He sighed before continuing. "We realized it too late. When Dartz founded the old Doma, its influence spread across the world. It reached deep into business and politics. Even though my brother and Yugi Muto defeated Dartz, an organization that large does not vanish overnight. We believe the current Shin Doma was rebuilt from those remnants, which is why it is so massive and difficult to deal with."
After a brief pause, he frowned. "On top of that, the hacker incident has been distracting us."
"The one who broke into the KaibaLand arena?" Yugen asked. "Have you found out who it was?"
"That is the problem. We have not," Mokuba Kaiba said, hands in his pockets. "It is strange. How can someone that skilled appear out of nowhere and leave no trace at all?"
He looked slightly frustrated. "And it happened right at the critical stage of developing the Link System."
"The Link System?" Yugen repeated. It was the first time he had heard the term, whether at Duel Academy or online.
"Oh, right. It has not been announced yet. Trade secret," Mokuba Kaiba said with a smile. "You will probably see it when you visit the Headquarters. Think of it as a surprise."
At that moment, one of the experts hurried over with a report. "The preliminary on site analysis is complete. Further data processing will have to wait until we return to the Headquarters."
He continued, "We believe something happened in this dorm years ago that destabilized the space here. If extraordinary power like a Spirit approaches, there is a certain probability that a Rift leading to another Dimension may appear. It should be an occasional phenomenon. Current readings have already returned to normal."
Something that happened here years ago. Based on what he remembered, Yugen guessed it referred to the Darkness incident that ran through the main GX storyline. A group of reckless students had researched dark forces here and made contact with Darkness. All of them later disappeared, and the Abandoned Dorm became a weak point between Dimensions.
"Understood," Mokuba Kaiba said.
He turned to Yugen. "I am glad you are both safe. That is all for today's investigation. Go back and get some rest. We will meet again in a few days."
Yugen yawned. "Sounds good. I need to catch up on sleep."
After the unexpected trip to the Different Dimension tonight, he was exhausted. Fortunately, tomorrow was the weekend, and he planned to sleep through the entire morning.
Outside, teachers and students who had gathered to watch pointed toward him as he left the dorm.
"He is chatting so casually with Kei Kaiba. Who is that guy?"
"I heard someone say he is the man favored by the legendary Seto Kaiba."
"No way. Seriously?"
Yugen: Name Taken
When he woke up, it was already afternoon.
Yugen sat up and yawned, lingering on the bed for a while before finally jumping down.
When he turned his head, he saw Silent Magician floating beside him, seated in midair and reading with her head lowered. On the other side, Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning stood in the corner with his eyes closed, looking like a personal guard with a blade at his side.
At first, waking up to find people around him had felt strange to Yugen, but now he was used to it.
"Morning."
He greeted them casually and hopped off the bed to wash up. Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning did not react, still standing with his eyes closed, but Silent Magician lifted her gaze from her spellbook and glanced at him.
The look seemed to say that the sun was about to set, so it was hardly morning.
His stomach was already starting to growl. After rinsing his mouth, Yugen walked behind Silent Magician and peeked at what she was reading.
As expected, he could not understand a single word.
It seemed unrealistic for a Duelist to try to become a mage through self study. He decided it was better to focus on playing cards.
After being stared at from behind for a while, Silent Magician drifted aside, looking uncomfortable. She closed her book and tilted her head at him.
It was a silent question asking what he was doing.
Yugen shrugged and said it was nothing, just looking around. Then he turned back to wash his face.
After sleeping for most of the day, he was starving. Yugen went to the cafeteria at Yellow Dormitory and ordered royal chicken curry, pumpkin curry soup, and a curry vegetable platter.
The cafeteria at Yellow Dormitory had all kinds of curry dishes, and they tasted good. The dorm head was known as the Curry Maniac, and his obsession with curry even showed up in his Deck. He had come up with some creative ways to use it in Duels.
Based on the original story, Yugen had expected Academy Administration Office to storm in and demand answers today. In the anime, after Judai Yuki and the others sneaked into Abandoned Dorm, the administration came for them early the next morning.
Later, under Professor Chronos de Medici's suggestion, they were arranged into a team Duel, and losing meant expulsion.
But half a day had passed with no movement. Yugen did not know if they had only called in Judai Yuki and the others and left him alone. That was possible. Or maybe because they had gone to Spirit World, the matter was more serious than in the anime, so the administration had not decided how to handle it yet.
Yugen did not really care. Expulsion was not likely to fall on him anyway. As he ate, he took out his Student Terminal and checked as usual to see if any new cards had been added.
A new message popped up on the terminal. It was from Professor Chronos de Medici.
"There's a Duel. Yugen, are you free?"
Yugen raised an eyebrow.
Straight to the point.
In simple terms, it sounded like someone saying there were cards on the table and to come quickly.
Inside Professor Chronos de Medici's office.
"Longya is truly impressive."
Professor Chronos de Medici clasped his fingers under his chin and smiled at the tall young man in a Obelisk Blue uniform standing before him.
"High placements in multiple tournaments, three championship medals, and an excellent record from your time as a student at Duel Academy."
Professor Chronos de Medici flipped through the resume in his hand.
"You were also a member of the Duel Academy Student Council, correct?"
"Yes. I handled quite a few matters in the Duel Academy Student Council." Longya smiled politely.
"I see. A very beautiful resume. Your results in the entrance assessments so far have also been flawless."
Professor Chronos de Medici spoke with approval.
"You flatter me, Professor Chronos de Medici."
Longya adjusted his glasses and bowed slightly.
"So as long as I pass the final practical Duel, I will complete my assessment and become a teacher at Duel Academy next year, correct?"
"That is correct. As a teacher of Duel Academy, only the best will do."
Professor Chronos de Medici leaned back in his chair with a smile.
"These rules are designed to select the elite among the elite. You must complete the final Duel. Next year, you can officially become a teacher."
"Yes, Professor. I will not disappoint you."
Longya bowed again, though he sneered inwardly.
Of course he would not disappoint him. Not yet.
Returning to teach at his alma mater and becoming an instructor at Duel Academy was only the first step in his plan.
His true goal was to rise within Duel Academy and one day step on Professor Chronos de Medici, who currently oversaw the highest level of practical combat.
Duel Academy was the top academy of its kind, and its graduates were all elites. Longya believed that if he secured a high position here, he would gain resources and influence elsewhere as well.
If he managed things carefully, he could even cultivate capable students who would enter various industries and act according to his will.
The more he thought about it, the more pleased he felt. In his imagination, he already stood above Professor Chronos de Medici, looking down at him.
Your days at the top are almost over. This humility is only until I step into the upper ranks of Duel Academy.
His objective had always been clear.