In the end, it was no surprise that Yugen received funding sponsorship from the International Illusion Association.
But that was only natural.
Even without mentioning his somewhat amicable relationship with the host, Nightwalker, the results produced by their lab today were already impressive enough.
The achievements of the Digital Angels alone were significant, and Mitsuzawa also prepared results related to the Undead Race.
Apart from the Horse-headed Ghost and Minotaur mentioned earlier, they further proved an important racial fact through this card enhancement. That is, the "Demon Race" monsters in the current anime world are actually a branch of the "Undead Race", and through further development, they can all evolve into the larger category of the "Undead Race".
This is a groundbreaking discovery for users of the Demon and Undead races.
It means that all currently known Demon Race monsters can benefit from the generic cards of the Undead Race, and powerful effects that were original confined to the obscure Demon Race, like the Horse-headed Ghost, can now extend into the Undead realm.
This discovery not only proves the potential of the few cards they've developed but also indicates an entire race's future direction of research and development, pointing the future for all researchers in the field.
It is a truly pioneering discovery!
Of course, for them, it's like a groundbreaking discovery, but for Yugen, he was merely trying to prove something he already knew.
Because the Demon Race is a race unique to the anime, it doesn't exist in the Yu-Gi-Oh! physical cards. All Demon Race monsters in the original series were assimilated into the broader category of the "Undead Race" upon being made into physical cards.
So he quickly guessed this theory, and the rest was just about giving Mitsuzawa Earth some inspiration to pursue this direction to prove it.
But for the world, this indeed is an extraordinary discovery. Especially considering that the ones who discovered this are freshmen from Duel Academy, and these are just part of the achievements they've made since entering the academy...
The attending experts were immediately struck with a series of exclamations like "gasps of amazement" and "remarkably terrifying".
It seemed like a rising star was emerging in the Printing Card Realm.
"..."
As the meeting ended, Pegasus Nightwalker and Beckas exchanged a few words in low voices. Then Beckas glanced over at Yugen and the others, gave a mysterious smile, lightly nodded, and then turned to leave first.
Meanwhile, Pegasus Nightwalker stood up and approached them.
"Truly surprising," Nightwalker said with a smile, "I didn't realize you had such talent not only in dueling but also in development."
"Just lucky," Yugen shook hands with him, smiling, "mainly because my colleagues are reliable."
Mitsuzawa and Asuka behind him both felt a bit embarrassed hearing this.
In truth, they were the ones being led on by the great master...
"Well, since you're out here today, and we're not far from the headquarters..." Nightwalker courteously invited, "How about dropping by the headquarters for a meal, if you have time?"
Mitsuzawa and Asuka were both taken aback.
Headquarters... could it be the headquarters of the International Illusion Association?
The place where Duel Monsters were revived in modern times, the holy land of thousands of Duelists?
Yugen consulted the opinions of the two, naturally, they agreed without any objections, unable to pass up such a rare opportunity.
"Then thank you."
"Haha, no trouble at all," Nightwalker smiled mysteriously, "Besides, there's someone else who wants to meet you."
But he didn't reveal further details for the moment, only saying they would find out when they arrived. So after the meeting, the three briefly followed Nightwalker, taking a car to the International Illusion Association.
The car of a bigshot was indeed different. The driver's seat was separated by a finely soundproofed partition, like an independent little space for the driver, while the back seat was a different world.
Spacious seats that are soft and elastic, a car sunroof slightly open. The sound system played gentle music, with melody resonating throughout the cabin.
No one spoke for the first few minutes of the journey. Until halfway, Nightwalker suddenly spoke.
"At Duel Academy, have you learned about the quantum superposition principle on a microscopic scale?"
The three exchanged glances.
"We didn't study it at the academy, but I've learned a bit about it myself," Mitsuzawa replied hesitantly, "Is there a reason you ask?"
Nightwalker smiled.
"Nothing much. It's just that in my recent personal research, I found a theory that might be related to us Duelists."
He paused, then further explained.
"Some theories suggest that particle states are indeterminate before measurement, in a superposition of possibilities, only randomly exhibiting one state when measured."
No one spoke up, waiting for him to continue.
"Following that, some have proposed that for Duelists, if we consider a card as a particle, then at the start of a duel, the card deck is in that indeterminate state.
Before being drawn by the Duelist, the card is in a superposition of possibilities. It's only when the card is drawn that its fate is truly decided."
Yugen: "..."
He suddenly remembered seeing similar ideas among hobbyists who liked to theorize, during his internet surfing in his past life. When in doubt, turn to quantum mechanics; if major movies can incorporate it into their settings, there's no reason Yu-Gi-Oh! can't.
Thus, this amazing theory of legitimizing divine draws was born...
"For example, I have a deck of playing cards here."
Nightwalker demonstrated the deck, shuffled it, then drew the top card to show everyone.
JOKER, the Big Joker.
"See, I drew the biggest card in the deck."
Nightwalker smiled, returned it, shuffled the cards again, and drew the top card once more.
Still the Big Joker.
"This is just an ordinary deck of cards. There's no trick, and I didn't use any magic hand. However..."
Nightwalker shuffled a third time, this time not drawing a card, but instead looking at the three.
"Does anyone want to draw a card and compare sizes with me?"
There was a moment of silence before Asuka spoke up, "I'll do it."
She then reached out to draw a card.
Nightwalker drew a card too.
They compared their revealed cards.
Nightwalker had drawn a Spade J, while Asuka had drawn a Diamond 9.
"Hmm, not bad luck, it seems I have a slightly bigger one," Nightwalker smiled, "But you drew well too."
Asuka was puzzled, "I don't understand..."
"If I were just amusing myself, it would be easy to draw the biggest card. Out of ten times, maybe only two or three tries would fail."
Nightwalker explained.
"But when pitted against a strong Duelist, it seems that it isn't as easy as before."
Yugen seemed to grasp what he meant.
"This is what is called the 'power' of a Duelist," Nightwalker said, "A powerful Duelist possesses the ability to alter the future in an unseen way, and this power is only truly realized in a duel.
An expert duel is not merely a clash of card decks or tactics, but a collision of each other's 'power' and destinies... no, not just both parties' destinies. For the most exceptional Duelists, the outcome of a duel might even rewrite the future of the world."
The classic idea of changing the world through card games. While this was now common knowledge for Yugen, it seemed surreal for Mitsuzawa and Asuka, who hadn't truly encountered the extraordinary. Both were momentarily unsure of what expression to wear.
The car came to a stop.
"It was just some idle chat to pass the time," Nightwalker smiled, put away the playing cards, "Though, if it can provide some inspiration for your future path as Duelists, that would be the best. But if not, think of it as mere nonsense.
After all, it's not what you would call a rigorously verified theory, and I doubt Duel Academy would talk about this yet."
He got out of the car, with the three following him.
They were now facing the building of the International Illusion Association.
But before entering, Nightwalker paused.
"Actually, I have another request today." He turned to Yugen, saying slowly, "My brother mentioned gaining considerable insight from his duel with you, and I've always been curious.
So I've been looking forward to getting the opportunity..."
He politely requested,
"Could I also have a duel with you?"
Yugen was taken aback.
Brother?
Wait a minute...
"You are...?"
"Oh, I am Pegasus Moonwalker, Nightwalker's twin brother."