"Honored children of Duel Academy, I am the Principal, Samejima."
Principal Samejima took a deep breath and began to speak.
"First, before discussing matters, I believe the students already know that not long ago, just recently, our Duel Academy professor, the Integration Department's mentor, Professor Akaba Leo led his duelists in a conspiracy to launch an attack on the X Dimension.
Although the X Dimension reacted rather swiftly, there were still considerable casualties and losses.
Even without detailed calculations, at least a thousand people died in this attack, and hundreds more perished after being turned into cards by the duelists and spirits of the Fusion Army, with countless destroyed buildings...
Important facilities collapsed due to physical images..."
With a pained expression, he read numbers from a script, deeply sorrowful.
If it weren't for an unknown person sabotaging Akaba Leo's logistics before he launched his attack, the casualties and destruction would have definitely doubled or even increased several times over!
"Principal...," Judai's face showed a hint of sadness as he sat in the Fusion Department.
"As the principal of Duel Academy, not discovering Akaba Leo's malicious intentions earlier and allowing him to commit such heinous acts was truly my negligence. Soon after, I will step down from my position as principal. As for shared responsibility, Kaiba Company's headquarters will evaluate..."
"What!? Principal, I've never heard such a thing before!"
"Super mamamia—"
Two top-level instructors of the academy, who normally quarreled incessantly, suddenly spoke out to question him upon hearing Samejima's words.
"Principal! This has nothing to do with you!!" Judai almost wanted to stand on the table to defend him.
Judai had a good relationship with the principal. Back in his entrance exams, when he was late, it was the principal who insisted on letting him take part in the duel exam, allowing him to enroll successfully.
In daily life, the principal often looked out for Judai, so Judai had great respect for him.
After Teacher Daitokuji "passed away," Tenjo Hikari became Professor Cronos' student, making him essentially the principal's student.
Now that the principal is being "implicated" due to Akaba Leo's actions, he certainly felt sad and wished for these events not to transpire.
"Don't say anymore; can you truly guarantee I have no connection to Akaba Leo?" Principal Samejima shook his head.
In fact, not only him, but other instructors and professors must also undergo subsequent investigations.
So...
"Fortunately, before I resign, I have prepared an opportunity for the students."
Tenjo Hikari raised an eyebrow.
He moved aside, revealing two large letters on the television screen.
"GX".
"GX Tournament."
"A global and dimension-level duel initiated by our academy, involving Duel Academies and branches worldwide, as well as numerous professional duelists."
Principal Samejima's figure reappeared at the center of the screen, holding a badge bearing the "GX" logo.
"After negotiations with Kaiba Company, this tournament will be overseen entirely by Kaiba Company to ensure absolute fairness and justice."
"All students will be transported to the [Critical Point] Dimension in one week to participate in dimension-level duels."
"Kaiba Company has established 12 special points within the Critical Point Dimension, each guarded by a powerful duelist. Students must partake in at least 8 duels against Star Duelists and gain recognition from the opponents, thus leaving a mark on their badge.
At the end of the tournament, those with fewer than 4 badge recognitions will be deemed insufficient and must undergo a retake after the event.
Those with 8 recognitions will become outstanding duelists and receive prizes from Kaiba Company.
The twelve duelists are categorized by star levels from 1 to 12, representing the Twelve-Star Duel.
Some are dueling spirits, and students can choose whom to challenge."
Frowning, Tenjo Hikari listened carefully to the rules.
These rules seemed vastly different from his impression of the casual "GX" championship where one could simply duel anyone and seize their badge.
The scale appeared to indicate that LV 1 was easiest, and LV 12 the hardest. Yet since duels are unpredictable, it's hard to say; LV 1, LV 2, or LV 4 might actually be the strongest.
"Additionally, there are hidden special duelists within the Critical Point Dimension with the authority to recognize as well, though their total number is unknown."
"Moreover, professional duelists worldwide and even other legendary duelists may join this tournament, challenging various Star Duelists with the students—or duel those with recognized badges to seize their badges directly.
Yes, this duel allows participants to wager their badges, provided both sides agree to it."
Many students nodded in understanding.
"Certainly, since badges can be seized, they must hold some special significance. Otherwise, why would professional duelists want to take students' exam results?" Mitsuzawa Daichi noted the discrepancy.
"I suspect some students have sensed it: since badges are mere student results, why would professional duelists seize them—the answer is simple.
When a duelist has a badge recognized by at least 8 marks, they can partake in the final duel, also known as...
GX Finals!"
Tenjo Hikari furrowed his brows deeper.
Am I traveling to another world again?
Is this Pokémon?
Unexpectedly, the GX Tournament from the original work turned out like this.
Well... it's acceptable.
Can GX World be called GX World without the GX Tournament?
The duel champion will have the chance to receive customized rewards or requests from Kaiba Company and earn other social standings, reputation, and cards.
Even obtain the hidden, legendary card of the Legendary Duel King."
He stressed the legendary nature of the card multiple times, affirming its immense power.
"Rumor has it, it rivals the power of the [Three Egyptian Gods]."
"Whoa————"
"Hiss!!"
Previously worried about Principal Samejima, Judai suddenly leapt onto the table: "Wow, what card is it? I really want to see it!"
"Additionally, duelists will need to earn DP through their duel performance to cover all living expenses during the event, exchanging DP at Kaiba Company. So don't envision living comfortably at the Critical Point for half a year and breezing back to school."
He took a deep breath.
Looking at the screen.
As if gazing at the students or this island, his heart and soul academy.
He let out a long sigh.
After a long while, the atmosphere grew stuffy and heavy.
"Finally... before my resignation, I hope you never lose hope.
No matter if you're in Obelisk Blue, Ra Yellow, or Osiris Red, you are students of our honored Duel Academy, students whom we take pride in. I hope you won't abandon hope because of color or entrance scores, don't turn to evil ways, don't support the wicked...
Previously, I mishandled the school's operation...
But this time, at Critical Point, there are many spirits residing. Anyone with a genuine duelist's heart can gain recognition from spirits and become a Spirit Duelist...
Therefore, I hope no one follows Akaba Leo's example; do not learn a toxic method, don't step onto the path of Darkness Duel...
Please.
I beg you!!"
By the end of his speech, he seemed on the verge of tears; the stream of recent tragedies was unending.
Recently, Marufuji Ryo completed an Xyz Summon in this world, forsaking the traditional "respect for dueling" of Cyber Style. He even approached Samejima, seizing the "Cyber Dark Style" deck hidden in the Cyber Style dojo, exhausting him mentally and physically. Now, another crisis had arisen, making him feel as if the world was collapsing.
Even for a good-natured person, it was difficult to stay standing now. If not for his wish to exert himself one last time for the students, he would never have continued speaking.
Now, he could only instinctively cover his eyes, continuously taking deep breaths.
Seeing the situation deteriorate, Instructor Napoleon and Professor Cronos hastily rushed to the camera, switched off the broadcast, and urged the students to prepare.
And over by the door, Auntie Tami seemed to be storming into the room.
The screen faded away.
"Akaba Leo." Judai muttered the name in a low tone, its icy coldness seemingly sending chills as if dropping the temperature in the Activity Department by ten degrees Celsius.
Watching his respected principal suffer and cry due to this incident, Judai's eyes, standing on the table, were completely replaced with gold.
"Judai?" Manjome, closest to him, shrieked in surprise, pupils constricting.
He couldn't comprehend the situation, but he knew Judai was extremely dangerous now—not just externally, but for Judai himself as well!
Judai gritted his teeth.
Dueling was meant to be joyful.
Yet, in this very moment, Yuki Judai merely felt overwhelmed, the initial excitement about the tournament vanished, leaving only a whirlwind of fury swirling in his heart, unshakeable.
Slowly, he raised his hand, clenched his fist before him.
"I absolutely won't forgive him!!"