#417 - The first duel!

The first duel ended amidst everyone's cheers.

The ultimate victor was number 31.

Despite number 23 mastering Synchro, even using all his strength, sadly, his opponent also had their own tricks and ideas, leveraging the coordination of traps and monsters to achieve a more beautiful victory in this duel.

However, although number 23 lost, he wasn't forgotten just like that. Almost immediately after the duel ended, he was contacted by countless companies, with calls nearly overloading the Kaiba Corporation's service station.

Ryo Marufuji, the first to use an Xyz Monster, is now the face and symbol of his company, enjoying treatment even better than the company's senior management, making it virtually impossible for him to be poached.

So, of course, they didn't want to miss this "first Synchro user," vying to secure his support and representation.

Even if "Synchro Summoning" could only be successfully used in that Liminal Zone dimension, it was still a huge gimmick!

The audience's enthusiasm was unprecedented, and the duelists' fighting spirit was naturally stirred up as well. Soon, the next duel proceeded as scheduled.

Afterward, Hikari Amagi continued to watch the duels one after another.

Knowing your opponent is a very important factor. Even if he might not encounter them in the next duel, he had to roughly understand each person's dueling style, so that he wouldn't lose a duel in the future due to the unexpectedness of his opponent's cards.

And as the duels progressed one after another, each duelist's unique and powerful tactics and ideas were revealed.

Not just the Duel Academy students, but also some young professional duelists, who clearly had their own understanding and ideas, stood out in this competition, becoming the byword for a new generation of professional duelists.

Gradually, more novel duelists appeared on the dueling field, including special forces soldiers, independent participants, and people Seto Kaiba found from who-knows-what remote corners. The strength of each duelist was not to be underestimated, and each duelist also had their own supporting audience and spirits.

"A Gravekeeper's duelist… really? I heard that duelists from this clan don't appear in the world anymore?" Daichi Misawa looked at the duelist on the screen in shock, his mouth wide open in disbelief.

"It's said that the master went to find him personally, so it must have taken a lot of effort," Manjoume said uncertainly.

This duelist was obviously not a professional duelist or a student; Seto Kaiba had directly gone to the Gravekeeper clan to find him. He looked about the same age as them.

In any case, Hikari Amagi didn't recognize him.

And—

He used a Gravekeeper deck.

"Duel ends, winner, number 13—"

Daichi Misawa achieved victory. He clenched his fist excitedly, cheering himself on, and walked toward the waiting hall. On the other side, the losing duelist didn't leave immediately. Like the previous number 23 duelist, he was sent to another waiting room by Kaiba Corporation.

It seemed that they would be participating in the revival round later.

Daichi Misawa took a deep breath and walked back to the hall, just as he was about to report his good results to his friends, the White Dragon gacha machine had already automatically started spinning and dropped a numbered ball.

"Number 19—"

The room suddenly fell silent. The few friends who were just about to welcome him turned their heads to look at a person in the back.

Almost all the duelists quieted down, observing that person…

That [strong contender for the championship].

Hearing his number, Hikari Amagi slowly stood up. Beside him, Tierra yawned and emerged, saying, "It's finally your turn."

Hikari Amagi nodded slightly.

"Heh, is it finally starting, Hikari Amagi."

Someone whispered Hikari Amagi's name.

Everyone was waiting for his opponent to appear.

Whirr—

36—

Several people visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Others felt regret, feeling sorry that it wasn't them.

"Eh—why is it 36? I'm 37!" Johan scratched his head regretfully when he saw the number.

He really wanted to duel a famous duelist like Hikari Amagi!

Back when he met in the S dimension and became friends with Jaden, he had really wanted to duel Hikari Amagi!

The duelist whose number was called also silently picked up his badge and raised his eyebrows.

Although he was a little worried about facing Hikari Amagi when the gacha machine automatically spun, because that would likely lead to early elimination, now that he had really been chosen, it was impossible to be afraid.

He was going to eliminate Hikari Amagi early!

Seeing this, Daichi Misawa didn't dwell on his gaze being taken away again, but smiled and gave Hikari Amagi a thumbs up.

Hikari Amagi smiled, waved to his friends, and, guided by a Kaiba Corporation staff member, walked with his opponent toward different entrance tunnels.

"For the new duel, please wait quietly. The next duel is sure to be even more exciting!"

As the broadcast sounded, white mist slowly filled the air, and two figures slowly walked in from the two entrance gates.

Many people's interest was immediately piqued.

When Manjoume appeared earlier, he had a similar flashy entrance, so everyone knew very well that the person appearing this time must also be a "famous" duelist.

As the mist dissipated, they looked at the field.

"Duelist number 36, professional duelist, [Phantom], Chen Lü."

"Duelist number 19—Absolute Fusion Master, Hikari Amagi!"

Hikari Amagi!!??

Suddenly—

Inside and outside the arena, countless people instantly fell silent.

Some people who didn't immediately recognize Hikari Amagi's name didn't think so much and hurriedly applauded and cheered, but as the atmosphere changed, they asked the people around them, people they knew, who this Hikari Amagi was.

Soon, Hikari Amagi's deeds and past were naturally dug up.

Some people minded, some people feared.

However—

The students and spirits had already begun to cheer!

"Oh oh oh, it's Brother Hikari!"

"Senior Amagi has appeared! Everyone, cheer for him!"

"It's that human called Hikari, this duel will be very interesting!"

"Master—go—"

Ordinary students, students from the Fusion Department, spirits who had heard of Hikari Amagi, Serena, all of these people were cheering for Hikari Amagi.

He looked along the stands and saw a group of people in suits cheering for him in the frontmost seats. Next to them, Dinosaur Ryuzaki had one hand in his pocket and was waving with the other.

Hikari Amagi smiled, returned a fist bump, and responded to them.

The students had basically stopped doubting Hikari Amagi.

What remained, naturally, were ordinary people who didn't know the truth.

Hikari Amagi wouldn't get angry about this.

"You're really popular," Chen Lü looked left and right, and without being intimidated, he said to Hikari Amagi, "But I won't hand over victory."

"Ha, I feel the same way."

"Then—"

"Duel!" X2!

Head of Duel Academy Main Branch, Absolute Fusion Master, Hikari Amagi, LP: 4000.

Professional Duelist, Phantom Chen Lü, LP: 4000.

Bang, bang bang—

Confetti exploded, and Hikari Amagi smoothly drew 5 cards from his deck.

He glanced down at them and then looked at the drone that was filming him, the corners of his mouth rising slightly.

"Then, in that case, take this opportunity to remind everyone of me—"

He gently raised his hand, waved it, and said to all the machines that were filming him:

"I am Hikari Amagi, from Duel Academy Main Branch, Wind Light Company spokesperson, Fusion Duelist!"

"Fusion is the noblest summoning method!"