"Ah, come to think of it, I think I've heard about it before."
Marufuji Shou rested his chin in thought.
"I saw the promotion saying this year's Duel City competition will be different from previous years."
"Different?" Brother Hayato wondered as he poked his head out.
Brother Hayato was rather laid-back, as a student constantly on the verge of dropping out from Osiris Red, he spent most of his days sleeping in the dormitory, half-isolated from the outside world.
Though he had been more spirited since Judai arrived, overall he was still a homebody and didn't care much for external news.
"I can't believe you guys don't even know about this. It's the biggest event Kaiba Group has been tirelessly promoting recently."
Marufuji Shou quickly pulled out his device, fiddled around, and brought up the promotional poster.
Yugen leaned over to take a look.
Hmm, no surprises there. The front of the poster featured a large White Dragon. President Kaiba was striking his usual arrogant pose, and although it was supposed to be an invitation for duelists from all over to participate, it seemed more like he was preparing for a showdown.
"I remember they've been holding the Duel City competition every year, right?" Judai pondered.
"That's right, but everyone knows that over the years, the standards have actually declined after the inaugural event in Tongshiyi City," Marufuji Shou explained.
"But frankly, that's to be expected. Every year's Duel City competition is still quite a prestigious event, with participants of considerable skill, including some top-notch professionals from the circuit..."
Top-notch professionals from the circuit, huh...
Before, Yugen didn't really feel much about this, but having just dueled against a guy claiming to be ranked eighth in the professional circuit, although saying so might be a bit disrespectful to the pros, that dude made him feel as if the professional level was merely so-so...
Now when people talk about how the professional circuit is teeming with powerhouses, it feels to him kind of like when people talk about Konoha Upper-level Ninjas all being experts. They don't seem particularly weak, but when you say they're strong, it feels like all the circuit's prowess is concentrated in Ed.
Ed Phoenix might really be the only standout in the GX professional circuit. If we consider the new rising star Caesar who joined the alliance later, then maybe there are two.
Other than that, most professionals appearing throughout the animation were just background characters. In the Light Association chapter, they couldn't even match the elite students of Duel Academy, so it's hard to say how strong they really are.
"But the criteria for entering the competition in previous years was just the duelist level assessed by the Kaiba Group system," Marufuji Shou explained, "As long as the duelist level met the requirements, anyone could sign up to participate.
Of course, in general, those with high levels aren't bad, but it still can't compare to the first tournament..."
Judai nodded, "That's only natural."
The video discs of the first Duel City competition are still priceless collector's items to this day. It's not entirely accurate to say that each generation of duelists is weaker than the previous one; it's just that the first-generation duels were truly legendary.
Muto Yuugi is universally acknowledged as the most valuable champion in the history of the competitions, and he's recognized as the Duel King across the entire dueling realm, a title he earned during the Duel City competition. Plus, the opponents he defeated in that tournament are anything but ordinary by today's standards.
Later, people did a review, and the list of the top four in the first Duel City was full of legends, not to mention the participation of legendary monsters such as the Three Phantom Gods.
At that time, Muto Yuugi commanding Osiris's Sky Dragon, Seto Kaiba wielding Obelisk's Giant Divine Soldiers, the Tomb Guardian heir Malik holding the Winged Divine Dragon of Ra...
... and then there's the legendary gambler Joey, starting with nothing, relying entirely on dice rolls for victory or defeat.
Seems like something strange sneaked in...
Anyway, upon reviewing, many believe that the top four of that year... no, even those eliminated from the top eight like Isis and Ryo Bakura, might have been championship-level in later tournaments.
Suffice to say, the first-generation arena was indeed filled with immortal battles.
"However, now there's no duelist who can compare to all those many legends from back then, right?" Judai said curiously.
"That's true. But this time, even Seto Kaiba himself has explicitly stated he would participate!" Marufuji Shou said excitedly, "It's the first time in so many years!
Do you know how many years it's been since anyone has seen Seto Kaiba appear in a public match?"
"That's amazing?"
Judai's eyes lit up.
"So you're saying, if I just enter the competition, I might get the chance to face President Kaiba directly?"
"Uh, but I haven't finished yet, the entry threshold for this year's competition is much higher than before," Marufuji Shou said, "Besides requiring the duelist level assessment as usual by the Kaiba Group, this time there's also a team led personally by Seto Kaiba responsible for qualification review.
It's said that even some legendary duelists failed the review..."
In Yugen's mind immediately appeared the image of a certain pair of Maze Brothers.
He wondered if they could pass the review in the eyes of the President...
"I reckon as a student of Duel Academy's Osiris Red, my brother's files probably wouldn't even reach the review group before being eliminated," Marufuji Shou said with a smirk.
"Eh?" Judai was disappointed, "Damn it... Then how come Yugen gets to go, huh?"
Hayato whispered, "Yugen is different. If someone told me he was on the review committee, I'd probably believe it..."
Judai's eyes brightened, "Really? Then is there a chance Yugen could get me a spot..."
"You're overthinking. It's not like I'm on any review committee; I'm just invited to participate,"
Yugen paused and smiled.
"But, if it's just about wanting a spot... it might not be impossible."
Judai whistled excitedly and then gave an enthusiastic bear hug.
"Super~ Thanks!" Judai was very happy, "I'll remember this for a lifetime!"
"That's too much... and I just said I'd make a phone call to ask, not sure if it's possible yet..."
"Haha, still super thankful~"
"..."
The group chatted as they walked, their shadows stretching long under the sunlight.
...
...
The same day, in the Principal's office of Duel Academy.
"Any plans for the vacation, Ryo?"
Principal Jiaodao reclined in his chair, smiling as he asked his prized disciple, the rightful heir of the Electronic School, Marufuji Ryo.
"Nothing in particular for now, Master." Marufuji Ryo smiled, "Planning to find more opportunities to duel with experts outside the school, hone my skills, and seek breakthroughs."
"Hmm. If that's the case, then I happen to have a good opportunity right here."
Principal Jiaodao chuckled, handing over a promotional poster.
Marufuji Ryo took it and couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
"Duel City GX?"