So Duels could be played like this and still be fun.
Asuka Tenjoin took a deep breath and carefully put away "Cyber Angel Nasha" as if it were something precious. Her heart beat faster, as though a door to a new world had opened.
The experts from Student Council were equally satisfied after watching the Duel. They began discussing it with energy, clearly stirred by what they had seen. The atmosphere in the hall relaxed at once.
Some said that the student from Duel Academy was extraordinary to defeat the Association Chief of Electronic Research Association with Cyber Deck. Others had already approached Yugen and Daichi Misawa to start conversations before the conference had even begun. Smiles spread across many faces, and the new cyber style card that carried a bold, unconventional flavor drew particular interest.
Ironically, Misaki Takahashi, who cared most about cyber research, seemed much calmer after the Duel.
By all logic, this trip should have been rewarding for her as the Association Chief of Electronic Research Association. She had discovered a junior who perfectly inherited their Cyber Deck and a new card with the potential to break through a long standing bottleneck in their research. Two happy events had come together, yet after one Duel she felt no excitement at all.
As the conference was about to begin, Yako Tenma stood up as the host and tapped the microphone lightly.
"First, I want to thank Asuka Tenjoin from Duel Academy and Misaki Takahashi from the Electronic Research Electronic Research Association for the wonderful and enjoyable Duel they gave us."
The experts nodded in agreement. Only Misaki Takahashi remained expressionless, wondering if it had really been enjoyable.
"At the same time, the results brought by the student team from Duel Academy have already been shown to everyone. I believe you have all seen their impressive breakthrough."
As Yako Tenma spoke, he glanced at Yugen with a faint smile. Yugen was not sure what that meant, but from the look he seemed to read something like, as expected of the man who defeated me.
The thought made him realize more and more people seemed to be taking notice of him. That would not do. If people were going to think about him, he might as well find a way to turn it into benefits later.
"And I believe these young people from Duel Academy have given us a good start and an important reminder," Yako Tenma continued.
"The world of Duel Monsters is vast. Those of us who develop Cards are pioneers at the front lines, explorers in our own way. One of the greatest taboos for explorers is clinging to old frameworks and fixed ideas, using assumed common sense to limit the Decks we create, and ignoring the new possibilities that may exist within a Card."
As Yako Tenma spoke, the experts below listened thoughtfully and nodded.
"These young people found a different direction from the original path of the Deck." His gaze swept across the hall. "I hope this serves as a reminder that we can all lead Duel Monsters even further."
"Well said."
The voice came from above.
Everyone looked up toward the second floor of the Student Council hall. A man in a refined red suit stood there, silver white hair covering half his face and hiding his left eye.
Some people gasped.
That was Maximillion Pegasus J. Crawford.
Years ago, in order to revive his late wife, he had searched the world and unearthed the three thousand year old Duel Monsters stone tablets in Egypt, awakening the power of Duel Monsters in the modern era. Many regarded the founding of Industrial Illusions by Maximillion Pegasus as the beginning of a new age.
He was the man known as Maximillion Pegasus.
"Maximillion Pegasus!"
"He actually came to the Student Council venue in person."
The experts quickly rose to show respect.
It was well known that most affairs of Industrial Illusions had already been handed over to his two adopted sons, Yako Tenma and his twin brother. As Maximillion Pegasus, Maximillion Pegasus had long stepped back from public life. No one expected to see him here today.
"Please, no need to be nervous. Everyone, sit."
Maximillion Pegasus walked down the stairs with a gentle smile, his single visible eye sweeping slowly across the hall before stopping on Yugen and the other two.
He smiled.
"Students from Duel Academy? Then may I ask, what should I call this Boy?"
When Maximillion Pegasus stepped forward and asked only for his name, ignoring the two people beside him, Yugen was slightly surprised.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Yako Tenma, who stood behind them without saying a word. Most likely, Yako Tenma had already told Maximillion Pegasus about their previous Duel. That seemed entirely possible.
So Yugen answered politely, with a hint of teasing. "Yugen Fujiki. Maximillion Pegasus can call me Yugen Boy~"
That had been Maximillion Pegasus's classic catchphrase. In the original era, it was always Yugi Muto Boy and Seto Kaiba Boy. Now that Maximillion Pegasus was a senior and a full generation older than Yugen, calling him boy was hardly strange.
Maximillion Pegasus burst into laughter.
"Good, good, Yugen Boy~ Just as Yako Tenma said, you are a very interesting Duelist~"
Hearing that familiar tone made Yugen relax. It was exactly as he remembered.
"As Tenma said, designing Cards requires not only passion, but also imagination and the courage to explore new ground."
Maximillion Pegasus turned to face the audience as he spoke.
"If we are satisfied with the present and afraid to make changes, the road will not open before us. I hope everyone here can think boldly, just like Yugen Boy, and dare to try."
With a figure of his status speaking, the experts quickly voiced their agreement.
"Maximillion Pegasus is absolutely right."
"A true model for us researchers."
Then Maximillion Pegasus turned back, patted Yugen on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "I have high hopes for you, Yugen Boy~"
After that, he left.
Beside him, Daichi Misawa, who had practically faded into the background, swallowed and gave Yugen a strange look. There had already been rumors that he was someone favored by Seto Kaiba. Now it seemed that even the legendary Maximillion Pegasus, Maximillion Pegasus, had taken an interest in him.
Daichi Misawa felt more certain than ever that his original judgment had been correct. From deck building to dueling to card printing, there was something completely unscientific about this guy. Or perhaps it was precisely because he defied common sense that big shots were naturally drawn to him wherever he went.
Still, it stung a little. They had been standing shoulder to shoulder, yet the industry titan had walked right past him without even a glance.
He was doing well academically too. He worked hard on research.
Daichi Misawa fell into thought.
It seemed that Maximillion Pegasus had not just arrived. He had likely been observing in secret during the earlier Duel. Only after seeing the cards did he finally step forward. Yugen guessed that it was not only because Yako Tenma had mentioned him, but also because the Duel itself had caught his interest.
Yako Tenma was probably involved in organizing this Student Council and may have said a few things to Maximillion Pegasus. They must have known that although Asuka Tenjoin had used Cyber Deck as the main force, the overall research direction had been controlled by Yugen.
In other words, that unusually styled Cyber Angel strategy had definitely been his idea. Judging by Maximillion Pegasus's attitude, he seemed to appreciate it.
Thinking back, it made sense. During the Duelist Kingdom era, when Maximillion Pegasus had been the final boss, his Toon Deck had revolved around stealing the opponent's monster and turning them into Toons. His trump card, the ritual line of the Level Series, had been infamous in the early Underworld environment. And there was also the time he used the Dragon Capture Jar to anger Seto Kaiba to no end.
Tracing it all back, if anyone truly embodied that particular spirit, it was him. If one were to rank figures of the Yu-Gi-Oh! world, even the famous Marik Ishtar would have to call him senior.
Yugen felt as if he understood something.