Chapter 168: The Father of Duel Monsters
Chapter 168: The Father of Duel Monsters
【Takahashi: LP 0】
Even the young girl, Sakurako, who had come with the Chief from the Electronic Association, was stunned for a moment, her expression bewildered as if she couldn't quite accept this fact.
Had the Chief lost?
And not just to any deck, but specifically to a user of their Electronicization deck, and a student of the Duel Academy at that. If one were to elaborate further, it was even the finishing blow dealt by her own "Electronicization Ice Blade Hand."
Sakurako fell into deep thought.
Well, she didn't know what the Chief was thinking, but if it had been her, she felt that after this duel, her heart would have truly "shattered."
She turned to look at Asuka, who was putting away her Duel Disk.
"Is that really an Electronicization Angel?" she asked, referring to the card in Asuka's Duel Disk. The effect that could only be activated from the graveyard, the ability to both heal and block attacks, making it an absolute defense akin to a turtle's shell, and especially the torment inflicted on opponents by its repeated returns to the field—even devils would have to give it some respect.
Having just finished the duel, Asuka picked up the card of "Nasatemi, the Electronicization Angel" from her Duel Disk and looked at it with a complex expression.
This card had only been printed two days ago, and today was her first opportunity to test it in actual combat. Naturally, she hadn't had much time to re-evaluate her deck's combination and construction. So, the tactical guidance and suggestions for the enhanced new deck were largely due to You Xuan's input.
In fact, when You Xuan had first shared this "interesting idea" with her, Asuka had instinctively resisted it.
After all, having played the Electronicization deck for so many years, summoning a powerful monster and slugging it out was almost a instinct engraved in her DNA. When You Xuan suddenly suggested trying to use this angel, with only a thousand ATK and an absolute defense-oriented ability, as the tactical core, she initially felt that it went against her natural instincts.
But now, having given it a try, Asuka had to admit that she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of excitement welling up from the bottom of her heart.
It was a subtle feeling that she had never experienced in the exhilarating duels she had pursued in the past, and it was difficult to describe.
At the moment the duel ended, a phrase that her classmate, Judai, often said popped into her mind—
—"I win! That was a fun duel! It's so interesting to duel like this!"
Asuka took a deep breath and carefully put away "Nasatemi, the Electronicization Angel" with added solemnity. Her restless heart was stirring with anticipation.
It was as if she had opened the door to a new world.
The experts who had witnessed the duel were also thoroughly satisfied and engaged in enthusiastic discussions, as if their emotions had been ignited by the intriguing duel. The atmosphere in the venue instantly became more relaxed.
Some commented on the exceptional talent of the student from Duel Academy, who had managed to defeat the Association Chief using an Electronicization deck, predicting a limitless future for her.
There were even experts outside the venue striking up conversations with You Xuan and Mizawa.
Before the meeting had officially started, the opening duel had already heated up the atmosphere. The experts chatted excitedly with smiles on their faces, particularly intrigued by the new Electronicization card that exuded a hint of ancient military might. They bombarded the trio from Duel Academy with questions.
Ironically, it was Chief Takahashi, who had previously been the most enthusiastic about electronicization research, who became noticeably calmer after the duel.
It was strange.
Logically, today's trip should have been a fruitful one for her as the Association Chief.
Not only had she discovered a treasure of a junior in Asuka, who perfectly embodied their Electronicization deck, but she had also found a potential new card that could bring breakthrough progress to their research, which had been stalled for years.
It should have been a joyous occasion with two reasons to celebrate, yet why did she suddenly feel so unmotivated after the duel?
As the meeting was about to commence, Tenma Yakou, the host, stood up, took the microphone, and coughed a couple of times to draw everyone's attention.
Exciting? Delightful?
I don't feel that at all.
"At the same time, the team of students from Duel Academy has also presented their achievements to us today, and I believe everyone here has witnessed their astonishing breakthroughs."
As Yakou Tenma spoke, he glanced at You Xuan, a subtle smile appearing on his face.
You Xuan was unsure what that meant. But from that glance, he seemed to discern a hint of "as expected of the man who defeated me."
This made You Xuan suddenly feel that he was being watched by more and more people. He pondered for a moment.
This won't do. I can't let people fixate on me for no reason.
I need to think of more ways to turn this attention into benefits.
"Furthermore, I believe that these young people from Duel Academy have set a good example for us. They have ventured down a new path, exploring directions different from the established routes of deck-building." Yakou scanned the audience, "I hope that this will serve as a reminder for all of us to work together to take Duel Monsters even further."
"Well said."
A voice came from above.
Everyone looked up towards the second floor of the venue.
A man in an elegant and sophisticated red suit stood there, his silver hair covering half his face, concealing his left eye.
Some people exclaimed in surprise.
It's him!
Pegasus J. Crawford!
Years ago, this man had searched the world to save his late wife and unearthed the three-thousand-year-old Duel Monsters stone tablet in Egypt, thus awakening the power of Duel Monsters in the modern world.
In the present era, many regarded the establishment of the "International Illusion Society" by Pegasus as the beginning of a new epoch.
And he was the man known as the "Father of Duel Monsters."
"Mr. Pegasus!"
"He actually came to the venue himself!"
The experts quickly stood up to show their respect.
It was common knowledge that most of the International Illusion Society's affairs had already been handed over to Pegasus' two adopted sons, Yakou Tenma and Yakou Tsukuyomi, the twin brothers.
As the Father of Duel Monsters, Pegasus had long since retired from the front lines and rarely made public appearances. No one expected to see him here today.
"Everyone, please relax and take your seats."
Pegasus walked down the stairs, a smile on his face, his lone eye scanning the venue until it rested on You Xuan and his companions.
Then he smiled.
"Students of Duel Academy? May I ask how this young man before me should be addressed?"
(End of Chapter)
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