Yugen looked up, surprised at the shift in attention.
"First, thank you for guiding my Card Professors today. I have always told them there is always someone stronger, but experience teaches better than words."
"It was nothing," Yugen replied casually.
"Dixon gave you a unique evaluation, so I looked into you. I learned you were the one who defeated the rogue AI at KaibaLand. No wonder Seto Kaiba has taken notice."
Yugen rested his chin on his hand. He could smell cards in the air.
"If you would allow me, I have a request."
A servant stepped forward and placed a Duel Disk loaded with a Deck into Yako Tenma's hand.
"Would you be willing to Duel with me?"
As expected.
When he heard that Yako Tenma wanted to see him, Yugen had already guessed there would be cards involved. He was only a nameless freshman at Duel Academy, and even if he had some fame on campus, he should not have been important enough to catch the eye of someone at Yako Tenma's level.
If the man wanted to meet him, the most direct reasons were either that he had beaten one of their Card Professors badly during the day, or that people were spreading rumors about him after he had taken down the AI that once controlled Blue-Eyes White Dragon, calling him "the man noticed by Seto Kaiba."
No matter which reason it was, there was only one possible purpose. A game of cards.
To be honest, Yugen had already expected this before coming, so he was mentally prepared for a Duel. According to the Duel Academy Card Draw course, dueling strong Duelist helped one grow, and facing greater pressure refined a Duelist's strength. Of course, he had also considered that he would not play for nothing.
While Yugen was still thinking, Mokuba Kaiba spoke first. "That is not impossible, but if it is only a Duel, would that not be a little dull?"
Yako Tenma replied calmly, "What do you have in mind?"
"I remember that at last year's Industrial Illusions tournament, one of the gifts was a replica of Mr. Maximillion Pegasus's 'Thousand-Eyes Restrict' from Duelist Kingdom, right? If I am not mistaken, there should still be some left."
Yugen raised an eyebrow.
Before he could even speak, Mokuba Kaiba had already said what he was thinking. That was real understanding.
"I see." Yako Tenma smiled. "There are two replicas left. If you are interested, you may take one."
Mokuba Kaiba smiled as well and exchanged a glance with Yugen. "Well? Want to give it a try?"
To be honest, he also wanted to watch Yugen duel again. There was something special about the way he played.
"Then I will gladly accept." Yugen stood up with a smile. "Please give me your guidance, Mr. Maximillion Pegasus."
Both sides rose and, led by Yako, left the restaurant for the Duel arena.
"Duel!" x2
Yugen, LP 4000 Yako, LP 4000
"I will go first. Card Draw."
Yako placed a monster card. "Set in Defense Position, Summon 'Boss Turtle'."
Boss Turtle, DEF 1200
"When Boss Turtle is Summoned, I can Special Summon any number of 'Boss Turtle' from my hand."
He revealed two more cards. "Special Summon two more 'Boss Turtle'!"
Boss Turtle, DEF 1200 x2
"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell 'Card of the Underworld.' While this card is on the field, if I Tribute two or more monsters for a high level Summon, I draw two cards."
A card image appeared in his Back Row. "I set one card and end my turn."
"My Turn!."
Yugen drew.
Even if Yako Tenma had once been controlled by the Dark God, he should still count as a Legendary Duelist. Legends had different levels, and in theory he should be stronger than someone like Rex Raptor or the Meikyu Brothers.
So this time, Yugen used his updated main build.
"I Normal Summon 'Nephthys Protector.'"
A gift from Shin Doma and the Three Swords through Shell, the silver haired girl in golden armor appeared, her red cloak blazing like fire.
Nephthys Protector, ATK 1400
"Protector's effect. I Destroy one card from my hand, then Special Summon one Level 4 or lower 'Nephthys' monster from my hand except 'Nephthys Protector.'"
She swung her greatsword, flames sweeping away a card in his hand.
"Special Summon 'Nephthys Disciple'!"
Nephthys Disciple, ATK 600
"Phoenix God Nephthys's Deck." Yako narrowed his eyes. It was a rare build.
"The card I Destroy was the Quick-Play Spell 'Silence Magic Burst.'"
Yugen showed the Spell Card leaving the Graveyard.
"I banish this card from the Graveyard to add 'True Silent Magician' from my Deck to my hand."
He retrieved the card, and the Deck automatically shuffled within the Duel Disk.
"'True Silent Magician' cannot be Normal Summoned, but it can be Special Summoned by Tributing a Spellcaster Type monster on my field. I Tribute the Spellcaster Type 'Nephthys Protector.'
Wings of hope and Silence, magician of light, appear here.
True Silent Magician, Summon!"
The flaming swordswoman vanished in a circle of white light, replaced by a silver haired mage who descended softly, surrounded by pale radiance.
True Silent Magician, ATK 1000
"I see. The followers of Nephthys are all Spellcaster Type, suitable as Tributes for Silent Magician. Their discard cost also sends Magic Burst to the Graveyard, meeting the condition."
Yako smiled. "The two systems fit together unexpectedly well."
Both True Silence and Nephthys were extremely rare in this world. Combining them like this was likely a first.
"'Performage Trick Clown' in my hand can be Special Summoned in Attack Position. I Special Summon 'Performage Trick Clown.'"
Performage Trick Clown, ATK 0
"Next, the effect of 'Nephthys Disciple,'" said Yugen. "By Tributing itself and another monster I control, I can Special Summon 'Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys' from my hand or Deck. I Tribute 'Performage Trick Clown' and 'Nephthys Disciple.'
From the ancient flames of the Phoenix, descend, divine bird of fire.
Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, Summon!"
Blazing flames shot upward, forming fiery wings as the golden divine bird emerged.
Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, ATK 2400
The Card Professors watching from behind could not help but change expressions.
Two ace level monsters on the first turn.
Whether it was Silent Magician or the Phoenix God, each was rare enough to serve as the core of a Deck. Even Kirk Dixon, who had just been beaten earlier, stared with a strange look.
So you do not only play that ridiculous trio.
Setting up such a field right away was already very strong in his view. Then why had he used that annoying Ojama strategy against him before?
Just to mess with him.
Kirk Dixon's face darkened, and he felt even worse.
Yako Tenma narrowed his eyes slightly. "On the first turn you already used Summon to bring out Phoenix God and Silent Magician."
"Silent Magician's ATK increases by 500 for each card in your hand."
Yugen pointed at the field. "I have two cards left in hand, so her ATK rises by 1000."
[True Silent Magician, ATK 1000 → ATK 2000]
"Silent Magician, attack Boss Turtle!"
Silence stepped forward on her magic circle, light gathering around her staff. Before she could strike, Yako Tenma spoke up.
"I activate my set card, Continuous Trap - Ultimate Offering!" Yako Tenma declared. "By paying 500 Life Points, this Trap Card lets me perform a Normal Summon from my hand."
Mokuba Kaiba blinked. "A Normal Summon during the opponent's turn?"
"Exactly. And the card I Summon is this one!"
Yako Tenma, LP 4000 → LP 3500.
He raised a card high. "I tribute the three Boss Turtle on my field."