How can you ask such a question at this moment?
"... Exodia." Lion Witch's voice was calm, the gentle smile on the lion's head gradually fading, "I don't know where you came from, but you're right.
Indeed, this world does have [Exodia].
The [Abandoned Exodia]."
Indeed!
Aiko revealed a joyful smile.
Ed couldn't help but furrow his brows, the good impression he had of Aiko upon first meeting her vanished instantly.
Exodia?
How could such an existence possibly be forgotten?
Unless—
He thought of a "legend."
More than ten years ago, when dueling was first becoming popular, the president of Industrial Illusions, Pegasus, hosted the "Duel Kingdom" tournament, and before that match, Duel King Yugi Muto had the invincible "Exodia" in his deck, and to prevent and defeat this invincible card, Insector Haga tricked the young and naive Duel King and then threw the card into the sea.
The [Abandoned] Exodia—
Does such a card still exist in this dimension?
"That is the most powerful card, the truly invincible card." Aiko took two deep breaths and spoke to Lion Witch but mostly looked at Amon, "If one could obtain this ultimate power, then no matter what kind of tragedy could be overcome, no matter what kind of duel, one could win...
With such a card, you could leap to become the world's strongest duelist and... create an ideal world."
"Naive!!!"
Lion Witch roared.
Its fur stood up, and the crown flashed with a chilling light, the entire dimension seemed to flicker with purple radiance.
"That is the [Abandoned] Exodia, filled with grudge, the spirit of Exodia's soul!"
It stared directly at Aiko, exuding an icy aura, a pitch-black gale blew wildly, forcing Amon to stand before her, protecting her.
"Even though it wasn't discarded by its owner, it harbors the earliest [resentment], [jealousy], and [abandonment] among all the cards in this world, being the true source of grievance for this Forgotten World!"
Lion Witch roared.
If it hadn't been for Muto Sugoroku arriving in this world and taking Exodia's spirit, the grievance in this world would only be greater!
Now, Exodia's "spirit" has been taken away, but the resentment and agony accumulated in this world are as deep as mountains, as hell.
That is not [Exodia], but a terrifying evil spirit possessing Exodia's body!
An evil spirit full of malice toward humans!
"To use such a card, one must sacrifice the person they love most, sever all emotions—"
"Lion Witch!" Tenjo Hikari suddenly interrupted.
"Hikari, are you going to argue for them..."
"What I mean is, my friend just asked out of curiosity, you don't have to explain further." Tenjo Hikari coughed twice.
Lion Witch came to his senses, taking two deep breaths.
Indeed, in its anger, it revealed things it shouldn't have said.
Hikari truly is remarkable... I shouldn't have lost my cool like this.
Shaking its head, it looked down at the group, noticing Aiko deep in thought, and snarled viciously, "Don't ask any more questions about this. It's for your own good!"
"If you still want to save some Spirits in this world, then go explore—otherwise, leave! Humans!"
Although it said "feel free to explore," in fact, Lion Witch was obviously issuing an expulsion order.
Tenjo Hikari could also feel his body and consciousness slowly "rising," clearly a sign of returning to the Human World.
"I'm sorry, Amon, I messed up." As the feeling of faintness appeared, Aiko regretfully said to Amon.
She was too impatient.
"... It's okay." Amon responded softly.
Ed lightly furrowed his brows.
Saiou said he might encounter opportunities to become stronger and change his destiny in this dimension.
He looked at Tenjo Hikari, unable to resist a light sigh: "Director, it seems next semester I need to focus on school. Please ask Cronos, the acting principal, to prepare a private dorm for me."
"Haha. Professor Cronos will surely be very pleased—why the sudden change of heart?"
"... Destiny." He inhaled deeply, tinged with melancholy.
Is that so—
Tenjo Hikari heard Ed mention "destiny" again, yet the usual aversion and disgust he had felt towards "destiny" was absent.
Because Ed's destiny was guiding him to become who he wished to be.
Ed now understood why Saiou said he would find whole new possibilities here—Heroes might use sacrifice to gain strength, but it's never at someone else's expense!
Tenjo Hikari said no more to Ed, both feeling the bubbling sound like water, then slowly disappearing from this dimension, and when they regained consciousness, Tenjo Hikari had returned to his workshop.