Faster, faster!
Even faster, even faster!
Judai was running alone in the wilderness, his speed already faster than many athletes, often leaping several meters, even flipping directly onto trees, but he still found himself slow.
Too slow, too slow!
Ever since he came to this dimension, his already exaggerated physique became stronger and stronger, but he didn't care about that, only other matters bothered him.
Dueling and joy.
At first, he was living happily, traveling and adventuring, but in a certain Spirit Village, a duel with the legendary Blazeman cast a shadow over his heart, and later, the invasion of the Dark World made his mind dizzy.
Almost instinctively, he began to protect his ordinary classmates, wanting to safeguard them as much as possible.
Fortunately, the quick response from Kaiba Company and the senior students of the academy, as he later saw on the academy's forum, the rescue operation went quite smoothly with not much casualties.
The majority of students in the Fusion Department were unharmed thanks to the early warning from Tenjo Hikari, only those like him wandering outside had possibilities of threats.
But—
No way!
Not one!
He decided in his heart.
This was the last event prepared by the principal he respected, Principal Samejima, before resigning, a competition involving Duel Academy students from around the world, even featuring many Professional Duelists.
He didn't want any accidents in this last task, which would further tarnish the reputation of the principal and teachers who were already facing criticism.
During the entrance exam, he was late and was about to be dismissed directly, but it was the principal who gave him the chance, allowing him to duel Professor Cronos, which led to his successful admission.
After enrollment, the principal also gave him many privileges, enabling him to live very happily.
Now, even the principal's last task would be blemished, a situation he absolutely couldn't accept.
Therefore, he didn't want to abandon anyone.
But unfortunately, things never went as he planned, although he saved many, there were still people who didn't follow him or wouldn't listen to him.
"Damn it——"
Squeak squeak squeak——————
He slid down a slope, and beside him, a Winged Spirit popped out, pointing to the distance: "Judai, over there!"
"Alright!"
Running alone in a demon-infested wilderness was a delicacy in the eyes of demons unless one were strong enough; otherwise, it would be no different than courting death!
From a distance, he saw the figure of that student, surrounded by many small demons with tridents, seemingly launching an attack.
Even faster, even faster, even faster!
He kept telling himself.
"Ahhh——"
The screams continued, causing Judai's heart to clench.
However——
As he was worrying, a few "biubiu" sounds rang out, and in Judai's view, three cards shot rapidly from behind a boulder in front, hitting the demons, then bursting into flames, igniting the demons into raging fires.
Judai's eyes widened, and upon landing, without hesitation, he rolled, grabbed that classmate, and held them in his arms, shielding them from the flames with his clothes.
The next instant, with a boom, the three demons completely turned into flames, vanishing from this world.
"Ju, Judai!"
The rescued classmate called out Judai's name with a sobbing tone.
"It's okay, I'm here." Judai relaxed, released his grip, stood up, and noticed the scorch marks on his clothes, gently patting them off.
"Hey! That was dangerous! Are you okay?" Judai heard a voice beside him and only then noticed that when he rolled to protect the classmate, a person also ran out from behind the boulder, seemingly intending to seize the chance for a rescue.
That boy was dressed in denim, with a bandage over his right eye, while his left eye appeared exceptionally bright, and behind him, he carried a large green-skinned crocodile.
"Ah, sorry, sorry, I'm fine. I was just anxious." Judai nervously scratched the back of his head, laughing heartily.
Meanwhile, from behind the boulder, a robust boy with darkish skin and dreadlocks also came out. In his hand was a golden Duel Disk resembling a pistol, and Judai observed it slightly, deducing that the three cards from earlier should have been shot from this Duel Disk.
Judai protected his classmate behind him, then greeted the two: "Hello, I'm Yuki Judai, a second-year student at the Duel Academy main branch."
The one-eyed cowboy lightly pushed his hat and said to Judai: "Southern Branch Representative, Jim. Jim Crocodile Cook."
He then pointed to the crocodile behind him: "This is Kallen, my family."
"Austin O'Brien. Just call me O'Brien. Western Branch Representative." The dark-skinned guy was busy tidying up his gun-like Duel Disk, while also reloading it.
All three were of the same age.
"Oh!" Judai exclaimed, showing a long-lost excitement on his face, "How lucky to meet two academy representatives all at once!"
"Judai, what are you doing? Why are you in such a place, isn't it very dangerous?" Jim asked.
"This…" Judai glanced at the classmate behind him, "I'm searching for separated classmates nearby, built a camp over there, heard someone was around today so…"
The causality was off.
He told a little lie.
The crocodile behind Jim bellowed, and O'Brien furrowed his brows lightly.
"Ah. It's alright to talk about this later." Judai said with a smiling face, "What about you guys, what are you doing here? Are you lost too? I have a map, you can head to the nearest station."
The two exchanged a glance but then shook their heads.
"Actually, we just came out from a Duel Spirit, a bit unclear about the recent happenings." Jim thought for a moment and said, "If possible, it's better to first understand what's going on."
"An information lockdown area? Is there anyone else there?" Judai's focus wasn't on that at all.
"No one." O'Brien said.
"Hmm..." As Judai was about to speak, the classmate next to him whispered in his ear.
Then Judai thought for a moment and said: "Sorry, it's not very safe here, would you mind going to our camp first?"
Once again, the two exchanged looks, and finally, Jim spoke again, agreeing to the proposal.
Though it was just their first meeting, and he lied right in their faces, the two instinctively felt that this man was not bad.
On the other hand, Judai led the way with a smile, harboring more significant worries in his heart.
Indeed...
There are still some students dueling in designated areas unaware of outside events, they also need to be found!
Meanwhile, in the distant sky, a pale portal was slowly opening…