Many of his actions looked strange at first glance and even went against common sense for a Duelist. Yet the results always proved him right. After working with him for some time, they had grown used to following his instructions first and asking questions later.
After thinking for a moment, Daidouji said, "I do have a suggestion."
He picked up the plump Pharaoh Atem and stroked it as he spoke, as if the motion helped him organize his thoughts.
"I have a friend who has some achievements in card creation and knows quite a few people in the field," Daidouji said with a light cough. "Recently, Industrial Illusions has been holding some kind of academic event. A conference of sorts."
He slapped his forehead lightly. "Anyway, if you can present your results there, you might receive sponsorship from Industrial Illusions. There is even a chance to attract the attention of Mr. Maximillion Pegasus."
"The registration deadline has already passed, but my friend knows some people at Industrial Illusions. If we ask them for help, it should not be too late to join."
"I see." Yugen considered this seriously.
Securing sponsorship from both Industrial Illusions and Kaiba Corporation would be ideal. Participating in a public conference would also raise their laboratory's profile and make it easier to obtain more manpower and resources in the future. As far as he was concerned, he already counted as having acquaintances within Industrial Illusions, and perhaps one day he might even find a chance to look around their storage facilities.
"Then thank you, sir."
Daichi Misawa and Asuka Tenjoin still felt as if they were dreaming. They had only been enrolled for a short time, yet now they were about to attend an academic event. What was more, they actually had several results worth presenting.
On Asuka Tenjoin's side, the animated versions of the Cyber Angel trio, "Cyber Angel Benten", "Cyber Angel Idaten", and "Cyber Angel Dakini", had already received upgrades adapted for real cards. To her, this was already an achievement beyond anything she had imagined before.
To Yugen, however, this was only the beginning.
Strengthening animated cards for real play was just the first step of development. He continued to guide Asuka Tenjoin and helped her expand her thinking.
"I think our ideas have become a bit rigid," Yugen said. "Including mainstream research, everyone treats Cyber Angel as the representative of aggressive Ritual strategies."
Asuka Tenjoin frowned. "Isn't that true?"
As the owner of Cyber Angel, she should have had the most authority to speak on the subject. Yet after working with Yugen for so long, she no longer felt so certain.
"Yes and no. Cyber Angel excels at offense, but because of that, her potential in other areas has been ignored," Yugen said. "I recently discovered a new direction. New Cyber Angel Ritual monsters do not have to focus on extension or pure attack. I believe Cyber Angel has defensive potential that everyone has overlooked."
He was referring to "Cyber Angel Nasha".
It was a Level 5 Cyber Angel Ritual monster with only 1000 ATK and 1000 DEF, and all three of its effects leaned toward defense rather than aggression.
Its first effect allowed you to target one monster you controlled and gain Life Points equal to half that monster's ATK. Its second effect could negate an attack when one of your Ritual monsters was targeted. The third effect was the key. While this card was in the Graveyard, you could banish other Cyber Angel monsters there to Special Summon it, then take control of one monster your opponent controlled. (ANIME EFFECT)
Compared to pure destruction, Yugen found this kind of control effect far more interesting. Unfortunately, no one seemed to be exploring this direction for the Deck at all.
Still, he had faith in Asuka Tenjoin. Her luck was nowhere near the level of Judai Yuki, who could seem to draw whatever he needed at the perfect moment, but compared to ordinary people, she was already exceptional. With the right hints and a clear direction, who knew what she might create?
When the world eventually saw a version of Cyber Angel so different from before, it would surely bring them some surprise.
Night fell over Duel Academy.
In an unknown room, perhaps a forgotten corner of Duel Academy, a faint candle flame flickered in the darkness. The light swayed as if guided by an unseen hand.
Three figures in white robes sat around an old wooden table. Their hoods cast deep shadows over their faces, and their movements were slow and deliberate, as though performing an ancient ritual.
On the table before them lay what looked like a spirit board.
It resembled the Yu-Gi-Oh! Card known as "Spirit Message", the card Bakura had used against Yugi Muto in Duel City. When the letters spelling DEATH were assembled on the field, it granted an automatic victory. But what lay here was not a hologram. It was a physical object made in imitation of that card's image.
This was a summoning ritual.
"O great artificial being, if you hear our sincere call, descend upon us."
A cold wind slipped through the cracks in the window. The candle flame flickered violently before going out, plunging the room into darkness.
Within the shadows, a pair of dark red eyes opened.
They were filled with greed and hunger.
Late at night.
Yugen sat in his lab chair, stifling a yawn as he stretched his arms. The large laboratory was empty, and his was the only room in the entire corridor still lit. Moonlight spilled across the quiet teaching building, and the fluorescent lights flickered faintly in the silence.
Normally he would have returned to the dorm by now, but tonight his ideas had been flowing and he worked later than usual. His long discussion with Asuka Tenjoin had gone well, and he had carefully hinted at the future development path for Cyber Angel. Once the build was complete, he planned to assemble a copy for himself.
The strengthened Cyber Angel would have excellent engine performance, even if it lacked a dominant finisher in the current anime environment. That did not matter, as it was always wise to prepare strong options in advance. Its true power did not lie in staying within its native system, but in being attached to certain highly compatible Decks, where it could operate at full capacity.
Once that external setup evolved into its complete form, its strength would jump ahead by several generations. On Daichi Misawa's side, development of the Zombie-Type line was progressing steadily. After evolving into their physical card versions, "Gozuki" and "Mezuki" had each secured a copy for Yugen, and both were powerful staples for Zombie-Type strategies in the current environment.
He did not play a pure undead themed Deck at the moment, but if he acquired one with sufficient strength in the future, he would definitely invest in it. Leaning back, he rolled his neck, then suddenly noticed a small hand holding out a mug beside him. Steam rose from a fresh cup of coffee.
Yugen accepted it by reflex and looked up in surprise. The one who handed it to him was "Silent Magician". The silver haired magician girl placed the cup in his hand, then quickly used Release to return to spirit form, glancing away shyly.
He blinked in surprise. His Spirit had learned to make coffee on her own.
Smiling, he took a sip and lifted the mug slightly toward her. "Thank you."
Silent Magician gave a small smile and a polite bow, then retreated back into the Deck within the Duel Disk. After finishing the coffee, Yugen checked the time and saw it was close to midnight.
"That is enough for today."
He stood, shut off the lights and power, and left the lab. The path to the dorm wound through dense woods, with dry leaves crunching under each step. Branches swayed in the wind, making soft rustling sounds like whispers in the dark.
He did not consider himself afraid of the dark, yet tonight the atmosphere felt slightly off. Every breeze through the trees seemed to carry faint murmurs. Silent Magician, who had already returned to the Deck, floated back out and raised her staff cautiously.
"Spirit fluctuations?" Yugen frowned.