Yugen: Name Taken
When he woke up, it was already afternoon.
Yugen sat up and yawned, lingering on the bed for a while before finally jumping down.
When he turned his head, he saw Silent Magician floating beside him, seated in midair and reading with her head lowered. On the other side, Black Luster Soldier stood in the corner with his eyes closed, looking like a personal guard with a blade at his side.
At first, waking up to find people around him had felt strange to Yugen, but now he was used to it.
"Morning."
He greeted them casually and hopped off the bed to wash up. Black Luster Soldier did not react, still standing with his eyes closed, but Silence lifted her gaze from her spellbook and glanced at him.
The look seemed to say that the sun was about to set, so it was hardly morning.
His stomach was already starting to growl. After rinsing his mouth, Yugen walked behind Silence and peeked at what she was reading.
As expected, he could not understand a single word.
It seemed unrealistic for a Duelist to try to become a mage through self study. He decided it was better to focus on playing cards.
After being stared at from behind for a while, Silence drifted aside, looking uncomfortable. She closed her book and tilted her head at him.
It was a silent question asking what he was doing.
Yugen shrugged and said it was nothing, just looking around. Then he turned back to wash his face.
After sleeping for most of the day, he was starving. Yugen went to the cafeteria at Yellow Dormitory and ordered royal chicken curry, pumpkin curry soup, and a curry vegetable platter.
The cafeteria at Yellow Dormitory had all kinds of curry dishes, and they tasted good. The dorm head was known as the Curry Maniac, and his obsession with curry even showed up in his Deck. He had come up with some creative ways to use it in Duels.
Based on the original story, Yugen had expected Academy Administration Office to storm in and demand answers today. In the anime, after Judai Yuki and the others sneaked into Abandoned Dorm, the administration came for them early the next morning.
Later, under Professor Chronos de Medici's suggestion, they were arranged into a team Duel, and losing meant expulsion.
But half a day had passed with no movement. Yugen did not know if they had only called in Judai Yuki and the others and left him alone. That was possible. Or maybe because they had gone to Spirit World, the matter was more serious than in the anime, so the administration had not decided how to handle it yet.
Yugen did not really care. Expulsion was not likely to fall on him anyway. As he ate, he took out his Student Terminal and checked as usual to see if any new cards had been added.
A new message popped up on the terminal. It was from Professor Chronos de Medici.
"There's a Duel. Yugen, are you free?"
Yugen raised an eyebrow.
Straight to the point.
In simple terms, it sounded like someone saying there were cards on the table and to come quickly.
Inside Professor Chronos de Medici's office.
"Longya is truly impressive."
Professor Chronos de Medici clasped his fingers under his chin and smiled at the tall young man in a Obelisk Blue uniform standing before him.
"High placements in multiple tournaments, three championship medals, and an excellent record from your time as a student at Duel Academy."
Professor Chronos de Medici flipped through the resume in his hand.
"You were also a member of the Duel Academy Student Council, correct?"
"Yes. I handled quite a few matters in the Duel Academy Student Council." Longya smiled politely.
"I see. A very beautiful resume. Your results in the entrance assessments so far have also been flawless."
Professor Chronos de Medici spoke with approval.
"You flatter me, Professor Chronos de Medici."
Longya adjusted his glasses and bowed slightly.
"So as long as I pass the final practical Duel, I will complete my assessment and become a teacher at Duel Academy next year, correct?"
"That is correct. As a teacher of Duel Academy, only the best will do."
Professor Chronos de Medici leaned back in his chair with a smile.
"These rules are designed to select the elite among the elite. You must complete the final Duel. Next year, you can officially become a teacher."
"Yes, Professor. I will not disappoint you."
Longya bowed again, though he sneered inwardly.
Of course he would not disappoint him. Not yet.
Returning to teach at his alma mater and becoming an instructor at Duel Academy was only the first step in his plan.
His true goal was to rise within Duel Academy and one day step on Professor Chronos de Medici, who currently oversaw the highest level of practical combat.
Duel Academy was the top academy of its kind, and its graduates were all elites. Longya believed that if he secured a high position here, he would gain resources and influence elsewhere as well.
If he managed things carefully, he could even cultivate capable students who would enter various industries and act according to his will.
The more he thought about it, the more pleased he felt. In his imagination, he already stood above Professor Chronos de Medici, looking down at him.
Your days at the top are almost over. This humility is only until I step into the upper ranks of Duel Academy.
His objective had always been clear.
He would push Professor Chronos de Medici down and take his place.
"May I ask, Professor, who my final opponent will be?"
Though calculating inside, Longya maintained a respectful expression as he bowed slightly.
"A teacher from Duel Academy? Or will you personally guide me?"
"No, no."
Professor Chronos de Medici smiled.
"I have specially arranged your assessment opponent. Your final test will be against a current student of Duel Academy."
Longya paused. "A student?"
"Yes. A first year who enrolled this year. After all, as a teacher at Duel Academy, you will be facing students. At the very least, you must prove in a Duel that you are superior to the elite among the current students to qualify in practical ability."
Professor Chronos de Medici leaned back in his chair, smiling.
When he said this, he seemed to have forgotten that during his own assessment, he had been thoroughly defeated by a certain bottom ranked student with Jellyfish Hair.
"I see. That makes sense. If I can use the Duel to let the students know me first, it should help my work after I take the position."
Longya suppressed the laughter rising in his chest and kept his usual modest expression.
What luck.
A student as the assessment opponent, and a first year at that.
It was practically a free win.
He was already imagining celebrating tonight.
"So, Professor, what is the name of my opponent?"
Professor Chronos de Medici smiled mysteriously.
"His name is Yugen Fujiki."
Sho Marufuji widened his eyes as he and Judai Yuki walked out of the building after class. He stared at Judai Yuki in disbelief. "You guys really went to Spirit World?"
"Yeah, no need to shout," Judai Yuki replied.
"But that is Spirit World!" Sho Marufuji said, clearly excited. "Did you see the Spirit of Dark Magician Girl? Or maybe…"
"Haha, sadly no," Judai Yuki said with a grin. "But we did see Marauding Captain, and we even had a Duel with him. Oh, Yugen?"