Academy Island, deep night.
In the dead of night, most students have already counted sheep and gone to bed. Squads of individuals dressed in black uniforms, wearing helmets and carrying specially designed detection equipment, slowly march in formation through the forest.
On the back of their uniforms, there's a unified "KC" mark representing the Kaiba Group.
This is the reconnaissance team sent by the Kaiba Group.
Several days have passed since they landed on the island. Their target is a certain dangerous elf. According to the investigation results around the island these past few days, the elf should still be on the island.
But what's eerie is, despite their thorough search around the island, they haven't found any sign of the elf. The devices used to detect energy fluctuations from elves have shown no reaction.
Only high-level elves have means to evade the detectors, and it's not easy. To completely avoid being captured by the equipment, the elf must abstain from using its extraordinary power. Any energy fluctuation exceeding a certain standard will be caught by the nearby reconnaissance team.
But the fact is, after all these days of searching, not only have they not found the shadow of an elf, but their equipment hasn't captured a single piece of abnormal data.
While the team advanced, a strange sound suddenly came from the side bushes. Two nearby members immediately turned alertly and looked towards the direction of the bushes.
However, when they approached slowly and parted the bushes, they found nothing there.
Not quite nothing, though—it left a pile of... rabbit droppings.
"Alright, maybe it's just a rabbit," said one member, sullenly.
"Most likely, all equipment still shows no sign of reaction," responded the member beside him.
The reconnaissance leader said, "Finish searching this area tonight and let's call it a day."
Someone muttered, "Damn, where could it be hiding? Could it have already left the island?"
"There are elf detection barriers deployed around Academy Island. If something left the island, it should trigger a reaction."
"But all suspicious areas have already been checked, and there's no reaction at all."
"Damn, can't have vanished into thin air."
"..."
The reconnaissance team talked amongst themselves as they walked away.
Moments after they left, a pair of eyes lit up in the shadows nearby.
A small white figure slowly crawled out. It was a small white rabbit with long ears but possessed eerie heterochromatic eyes.
...
...
[Yubel's Revival Diary]
[Another unlucky day, those wretched humans are still wandering around, seemingly with no intention of leaving anytime soon. It seems they have the ability to sense elf power, and even slightly utilizing power might draw their attention.
Of course, I'm not afraid of them. These humans are merely worms before me, and even with my semi-broken body, I could crush them effortlessly.
But I cannot do that. Because I know these are merely bait to test, insignificant pawns. Eliminating one would attract the attention of the truly dangerous guy behind them.
Fujiki Yugen.
Didn't expect this world to have such a dangerous Demon King. Though not afraid of him, I must admit that my current state is not suitable for combat.
I need patience, time, and more nutrients to recover.]
[These few days have been tough. The first day I passed by a guy searching for me. A one-eyed man equipped with a revolver. He looks like an elf, likely one of the Demon King's minions.
I know I could easily take him down, but I haven't made any rash moves. That would draw unnecessary attention.
I must hide in the darkness, become part of it. I crossed the galaxy, endured unimaginable pain just to return here, not minding a few extra days. This is all for you, my Judai.]
[It rained heavily on the second day. I curse this broken body, incapable of moving as I drag it along. The rain is cold, but not as cold as the heart that called your name countless days and nights without receiving a response. The environment is harsh, but not as challenging as the arduous ten-year journey.
What's important is that I am back, and will eventually return to your side, answering the love you gave me. It's soon, just wait a bit longer, my beloved.]
[On the third day, I managed to possess a rabbit. It carries a loathsome stench, and I despise it, but have no other choice.
I hid my presence, and the foolish searchers completely missed my brush-by presence. Ten years under the stars taught me many things, including how to hide inside a host to escape unnecessary attention.
Duel Academy is within reach, now I just need to randomly find a student. With some luck, I can slip in and soon return to your side.
But simultaneously, I am getting dangerously close to the Demon King, which makes my situation more precarious.
Perhaps I will fail, perhaps I may never see you again. But regardless of the outcome, what I hope you know is that I love you forever, Judai.]
[That's why I must erase all who steal your love.]
"..."
In the early morning, a first-year student from Ra's Dorm, Ghana Marden, yawned as he arrived at the lighthouse by the academy's shore.
The lighthouse was still empty at this hour. Marden stood at the edge, gazing intently at the vast blue sea, and stretched long.
He's a somewhat reclusive child. Due to his parents' divorce, he has been introverted and timid since childhood. Even speaking to classmates requires considerable courage, hence he has hardly any friends.
This hasn't changed even after arriving at Duel Academy. People around him automatically moved away, and wherever he was, there always seemed to be a mysterious vacuum with a radius of several meters.
Only one exception.
Asakura Rie, a girl who entered the academy the same year as him.
Clearly radiant, as the academy's strongest newcomer this year, yet she cares for him, someone often overlooked, almost the only person in the academy who speaks to him.
Although age-wise, the gifted student who skipped grades, Asakura Rie is younger than him, she cares for him like an older sister.
But not even Rie knows Marden's biggest secret.
His father, the man who divorced his mother and in Marden's eyes, abandoned them, is one of the academy's top leaders, Instructor Napoleon.
This resentment is Ghana Marden's deepest grievance, his greatest darkness.
Originally, if he were just an ordinary person, this darkness might never be revealed and would remain buried deep within his heart, never shared.
But the world's line condensed. Although the plot has significantly deviated from the original, on this morning, Ghana Marden still, just like in the original world line, encountered the demon that would change his life.
Right there by the shore of Duel Academy, beneath the lighthouse.
He saw the eerie little white rabbit with rare heterochromatic eyes.