While Youyu was invited to the KC Cup, Duel Academy also welcomed a new school year and new students.
In previous years, senior students generally focused on cute little sisters with slim waists and long legs, while the seniors often only paid attention to the handsome young brothers.
But this year is different.
This year, the attention of all the teachers and students in the entire academy is perhaps unprecedentedly and undisputedly focused on this one person—
—Ed Phoenix!
It is said that the young Duelist who wrote a legend by winning the world championship in his first year of debut has decided to attend this academy!
This was a literal bombshell, and the whole school exploded with excitement. The matter seemed so unbelievable that even Professor Chronos laughed heartily when he heard—he clearly took it as a joke.
A world champion coming to our school? Am I teaching him, or is he teaching me?
Until he got the confirmation directly from Principal Samejima.
"Mamma mia!" Cronos almost levitated on the spot, "That Ed Phoenix is really coming to our school, Norne!"
The entire academy was in shock, especially among the girls.
There were quite a few infatuated girls who called him "Lord Ed" like Asuka's roommates did in the original work. A talented person like Ed, who was young, had an elegant gentlemanly demeanor, and impressive skills, was simply irresistible to the girls.
It was completely predictable that on the day Ed Phoenix landed, a crowd of enthusiastic students gathered near the dock, resembling a concert venue.
Ed Phoenix appeared in front of everyone as promised.
As he walked down the steps from the luxurious private yacht, he waved politely and skillfully to the enthusiastic students around him, just as he had done countless times in public.
He was wearing his usual white suit, walking with a calm and graceful stride, accompanied by a beautiful and capable secretary and two burly bodyguards in black suits.
All his luggage was in the hands of the two bodyguards.
Just looking at that setup, it's hard to imagine that this was a freshman's admission. If the academy had hung a banner at the dock saying "Warmly welcome the world champion to inspect the school's teaching work," it probably wouldn't have seemed out of place.
Principal Samejima personally came forward to greet Ed—possibly the first freshman in the history of the academy to receive such an honor. The bald principal smiled cheerfully as he shook hands with Ed, while Professor Chronos stood behind, biting a handkerchief and murmuring like a recorder, "Oh my, it really is him."
While Ed was exchanging pleasantries, his gaze was sweeping through the crowd, his blue eyes working like radar searching for a target.
Seeing Ed, seemingly unable to lock onto his target after a while, the secretary whispered a hint in his ear: "If you're looking for Judai, he's over there."
Following the secretary's snow-white hand, Ed indeed saw Judai smiling and waving at him from a distance and couldn't help but brighten up with joy.
But in just an instant, Ed hid the instinctive expression of emotion, snorted disdainfully: "Don't be silly, I'm not looking for someone like that."
Saying this, Ed's body had already very honestly shifted his trajectory, moving toward Judai.
"Oh, oh, long time no see, Ed!"
Judai was very excited—if not held back, he might have rushed in for a bear hug.
"Clearly not long enough." Ed said, "I really don't want to see you at all."
Despite saying this, he couldn't help but smile, as if reminiscing about the good old days.
Judai didn't mind at all, continuing happily: "By the way, Ed, you're amazing! I've watched all your matches..."
Upon hearing this, Ed's smile seemed to uncontrollably widen, even his posture straightened a bit more.
"Of course." He said proudly, "Since our last separation, I have been getting stronger every day!"
For some reason, other people's compliments and flattery never mattered to Ed; he'd let them pass in one ear and out the other, never taking them seriously, let alone swelling with pride.
But only this jellyfish-headed guy's clumsy and uncreative praise could bypass all his defenses and strike a particular point deep inside him, making it inexplicably pleasing.
The students observing also realized at this moment.
Oh my, Ed and our academy's top dog Yuki Judai...
...seem to have a story?
"I really didn't expect you to become the world champion." Judai said sincerely, "You're too strong, Ed!"
Ed's face was full of "that's no big deal."
The title "world champion" had never made him as proud as he was now—even when he originally won it, he was completely indifferent.
"Hm, of course, the professional world is very cruel." Ed said, "Having been honed in the professional realm, I am now vastly different from you still lingering in the academy's greenhouse!"
The secretary, expressionless, muttered behind: "But sir, despite almost everyone trying to stop you, you stubbornly insisted on coming to the academy to study..."
Ed's face darkened, he glared at her. The secretary seemed oblivious as she looked elsewhere, seemingly enjoying the scenery.
Judai, seemingly unaffected, continued laughing: "Haha, that's true, if we duel now, I might not even be Ed's opponent anymore!"
Ed laughed, but suddenly felt there was something off about his words, immediately emphasizing: "Hm, I've never actually lost to you! Our duels have always been my victories more often!"
"Oh, oh." Judai nodded sincerely, "That sounds about right."
Only then was Ed satisfied and prepared to move forward. But he paused momentarily, thought for a moment, and added: "However, you're still my rival. If you think you can surpass me, I'm open to challenges at any time!"
After saying this, he left.
His voice wasn't quiet, and quite a few students heard it.
News spread from one to ten and ten to a hundred, and the academy was in uproar once again.
Shocking!
World champion Ed Phoenix turned out to be the rival of the academy's big shot, Yuki Judai!
Asuka beside Judai couldn't help but ask: "You guys knew each other before?"
"Yeah!" Judai nodded, "We're really, really good buddies!"
"Bu... buddies?" Asuka whispered, "But Ed said he won more often..."
"Oh, that? If he says so, then it must be."
Asuka was confused: "What do you mean?"
"Oh well, because we've dueled so many times, I never kept track seriously." Judai said with embarrassment, scratching his head, "Dueling is about having fun, right? Wins and losses don't matter, do they?"
So if Ed says he won more, then let's just consider him winning more."
Asuka: "..."
The campus paparazzi who were quick to sniff out the news immediately got to work, with hot and fresh campus reports churned out. Judai and Ed instantly became the focal point of the new school year.
Almost every student in the school showed great interest in this huge gossip of the century.
But there was one exception.
Manjome Jun nearly tore the newspaper apart upon seeing the headline.
He found it unbelievable.
Rival? That Yuki↑ Judai↓'s rival?
I don't recall ever allowing him to take my place!
Mr. Lightning was extremely furious.
Unforgivable!