A few days ago, just before Linked World reopened, many players had expressed similar opinions.
They felt that with version updates, storyline progression, and changes in background and maps, the days when players from the Domino Region, who initially received beta access, could continue to lead were numbered.
The reason is simple, because "Duel City" that Domino is known for is no longer the main map in this version. The opportunities they can seize here may become fewer and fewer, and the world's focus will shift to the new stage - the island where "Duel Academy" is located.
Finding a way to sneak into Duel Academy is the biggest opportunity!
And at this moment, a brand new door has opened before these first batch of players. Whether they can pass through this door and seize this opportunity now depends on their own luck.
Recruiting players to be teachers at Duel Academy was an idea Youyu had been pondering for a while.
Youyu had a pretty clear understanding and positioning of his own abilities. He had a card pool unmatched by any player group, a wide range of means to collect Crystal Stones, the ability to obtain animated cards unavailable to players, and a unique "Duelist Level" system - in short, it could allow him to draw the right card when needed.
Of course, card games are primarily about the card deck itself, especially in the world of Yugi where the cards in a Duelist's deck are a part of their strength.
Among players in the current ladder competitive environment, those consistently at the top must first have card decks of top-tier strength, classified as T1. First, you need a solid deck before you can compete with others in game understanding and operational prowess.
A skillful cook can't make a meal without rice; even the strongest card masters need a deck for support. Even if you're a world champion player, holding a deck full of Normal Monsters with the "Axe King" card, facing a mainstream deck like "One card creates everything," you are powerless.
...Of course, if you can create cards out of thin air like the mighty seafood-headed guy, that's a different story.
However, if we only talk about deck construction, tactical awareness, and deep game understanding, some more professional competitive players might be better than Youyu.
So who else in this world is more suited to teach newbies to play cards than these professional card masters?
Currently, the principal of Duel Academy is Principal Samejima, whose teaching skills have been highly recognized. His teaching philosophy obviously leans towards mastering the heart-of-the-cards rather than deck construction. His teaching policy is -
- As long as you can draw the card you want, deck construction can be left to fate.
Actually, this can't be said to be wrong. Card masters fiddle with and tweak decks, optimizing and reconstructing them all to lower the rate of a bad hand, isn't it?
Then since I can draw cards based on atmosphere according to personal preference, why learn construction?
The logic is sound, but this method relies too heavily on student talent. After all these years in the Cyber Style dojo, Principal Samejima produced only one standout genius, Marufuji Ryo. Few have succeeded in mastering this to great heights.
But the card masters take a different approach. Top-tier deck construction aims for stable performance, ensuring key cards can be drawn through strong deck search capabilities, and sustaining long-term endurance through excellent deck operation.
Where bonds lack, probability fills; the playing style of Physical Card players is more suited for ordinary students who don't have talent. After all, not every student is Marufuji Ryo or Yuki Judai; most students in Duel Academy are just average.
Of course, when Youyu proposed this idea, doubt naturally arose within the school board.
Many have seen these foreign Duelists' unique understanding of dueling, but what's equally striking to the board members is their quirky way of thinking.
Someone pointed out that such a bunch of strangely dressed, gossip-loving weirdos might not be suitable for the teaching role at the Academy.
Youyu actually doesn't completely oppose this view. He doesn't believe that clowns can set a good example as teachers, nor does he believe he can tether these players whose purpose is entertainment to classrooms for formal lectures.
Hence, he doesn't plan to have players take on the role of traditional classroom teachers, but has other arrangements.
The board's argument ultimately was ended with a decision by Kaiba Seto, who holds absolute authority in the board - after all, the president seems almost like he's ruling the world.
Kaiba slammed the table, interrupting all discussions among board members.
"Your proposal isn't unacceptable," the president magically produced a Duel Disc from the table, "but! To have my vote, you must first defeat the deck in my hands!
Come on, You ↑ Yu ↓! Duel!"
Board Members: "..."
Kaiba Seto has a very high authority at Duel Academy.
Kaiba Seto insists on resolving all unsolvable disagreements through dueling.
Kaiba Seto cannot beat Duel King Youyu in a duel.
This proves that Duel Academy is essentially under Youyu's control.
Logical, clear reasoning with no flaws...
"Ding!"
"Mission: Duel Academy's Teacher Selection!"
"Mission Description: Duel with Duel King Youyu, Youyu will rate your performance during the duel. A score of 60 or above will qualify you to be shortlisted."
"Participation Requirement: Ladder competitive rank Platinum or above."
Upon seeing the final requirements, a group of players immediately began to wail.
Clearly, not everyone present had the Platinum rank.
It's not that Youyu thinks players below Platinum in the ladder are all inadequate, but there are indeed a few with decent skills but luck too poor to assemble a strong enough deck for high ranking.
It's just that Youyu's time is limited. If he were to review them one by one, realistically it's too time-consuming. Since he can only recruit a limited number of people, he might as well use the ladder rank to screen through an initial round.
However, to those players with high favorability, Youyu still gives privileges, providing them opportunities even if their competitive rank is lacking.
Old customers deserve some return treatment.
As soon as the mission description was posted, players immediately and enthusiastically signed up.
Everyone also knew that spots were limited, and if they queued too far back and missed the quota, they might lose the chance to even test it out.
"Youyu-san, I'll go first!"
"Clearly, I came first!"
"Kuso, then let's duel! Whoever wins goes first!"
"Then you two up front, go duel on the side, I'll go up first."
"Youyu-san, let me go up first, I'm more hydrated!"
"You in front, you have issues..."
"..."