Some time later.
Camilla, surrounded by several Vampires, showed a smug expression, her face half-split, snickering sinisterly.
Camilla, LP: 2800
On the field, a Vampire Ghost with ATK 1700, a Dark Phantom with ATK 1000, and a Vampire Genesis Creator with ATK 3200.
On the other side, on Professor Cronos's field, there was only an Ancient Gear Golem with ATK 3000 and a Set Card.
Originally, the ATK of the Vampire Genesis Creator should have been equal to that of the Ancient Gear Golem, but because of the Dark Phantom's presence, the ATK of all "Zombie-Type" Monsters on the field increased by 200 points, putting Professor Cronos at a disadvantage.
Professor Cronos, LP: 100.
"Oh ho ho ho ho, your Life Points are like a flickering candle in the wind, with no cards in hand and only a Set Card—what can you possibly do?" Camilla placed one hand to her face, smiling with a lady-like charm, saying, "After all, I still want to bully those handsome boys next to you~
Let's switch people, let the others head to the castle, and I'd gladly accept it~"
Professor Cronos struggled to stand up.
Darkness Duel's damage to a person was far more severe than he imagined, especially the piercing pain that felt like needles all over his body, making it almost impossible for him to stand.
"Don't joke around!" Cronos clenched his fist, shouting, "They are my most important students, and I will not let you lay even a finger on them."
"Professor Cronos!" Marufuji Ryo stepped forward excitedly.
Tenjo Hikari couldn't help but clench his fist: "Go for it, Professor! I always believed in you!"
Professor Cronos turned back to look at the students present, smiling: "Moreover, I am the actual top authority of the prestigious Duel Academy, and I absolutely cannot approve of Darkness Duel!"
"But you are already battered and bruised!" Manjome couldn't bear to see it.
"The Duel is the light," he looked at Manjome, smiling, "Watch me bury the darkness with a proper Duel."
"...Tch." Camilla was somewhat speechless, "No matter what, your life is already like a flickering candle in the wind, these pretty words, better let the handsome guys say them.
Fight, attack with Vampire Genesis Creator! This will end it."
"Activate Set Card, Attack Negation, stop the attack, and forcefully end the battle phase!"
"Struggling at death's door." Camilla extended her long tongue again, speaking menacingly like a demon, "With no cards in hand, only a monster on the field, what could you possibly do?"
"I have a way." Cronos smiled and raised his hand, placing it near his chest on the mounted Duel Disk, saying, "There is a way."
"What?" Manjome asked in astonishment, "What method could it possibly be at such a desperate time..."
"...I see." Marufuji Ryo crossed his arms, as if recalling something, nodding gently.
"Ah, I understand too!" Asuka's eyes suddenly brightened, looking towards Tenjo Hikari.
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Judai suddenly became excited, Shou and Hayato seemed to recall something as they pointed at each other.
"What? What are you talking about?!" Manjome felt left out.
"It's Polymerization." Fortunately, Mitsuzawa Daichi was kind, knowing Manjome hadn't seen it before, he explained from the side, "If he draws that Ancient Gear specific Polymerization, then..."
"Specific Polymerization?" Camilla frowned in confusion, "Haven't heard of such a thing..."
Tenjo Hikari observed from the side.
In fact, he had watched the entire Duel.
No bats flying around everywhere...
Camilla was actually playing the cards honestly!
In the original, Camilla was controlling bats to spy on the duelists' Decks and hands. Unexpectedly, this world's Camilla was so chivalrous.
What a pity.
Tenjo Hikari sighed inwardly.
If she didn't play fair, they would have entered the castle long ago.
"Even if such a thing exists, can you even draw it?"
Cronos smiled confidently, saying, "I can, definitely."
The next moment, the Duel Disk automatically ejected a card, which he gently pinched and placed before his eyes, smiling.
During this time, he felt he learned a lot from his students, realizing his mistakes, and truly believing in Supernatural Power, which made him understand his responsibilities and duties even more.
His previous attitude towards Judai and other colored dorm students was utterly wrong.
Until he met Tenjo Hikari, and through Tenjo Hikari's efforts, he saw new possibilities, finally understanding.
With students, it shouldn't be about malevolent suppression and repression, but understanding and guiding them.
This card is a symbol of new possibilities.
"Activate Spell Card, Antique Gear Fusion! This card is a Polymerization specifically for Ancient Gear monsters!"
"But you have no Fusion Materials—"
"Heh heh," Cronos extended a finger and waved it in front of him, "What a foolish idea, truly a relic from the Middle Ages.
To borrow Tenjo-san's words—Polymerization is the noblest form of summoning!
This Antique Gear Fusion, when using Ancient Gear Golem on the field as Fusion Material, allows you to use monsters from the Deck as Fusion Material!"
"What!?"
"That's so cool, Professor!" Judai cheered from the side.
"Watch closely, students, a righteous duel conquers darkness!"
"Fusion Summon, Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem!"
Rumble, the towering mech rose from the ground, its magnificent iron arms looked as if they could crush any enemy!
"Attack Power, 4400!!?" Camilla looked at the magnificent giant, so frightened that she couldn't help but step back.
"It's time to battle, Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem attacks Dark Phantom!
Ultimate Heavy Strike!"
"Ahhhh—"
Camilla LP: 2800→0
"Heh heh, did you witness the prowess of Duel Academy's top authority?" Professor Cronos, with both fists on his hips, stood proudly, though self-proclaimed.
"But isn't the top authority the headmaster?" Marufuji Shou asked, oblivious to the atmosphere.
"Oh, let's talk about that later." Judai couldn't help but look to the sky.
On the other side, a wobbling Camilla stood up with the help of several vampire maids, she glanced at Professor Cronos and snorted in displeasure, "Well, though not cute-looking, the words were quite cool, worthy to meet the young miss."
"Eh?" Cronos then questioned, "Isn't it over? Aren't you a Seven Star?"
"Teacher, she never said such a thing!" Mitsuzawa Daichi wiped his cold sweat.
"Super mamma mia, all these blows I took—" Cronos screamed, covering his cheeks with both hands.
His Spirit Adaptability was very low, belonging to a Duelist who couldn't enter Other Dimensions alone. After suffering Darkness Duel damage, his adaptability and recovery were far weaker than those of the chosen students, now it was even hard for him to stand!
If he fought another Darkness Duel, he might pass out halfway!
But, even so, he had to stand up.
"Professor Cronos!" Just as he tried to stand up, Marufuji Ryo had already arrived by his side, supporting him, saying, "Wait a moment, your body can no longer support another battle."
"But..."
"Let me take over." Marufuji Ryo said solemnly, "The fledgling leaves the eagle to fly, you are our role model, we will definitely defeat the darkness and bring light to the Academy."
"Yes, Professor." Tenjo Hikari nodded gently from the side, "Rest assured and leave it to us!"
Looking at Tenjo Hikari, Cronos showed a comforting smile, saying, "Indeed."
He still had great faith in Tenjo Hikari, after all, during his long unconsciousness in another dimension, Tenjo Hikari managed to conquer darkness alone, in his opinion, Tenjo Hikari was definitely an outstanding first-year student, just like Marufuji Ryo.
"Sigh... if only it was this straightforward from the start?" Camilla was speechless, "Took a punch for nothing..."
"Hey, lady, don't forget to awaken my students!" Cronos heard her voice and immediately followed with a remark.
"Alright, alright." Camilla had absolutely no interest in chatting with Professor Cronos, calling for a maid to handle it.
"When you see the young miss, be sure to show some respect!" she led the remaining students, stepping onto the red carpet, slowly walking into the mansion.
All around, above and below the mansion, every window was tightly shut with curtains.
"It's huge—"
As everyone expressed their amazement. Soft yawns and the gentle sounds of footsteps echoed, a beautiful girl with a parasol in hand, bat wings on her back, eyes of burgundy red, and dusky golden hair, slowly descended from the mansion's second floor.
"Ah—" Manjome, Marufuji Shou, and others gazed obsessively at the girl descending from the floor above, causing Asuka beside them to clench her fist in frustration.
"Have you come?" Yawning again, the parasol girl seemed to have just woken up, "Then... hand over the Key."
"There's no way we'll hand it over!" Marufuji Ryo retorted.
"Hmm..." She tilted her head, looking somewhat conflicted and puzzled, "You'll lose anyway."
"We haven't even fought yet, how do you know we'll lose!" Judai shouted loudly.
"Is that so?" Her eyes emitted a faint red light, meanwhile, a giant bat flew over to her, landing by her side, transforming into a tall, white-haired female vampire who knelt respectfully.
"Collecting them one by one is too slow."
"Do you mean...?" Tenjo Hikari realized what she intended, decisively stepping forward to take his place.
"In that case, let's... have a tag duel."
She lightly put away her parasol, then pressed some switch, surprisingly, the parasol began to transform under her control, gradually morphing into a Duel Disk resembling bat wings.
"Quick battle and decisive victory."