Chapter 256: Psychic Style
As [Lava Golem] "contentedly" became the great hero who ended the war, nullifying Espa Roba's Life Points, the images projected by the Solid Vision gradually disappeared.
Espa Roba, whose Life Points had been nullified, hadn't yet come to terms with the recent Duel, kneeling on the ground with an incredulous expression, muttering, "I, I lost?"
"Brother!" From the crowd, Espa Roba's "plants" — his two younger brothers — ran out and came before the dejected Espa Roba, saying with concern, "Pull yourself together, brother!"
"What does 'brother' mean?" Rex, who was also in the crowd and had taken the opportunity to watch the commotion, hadn't yet figured out why those two kids, who had just been subjected to Espa Roba's Petrification Technique, were calling him 'brother'.
Ishizu, who had returned to stand beside Chumley, blushed slightly. Despite having Future Sight herself, she had actually believed that something as unrealistic as Psychic Power truly existed. She had even just warned Chumley to be careful in Duels against those claiming psychic abilities; it was utterly humiliating!
Hearing his brothers' comfort, Espa Roba looked up and saw Chumley, who had put away his Duel Disk and was standing before him, a forced smile on his lips: "Heh, go ahead and laugh at me, someone like me..."
"Well played."
Espa Roba was slightly startled, looking at Chumley, whose expression hadn't changed at all: "Just now, did you say something?"
"I said, 'Well played,' your Dueling skills are quite strong." Chumley wasn't just being polite; he was genuinely praising Espa Roba. "While using such dishonorable tactics in the skill-based Duel Monsters game is truly despicable, aside from that, wasn't the recent Duel quite exciting?"
As he spoke, Chumley clapped his hands. With Chumley leading the way, many people around them also began to applaud Espa Roba.
"Well played."
"Even though he lost, he seems stronger than me."
"After all, his opponent is the Duel King."
Espa Roba, who had expected to be looked down upon after losing the Duel, never imagined that he could still earn others' respect even in defeat. His gaze towards Chumley, who had started the applause, was filled with gratitude.
Then, he saw Chumley extend his hand.
Standing up, Espa Roba shook Chumley's hand, and, moved, said, "Mm, that was truly an interesting Duel, Duel King."
To his surprise, Chumley gave Espa Roba a strange look, then extended his other hand: "Who wants to shake your hand? I want you to hand over your Puzzle Cards and Rare Cards."
Awkward, Espa Roba felt quite embarrassed. After pulling the Puzzle Cards from his pocket, he fanned out his Deck, preparing to take out the [Jinzo] card to hand to Chumley.
"No, the Rare Card I want isn't that one." Chumley stopped him and picked out another card.
It was the [Amanojaku's Curse] card that Espa Roba had used at the very beginning of the Duel.
"Still a gentle guy, as always, Chumley." Just as Chumley was choosing [Amanojaku's Curse], a familiar voice came from behind him.
Turning around, it was none other than Sheppard, who had once Dueled Chumley during the Duelist Kingdom. Chumley wasn't surprised by his appearance here either; after all, as a True Duelist, how could one refuse a grand event like Battle City?
His gaze dropped, and Chumley saw the Duel Disk on Sheppard's wrist.
"Long time no see, Mr. Sheppard, although it's actually only been about three months." Chumley said with a smile to Sheppard. At the same time, he didn't forget to introduce Sheppard to Ishizu beside him, "This is Mr. Sheppard. He was one of the Top 4 Duelists during Duelist Kingdom and is a renowned Cyber Style Duelist."
Although, compared to the conventional "[Cyber Dragon] go-go-go" style, Sheppard's Cyber Style was truly unconventional.
"A slight correction, Chumley-kun," Sheppard said with a smug smile. "Ever since we parted ways after Duelist Kingdom, I returned to the Cyber Style Dojo and inherited the position of the Former Master. Now, I am legitimately a Cyber Style Mastery License holder."
Within a Dojo, there are many ranks from lowest to highest, and "Mastery License" is the highest among them. As the name suggests, it means one can teach the style's techniques to others without permission, which implies that Sheppard has now become the Master of the Cyber Style, just as in the original future.
"Congratulations, Mr. Sheppard." Chumley was genuinely happy for Sheppard. After all, if he successfully inherited the Cyber Style, it would mean that Sheppard's Deck would change somewhat to accommodate [Cyber Dragon].
Perhaps his Deck wouldn't be as degenerate as before?
"I think I just heard some Cyber Style trash talking here, huh?"
A burly man suddenly pushed his way through the crowd surrounding Chumley, bringing a large group of subordinates with him to stand beside Chumley and the others, his fierce gaze sweeping over the people in the center.
"Who are you, you rascal! Take back what you just said!" Although Sheppard had a very good temper, the Cyber Style was his pride and joy. Hearing the burly man in front of him slander the Cyber Style so much, even calling it "trash," the mild-mannered Sheppard couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.
"Hah? Did I say something wrong? Cyber Style is nothing but pure trash." The burly man saw Sheppard getting angry and instead laughed even more wildly. "Compared to something as inscrutable as Cyber Style, it's obvious that Psychic Style is the strongest!"
"Hmph, no wonder he said such things; so he's a Psychic Style guy!"
Although Ishizu possessed Future Sight, it didn't mean she was omniscient. She asked Chumley, somewhat confused, "Chumley, what's this about 'Cyber Style' and 'Psychic Style'?"
"I can't explain it very clearly in detail, but basically, because these two styles were established almost at the same time, and the Duel Monsters they inherited are both Machine-Type, the two Dojos just clashed."
"However, the scales wouldn't stay balanced forever. After a long stalemate, the Cyber Style gained a certain advantage and successfully made a name for itself, then continuously accumulated advantages, leading to the current situation in the Duel Monsters world where many people know of the Cyber Style but are unaware of the Psychic Style, which was established at the same time."
Just as Chumley was introducing the feud between the two Dojos to Ishizu, the burly man ran over to Espa Roba, who was surrounded by his subordinates, forcing a friendly expression onto his fleshy face: "Young man, I saw your Duel just now."
"How about joining our Psychic Style? The benefits are excellent."
(end of chapter)