Throughout the whole day, Tenjo Hikari was engaged in emergency research and gathering information about Tenjouin Fubuki, aside from the initial duel and helping out in the infirmary.
Fortunately, even though Tenjo Hikari couldn't "remember" Tenjouin Fubuki, Tierra remembered clearly.
Despite not having much interest in other humans herself, as the Mechanical God, nothing she had seen or heard was forgotten, and once Tenjo Hikari asked about this question and seemed to care about it, she promptly constructed a brand-new player in the Great Cosmic Workshop for Tenjo Hikari to see.
As Tenjo Hikari watched, he gradually began to recall these memories.
Furthermore, Manjome also gathered other information at the academy.
According to his research, in fact, Tenjouin Fubuki, Marufuji Ryo, and another person whose name is unknown, were actually known as the Academy Three Heroes at the time.
This was completely different from his impression of the "Caesar of Duel Academy"—even after investigating and recalling that there was indeed a Fubuki referred to as the "King of Duel Academy," he had no idea they had another close friend.
When Tenjo Hikari fully integrated all this information, he suddenly remembered everything.
Existence Erasure!
An even stronger power of Darkness was not memory modification, but directly erasing someone's presence from the consciousness of all humanity. In the original work, only Fubuki, having once possessed the power of Darkness, was aware of this and helped Judai find that "Fujiwara Yusuke."
It seemed in this world, due to some reason, Darkness even erased Tenjouin Fubuki's existence.
Why?
He was puzzled, clearly Fubuki and Asuka were not at the academy, studying Entertainment Duel outside the academy...
Even if there was something that could target them, logically, there was no need to target—
No!
Tenjo Hikari suddenly realized.
If Tenjouin Fubuki and Asuka were indeed outside the school, then Darkness wouldn't need to do this—in reverse, it actually meant the likelihood was high that, like Ed, they had arrived at the island just before being sealed at the academy!
Then, he thought of another point.
Fubuki had used the power of Darkness many times, even faintly adapting to the power of Darkness during the duel against Caesar... If such a method could be taught to everyone, then maybe spiritual attacks could be directly resisted.
This point was perhaps the reason Darkness didn't want people to know or find him!
But—
He worried that after he left, the memory would again slowly erase.
"I have observed that point before." Tierra, like a Doraemon, raised a finger and cheerfully spoke to Tenjo Hikari, "Ever since that Paladin, I have been very curious about how it was done.
When even you were affected by memory, I was more surprised.
After all, no matter what, there is Phantasmus and Earthbound Immortal guarding, it should not have that possibility to modify memories."
These gods and demons were definitely far below Darkness in magnitude, but Darkness didn't act directly, instead altering memories from afar—this matter, they could not resist at all.
"So there is only one possibility, that is, it's not single-targeting you specifically but rather modifying the memory of [humans]."
"As long as you are still [human], you will be affected to some extent, no matter how strong."
So...
It was a tough situation.
Tenjo Hikari rubbed his temples.
It seemed he could only let Flame Sword and Crystal remind him occasionally.
As he was thinking that, he suddenly saw Tierra with a smile on her face, hands flat on the sides, like a deity spreading wisdom.
Is there a way to ask her for meaning?
Tenjo Hikari was surprised.
Is there a way!?
Honestly speaking, Tenjo Hikari hadn't expected this either.
This time he couldn't help but praise, "Tierra, do you have a way? So impressive—"
Tierra laughed heartily and then said, "Of course, I am the Goddess of Rebirth, God of Reincarnation—being a god, granting you, the Divine Favored, corresponding, true [Divine Favor] is not difficult."
She scrutinized Tenjo Hikari: "It's simple, just let you [no longer be human]."
?
Tierra touched her chin, tilted her head, contemplating: "Actually, I had a slight guess before, Tenjo Hikari, as a human, seems not so pure, some time ago, you suddenly attacked that person disguised as human approaching you, you also said it was by some strange feeling, right?
In short, it's easy to change your [nature], although not enough to instantly turn you into a non-human, but temporarily in a state combining human and spirit, should be very easy."
Upon hearing this, Tenjo Hikari slightly opened his mouth.
...
Indeed, "Tenjo Hikari" and "Hikari" are not merely issues of understanding or naming...
He took a deep breath.
Forget it, study these matters later, there's no clue right now, if even Darkness's challenge cannot be overcome, don't talk about the matters afterward.
Tenjo Hikari nodded, then beside him, Tierra snapped her fingers lightly, just as she said, with Tenjo Hikari's breathing, Tenjo Hikari seemed to feel nothing change, all "transformation" was completed.
Just like Tierra could freely alter her life form, turning herself into spirit, human, mechanical, undead, this endeavor was routine for her, so changing someone willing to accept transformation was also not difficult.