Well, oh dear, it seems I haven't maintained the magic array in quite a while."
She pulled out a magic book, flipping through it page by page, finally finding it after a long time: "Aha—this is it!"
She stuck out her tongue again: "Oh, it defaults to imprisoning humans, sorry, sorry, I'll let you out right away."
Tenjo Hikari and the others fell into silence.
Tenjo Hikari recalled that in the Warrior's Domain, it was personally managed by the Black Luster Soldier, who could instantly perform space transportation.
And here, it seems... it looks like the Dark Magician assigned this task to his apprentice?
In short, as always, the Dark Magician Girl messed up.
Tenjo Hikari and the other three left the prison and followed the Dark Magician Girl out. The outside of the prison was just like Tenjo Hikari and Judai's impressions—a group of Spellcaster-Type Spirits devotedly studying magic and dueling, looking very determined, probably aspiring to become "Dark Magicians."
Just like those spirits in the Warrior's Domain who yearned to become the "Strongest Warriors."
After leaving the training ground, Tenjo Hikari arrived at a rather fantastical hall. Walking into this hall was like stepping into the cosmos, surrounded by endless starry skies.
[Outside of the training ground]!
Tenjo Hikari glanced around curiously.
The Dark Magician Girl was flipping through a book, leading them, and finally, after passing through the "Cosmic Corridor," they reached a place resembling an altar.
At one glance, there was the Cosmo Queen, Ice Queen, Blizzard Princess, Gravekeeper's Visionary, and various high-level mages in abundance. Tenjo Hikari looked around and even spotted a perfectly shaped female mage wielding a longsword—
Whoa, isn't that [The Iris Swordsoul]!
Countless thoughts flashed through Tenjo Hikari's mind.
There are Demon Eyes?
Clearly, there has never been any mention of Swordsoul before!
So is there indeed "Branded" present in this world?
Could it be that this world actually has "Link" as well?
No, that's not right; there's never been any mention of such things until now.
Tenjo Hikari pondered a lot, but eventually, it all led to nothing.
In any case, asking the Iris Swordsoul directly should resolve everything.
While he was thinking this, suddenly a figure appeared before him, followed by an embrace that lifted Tenjo Hikari and the other two into the air.
"Dai—Teacher Daitokuji!" Judai was the first to react.
"Teacher Daitokuji!" "Teacher?!"
Teacher Daitokuji...
No, it seems he has completely transformed into the "Quintet Magician," surrounded by numerous magic arrays.
However, his appearance hasn't changed, still squinting and smiling.
Tears even welled up slightly at the corner of Judai's eyes; he was the closest to Teacher Daitokuji among the three, especially loved the homemade meals made by Daitokuji, and was the saddest when Daitokuji disappeared.
Nearby, Aleister the Invoker had somehow followed along, and seeing his old friend, sometimes antagonist, express genuine emotions, he refrained from stopping Teacher Daitokuji's actions.
But soon...
"Oh—" He released them from the embrace, letting Tenjo Hikari and Manjome, who were nearly suffocating, breathe a sigh of relief. Then, they watched Teacher Daitokuji suddenly grab Judai's face with both hands, frantically rubbing Judai's head, "Oh, Judai, have you gained weight meow? You've been too negligent meow! Don't completely rely on your companions meow!"
"No, no way, I, I exercise every day—" Judai spoke with difficulty, loudly refuting while being rubbed vigorously by Teacher Daitokuji.
Tenjo Hikari exchanged a glance with Manjome.
Oh...
Both saw the answer in each other's eyes.
So Judai really did gain weight?
They did have a feeling before because Judai was plagued by the matters of Lightsworn and The Supreme King, mostly staying in his room every day, either dueling with himself or sleeping, and hadn't run around outside as he used to. So he seemed to have put on some weight.
They were together with Judai almost day and night, so it wasn't easy to notice.
After a moment with Judai, Teacher Daitokuji looked at Tenjo Hikari: "Hikari, I've watched your duels in the Magic Academy meow."
Tenjo Hikari was stunned.
Ah—
No wonder I always felt someone was secretly watching me; they were observing me back then.
Oh—
In other words?
These surrounding spirits must have all watched some of my duels?
"Pa—"
A hand suddenly patted down on Tenjo Hikari's head as Teacher Daitokuji vigorously rubbed his head, saying, "Oh, you kid, you've been overthinking. It's time to relax a bit meow."
Tenjo Hikari scratched the back of his head: "Uh, right."
Teacher Daitokuji then looked at Manjome. For some reason, Manjome's forehead was sweating, and he quickly stood straight.
Teacher Daitokuji scrutinized him for a while, then suddenly exclaimed joyfully: "I didn't expect, among the three of you, you to be the most perfect!"
Me?
Me—
Manjome suddenly felt a sense of pride, standing even straighter.
Ah.
Careful thinking proves it indeed.
Judai has indeed become much stronger, but the internal conflicts have increased. If not for teaming up with Tenjo in duels, there would probably still be a great number of distressing issues; as for Tenjo, always strong, but he has many things hidden in his mind. Without me helping him analyze, he would likely always be preoccupied with what to do each day, each step.
And as for me?
Wow.
Not only have I obtained approval from my master, but I've also become the head manager of the group.
Indeed, I am the most perfect among the three!
Wahaha...
Pa—
The hand pressed down again: "Don't be too arrogant, Manjome meow."
"Ah, yes!"
The Quintet Magician watched his students, nodding continuously.
The three then felt moved by Teacher Daitokuji's acute observation.
Beside them, Aleister rolled his eyes.
Wasn't it his "Magic Academy" [spy] that helped Teacher Daitokuji investigate? Otherwise, how could Teacher Daitokuji have known so clearly?
After some simple reminiscing and showcasing the teacher's abilities, Teacher Daitokuji gently nudged Aleister with his elbow, causing Aleister to sigh, feeling speechless.
He pulled out a Summoning Book, and soon, cards descended from the skies.
Two cards floated in front of Tenjo Hikari.
One was Aleister the Invoker, and the other was...
Invoked Mechaba!
Tenjo Hikari's eyes sparkled.
Lighting... Light Car!!!
On the other side, Judai and Manjome also received "gifts," gazing admiringly at the cards in their hands.
Judai received a Trap Card, "Magistery Alchemist," while Manjome got a coordinate marked "Dragon Ruler."
"It's a Dragon's Nest, a very suitable place for Dragon-Type card users." Teacher Daitokuji raised his finger, explaining.
The two of them looked at the items in their hands with amazement, uttering "Wow..."
Clearly, these two cards brought them a significant level of excitement.
Teacher Daitokuji smiled at the two, then lightly pushed up his glasses, slowly opened his eyes, revealing his hidden, scarlet pupils.
"So... after this long-awaited reunion, it's about time to get into the main topic."
The three swallowed nervously.
"Let me see how the two of you have grown."
"Eh? Two?" Judai held up two fingers, gesturing before the three of them, "But there are three of us."
"Right—" Teacher Daitokuji drew in the air, leaving green fluorescent images of Q-version Judai and Q-version Manjome's heads, then said to Tenjo Hikari, "Hikari, you don't need to participate meow!"
"Eh!"
He then stared with his red eyes at the other two: "If you lose, don't even think about returning to the human world. You will undergo hellish training here until I'm satisfied, then you'll be allowed to leave, understand?"
"Eh!?!"