Yuki Judai started to become different.
Not only did Yugen and Joey, who accompanied Judai to Overlord City to settle everything, notice this, but even those around Judai vaguely sensed it.
But the change was subtle, more a shift in aura. Even Marufuji Sho, Judai's roommate, only vaguely felt that his big brother had changed, but couldn't pinpoint where exactly.
"How should I put it..."
Marufuji Sho scratched his head during a chat with his friends.
"It's just a feeling that, on the surface, he seems the same—always happy, only interested in eating, sleeping, and dueling. But something inside feels different..."
He slapped his forehead.
"Oh right, sometimes I seem to catch my big brother talking to himself in places where no one is around. That never used to happen."
At this point, Yugen, passing by, patted his shoulder and smiled.
"Don't worry, he's fine. If I had to say... he's just grown up a bit."
Marufuji Sho, Chazz, and the other friends looked at him curiously, understood partially, and nodded without asking further questions.
Yes, the most accurate description is probably that he has grown.
Although Judai's actions and demeanor seem unchanged at first glance, there's an intangible maturity about him now.
It's as if the max-level character from the final season of the anime has made an early appearance.
However, Yugen knows that although Judai has gained a significant amount of insight and leveled up, he's nearing the max level, but hasn't reached full maturity yet.
Now he has the Overlord, the Ultraman, and all he lacks is Sister Yubel.
But it's alright. Yugen feels he has crossed the toughest hurdle, and Sister Yubel, a crazily infatuated psychopath, will just fall from the sky on her own as long as he remains still.
Earlier in the anime, Judai lost his memory and forgot his childhood, being completely unaware at the start of the Otherworldly Dimension Chapter that he was facing the boss, Yubel.
Now, Judai has significantly leveled up, and Yugen can help him prepare in advance. Yubel should be easier to handle than in the anime.
This semester is drawing to a close. Unless there are major changes, Yubel should appear next semester.
One day, Yugen woke up, yawned, and left the dorm after freshening up, noticing some changes as he descended the dorm staircase.
From the corridor to the staircase and out to the lobby, the Yellow Dormitory was spotlessly clean. The marble floor was as reflective as a mirror, the entire lobby spotless, and the chandelier and walls seemed to sparkle with starlight effects.
The Yellow Dormitory had always been well-kept, but looking as immaculate and new as this was the first time since he arrived at the Academy.
What's going on? Did they change the cleaning crew?
Curious, he went to the cafeteria and found it even more extraordinary.
It seemed that nearly all the dorm students had gathered in the cafeteria, forming a long line, eagerly waiting and incredibly excited. Some had flushed faces with eyes sparkling with the heart-shaped effects typical of animated characters.
Yugen was even more puzzled.
What's going on? A celebrity meet-and-greet?
He approached a familiar-looking student to ask. Seeing it was the Master of the Yellow Robe, the student straightened up respectfully.
"What's going on here? Is there an event in the cafeteria today?"
"An event? No, you might not know." The student's eyes lit up again as he spoke, "A super amazing transfer student arrived today!"
"A transfer student?"
Yugen was puzzled. Not only do transfer students in anime often play exceptional roles, but what's really unusual is why a transfer student has everyone so excited.
"You don't know, but this transfer student is like a heavenly gift to our Yellow Dormitory!" said the student, "To greet the existing students, she woke up early on her first day to clean, tidying up the entire dormitory to look brand new, even the cleaning lady was stunned."
Yugen was taken aback, "So this was done by the transfer student?"
He looked at the long line in the cafeteria.
"And this line is...?"
"Oh, the transfer student came to the cafeteria early to help, and she made the dishes herself. You have no idea, they're super delicious, just a taste and the feeling is indescribable."
The student remained in a state of delight.
"Alice-chan is simply an angel. Stunningly beautiful, incredibly capable, and incredibly... capable.
Yugen pondered.
He thought either this person was too excited to speak coherently or there must be at least a couple of inappropriate 'capable' comments...
Yugen was curious. Hearing these descriptions, he wanted to see just how captivating the transfer student was to make all the students so excited. But seeing the crowd was too large to squeeze through, he abandoned the thought.
Forget it, she's just a new girl, what's the fuss, wasting time that could be spent playing cards. He'd surely meet her eventually at the Academy.
So Yugen went to his usual window, ordered a simple dish, and sat in the cafeteria's corner to eat alone.
While eating, he casually opened the student terminal, browsing the Academy's latest card stock to see if any caught his eye.
As he flipped through, a notice caught his eye on the Academy's news section.
It was a finding notice from Auntie Tami of the local shop.
"A doll is missing, if any student sees it, please contact the shop? Thank you!"
Yugen clicked to view it. Auntie Tami mentioned the shop had a duel doll displayed in the glass cabinet, though why wasn't clear.
Two days ago, the doll suddenly vanished, leaving an empty display case.
Auntie Tami noted the doll was quite valuable and hoped any student who sees it or knows its whereabouts would contact her promptly.
Yugen frowned, as if stirred by a distant memory.
Wait a minute, he seems to recall this plot in the anime...
Just then, a clear and sweet girl's voice sounded in his ear.
"Senpai."
Yugen looked up.
He saw a girl in a black Lolita dress, small in stature, yet her perfect face almost too beautiful for a human appeared before him. Holding a bowl, her large eyes twinkled as she softly asked.
"May I sit next to you, senpai?"
Yugen squinted his eyes.
Now he remembered.
This should be the legendary transfer student, Alice.
Also the missing duel doll from the shop.