In the end, there were no surprises for Yugen's team. They successfully received funding sponsorship from Industrial Illusions.
That was only natural. Even setting aside his acquaintance with the event organizer Yako Tenma, the results presented by Alchemy Laboratory today were already eye catching enough.
The achievements of Cyber Angel alone carried enormous weight, and Daichi Misawa's team had also prepared research related to Zombie-Type. Beyond the previously mentioned Gozuki and Mezuki, their latest Card enhancement proved an important racial fact. In this animated world, the so called Yokai-Type monsters were actually a branch of Zombie-Type, and with further development, all of them could evolve into the broader category of Zombie-Type.
For users of Yokai and Zombie-Type, this discovery was groundbreaking. It meant that all known Yokai-Type monsters could now benefit from the generic support cards of Zombie-Type, and powerful effects once limited to the niche Yokai-Type race, like those of Mezuki, could now extend into the wider Zombie-Type field.
This did not merely demonstrate the potential of the cards they had already developed. It pointed out a complete future direction for research into the entire race and offered guidance to everyone working in the field. It was truly a pioneering discovery.
Of course, for Yugen, he had only proven something he already knew. In the original real card game of Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yokai-Type did not even exist as a separate race, and all such monsters had been categorized under Zombie-Type instead.
He had simply deduced the theory early on and guided Daichi Misawa toward proving it. Yet in this world, it was still an extraordinary finding, especially considering that it came from freshmen at Duel Academy and was only part of what they had achieved in such a short time since enrollment.
The experts from Student Council reacted on the spot with sharp intakes of breath and repeated exclamations. It was as if they were witnessing the rise of a new star in the card creation world.
After the Student Council ended, Yako Tenma exchanged a few quiet words with Maximillion Pegasus. Maximillion Pegasus glanced toward Yugen and the others, smiled mysteriously, nodded lightly, and then turned to leave first. Yako Tenma stood and walked over to them.
"That was truly impressive," Yako Tenma said with a smile. "So not only in Duel, you also have such talent in development."
"Just luck," Yugen replied, shaking his hand. "Mainly because my colleagues are reliable."
Behind him, Daichi Misawa and Asuka Tenjoin both felt a little embarrassed. In truth, they were the ones being carried.
"Since we are already out today and it is not far from Headquarters," Yako Tenma invited politely, "would you have time to stop by Headquarters for a meal?"
Daichi Misawa and Asuka Tenjoin were both startled. Could that Headquarters be the Industrial Illusions Headquarters?
The birthplace of the modern revival of Duel Monsters, the holy land for countless Duelists.
Yugen looked to the other two for their opinion. Naturally, they had no objection. There was no way they would miss such a rare opportunity.
"Then we will trouble you."
"Not at all," Yako Tenma replied with a mysterious smile. "Besides, there is someone else who wishes to meet you."
He did not elaborate and only said they would find out upon arrival. After the Student Council dispersed, the three of them followed Yako Tenma to a car and headed toward Industrial Illusions.
The vehicle of a top figure was indeed different. The driver's seat was separated by an elegant soundproof partition, forming a small independent space in the front. The back seats felt like a different world, spacious and soft, with the sunroof slightly open and gentle music flowing through the cabin.
For the first few minutes, no one spoke. Then midway through the ride, Yako Tenma suddenly asked, "At Duel Academy, have you studied the principle of quantum superposition at the microscopic scale?"
The three exchanged glances.
"It is not part of the curriculum at Duel Academy, but I have read a little about it myself," Daichi Misawa answered hesitantly. "Why do you ask?"
Yako Tenma smiled. "Nothing in particular. Just some personal research thoughts. I feel a certain theory might relate to us Duelist."
He paused before explaining. "Some theories suggest that before measurement, a particle's state is unclear and exists in a superposition of possibilities. Only when measured does it randomly appear in one specific state."
No one interrupted, waiting for him to continue.
"Likewise, for a Duelist, if we regard cards as particles, then at the start of a Duel, the Deck is in that same unclear state. Before being drawn, a card exists in a superposition of possibilities. Only at the moment it is drawn does it truly become determined."
Yugen fell silent. He vaguely remembered similar discussions from his previous life among enthusiastic players online.
"For example, I have a deck of playing cards here."
Yako Tenma produced a pack of cards, shuffled, and drew the top card, showing it to them. It was the Joker.
"See, I drew the highest card."
He placed it back, shuffled again, and drew another card from the top. It was the Joker again.
"This is an ordinary deck. There are no tricks, and I am not using any sleight of hand."
He shuffled a third time but did not draw. Instead, he looked at the three of them. "Would one of you like to draw a card and compare with me?"
After a brief silence, Asuka Tenjoin said, "I will."
She reached out and drew a card. Yako Tenma drew one as well, and they flipped them over.
He had the Jack of Spades. She had the Nine of Diamonds.
"Well, it seems I am slightly higher," Yako Tenma said with a smile. "But you did not draw badly."
"I do not understand," Asuka Tenjoin admitted.
"If I am simply entertaining myself, it is easy for me to draw the highest card. Out of ten times, I might only fail two or three."
He looked at them calmly. "But if I assume I am facing a powerful Duelist as my opponent, it does not seem so easy."
Yugen began to understand his meaning.
"This is what is called the 'power' of a Duelist," Yako Tenma said. "A strong Duelist possesses the ability to rewrite the future in subtle ways. That ability is only fully realized within a Duel.
A high level Duel is not merely a contest of Deck and tactics. It is a collision of each other's power and fate. For the very strongest, the result of a Duel might even alter the future of the world."
To Yugen, the idea that card games could change the world was already common sense. But to Daichi Misawa and Asuka Tenjoin, who had not truly encountered the extraordinary side of things, it still felt distant, and they did not know how to react.
The car came to a stop.
"Just idle talk to pass the time," Yako Tenma said with a smile as he put away the cards. "If it inspires you on your path as Duelist, that would be best. If not, treat it as nonsense.
After all, it is not a rigorously verified theory, and I doubt Duel Academy teaches such things yet."
He stepped out of the car, and the three followed. Before them stood the towering building of Industrial Illusions.
However, Yako Tenma stopped before entering.
"Actually, I have another request today." He turned to Yugen and spoke slowly. "My younger brother said he gained considerable insight from his Duel with you. I have been curious as well, and I have been hoping for such an opportunity."