Passing through the gate, Tenjo Hikari felt countless rays of light piercing through his body, as if he had been shattered into countless pieces, scattered until sunlight reappeared, and his form began to reassemble, eventually becoming "human" again and landing on the ground.
"Ugh—"
As Tenjo Hikari landed, his legs buckled, and he almost collapsed.
So heavy!
So unbearably heavy—
He felt as though his entire body had suddenly become several times heavier.
The sky seemed to be at dusk, and it appeared that the time streams of the two dimensions flowed at the same rate.
"Judai!" "Tenjo-san!"
While Tenjo Hikari was still dizzy, someone rushed to their side, nervously asking, "Are you all okay!"
"Oh! We're fine!" Judai responded in a carefree manner.
Tenjo Hikari shook his head vigorously, looked at Marufuji Shou and Maeda Hayato, and after pausing for a moment, he said, "I'm fine too, just a little dizzy."
"It's a normal phenomenon, nya~," Teacher Daitokuji adjusted his glasses, smiling, "Judai has an extraordinary adaptability, so there's no major issue in returning to the real world. However, Tenjo-san, your adaptability isn't as high, so you'll need some time to rest.
Also, it's an older model, causing more harm to the body. Generally, one might need five to six days of rest, nya!"
"I see..." Tenjo Hikari nodded to show he understood.
That's normal, since, in the original story, Judai was no mere human, but the reincarnation of the "Supreme King," with thick skin and powerful spiritual strength, making such occurrences trivial to him.
Although Tenjo Hikari felt uncomfortable, it was just dizziness and heaviness, and with a few deep breaths, it seemed manageable.
It was almost like running a kilometer.
It seemed that Super Polymerization helped him in more ways than just in dueling?
"Oh my, it's a relief you're back, nya, otherwise I'd have been taken away by the administrative department!" Seeing that the two were alright, Teacher Daitokuji patted his chest and wiped his tears, unable to suppress a lingering fear.
Administrative department?
Tenjo Hikari looked to the side and saw a row of stern figures in dark green uniforms, wearing military hats like soldiers, watching them seriously. Among them, the leading woman, after hearing Teacher Daitokuji's words, said mercilessly, "Teacher Daitokuji, fortunately, there have been no incidents this time, so the administrative department won't impose a punishment on you!
However, the Dimension Gate will be reclaimed by us and transferred to the council for maintenance, and as for your salary this month, you'd better be prepared!"
Tenjo Hikari remembered that, in the original story, these were the people who 'arrested' Judai after he broke school rules, acting as the 'soldiers' on Duel Academy Island, directly under the council's authority.
"How can this be, nya!!!" Teacher Daitokuji lamented.
"It's all Teacher Daitokuji's fault. If it weren't for you messing around, my brother and Tenjo-san wouldn't have almost been unable to return!"
"Teacher Daitokuji... although I'm also upset, Shou is right..." Even Maeda Hayato, the usual nice guy, felt that Teacher Daitokuji went too far.
"Well, I just thought it was a bit old, so I tried adding something to it..." Teacher Daitokuji sulked for a while, then suddenly remembered something and asked Judai, "By the way, Judai, where did you go?"
"Ah, that—Tenjo, where was it that we went? Hahaha?" Judai instinctively scratched his neck, smiling foolishly.
Before merging with Yubel, Judai was still too comical.
"We went to a Hero dimension, where the spirits were very welcoming to Judai, and it even seemed like they knew him from before." Tenjo Hikari improvised.
"Ah, yes, yes!" Judai quickly added.
"Brother is known there?" Marufuji Shou asked curiously, "Brother, what's going on?"
"Ah, well, the thing is..." Yuki Judai scratched his face with his finger, thought for a moment, and chuckled, "Actually, it's like this..."
Uh.
Though somewhat counterintuitive.
For instance, despite Yuki Judai being the only freshman in Red Academy who could happily scarf down home-cooked dishes prepared by Teacher Daitokuji two bowls at a time, Judai wasn't from a "poor family."
On the contrary...
His parents were executives at the Kaiba Company! They were talented in scientific research!
"Eh?!" Marufuji Shou was shocked, eyes wide open upon hearing this.
Years ago, Kaiba Seto began exploring Other Dimensions, seeking the road to the Netherworld. For publicity and promotion, Kaiba Seto held an event, sending cards and children's drawings into the initial Other Dimension Gate, randomly dispatched into countless spaces.
Those cards and drawings… belonged to Judai.
"Ah?!" Maeda Hayato was dumbfounded, "I, I also heard about that event, I even signed up for it..."
Evidently, whether in talent, Spirit Power, or family background, Maeda Hayato couldn't compare to Yuki Judai.
"So, so?" Teacher Daitokuji inched closer, "That hero, is..."
"Yes!" Judai opened his deck, revealing an unusual card, with a reminiscent smile on his face, "He experienced a lot in other dimensions, acquired new powers, and transformed into a new form, but when he saw me again, he reverted to his original appearance... He's my partner and friend!"
"I see, congratulations, Judai." Tenjo Hikari listened and understood, nodding in congratulations.
It seemed that in the original story, Judai sending his card on a rocket became sending it to the Other Dimension in this world.
No wonder that Winged Hero was so familiar with Judai.
In short, things ended just like that. Regarding the crossing to the "Netherworld Gate," neither Judai nor Tenjo Hikari said a word, and after meeting the Winged Hero, Judai also understood his future goal — to find his partners.
Unfortunately...
The Dimension Gate needed to be recharged with energy; Red Academy, being the most "basic" school, received the least share each quarter. It couldn't be used many times, and now being seized by the administrative department, nobody would likely be able to use it anytime soon.
Judai and the others happily prepared to go to the cafeteria, waiting for Teacher Daitokuji to cook. Marufuji Shou and Maeda continued to question Judai for details, while Teacher Daitokuji explained to the administrative staff for a long time before finally returning to his dorm, exhausted.
He greeted Tenjo Hikari, thanking him for participating in this "doubles" match, and as he watched Tenjo Hikari slowly fade into the distance, he gradually opened his eyes: "I wasn't mistaken... that student indeed possesses a fairly high Alchemical talent!"
Alchemy, the "science" pursued by seekers of eternal life, had another name in this card world—Polymerization!
He rubbed his eyes, feeling a little emotional, "I never thought… in my final days, I would encounter a student with such talent…"
Meanwhile.
The highest levels of the Fusion Department.
A shadowy figure stumbled out of the Dimension Gate, collapsing on the ground, coughing violently.
Beside him stood the expressionless head of the Fusion Department, Akaba Leo.
"Can you stand?"
"Of course, Professor!" The student struggled, propping himself up with his hands, striving to stand.
"Very well, in a few days, once your body fully recovers, go and accomplish what you have in mind. Don't let me down."
"Just wait, Tenjo Hikari, I will have my revenge!" The student's eyes blazed as if his gaze alone could burn a person alive.
He struggled to stand, leaning against the wall for support, with only one thought in mind—revenge!
And our Tenjo Hikari...
At this moment, within just a few minutes, the dizziness and discomfort from exiting the Dimension Gate vanished entirely. He casually bought a bread roll, eating while mulling over his deck, bouncing back full of energy!