completely undefeatable, requiring precise calculation to continue the Duel, a slight mistake could be dangerous.
Judai added Thunder Hero to his hand, once again looking at the Monster on the field, furrowing his brows uncontrollably.
Every use of the effect costs 400 Life Points, making him feel quite restricted.
He must quickly resolve Dong Ying, otherwise, his Life Points will continue to dwindle.
"Activate the effect of Dead Prison Prezes, once per turn, send 1 Hero Monster from your Deck to the Graveyard. If a Hero Fusion Monster is Fusion Summoned this turn, the face-up card can be used as a substitute for one of the Fusion Materials of the same name.
I send Elemental Hero Neos from the Deck to the Graveyard."
Swish—
Thud.
Judai was struck by another arrow.
Yuki Judai, LP: 3200→2800.
"Spell Card, Dark Fusion, fuse the Dead Prison Prezes on the field with Thunder Hero in the hand!"
Yuki Judai, LP: 2800→2400.
"Fusion Summon!
Evil Hero Thunder Giant!"
Crackle—
Thunder Giant changed its skin, descending from the sky.
Evil Hero Thunder Giant, LV 6, Light Attribute, Fiend-Type, ATK 2400.
"Thunder Giant can target 1 Monster on the field once per turn. Destroy that Monster!" Judai pointed at Dong Ying, "I choose Dong Ying."
The Evil Hero raised its arms, a black sphere of thunder gathered in the air, then fell fiercely.
Boom!
However, accompanied by the howl of thunder, the last cold arrow also pierced through Judai's throat.
"Guh…"
Yuki Judai, LP: 2400→2000.
"Two thousand…" Several students from the Fusion Department watched Judai get successively pierced by secret arrows, unable to bear it and covered their faces.
"But, Dong Ying was destroyed this way!"
"Yes, this way, Judai can proceed with his moves."
"But is this really good?" Jim couldn't help but raise a question, "Using Thunder Giant's effect to destroy Lü Feng, then attack Dong Ying with Thunder Giant, wouldn't it be better this way?"
Using the effect to destroy the higher ATK Lü Bu and battle destroy Dong Zhuo would clearly be more "beneficial."
"But, suppose the Professor's Set Card can protect the Monster during the Battle Phase?" John couldn't help but ponder this question, "Assuming it's a Trap that can negate battle attacks, then Judai would have to face Dong Ying still on the field—"
"Dong Ying must be on the field with a LV 7 or higher Ancient Warriors Monster to activate the effect, right?" Manjome mentioned another matter.
"Then, what if it's a Trap to revive Lü Bu? What should be done then."
"Eh—" a few senior students discussed nearby, while Serena was confused listening on the side.
Just directly destroy the troublesome Dong Ying, right? Why is there more discussion afterward?
Meanwhile, Ruri listened to the discussion with enthusiasm.
"The key problem should be what the Professor's Set Card is, right." Tenjo Hikari also commented, "Judai just made his choice."
Everyone nodded.
Listening to the discussion of the few top students in the front rows, Professor Moushou couldn't help but laugh: "Well said, little ones."
He continued, holding a cigarette in one hand and gesturing in the air, speaking to Judai: "Judai, actually, I've always liked you. Even though other professors are eager to teach Tenjo Hikari, this celebrity, so that by the end of the semester, the evaluation scores will look much better.
But in my view, you are a more deserving student to teach than Tenjo Hikari."
For real??
The students at Duel Academy started discussing in groups.
Claims that Judai is more worthy than Brother Hikari of teaching?
Is the Professor's judgment off?
"Ha ha ha ha, it's not about strength, it's about what can be taught. Tenjo Hikari that guy is too clever, too meticulous, he doesn't need my teaching." Moushou laughed heartily, "Judai, the reason you stopped me that day and even wanted to stop me, leading to challenging me, is because... you remembered Reign-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World who died before you, right?"
Judai's body jolted.
"How do you know?"
"I said, Tenjo Hikari that guy is too clever, and too meticulous." Moushou casually responded, "Since you challenged me, and I wanted to Duel in class, isn't this naturally…
Tenjo Hikari gave me the recording of you at Critical Point yesterday."
Jim, O'Brien, Marufuji Shou, Kenzan, a few who were present back then, instantly turned to look at Tenjo Hikari.
Tenjo Hikari coughed and remained silent.
"That guy's mindset is crazier than Akaba Leo, that bald-headed fusion absolutist, unaffected by any external information. But you, clearly are not like that." Professor Moushou waved his hand, casually saying, "After watching your recording, I realized, I'm not showing you enough care."
"Professor?"
"PTSD... Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, when I was a soldier, I also heard of colleagues with this condition." Moushou said while smoking, "Ha, maybe I have it too... but just never showed it."
"I've heard that the Demon God wanted to make you its master, but in the Duel sacrificed itself to protect you."
"Originally, you had no semblance of goodwill towards them, but due to this, you developed compassion, and since then retained those Dark World fiends, right?"
Judai silently nodded.
"It's precisely because of this reason that you are willing to trust Spirits and protect Spirits—But this time we are facing those masquerading as humans in order to invade, attempting to kill your friends!
Such enemies cannot be tolerated!"
"I can understand you, because kindness is the world's most radiant warmth... As a part of the peacekeeping force, what we work for is peace, for kindness."
He recalled while speaking: "I spent time in the world's most terrifying battlefields, witnessed young warriors dying gruesomely on the battlefield, saw the result of momentary kindness causing the sacrifice of the entire company…
My comrade saw a child and couldn't bear to ignore him, resulting in the child already being strapped with explosives by a terrorist group, becoming a human bomb, subsequently blew up my comrade on the spot... and I could only watch his body scatter, landing before my face, staining my helmet crimson..."
!!
Judai stared at him, silent for a moment.
"But... I don't actually dislike you all, nor do I dislike kindness." He said, "I once asked a dying comrade if he regretted it, and he said he did—his regret wasn't about his choice, but rather regretting not conducting a thorough review back then."
"This is the [cost]." The Professor placed the cigarette back in his mouth.
"Judai, whatever you do, the Professor can understand, but can you accept and understand the [cost]?
In this world... nothing is free."
Cost...
Judai looked solemnly at the cards in hand.
What level of... cost can I accept?
Images flashed in his mind, the memories of the [Supreme King] he glimpsed, and earlier, Professor Cobra's classroom lecture on the "Supreme King" history...
Can I accept that kind of [cost]?
No—
Absolutely not!
Because that is a [cost] forcibly imposed on other lives.
Thus... I also cannot impose my thoughts on others!
He suddenly understood.