After his final exchange with ZONE, Tenjo Hikari's consciousness returned to the human world.
Gazing at the dilapidated Fusion Department, Tenjo Hikari didn't dwell on it.
The current destruction was for the construction of a better future, and once darkness is defeated, the academy can naturally be renovated.
Back at the Duel Academy Building, nothing dreadful had transpired inside, which greatly relaxed everyone. This allowed Tenjo Hikari to take the opportunity to study the data on "darkness."
Honestly, this was extremely useful for Tenjo Hikari.
Although he successfully vanquished one of Mr. T, and even acquired their leftover cards, the darkness power and data extracted from them didn't help him find a "cure" for the classmates' mental issues.
Only by truly confronting darkness might he find the chance for healing.
Previously, during his duel with The Supreme King, many entities were attracted, yet at that time, neither Tenjo Hikari nor Tierra had the energy to pay attention to those around them. Luckily, ZONE's self-control was unparalleled in history, and even the strongest card appearing before him wouldn't distract him from completing his desired tasks.
Tenjo Hikari examined the darkness data with Tierra, researching and discussing it, analyzing many things from within.
Disease, war, famine—these disasters formed the "skeleton" of darkness, while "death" was its flesh and soul.
These were fine, being aspects Tenjo Hikari was aware of.
But besides these, there was a key point Tenjo Hikari had never discovered or encountered before.
[Individuality]
Tenjo Hikari flipped through the information and intelligence given by ZONE, gradually realizing another "weakness" of darkness.
Individuality!?
Could it really be individuality?
Originally, based on Tenjo Hikari's own deductions and thought, the reason darkness seeks to destroy humanity is that although it is humanity's "conclusion," it is not the sole conclusion, hence it must act to utterly annihilate humanity to achieve its goal.
Moreover, in the original work, because Judai had two "souls" within his body, and John could withstand darkness's mental attacks through spirit power, he was the last one darkness targeted in the original work.
Relocating to this world, since humanity discovered dimension travel, duel academies worldwide began gradually teaching students to learn "spirit power" and collaborate with spirits, embarking on a higher duel path. This condition significantly impacted darkness's capability range, so it's actually normal for it to strike early.
But now it appears, it wasn't merely that.
To darkness, there's an exceptionally daunting and unacceptable "human vice," known as—human individuality.
If all humans were like "Mr. T", darkness could forsake destroying humanity.
But precisely because humans possess various personalities, darkness cannot tolerate them.
"Oh—quite interesting." Tierra commented beside him.
Even though she was enthusiastic about "mechanical" gods, Tierra didn't actually reject the so-called "individuality." The mechanical lives she crafted each had their unique traits, and she was never hesitant to refine them. Nearly every life she created possessed both mechanical and vital beauty.
Regrettably, in this aspect, Tenjo Hikari and Tierra didn't know what means of utility or counteraction there might be.
After all...
What individuality signifies to darkness is something Tenjo Hikari is completely unaware of.
However, there is one thing Tierra is very clear about.
That matter is why darkness targets Tenjo Hikari so specifically.
Because Tenjo Hikari is too "individualistic."
When one pursues fusion to such an extent, questioning memory and the world itself, their individuality transcends ordinary human understanding to a degree that others doubt whether they share the same species.
Such outlandish "individuality" is likely a unique specimen across humanity's history, and darkness feeling repulsed and hostile is truly reasonable.
Aside from studying this data, Tenjo Hikari frequently checked Fubuki's condition.
It's said that Fubuki is recovering very quickly, possibly becoming conscious by tomorrow.
This is quite important for Tenjo Hikari.
He spent a whole night experimenting, attempting to use his knowledge and the resources provided by ZONE to engage in alchemy, creating devices that could isolate darkness's mental interference, but still lacked some details.
Perhaps when Fubuki fully awakens, revealing why darkness hunted him, and isolated him from the others' sight, Tenjo Hikari might accomplish it.
In his spare time, Tenjo Hikari also checked the fusion monsters generously given by Light of Destruction. Among them, besides some powerful fusion monsters, he even noticed a few cards he had no impression of.
Initially excited, he thought Light of Destruction found some particularly fierce card, like Raven of Despair, but upon closer inspection by Tenjo Hikari, his emotions promptly settled.
Turns out it wasn't a case of unrecognition but too niche—Light of Destruction sent him two "Dual Avatars."
At least, his fusion card library's "Dual Avatar Invitation" can be utilized.
That single card is indeed quite impressive.
Judai slept in late, clearly intending to restore his energy, prepare for tomorrow's appointment, to decide the victory with Professor Cobra, and then find Yubel.