All along, Jaden had believed that if sacrifice was necessary, he could choose to sacrifice himself.
But did that "sacrifice" truly have no "price"?
Would his friends and classmates truly not suffer from his "sacrifice"?
Although he had believed it didn't matter as long as everyone was safe, in truth, the "price" would remain, carried by friends and classmates who suffered from his injury or disappearance.
That too was "price."
Powerful cards always came with risk.
As a duelist, he had to be prepared to pay the "cost." That was the right way.
"I understand, Professor!" Jaden shouted excitedly. "Then here I go!"
He looked at his hand.
Instant Contact, Monster Reborn, and a poison cannon hero...
Instant Contact could pay 1000 LP to Special Summon a Neos Fusion Monster ignoring its Summoning conditions.
Originally, Jaden planned to test the waters with Lightning Golem's effect and the professor's Set card. If it failed, he'd use Instant Contact as a last resort to Special Summon Elemental HERO Air Neos and destroy Don Ying directly. Even in the worst case, he'd still have 200 LP.
But the professor seemed to have no way to stop him.
He could relax.
"I pay 1000 LP and activate the Spell Card: Instant Contact."
"I Special Summon one Level 7 or lower Neos or Neo-Spacian Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck ignoring Summoning conditions!
If no Neos exists on my field or in my Graveyard, the monster summoned by this effect cannot attack, has its effects negated, and returns to the Extra Deck during the End Phase.
Special Summon!"
"Elemental HERO Air Neos!"
Neos leapt from the grave. A muscular red avian phantom overlaid his body. Then he transformed into a crimson, winged warrior.
Wow...
Hikaru marveled from the audience.
A super-rare HERO you almost never saw in his previous life!
Elemental HERO Air Neos. Level 7, WIND Attribute, Warrior-Type. ATK 2500.
"When my LP are lower than my opponent's, Air Neos gains ATK equal to the difference."
"Whoa?!"
"That's 3000, isn't it?!"
"No wait, the professor lost 600 LP himself!"
"So... Air Neos gains 2400 ATK?!"
Elemental HERO Air Neos, ATK: 2500 → 4900.
Jaden Yuki, LP: 2000 → 1000.
"That exceeds Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"
"What a magnificent Fusion Monster."
Jaden surveyed his field.
The situation looked decent.
Lightning Golem at 2400 ATK, Air Neos at 4900 ATK. Lu Feng at 2800. If the attacks connected, the total damage would far exceed 4000...
But what if the professor's Set card boosted ATK or reduced damage?
He looked at Monster Reborn in his hand.
He had originally planned to use a specific combo to get Mask Change into his hand, but Don Ying had cut that off.
Better not use it for now.
"Entering Battle Phase. Air Neos attacks..."
Some students anticipated Jaden beating another professor.
Others weren't so optimistic.
"Too naive, Jaden! I activate Lu Feng's effect. Once per turn during either player's Main Phase: destroy the monster with the highest ATK on my opponent's field!"
What!
Jaden's eyes widened.
An effect targeting the highest-ATK monster!
Lu Bu swung the mighty Sky Piercer halberd at Air Neos. With a thunderous crash, the monster shattered.
Jaden stood frozen.
"Looks like you still haven't grasped the right measure, Jaden. The monster you paid 1000 LP for was instantly destroyed." The professor chuckled.
"This is bad." Chazz's expression changed. "Lu Bu's effect directly destroys the highest-ATK monster... The professor could have used it earlier to destroy Lightning Golem, but he deliberately held back, letting Jaden operate freely. The real reason was to lull Jaden into ignoring its ability! Making him think Don Ying was the bigger threat!"
"So what does Jaden do now?"
"That's amazing, Professor! If you'd activated this earlier, my Lightning Golem couldn't have destroyed Don Ying, right?!"
"Key cards must be used at key moments." Strongman laughed. "So, Jaden, you have no way to break through Lu Feng now, do you?"
"Normally yes, but Professor, you left me with a possibility!"
"A possibility?" Strongman blinked.
Jaden spoke excitedly. "As a duelist, as long as there's a shred of hope, you can't give up! Just like Hikaru's Fusion, just like your guidance! Because you believe I can do it too. That's why you agreed to duel!
Now, because you activated that effect, I won't enter the Battle Phase. I'll continue my Main Phase!"
Oh?
"Spell Card: Pot of Greed!"
"Huh?"
"Why now?"
Many students didn't understand.
Pot of Greed should be used right away...
Wait!
Everyone realized!
Jaden had opened with a search to thin his Deck, but that first arrow made him cautious. He didn't dare activate effects freely, prioritizing Don Ying's destruction first.
And now!
This was the crucial hope.
"Can two cards change the situation?"
Many craned their necks.
Jaden drew, looked down, and laughed. "This card can Special Summon itself directly. As a cost, this turn I can only Special Summon HEROes."
Quite a heavy cost.
"Can you handle that cost?"
"Of course, Professor! This cost is precisely what makes it strong!" Jaden smiled.
The invincible Bubbleman raised his pistol, clad in black, stepping onto the stage with a serious expression.
Evil HERO Toxic Bubbleman. Level 4, WATER Attribute, Fiend-Type. DEF 1200.
"When Toxic Bubbleman is Special Summoned while I control a Fusion Monster that was Special Summoned by Dark Fusion's effect: I draw two cards."
Strongman frowned.
Tch. In hindsight, destroying Lightning Golem might have been better.
But maybe not. If this kid had drawn regular Bubbleman, he could have drawn two anyway.
Lucky guy.
Jaden drew two more, studied them, and held up two cards. "Spell Card: Graceful Charity. Draw three cards.
Discard two... Aqua Dolphin and this one... then continue with..."
"Oh! Pot of Avarice!"
What?
Strongman was bewildered.
Was that even possible?
From the audience, Chazz complained. "How is Jaden's luck this good..."
"Draw 2, draw 2, draw 3, draw 2..." Jim adjusted his hat, speechless.
"Really? Seems normal to me?" Jesse said casually.
Awkward expressions all around.
In any case, Jaden performed several more draw-and-filter cycles, then opened his Graveyard. He returned Adusted Gold, Sparkman, Air Neos, Aqua Dolphin, and Flare Scarab to the Deck. Then drew two more.
Strongman was dumbfounded.
"Ha, with this, I can counterattack again."
Jaden held up a card. "Field Spell: Neo Space! As long as this card is on the field, Neos and monsters Fusion Summoned using Neos gain 500 ATK and don't return to the Extra Deck during the End Phase."
"But your Fusion Monster was destroyed."
"True. But Professor, I still have a card I couldn't use from the start because of Don Ying's effect: Monster Reborn!
I revive Neos!
Let's go, Neos!"
The pure white warrior rose from the Graveyard, landing like a giant, kicking up dust.
Elemental HERO Neos. Level 7, LIGHT Attribute, Warrior-Type. ATK: 2500 → 3000.
"3000 ATK!"
"If the attack connects, he has a chance!"
"Battle! Neos, attack Lu Feng!"
Strongman pinched the bridge of his nose. He hadn't expected Jaden to counterattack from here.
"But it won't be that easy. Flip Set card: Continuous Trap, Astral Barrier!"
Huh?
"When an opponent's monster attacks a monster I control, I can redirect that attack to a direct attack on me."
A defensive card?
One that absorbed damage for the monster!
Jaden never expected Strongman to use this to protect his monster.
"Wow... first time I've seen someone protect Lu Bu."
"Protecting Lu Bu... somehow feels like it'll backfire."
While they debated heatedly, Neos had already reached Professor Strongman and swung his palm down.
Strongman LP: 3400 → 400.
"He protected his ace monster? So cool, Professor!" Jesse, unfamiliar with Three Kingdoms, was already on his feet with excitement.
Those who knew the Three Kingdoms, however, found the scene bizarre no matter how they looked at it.
Lu Bu... as an ace card?
But to Strongman, it was necessary.
He had cards he liked too. What was wrong with liking the "strongest warrior"?
Jaden stared in astonishment, hesitated, then looked at his hand.
He slid two cards into the Spell/Trap Zone, then held up another. "I Set two cards. I activate the Continuous Spell: Mirage of Nightmare. During my opponent's next Standby Phase, this card lets me draw until I have four cards in hand."
Anyone who knew Jaden could now guess what his Set cards were.
"Turn end!"
The moment he declared it, he noticed Lu Feng on the opposing field suddenly yank his reins tight. Jaden's heart clenched. Many students instinctively swallowed.
Just as they expected some earth-shattering end-of-turn effect, Lu Bu rode Red Hare and leapt onto Jaden's field.
"Huh?"
"HUHHH?!"
The entire school gasped in unison.
Jaden stared blankly at Lu Feng on his own field. Classic lines seemed to echo in his ears.
"Drifting half a lifetime, never finding a worthy lord. The clouds part, the sun appears. If my lord would not refuse me, I would swear you as my father, my father, my father..."
Jaden shuddered.
"Ha ha ha!" Seeing everyone's shock, Strongman finally burst out laughing. "Surprised? But that's Lu Feng for you.
Lu Feng's monster effect: during the End Phase, if the monster with the highest ATK is on the opponent's field, this card's control is transferred to the opponent."
"Huh?"
"What?!"
"He just... gave it away?"
"There's a monster that willingly defects?"
"This... is probably just Lu Bu being Lu Bu..."
Many wore expressions of surprise that somehow made perfect sense.
Lu Bu defecting. Too fitting.
"But this means the professor's field is empty! He has a traitor Lu Bu! And only 400 LP?!"
Jaden was the most affected.
"What?! What is this?! Lu Feng, the professor sacrificed his own LP to protect you! And you just defect without a shred of loyalty?!"
Lu Feng glanced sideways at Jaden and snorted coldly.
He only obeyed the strong!
Strongman shook his head. He took a drag, exhaled his last puff, then crushed the butt. He was about to flick it away when he sensed "deep malice" from behind. He quickly pocketed it instead.
Smoking in class was already pushing Crowler's limits. Littering on top of that, and he might not even make it to his next paycheck, let alone next semester.
"Jaden, this is the second issue I wanted to raise."
Second?
"Can you be certain that the people or spirits you rescue, or the spirits you spare, won't betray you?"
"How could they possibly betray me?"
Jaden didn't understand.
Spirits were beings of contracts. They would never violate the results of a duel.
"Of course they can. The most straightforward example would be the Lightsworn spirits. Legend says they come from a dimension of justice and follow righteous duelists. But if the duelist's heart changes, they'll abandon them without hesitation, even turn hostile."
Jaden thought about it.
That was true.
"In the footage Hikaru showed me, those demons were originally your subordinates, right?"
"Uh... no, I didn't know them..."
"Doesn't matter. They treated you as their boss. But even among those spirits who followed you, didn't one called Reign-Beaux emerge, trying to steal all your hidden power?"
Indeed.
"Jaden... think carefully. Was that one really the only one?"
!!
Jaden jolted.
"Jaden... you'd better be prepared!"
"What's wrong, Professor Viper?" While Jaden stood frozen, Viper suddenly doubled over. Professor Paladin, noticing his discomfort, asked curiously.
Viper took a deep breath, rubbed his ear, and said, "Nothing."
Just now, Yubel's frantic screaming had flashed through his mind.
Although Yubel was hiding in a sub-dimension no one could detect, her soul still shared Viper's senses. Hearing Strongman's words, she had practically gone berserk with shrieking, making Viper extremely uncomfortable.
"Have you ever considered dealing with this? Have you imagined your trusted Heroes appearing on the enemy's field, even being stolen?"
"Uh, no, I haven't." Jaden said sheepishly.
"I have!"
Strongman whipped out a card. "Jaden, to become a true hero, you can't just stumble once and learn, stumble twice and get scolded twice!"
Jaden blinked in confusion. Through Mirage of Nightmare's effect, he drew four cards from his Deck.
Strongman drew his card and looked at it.
Zhang Yuan.
He frowned.
He checked his other cards.
For some reason, dueling Jaden, his hand was terrible. No low-level monsters, and not even Three Visits.
This "Ancient Warriors" Deck came from a dimension his country had discovered during dimensional exploration. In that dimension, different spirit factions held "Great War" tournaments, seizing each other's "territory" just like the historical Three Kingdoms. Very entertaining. He had wanted to visit that dimension for a while.
Unfortunately, that dimension held tournaments every day. There was nowhere to adventure.
Before coming to Duel Academy headquarters, his Ancient Warriors collection was just a few cards. To prepare for the faculty evaluation, he had hastily restructured his Deck. After all, evaluations would surely involve dueling.
That was why his Deck had shifted from the original "warlord faction" cards to its current form, with added support Continuous Spells.
Originally, in that dimension, mixing these cards together wasn't allowed...
"Let me show you my preparations, Jaden. I activate the effect of Ancient Warriors Saga - Deception and Betrayal on the field. I send this card from the Spell/Trap Zone to the Graveyard, targeting one Ancient Warriors monster on the field. That monster's Attribute changes to any Attribute of my choice.
I choose Lu Feng on your field. As for the Attribute... FIRE."
Beside Jaden, Lu Feng suddenly burst into flames. Jaden flinched, confused.
"When this effect targets an opponent's monster, I regain control of that card."
Just like that, the Lu Bu who had just been swearing "I pledge myself as your son" pulled his reins, leapt, turned his head, and jumped back to Strongman's field.
"This guy really doesn't mind running around."
"Well, it is Lu Bu... A completely unsurprising monster..."
The students looked utterly unfazed.
"I see. You were prepared for betrayal from the start?"
"Of course. On the battlefield, even allies might suddenly shoot you in the back. That vigilance is essential." Strongman spoke while placing a monster card. "Normal Summon: Ancient Warriors - Deceptive Jia Wen."
Ancient Warriors - Deceptive Jia Wen. Level 4, FIRE Attribute, Beast-Warrior-Type. DEF: 1800.
"I activate the effect of Ancient Warriors - Rebellious Lu Feng on the field."
Jaden grimaced.
"Once per turn: destroy the monster with the highest ATK on my opponent's field!"
Lu Bu swung the mighty Sky Piercer halberd once more. It spun through the air, then crashed into the warrior of light. Despite having higher ATK, Neos was annihilated under the effect.
"Jia Wen's effect: when a card my opponent controls is destroyed by battle or effect, I target one Ancient Warriors card other than Jia Wen in my Graveyard. That card is added to my hand.
I add Ancient Warriors Saga - Deception and Betrayal from the Graveyard to my hand."
He silently took Deception and Betrayal back, then pointed at Jaden's field. "Then, Jia Wen's effect: I target one Continuous Spell/Trap I control and send it to the Graveyard. I select two face-up monsters and halve their ATK until the end of the turn."
"I send Astral Barrier to the Graveyard and halve your Lightning Golem's ATK."
Evil HERO Lightning Golem, ATK: 2400 → 1200.
"Battle! Ancient Warriors - Rebellious Lu Feng attacks your Lightning Golem!"
"If this attack goes through, Jaden loses." Jesse leaned back.
"Wait! I activate the Quick-Play Spell: Emergency Provisions!" Jaden flipped his Set card. Classic Emergency Provisions. "I send any number of my own Spell/Trap Cards other than this one to the Graveyard. I gain 1000 LP for each card sent!
I send Neo Space and Mirage of Nightmare to the Graveyard!"
Jaden, LP: 1000 → 3000.
Many breathed a sigh of relief.
He should survive now.
"Ha, that's not enough, Jaden!" Strongman held up a card. "I activate Zhang Yuan's effect."
Zhang Yuan?
Zhang Wenyuan?
Zhang Liao!!
Ancient Warriors - Fearsome Zhang Yuan. Level 6, FIRE Attribute, Beast-Warrior-Type. ATK 2300.
"At the start of the Damage Step, when my Ancient Warriors monster battles an opponent's face-up monster: I Special Summon this card from my hand, and that opponent's monster loses 1000 ATK!"
Jaden looked at Lightning Golem. Already weakened by the scheme, the demon was startled by Zhang Liao's sudden appearance. Its ATK plummeted another 1000. Barely any fighting power remained!
Lightning Golem, ATK: 1200 → 200.
Lu Bu charged with his spear, sneering as he cleaved Lightning Golem in two. The legendary Sky Piercer's power, famed for "slaying fathers," struck true.
Jaden Yuki, LP: 3000 → 400.
"Okay... barely survived. Good thing Toxic Bubbleman was in Defense Position, or Zhang Liao would have cut me down!"
Some students breathed a sigh of relief.
But Strongman wagged his finger. "Not so fast. Zhang Yuan's effect: when a card my opponent controls is destroyed by battle or effect, I target one card my opponent controls and destroy it!"
He pointed leisurely at Toxic Bubbleman.
Oh no!
"Bro!" Syrus and Hassleberry cried simultaneously.
This was it!
Jaden's last Set card from last turn was likely something he couldn't use yet. In this situation, the odds of winning with a direct attack were very high!
"Jaden, you did well. I'll definitely pile on the bonus points on your report card." Strongman laughed, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Getting to showcase himself, demonstrate his philosophy, and win? Too good.
"Zhang Yuan, direct attack!"
"Wait!" At that very instant!
"I activate the Trap Card: Hero's Emerges!"
Huh?
"That card, if I remember, activates when an opponent's monster declares an attack." Strongman rubbed his chin. "After activating it, you have to let me randomly select from four cards in your hand. If it's a monster, you can Special Summon it. If not, it's sent to the Graveyard.
Jaden, how can you be sure your four cards include a monster? And how can you be certain I'll pick the monster?"
"I've figured it out, Professor!" Jaden responded excitedly. "Professor, you're right. I really never thought about the price. So from now on, I'll truly talk things through with my friends.
But!
I will absolutely never believe that my cards, my friends, would betray me!"
He held his hand cards up to the professor's face. "So I believe in my cards, I believe in our bond. I believe I will draw a monster!"
"If your starting point is being prepared for betrayal, then... I think mine should be being prepared to never be betrayed by friends, and to never betray them!"
He held up his cards excitedly, waiting for Strongman to choose.
Strongman couldn't help blinking.
Viper couldn't help covering both ears.
Damn idiot, why was the screaming even louder now.
In the Fusion Division, several students started chanting Jaden's name. Syrus and Hassleberry cheered loudly from the audience, declaring they would never betray "bro."
At least in this world, Hikaru still trusted Syrus completely.
"So... you've decided what you want to do going forward?"
"Yes! I understand your concern, Professor. But I want to try my own way too... So I want to take the initiative. I'll seek out the spirits that came to this world and try to... earn their trust!"
In other words, try to turn them before Strongman got to them.
Jaden's eyes flashed with the images he'd seen at the Frightfur Sanctuary.
Thinking about how Hikaru had specially recorded his Nexus incident duel footage yesterday made him feel both embarrassed and happy. His friends, his companions, were genuine treasures. Never the "price," and they must never become his "price"!
Feeling the professor's guidance, his thoughts grew ever clearer.
Not only that, the Supreme King's remnants who had been hurt or wanted to join him, he would face them with the same mindset.
Those too extreme, too unforgivable, would receive appropriate punishment. Those who could truly change, he would find a way to change them!
This was the right path!
Strongman took a breath and sighed with admiration.
"Good. That's the spirit. I like it." He reached out and pointed at Jaden's hand. Without picking or choosing, he randomly selected one. "Second from the left."
Jaden's eyes lit up.
In his hand...
Four cards, and only two were monsters!
"Beautiful! Professor, you picked... Elemental HERO Bubbleman!"
The universe's most confident hero! Bubbleman!
Damn...
Strongman cursed under his breath.
Was Jaden's luck this broken?
Even Aster couldn't help muttering from the audience. "This guy's luck... is it even better than before?"
"I... I think so?" Even Chazz wasn't sure. Compared to Jaden's performance today, even the most ridiculous moments he could recall paled in comparison.
"Jaden's finally cut loose." Hikaru understood clearly. "He's genuinely enjoying dueling again."
Although Jaden had decided during summer break to drop his prejudice against the Supreme King and start using Evil HEROes, his experiences over the past two years had left him unable to truly relax. Meeting Professor Banner and defeating him was a success, but Banner had called his "heart" the worst among them.
Compared to Chazz, who no longer needed to change, and Hikaru, who thought a lot but always reasonably, Jaden had been anxious and indecisive. His mentality was terrible.
But now, he might even be close to the Jaden at the original story's conclusion?
Thinking this, Hikaru even felt a bit proud.
How many detours had he unknowingly helped Jaden avoid!
Although he had rarely helped Jaden directly, just their interactions and occasional support had kept Jaden moving forward!
Of course... it might also be that the original story's characters were too extreme, and this world's "dimensional chaos" provided earlier adaptation, accelerating growth.
"Bubbleman's effect: when this card is Normal or Special Summoned and it's the only card on my field, I draw two cards."
Two more draws.
Strongman's mouth twitched.
He looked at Jia Wen on his field.
Too bad Jia Wen was in Defense Position. Otherwise, Zhang Yuan could have attacked after battle-destroying, then attacked directly.
But who knew.
Two more draws. Who could guarantee what Jaden would get?
Jaden looked at his drawn cards and grinned.
Because he had actually drawn a Trap he could activate on an empty field...
Neo Space Pathfinder!
Strongman looked at his hand.
He still had defensive options, thanks to Don Ying's extra draw last turn.
"Zhang Yuan destroys Bubbleman!"
Zhang Yuan swung his battle-axe at Bubbleman. With a boom, the confident hero vanished.
He placed a card down. "I Set one card. Turn end."
Damn...
If he had Zhuge Kong, Lu Su, or Zhou Yu, would things be like this?
Next time, he'd go to that dimension and not come back until he'd grabbed every card!
Of course, that was just wishful thinking. As the Central branch's head professor, he was far too busy for multi-day "conquest tournaments."
Still, his Sakuretsu Armor wasn't just for show!
And Lu Feng could still destroy the opponent's highest-ATK monster once per turn.
He had the advantage.
"My turn, draw!"
Jaden looked at his card and let out a soft "Whoa."
"What? Drew a key card?"
"Yes, Professor. My strongest card, my favorite card's Fusion, and the Fusion of our friendship!"
Viper couldn't take it anymore. The voice in his head sounded like it was throwing a tantrum on the floor.
"I activate the Spell Card: Polymerization! I fuse Elemental HERO Avian and Elemental HERO Burstinatrix from my hand!"
"Fusion Summon: Elemental HERO Flame Wingman!"
"Then... Spell Card: Miracle Fusion!"
"My friends, my Heroes, I believe in them forever! Miracle Fusion's effect: I banish Fusion Materials from my field and Graveyard to Fusion Summon an Elemental HERO!"
"Fusion conditions: Elemental HERO Neos plus a Wingman Fusion Monster!"
"Ah, here it comes!" Chazz said eagerly.
This card truly was the "symbol of friendship." The genuine proof of friendship between him, Jaden, and Hikaru! The key card from their family tournament.
"Fusion Summon! Level 8: Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman!"
Neos soared from the Graveyard once more. Flame Wingman's fire turned brilliantly golden. Magnificent armor layered onto him until he became a warrior gleaming with golden light.
Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman. Level 8, LIGHT Attribute, Warrior-Type. ATK: 3100.
Jaden exclaimed excitedly. "This card is the most brilliant proof of me and my friends! The Fusion of the monsters I love most!"
"Shining Flare Wingman?" Aster murmured the name. "This seems to correspond to Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer..."
"Shining Flare Wingman's effect: when this card is Special Summoned, I can destroy cards my opponent controls up to the number of different Attributes among monsters on the field.
There are two Attributes on the field, LIGHT and FIRE. So I destroy your Set card and Zhang Yuan."
"Then I activate Lu Feng's effect: destroy the monster with the highest ATK on my opponent's field!"
"Sorry, Professor. Shining Flare Wingman gains 300 ATK for each monster in the Graveyard, and cannot be destroyed by effects!"
Huh...
Aster listened and folded his arms in thought.
It really did perfectly correspond to Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer's effects.
Maybe he could learn from... no, absolutely not. How could he possibly ask Jaden for advice? Never!
Golden feathers swept across the sky, piercing Zhang Yuan and the Set card. Sakuretsu Armor flipped face-up silently, then shattered with a boom.
Strongman scratched the back of his head.
Watching Shining Flare Wingman's ATK slowly climb, he kept muttering.
He had lost to a student?
Really? Were headquarters' students this strong?
But...
Clearing hidden ambushes, gathering the Graveyard's full power, indestructible by effects... not bad.
He met the requirements.
Under Shining Flare Wingman's attack, Lu Bu, the eternal traitor, stood firm before Strongman. Not yielding an inch.
Strongman reached for a cigarette but realized there was no time.
Spirits were spirits, not humans. If this were the real "Lu Bu," he would never do such a thing.
And that was the most fundamental reason he was willing to understand Jaden.
BOOM!
Golden flames descended.
Strongman, LP: 400 → 0.
The holograms gradually faded. Jaden smiled at Professor Strongman. "Professor, that was a great duel!"
"Ha, you kid..." Strongman shook his head, walked over, grabbed Jaden's hand, and raised it high. "The winner: Jaden Yuki! Well done!"
"Wow!"
"Congratulations!"
Applause erupted like a tidal wave.
"Jaden, you were amazing!!!"
"Long live the Fusion Division!!!"
Led by the professors, thunderous applause washed over them.
Excellent, wise professors. Kind, supportive classmates. Adorable, gentle juniors. Warm, caring seniors. Hero spirits who would never abandon him. And brilliant, powerful friends who intersected with his life in every way, sometimes acting together, sometimes growing apart.
He felt that at this very moment, he was walking the most perfect path! There was no moment he could ever be happier than right now!