Riding on the Dimensional Train of the Kaiba Company, Tenjo Hikari and a few others arrived at the Critical Point Dimension.
The Dimensional Train seems to be a recent development by the Kaiba Company, a more humane and safer dimensional teleportation device. It poses less harm to the human body compared to the Dimension Gate. However, the teleportation time is relatively longer, but even ordinary people can teleport normally with it.
According to the map, the entire Critical Point has 12 areas accessible directly by train for the students, while other areas require self-exploration. Furthermore, the Kaiba Company specifically stated that these unstable areas are for those students confident in their abilities.
After arriving at the Critical Point, as mentioned earlier, the group needed to disperse.
After all, this competition is not only a competition but also an opportunity.
The Tenjouin Siblings were the first to bid farewell to the group, as Asuka needed to head to the Ritual Area, and Fubuki accompanied her.
Manjome wanted to go to the Dragon Area, and besides, he was also interested in visiting the "White Dragon Headquarters."
Judai wanted to find Shou and Tyranno Kenzan. He was also interested in exploring some bizarre places, so he couldn't stick with the larger group.
There's no helping it, given the limited time, everyone has their own tasks and can't possibly travel together.
However, it was fine because, in the few days of waiting for Tenjo Hikari, they took turns on duty, waiting for Tenjo Hikari, and their bond became stronger than before.
In the end, those who continued traveling with Tenjo Hikari, or simply accompanying Serena, were only Tenjo Hikari and Mitsuzawa Daichi.
"Daichi, is there anywhere you'd like to go?"
"Me? Hmm... anywhere is fine."
Tenjo Hikari pursed his lips slightly.
Don't be fooled by Mitsuzawa Daichi's indifferent attitude.
In fact, in this event, besides Serena, he was the one hit the hardest.
Previously, when he saw Marufuji Ryo successfully complete an Xyz Summon in their world, he suddenly had a brilliant idea and finally realized which tactic suited him best. So he kept sending applications to the Kaiba Company, wanting to go to Domino City, or even the X Dimension.
However, the incident with Akaba Leo hit him hard.
Leaving aside whether Domino City is feasible, going to the X Dimension is definitely out of the question.
Even if "a small group of people with ulterior motives" launched an attack, it's at most a rift between two dimensions. The fact that the two dimensions did not close off communications is a result of years of interaction. Now, going to the X Dimension, what would others think?
You have to understand that there are still rampaging Spirits and remnants of the Fusion Army in the X Dimension!
It means that his initial desire to move forward was abruptly cut off.
Though he maintains a smile on the surface, his heart might already be somewhat dead.
On the other side...
"Serena?"
"Ah... uh, I'm fine with anything..." Serena appeared to lack energy as well.
As an orphan found by Akaba Leo and brought to the academy's middle division, later being confined in a lab to practice dueling and Spirit Power, she always hoped to perform better and earn her father's approval.
After all, her father was her only family.
But what was the result?
What her father wanted was not an "excellent duelist" but invasion!
Even Serena, who lacked much common sense, knew that in the children's world, those who were strong and well-fed children robbing stray children were the worst kind.
Even though she had the company of her older siblings in the past few days, barely maintaining her smile, her heart was already full of holes.
She didn't know her purpose for living.
"A couple of troublesome humans," Tierra muttered to herself.
The two looked at her, then silently lowered their heads again.
Tenjo Hikari shook his head helplessly.
"Alright, since that's the case, I'll decide the destination then."
Tenjo Hikari directly put away the map.
"Let's head to the Forest Area first."
The two had no objections, following Tenjo Hikari. They boarded the Kaiba Company's train, which had more people than the starting point earlier.
People of various colors and races were present. Upon seeing Tenjo Hikari, some didn't recognize him, while those who did started whispering.
"Isn't that..."
"That's the Polymerization..."
"Why is he also..."
The whispers filled the air.
Suddenly, the two people who initially seemed uninterested found their energy. One looked worriedly at Tenjo Hikari, while the other rolled up her sleeves, readying herself for action.
If others recognized her as Akaba Leo's daughter, the topic of discussion would certainly change.
Tenjo Hikari didn't mind, simply smiling and nodding to those people, unimpressed.
It made those on the opposite side somewhat uncomfortable.
Seeing him so calm, Mitsuzawa Daichi was also surprised.
Was there really nothing that could affect Hikari?
Not really—
Mainly, Tenjo Hikari had anticipated such situations long ago.
The only thing he hadn't anticipated was Akaba Leo's swift strike against the Xyz Dimension.
From the moment he decided to join Akaba Leo's club, Tenjo Hikari knew this day would come.
He was prepared, so he wasn't bothered.
After departing the train, Tenjo Hikari didn't follow the marked path towards the "Forest Duelist" direction; instead, he led his two companions down another road. As Tenjo Hikari ventured further, the two companions grew puzzled.
Wasn't this the agreed-upon route by the Kaiba Company—
Just as they were contemplating, Tenjo Hikari stopped, pulling out a book, and began speaking to it.
"Ah! My lord, I'm coming to pick you up right away."
The sound faded hardly before the abrupt clatter of hooves arose, and from afar, beneath a cloud of dust, horses galloped wildly towards Tenjo Hikari and the others.
"Wh-what?" Mitsuzawa Daichi's eyes widened.
"Wow..."
Soon, Gaia halted in front of Tenjo Hikari, dismounted, and bowed to Tenjo Hikari, then glanced at the two beside Tenjo Hikari, greeting them.
Since both Mitsuzawa and Serena were in low spirits, Tenjo Hikari wasn't in a hurry to battle at the dojo; instead, he decided to visit the Knight's Domain of Glory to watch horse races for some relaxation.
But unexpectedly, after Gaia landed, he asked, "My lord, you're students here to participate, right? I have certification qualification and can mark you."
"Huh?"
"The Light Monarch was originally a Special Duelist, but I've taken over his role now." Gaia, being a Spirit, directly inherited the role of Light Monarch as a Special Duelist outside the 12-star Duelist lineup.
Even better.
While relaxing, there was no need to worry about falling behind in results!
Meanwhile...
Mechanical Duelist Area.
"Hmph, disappear, loser." Marufuji Ryo crushed a Professional Duelist's monster, pointing arrogantly at the opponent, laughing haughtily.
Upon the opponent tossing his badge away, he didn't even glance at it, nonchalantly stepping on it before turning and leaving without another word.
"Wait, wait— you bastard—" The defeated Professional Duelist struggled to stand, trying to grasp Marufuji Ryo, but couldn't stop him.
Attempting to intervene, a few of the duelist's friends approached Marufuji Ryo for a duel.
Just then.
"Wait!!"
A voice rang out.
A small figure leapt from the crowd, and several familiar students from the school stepped aside, almost as if avoiding a plague, avoiding him.
No—
Even those unfamiliar would instinctively give way upon seeing his attire!
Purple uniform, long cape, and the badge on the shoulders...
This was an Advanced Duelist from the Fusion Army, right?
What's someone like that doing here?
The murmurs didn't stop.
"Shou?" Just as Judai, who was searching for Shou and Kenzan, witnessed this scene.
"Ryo..." Heading towards the Ritual Area, the Tenjouin Siblings, who saw this scene and quickly disembarked, were also worried.
Marufuji Shou stood directly in front of Marufuji Ryo.
"Brother, please duel with me."
"Oh, you're challenging Hell Caesar?" Marufuji Ryo looked at his brother, "Hmph, whatever, whoever it is, the victory is mine anyway."