Yugen thought it over. If that was the case, then it was probably about time for that original-story wild Card Draw master to come down from the mountain. It was the Duel Academy student Daiyama Hei they had mentioned before.
He had disappeared from Duel Academy a year ago, but the truth was that he had learned a deeper truth about miraculous drawing by observing nature, then gone into the mountains for secluded training.
Now that his training was complete, he had decided to return and test the results. So every night before the event began, he sneaked into the shop in the middle of the night and picked out the bread with the golden egg in a single try to prove what he had learned.
Yugen held his chin and thought for a moment. In the early GX period, Daiyama Hei was one of the opponents he genuinely wanted to face. It was not because he thought the man was especially strong, but because he wanted to personally experience what the presence of a master drawer felt like, so he could be mentally prepared later when facing Judai Yuki and even more advanced experts in that field.
At the same time, it would also be a test of how much his own practice had accomplished so far.
"Draw bread!"
Judai Yuki made his pick in one motion, then eagerly tore open the bag and bit into the bread. The next second, he shouted, "Ahhh, chestnut bread!"
Judai Yuki collapsed to the ground in defeat like a rooster that had lost a fight. He looked utterly crushed. "How can this happen? My divine right hand..."
Yugen was not surprised at all. Of course, that was only natural, because there was no golden egg bread in the pile to begin with. It had already been stolen, so even someone with absurd luck could not draw bread that simply was not there.
Then again, maybe it was not completely impossible. This event at Duel Academy only further proved that so-called destiny power was a Duelist's ability to alter the future connected to themselves to a certain degree, and that it was not limited to Card Draw inside a Duel. Judai Yuki's twenty straight hits had already shown that even drawing bread could be bent by destiny power.
As for the golden egg bread, Yugen had never gotten one either, but that was true for everyone else. Ever since this event began, the grand prize had basically been claimed by Judai Yuki alone. Still, there was one thing worth noting.
Yugen casually picked one, tore open the bag, and took a bite. Pizza bread. Not bad.
Up to now, he had never once drawn a flavor he disliked. That probably counted as some progress in training too.
"Sorry, everyone, but there actually isn't any golden egg bread in there."
Aunt Tome from the shop appeared and explained with a helpless expression. "Actually, starting a week ago, the only thing being stolen every day has been the golden egg bread."
"Huh? They stole only the golden egg bread that precisely?" Sho Marufuji said in surprise. "That little thief is kind of amazing."
Judai Yuki immediately looked annoyed. It was as if he felt his position as king of the divine right hand had been challenged. He clenched his fist. "Fine, then tonight we're staying here. We're going to catch that hateful golden egg thief together!"
Night settled over the campus shop.
"Card Draw!"
Judai Yuki pulled one card from the last two in Sho Marufuji's hand. It was the ace of hearts, leaving Sho Marufuji with only the joker.
"I win again." Judai Yuki leaned back in his chair, looking thoroughly satisfied. Sho Marufuji sighed. "No surprise, big bro. No matter what kind of card game it is, you're unbeatable. You're basically cheating at Old Maid."
Judai Yuki turned to look at Yugen, who was focused on writing his report on the computer behind them. "By the way, Yugen, want to play a round? It's really fun." Yugen smiled. "I'll pass. I'm almost done with the theory report."
The three from Osiris Red instantly wilted. "Damn it, that report again," Judai Yuki muttered, scratching his head.
Sho Marufuji said, "Big bro, why don't we just go back and finish it?" Judai Yuki shook his head repeatedly. "No way. We can't just let that lousy bread thief get away."
Sho Marufuji frowned. "It's only bread. I think the report matters more." Judai Yuki answered with conviction, "Isn't it due the day after tomorrow? We still have all day tomorrow. Starting tomorrow will be fine."
Sho Marufuji sighed. "Big bro, you always say that." Then Judai Yuki glanced curiously at Asuka Tenjoin, who was sitting in the back reading a book. "And why are you here? Don't tell me you can't let the bread thief go either."
"Don't be ridiculous. I just happened to have time," Asuka Tenjoin replied. Yugen glanced at her, but said nothing.
Aunt Tome appeared carrying a plate of rice balls. "You've all worked hard, so come eat dinner." Judai Yuki lit up immediately. "Oh, rice balls made by Aunt Tome!"
Aunt Tome chuckled. "There are plum, bean, and salmon fillings, but they all look the same on the outside." Judai Yuki rubbed his hands together. "I get it. So it's draw-the-rice-ball time. Fine, I'll pull a salmon one."
"My Turn!, draw rice ball!" He grabbed one without hesitation, took a bite, then proudly showed the filling inside. "Salmon Summon successful."
Sho Marufuji stared at him in admiration. "That divine right hand of yours is as strong as ever, big bro." Pleased with himself, Judai Yuki grinned at Yugen. "So, want me to help you draw a salmon one too?"
"Thanks, but no need." Yugen smiled, stepped forward, and casually picked one up himself. It also had salmon filling.
"Hah, you're pretty good too." Judai Yuki patted him on the back. "As expected, powerful Duelists all have something in common." Yugen only smiled and said nothing.
Late that night, the shop had already closed and the lights were out. Everything around it had gone still, with only the insects and the wind making any sound. The shutter door was pulled tight, like a fortress sleeping in the dark.
Then a faint noise broke the silence. Under the moonlight, the heavy shutter trembled slightly and let out a scraping squeak. A moment later, it was forced upward little by little by sheer brute strength.
A black figure crouched outside the door, using both arms to lift the locked metal shutter high enough to create a gap for one person. Everyone hiding in the shadows was stunned. What kind of monstrous strength was that?
Lifting a locked shutter with raw arm strength alone hardly seemed human. Even Yugen paused to think for a moment. So the anime had not been lying after all, and card games really could strengthen the body. If dueling could train people into superhumans, then it was no wonder Seto Kaiba could make those absurd hero landings after jumping from a helicopter and walk away completely fine.
"That's far enough!" The lights snapped on, and Judai Yuki jumped out first.
Standing in the middle of the shop was a muscular wild man with messy long hair and a dark, bare upper body. He looked exactly like some savage from the jungle. Startled, the wild man turned and bolted, slipping back out through the gap he had made. The others immediately revealed themselves and gave chase.