As Youyu expected, the pendants he made with Ishizu in the past few days indeed had quite a decent market among the silly players.
Not to mention these pendants are somewhat supernatural Spiritual Artifacts. Youyu reckons that someone like himself, a popular idol-type NPC, could easily take an ordinary card sleeve, sign his name, and sell it to those silly players at a sky-high price.
...Hey, don't say that, it actually seems like a pretty good idea.
Youyu decided to try this out at the upcoming Christmas promotion...
Meanwhile, he's in the card shop continuing his mentorship with his closed disciple little Judai.
What? You ask why is he a closed disciple?
...Well, that's because the door has been welded shut, and no one can get off!
Of course, despite having fun with little Jellyfish Head, teaching must still be conducted seriously. Youyu says he's not some kind of devil; he genuinely hopes to train this Jellyfish Head properly.
If training is the goal, then simply playing cards all day won't cut it. Jellyfish Head is naturally a player who thinks with his small intestine, relying on top-decking to do as he pleases, never liking to use his brain in a duel.
If you expect him to understand on his own, who knows how many times you'd have to trap him before he understands.
So, Youyu takes advantage of having free time today to patiently explain some basic knowledge about card deck construction to little Jellyfish Head. After all, for a Duelist, the card deck is fundamental, and the first thing to learn naturally is deck composition.
Youyu candidly pointed out that Judai's deck composition has problems — big problems!
For instance, this thing, the Magic Card "Burst Return," can only be activated if "Elemental Hero Burst Lady" is present on the field, returning all "Elemental Heroes" on the field except her to the owner's hand.
This thing doesn't just return other Monsters on the field to the hand, it returns other "Elemental Heroes" to the hand. At a glance, isn't this thing just a scam to oneself?
However, Judai innocently blinked his big eyes: "But this card is so cool!"
Youyu rolled his eyes.
Cool? What's the use of being cool? Can you eat coolness?
But after looking in the mirror, he thought again...
...maybe you actually can.
Ahem, but that's beside the point!
Youyu took Judai's card deck, casually flipping open the top card and coincidentally finding it was an Equip Magic "Spark Blaster."
Only Elemental Hero Sparkman can equip it, allowing you to change the battle position of Monsters on the field up to three times.
Youyu explained to Judai that it's not entirely useless, but it's limited because only "Elemental Hero Sparkman" can use it, which is quite lame.
Because if you don't draw Sparkman, this card is just dead weight, taking up space in your hand...
He hadn't finished his sentence when little Jellyfish Head casually drew the top card from the deck and handed it over to the teacher: "Look, 'Elemental Hero Sparkman'!"
Youyu: "..."
His sentence was cut off midway, forcefully interrupted by Judai.
...Alright, since you have the Kaiba card 502, let's pretend I didn't say anything.
Little Judai seemed puzzled, apparently finding the teacher's concepts confusing.
Huh? Not draw? Why wouldn't you draw it?
If you can't even draw the card you need, then what's the point of dueling?
Indeed, teaching a top-decker can't be bound by common sense. Some things that aren't useful for other card players and have harsh conditions might be deadly weapons in the hands of a top-decker.
Luckily, Youyu has somewhat grasped the threshold of top-decking now, and it's not as dark as it was when he first crossed over.
Moreover, he has somewhat nonsensical cards in his own deck now.
Otherwise, teaching a top-decker how to play cards when you've traditionally played with Physical Cards wouldn't necessarily succeed.
Though, even relying on top-decking, there are still way too many nonsensical things in Judai's deck. Some things, even if you're not afraid of dead hands and can draw them appropriately, their inherent strength and effects are just average — bringing no investment value.
Yet, Judai's deck has quite a few of these things.
The reason is simple.
— Because they're cool!
Facing Judai's bright and innocent expression, Youyu's mouth twitched and then ruthlessly declared—
— Kick them out!
Kick out all these useless things!
"Huh?"
Little Judai's smile immediately disappeared. His small hands uneasily fiddled with his deck, and Jellyfish Head drooped, looking as though his dad ordered him to throw away his most beloved toy.
For a moment, Youyu suddenly felt like he was the villain...
...No, it's all for his own good!
Judai showed reluctance on every card removed: "Youyu-sensei, can't I use this card either?"
"No need."
"What about this?"
"No need."
"And this one?"
"..."
Within a short time, Judai's deck thickness visibly decreased.
"But sensei, doesn't the deck need at least forty cards?" Judai innocently asked, "What do we do with so many cards missing?"
Youyu thought for a moment and first pulled out a few Pot of Greeds, Book of Magic Cards, Library of the Heavens type cards.
"For now, stuff these in."
Judai seemed confused: "Do you need that many?"
Youyu patiently encouraged him: "Think about it, the Hero Deck primarily focuses on 'Fusion.' If you want to summon any Fusion Monster — say, Flame Wingman, how many cards do you need?"
"Huh? Uh, three...three cards?"
"How many cards do you have in hand in the first turn?"
"Six...six cards..." Little Judai realized, "Oh! That makes sense! That's why cards that supplement your hand are needed..."
Youyu nodded slightly, ruffled his small head.
Not bad, the kid can be taught.
Although it might still be a bit challenging to explain the concept of "card advantage" to Judai, it's still a good start.
Generally speaking, card players like keeping their decks to forty cards, because it's easier to draw critical cards and execute planned tactics. But such concerns don't exist for top-deckers.
So Youyu taught Judai that the thicker the deck, the better; fill every card possible!
Every additional card increases your chances to handle various unexpected situations!
Until absolutely necessary, when you face dilemmas where no card can solve the situation, then consider printing cards...
Judai wondered what to add into the deck next?
So Youyu pulled out various red Trap Cards.
They say, when in doubt, fill with traps.
After all, you're fearless of dead hands, right? Come, come, I have Solemn Judgment, Bottomless Trap Hole, Torrential Tribute...
Of course, these are only suggestions.
A deck must be composed personally to truly be one's own. Ultimately, the selection of cards and deck configuration must be Judai's decision.
Just then, Chinai, dressed in a maid outfit with an apron, peeked her head out from the kitchen: "Dinner is ready."
"Alright." Youyu ruffled Judai's Jellyfish Head again — he's recently found the more he does it, the more enjoyable it is, "Let's go eat."
"Okay!" Judai nodded vigorously.
At the same time, his spirit, Spirit Yubel, was floating beside looking at Youyu angrily, hugging her arms.
Not long ago, after Youyu ruffled Judai's head once, Yubel voiced her dissatisfaction.
Protest!
When did I ever allow you to touch his head?
I haven't even touched it!
So now, whenever Youyu does that, she appears, glaring at him with her cold, mismatched eyes in silent protest.
Of course, her protest... is clearly ineffective.
After all, she can't win...