Back at the Duel Academy, Tenjo Hikari slackened off for a day. The next day, the school's opening ceremony began.
The opening ceremony today had two main points.
The first point was to welcome students and professors from various branches.
It was at this moment that the students at the main campus of Duel Academy realized how many branches of "Duel Academy" existed around the world.
The Northern Branch, Arctic Circle Branch, North American Branch, Northern Europe Branch—just those with "North" had four. Beyond these, there were the Western Branch, Southern Branch, Eastern Branch, South African Branch...
Each school sent at least one branch representative and a professor in charge, so the ceremony began with introductions of these professors and students from each branch.
There were some whom Tenjo Hikari was quite familiar with, like Jim, and some whom others were familiar with, such as John, who was brought to the venue by Judai for fear he might get lost.
Additionally, O'Brien acknowledged them with a simple nod, as a form of greeting.
Compared to the other two, he was extremely serious, standing very properly on the stage.
Then there was...
Amon.
Compared to how he looked a while back, he hadn't changed a bit; he appeared very calm, just standing on the stage, showing nothing particularly remarkable.
These people matched Tenjo Hikari's impression of them quite well.
But the others didn't quite fit this impression.
The "others" referred to were the "professors."
Apart from the renowned "Professor Cobra," there were several professors here for evaluation, each appearing very imposing.
The North American Branch's "Seraph" professor, the Northern Europe Branch's "Paladin" professor, the Central Branch's "Moushou" professor...
These professors, whose names alone sounded formidable, made Tenjo Hikari's eyebrows twitch uncontrollably.
In the original work, these professors never appeared. But, after all, the world has changed. The "professor" position at Duel Academy is an excellent career for many outstanding duelists to climb the societal ladder and meet some Dimensional Duelists; hence competitors from around the world are incessant.
For the instructors, however, this is a tough, exhausting job with low pay, but for ordinary duelists, it's a highly coveted profession.
Therefore, it's quite normal to see some powerful duelists emerge in other academies of this world.
The second issue...
"Our esteemed Professor Akaba Leo has passed away."
Tenjo Hikari raised an eyebrow slightly, unable to suppress the upward curve of his lips, even wanting to applaud.
It's here—
Finally here!
The words he most wanted to hear had finally arrived!
Although Hikari did it personally, nobody was really certain. Now hearing Cronos say this, the whole school erupted into discussion.
Because of this matter, Professor Cobra on stage couldn't help but glance at Tenjo Hikari.
After all, Akaba Leo's death probably had something to do with Tenjo Hikari.
Everyone knew a video was circulated before, where Tenjo Hikari defeated Akaba Leo in a duel, and although only a brief glimpse, it was clear that extraordinary power was involved in that duel.
Not just him; several other professors also looked at Tenjo Hikari, to varying degrees.
The "Chief" and "Ace" of Duel Academy's main campus, Cronos' "secret weapon"...
Many among them now realized that Cronos' behavior at past professors' gatherings was surely to lull them into a false sense of security!
It's simple—
Look at the records after Akaba Leo's death!
Those duels, experimental records, the hostility towards Cronos, and his targeting during certain plans against Cronos...
Clearly, Cronos was not unaware of Akaba Leo's schemes, nor did he not try to stop him, but he was always waiting for a chance.
A chance to defeat Akaba Leo in one stroke and transform into a "Savior"!
Now, Akaba Leo is dead, and Tenjo Hikari has taken his place, becoming synonymous with "Polymerization" worldwide, while the head of the main campus at Duel Academy resigned out of guilt. Cronos became the acting principal and the academy's general manager, poised to become the official principal at any moment.
Cronos is not to be underestimated!
Was your performance at past professors' gatherings merely a strategy to lull us into security?
Perhaps because of this, due to the warning from Akaba Leo's precedent, many professors here are extremely cautious—especially at this time when all global Duel Academy professors were invited for evaluation, they are particularly prudent.
Could it be that this is another one of Cronos' conspiracies, attempting to capture them all in one go?
Therefore, those professors with more contemplation were seriously scrutinizing Tenjo Hikari at this moment, trying to discern something from his face.
This left Tenjo Hikari somewhat puzzled.
Why are all these people staring at him? What's up, has each of them been possessed by Yubel?
Then they should look at Judai instead, go look at him.
Of course, not all professors were looking at them, quite a few were frowning at the chattering students below, and some even regarded the matter with disdain.