Tenjo Hikari's own impurity also made her transformation seem very easy.
So quickly?
Tenjo Hikari touched her hand, feeling not much different in change, and casually bounced a couple of times.
Previously, Tierra took a lot of preparation and several people's help to modify Lapis, but she could easily add special status on her own now?
In any case, this made Tenjo Hikari slightly relieved.
She still remembered, in "Apocalypse Record," there were a few special places Ed might not have had a chance to visit, so she planned to investigate them later.
Returning to Duel Academy, the oppressive and suffocating atmosphere seemed absent until Tenjo Hikari opened the door and looked at her struggling classmates outside the classroom, realizing nothing had actually changed.
Surely acquiring resistance so effortlessly was something.
Now then...
She gazed out the window at the world, as the dim light shone through.
Silently, she took out a card from her deck, a broken card.
Destiny Hero - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer.
This card was born during the duel against Saiou controlled by "Light of Destruction," and since then, Tenjo Hikari had tried various methods to fully summon it, but it hadn't changed for some reason.
Now, flames rekindled on the card, the phoenix seemed to begin reviving anew.
Destiny—
It had always watched over that person.
Indeed, it wasn't his alchemy that was problematic; it was that the time of [Destiny] hadn't arrived.
In the original story, Ed faced his two greatest duels which were also his greatest [moments of destiny]... against Saiou Takuma and Amon Garam. These duels were unavoidable destiny and something he himself needed to overcome.
The hero of destiny ultimately needed to fulfill his mission of destiny.
Only by achieving his destiny could the phoenix truly burn eternally.
As time passed and dusk approached, Tenjo Hikari put away the increasingly fiery card and took out another card.
The passport from the former [Forgotten World] and now [Mementotlan Dimension], unique to Tenjo Hikari, a card that allowed her to travel freely—
After a storm, Tenjo Hikari gently landed before an enormous skull gate.
Different from the previous visit's darkness and oppression, the dimension now had much brighter sunlight, almost dispelling all darkness and resentment, and Tenjo Hikari even saw many road decorations and torches outside the gate.
She saw the chair she had placed last time, chuckled softly twice, then, like before, sat down calmly and waited for someone to arrive.
Shortly, a pair of men and women and a handsome young man appeared again.
This time, the three had no surprise and wariness on their faces, replaced by calmness.
They saw Tenjo Hikari nearby.
The gate slowly opened, revealing Lion Witch before a mass of Spirit bearing skulls floated behind the gate.
They welcomed Tenjo Hikari's arrival; many Spirits excitedly chanted "Hikari, it's Hikari," but the atmosphere soon cooled their excitement.
Lion Witch looked at Aiko next to Amon.
Destiny led these three back here again.
Unlike last time, this time everyone already guessed each other's intentions.
Amon wanted to create an equal, perfect world, while Ed wished to protect everyone.
"Amon, do you intend to sacrifice your lover to gain strength?" Ed blocked Amon's path.
Amon expressionlessly, calmly adjusted his glasses: "I don't need to tell you."
"Sacrificing a lover for strength, what is the meaning of such power?" Ed followed up.
At this point, Aiko no longer had the appearance of a decisive young girl, instead appearing relieved and happy.
In the past month, whenever this dimension opened, she would come to this dimension, awaiting Amon's arrival. Now, Amon finally returned to this dimension, which meant Amon had truly decided—
He would become the "king," the truly merciful "king"!
"...Ah, humans," Lion Witch sighed twice, looking at Ed, "Since these two humans have already made up their minds, then leave it to me. Let me..."
"No—" Ed shook his head, "I cannot just watch humans fall before me, even if they are strangers."
"Well said, Ed Phoenix." Amon's face remained calm, even cold, "But in our academy, people collapse every day!"
"If they fell due to malicious attack, then counterattack is necessary. I cannot accept sacrificing humans for power to counterattack!" Ed continued.
"Yes, so, I will counterattack. I've had enough of merely watching others collapse around me and not waking up."
Lion Witch wanted to interrupt the two of them again, but Tenjo Hikari beside him began shaking his head: "Sir, let them have their final argument. It's good for both of them."
Aiko then spoke: "It's alright, Ed Phoenix, I am thankful to you, but—"
"This has nothing to do with you, Aiko!" Ed did not hear Aiko's remaining words.
Though Ed felt fondness for Aiko upon first seeing her.
But at this moment, now, standing before Amon at this time, was the determined, steadfast, protector of [everyone]... [Phoenixman] Ed!
He raised his left hand, unfolding the Duel Disk, while Amon remained stoic, simultaneously placing his deck into the Duel Disk.
Nothing more needed to be explained.
"Duel!" X2.
Amon Garam, LP: 4000.
Ed Phoenix, LP: 4000.
"My turn, draw." Amon glanced at his hand cards.
Two Cloudian, a Left Arm of the Forbidden One, a Left Leg of the Forbidden One, and Card Destruction...
"Summoning in Defense Position, Vortex Trooper."
A machine monster resembling the mechanical Kazejin appeared on the field.
Vortex Trooper, LV 3, Wind Attribute, Aqua-Type, DEF 600.
"Upon its summoning, its effect is activated," Amon drew two cards, "Return two cards in my hand to the deck for shuffling. Then draw two cards from the deck."
He returned the two Cloudian cards in his hand to the deck, which automatically shuffled within the Duel Disk, and subsequently, the top two cards of the deck automatically ejected.
Right Arm of the Forbidden One, Right Leg of the Forbidden One!
He calmly placed the cards in his hand, and behind him, the Spirits witnessing this gasped.
How terrifying is this guy!?
Who can duel against you!?
Amon looked at the cards in his hand, then at the top of his deck.
If nothing unexpected happens, the next card should be... Dark Great Mage of the Forbidden One!
Once all five different Exodia parts are gathered, that person will win.
With these cards, no matter the enemy anywhere in the world, and regardless of existence, facing these five cards will only result in loss.
Using this method, with this power, even the most evil existence is unable to resist, thus being able to protect the students of Duel Academy.
"End my turn."
"My turn, draw card—"
As Ed drew a card, he could feel a monster filled with resentment, a terrifying beast watching him secretly.
If he cannot change the destiny in this turn, then he will face defeat, perhaps even... death!