"What are the three elements of Duel Physics?"
"Monster, Spell, and Trap."
"Who proposed the Grand Unified Duel Theory?"
"Dr. Tubaeinstein."
Hikaru answered Bastion's questions while revising his notes.
These were all people or cards that appeared in the original series. Hikaru couldn't possibly remember every detail, but with a quick review, he could memorize them pretty easily.
"Ugh..." Jaden Yuki stood next to their desks, eyes spinning, brain completely fried. Everything he heard went in one ear and out the other.
"As expected of Hikaru-san. He can review and answer questions perfectly without missing a beat." Alexis praised softly from the side.
"Unlike big bro..." Syrus sighed as he glanced at the zoned-out Jaden. "Big bro, if you keep this up, you'll be stuck retaking exams, or worse, remedial classes again!"
No one knew how Syrus managed to nap through class alongside Jaden yet still avoid failing. Either way, being able to wing it with a few glances at a book and scrape through exams wasn't a bad talent.
Hikaru finished organizing his notes, stretched lazily, then turned to Bastion. "Thanks, Daichi. Without you, cramming this much would've been a nightmare."
"Haha, if beating a knowledge-deprived Hikaru was all it took to be top of the class, then it wouldn't mean much," Bastion laughed.
"Ugh...exams..." Jaden collapsed onto the desk.
"Jaden, don't give up!" Syrus rushed over to prop him up.
"Yeah, big bro, you've got this!" At the same time, Tyranno Hassleberry dashed over to Syrus's opposite side, cheering Jaden on.
Despite his wild appearance, he was a good student.
"Ah! Tyranno-kun, this is the second-year classroom! Quit loitering and get back to your own class!" Syrus scolded.
"But this room's now the temporary clubroom for the Fusion Club. You, as a Polymerization Club member, should be the one leaving!" Tyranno fired back.
"Besides, Serena's here too! You gonna kick her out!?"
"Ah! Dragging Serena into this is so sneaky!"
Ever since Jaden gained a "new little bro," realizing his big bro already had an "old little bro," Syrus and Tyranno had become rivals. Both fought for more of Jaden's attention. Syrus even started skipping Polymerization Club activities to hang out in the Fusion Club with Tyranno.
Hikaru honestly didn't get what they were fighting over.
It's Duel Monsters. Jaden never says no to dueling anyway.
The reason they were gathered in the classroom today was simple: the Fusion Club's activity room was temporarily unusable.
Not because it was disbanded or anything.
In fact, with Hikaru and the other "veterans" becoming more famous around the Academy, not just Hikaru, Jaden, Chazz, and Alexis, but even, brace for it. Even Bastion, someone with a negative presence, was now occasionally approached by fellow students!
That's how ridiculous it was.
Seriously, in another universe, Bastion's lack of presence could qualify him for Assassin Brotherhood training!
In essence, with so many renowned students and with Crowler as the iron-clad Acting Principal backing them, there was zero chance the Fusion Club shutting down.
The real reason for today's temporary classroom gathering was simple, Funglow Corp's funds had hit the Academy's account, and construction was underway to expand the club's building.
Rough estimates suggested that within a day, Hikaru would have a three-to-four-story mini-building, complete with balconies, a small decorative lake, and all kinds of extra amenities.
Such was the power of a world fueled by Duel Monsters and Duel Energy. Remember, in the original, during Crowler and Napoleon's duel over whether to demolish Slifer Red, the demolition crew tore down half the building instantly, and the construction team rebuilt half the dorm in the same timeframe. Wild.
This was the world of duelists.
Tomorrow, Hikaru could begin setting up the Dimensional Gate and head to the "parallel world" that the principal had designated.
However, before that, there were plenty of "details" to handle.
"Honestly, telling you this now might ruin your motivation to study... but I figured I should tell you anyway, Jaden." Hikaru casually flipped open the Emerald Book as he spoke.
"What is it?" Jaden asked, curiosity piqued.
Lately, Hikaru had clearly noticed that Jaden was becoming calmer, sharper.
Not just that, his emotional expression wasn't as fiery as before. He was still passionate overall, just slightly toned down compared to earlier.
If Hikaru weren't someone who specialized in observing and recording, no one would have noticed Jaden subtly shifting in a certain direction.
Though calling it "change" wasn't quite accurate. It was more like shedding restraints and returning to his true self.
After all, it seemed Jaden had rediscovered his childhood spark somewhere in another dimension.
So was it a change? Or just going back to who he always was?
"There probably won't be any exams this year."
"WHAT!?"
"No exams!?"
"For real, Hikaru!?"
"Is it true, Hikaru-senpai!?"
"Hikaru-senpai! Hikaru-senpai!"
The moment those words dropped, whether it was the crew studying with Hikaru, the ones play-fighting nearby, or even the members sitting on desks dueling each other, everyone jumped up and crowded around, all eyes on Hikaru.
It didn't matter what world you were in. Didn't matter what you were studying. When someone says there are no exams, everyone's happy.
"No exams!?" Jaden's face lit up with glee.
This good news actually existed!?
"N-No exams!?" Bastion's mouth hung open in despair.
"Well..." Hikaru closed the Emerald Book, sighed, propped his chin on one hand, and lightly swung the book in his other hand. "It's not exactly 'no exams.' Acting Principal Crowler said that this year's grades will be determined based on the tournament the principal is about to hold..."
"And honestly, it'll probably be much harder than any regular duel exam."
Hikaru warned everyone to seriously review and fine-tune their decks.
"A tournament hosted by the principal?" Most people latched onto the "tournament" and "no exams" part more than anything else.
Hikaru tapped his head with the book.
'The Critical Nexus GX Tournament…'
He sighed heavily.
So, in the end, the principal still went ahead with it.
Just then, Hikaru noticed planes approaching the Academy Island.
That logo…
And that blinding pure-white paint job.
Sartorius had arrived!
...
Bonus @ 200 PS
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