[The Power of Bonds: You can sense the cards that will appear in your hand. Choose a type, and you will feel how many of those cards remain.]
This "Power of Bonds" can only be described as a skill too situational, almost tasteless like a rib bone. Of course, that judgment is only from You Feng's perspective.
For ordinary duelists, such an ability might be heaven-defying, something enough to laugh with madness. But for You Feng—whose arsenal of useful abilities is already overflowing—it feels almost redundant. Still, something is better than nothing.
"You Feng, walk with me."
"The Gold List has ended."
Tenjoin Asuka had too many things weighing on her heart. She didn't want to return to the Obelisk Blue girls' dormitory just yet.
"Alright, wait a moment."
You Feng looked down at his Duel Disk belt.
The belt only had one card slot—enough to carry just a single deck at a time. If he was going out, he needed at least one deck for self-defense.
He measured the options. Best to bring the Cyber Dragon deck. If someone tested him, he could give them a surprise. The Emperor Deck, however, was too valuable to risk.
He opened his safe, carefully placed the Emperor Deck inside, and locked it tight.
"You're really cautious. Even your decks are stored in a safe…" Asuka sighed softly.
"Next time, I should modify the belt to carry a few more card sleeves. That way I can bring multiple decks with me and switch on the fly."
You Feng spread his hands.
"Do you really think anyone in the Academy still dares to challenge you? Your duel with Ryo Maruto has already made you famous."
Asuka's words were blunt.
At Duel Academy now, You Feng's name had already spread across all dorms. Who would have the audacity to challenge him so lightly?
"There will always be fools who don't know better," You Feng replied calmly. He knew duelists all too well.
---
Not long after You Feng left, a sharp clink rang out.
A grappling hook shot up and latched firmly onto the balcony railing.
Scaling swiftly with practiced agility came Don Zaloog of the Dark Scorpions, followed by Dark Scorpion – Meanae the Thorn.
"Good, we slipped in just as he left."
"My legs are sore from all this waiting. Lucky this You Feng finally walked away," Meanae muttered irritably.
"How could you be so sure he'd leave? This is his room," Don Zaloog asked curiously.
"That Tenjoin Asuka clearly has feelings for him. He'll definitely see her home. This timing is perfect." Meanae smirked.
"Hah! You're sharp as ever, Meanae. Let's move!"
They slipped inside You Feng's room. Zaloog searched through drawers and cabinets—everything was spotless.
"Look at this!" he whispered, pulling out a notebook.
"Stay focused! You and your habit of snooping through diaries…" Meanae scolded.
"No, this isn't just any notebook. It's filled with unbelievable records!" Zaloog flipped through it, stunned.
"What?" Meanae frowned, leaning over.
"The Sky Dragon of Osiris, the Obelisk the Tormentor, the Winged Dragon of Ra—the three Egyptian God Cards! And also the Sacred Beasts: Uria, Lord of Searing Flames, Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, Raviel, Lord of Phantasms! Even the Evil Gods… and the Earthbound Immortals!"
"This guy knows of so many legendary cards… This You Feng isn't simple at all."
"And at the end—he actually wrote that he will make all of them his own! What an outrageous ambition!"
"Tch… He's not big, but his tone sure is."
"Enough! Stop gawking and get to work!"
"Right, right… the safe! His Emperor Deck has to be inside!"
Zaloog crouched down, trying to work the lock.
"You idiot! At this rate You Feng will be back before you crack it. Use the cutting tool!" Meanae snapped, smacking him.
"…Fair point." Zaloog switched to brute force.
---
Meanwhile, at the Slifer Red dormitory…
"Fujiwara Yusuke is a Duel Academy student? If he's so strong, how come we never heard of him?" Judai Yuki tilted his head, puzzled.
"That's because he vanished years ago. No matter how hard we searched, he couldn't be found. Everyone assumed he was dead." Tenjoin Fubuki explained gravely.
Judai frowned. "If he's alive, why hasn't he come back until now?"
"Who knows…" Fubuki shook his head.
Before they could dwell further—bang!
Sho Marufuji came running, panting heavily. "Big news! Something's happened!"
Everyone turned in shock.
"Sho? Weren't you just at the cafeteria? What's wrong?" Judai asked.
"Hah… hah… it's terrible! You Feng's Emperor Deck has been stolen! His safe was cut open! This is huge!"
"NANI!?"
The whole room froze.
Stealing a deck was the gravest crime at Duel Academy. If caught, the culprit would be stripped of dueling rights and expelled immediately.
"How could something this terrible happen…"
"And that Emperor Deck—some collectors estimate its worth at over ten million! It's one of the rarest decks in the world," Fubuki groaned.
"Ten million!?" Judai nearly fell over. His own deck hadn't even been valued at ten thousand.
"Wait a second… could it be…?" Manjoume Jun muttered, a dark thought forming.
"Don't you dare say it!! My brother would never stoop so low!" Sho roared furiously, cutting him off and bolting out the door.
"Sho! Wait up!" Judai dashed after him.
---
The next morning, at the Chancellor's office…
"Mamma mia! A deck worth tens of millions stolen! Outrageous!" Professor Chronos was fuming.
Though he disliked You Feng, he would never tolerate such a principle being broken.
"You Feng, rest assured, we will investigate this thoroughly," Chancellor Sheppard declared solemnly. "If this leaks out, the Academy's reputation will be ruined."
"Then start with the surveillance cameras. There are plenty around the Obelisk dorms." You Feng shrugged.
In truth, he wasn't panicked.
Even though the Emperor Deck was gone, he still felt its presence faintly. His bond with it wasn't broken—it hadn't left the Academy yet.
Perhaps this was the true power of bonds.
"You're right! Check them immediately!" Chancellor Sheppard barked.
Knock, knock!
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