The duel between Youyu and Kaiba Seto unsurprisingly became the headlining topic for Duel Academy for an entire week. In the classroom during breaks, in the corridors outside, in the noisy cafeteria, on the academy's wooded paths... you could hear people talking about it just about anywhere.
After this battle, the students gained a clearer understanding of the hierarchical strength of the world's top-tier duelists. Those who were originally proud and complacent, thinking they had almost reached the level of top experts, were forced to accept their own shortcomings.
And since that day, Manjome Jun entered a state of heightened tension and preparation.
Instructions from his mentor, Kaiba Seto himself — the most important mission he received since becoming Kaiba's disciple was to defeat Yuki Judai in the upcoming selection tournament and seize the opportunity to represent Duel Academy in the exchange match against Northern Academy.
The exchange match itself wasn't the focus — Northern Academy is said to have never won against the main academy in the annual exchanges, and the students there are generally not on par with those from the main academy.
But to win the place to compete means Manjome must first beat all other outstanding students in the selection process. Naturally, this wouldn't be possible without defeating Yuki Judai.
He's the rival Manjome cannot afford not to defeat!
These days, Manjome worked tirelessly, doubling down on his efforts more than ever. He changed his deck construction repeatedly, researched and memorized a large volume of card data, and continuously selected cards from his vast deck that he felt suited him, trying out various possible combinations.
He dueled his subordinates extensively during these days. Initially one-on-one, but later found these so-called "honor roll" subordinates too weak, so he let two or even three of them duel him at once, but still managed to claim easy victories.
He studied all of Yuki Judai's duel videos late into the night, created dedicated folders to categorize the videos, and kept notes on his insights and observations.
Sometimes, even near midnight, he'd concentrate on studying the videos he'd watched countless times before on his computer, exploring Yuki Judai's tactical patterns and thinking.
His subordinates couldn't help but murmur in private.
"Is the boss watching that Yuki Judai video again?"
"Why's the boss so focused on that kid? Last time he even stared at that kid through the window for half a day..."
"Come to think of it, you reckon the boss might be interested in this foolish guy..."
Just then, Manjome came out holding a mug to fill with coffee, looking at them coldly: "What are you murmuring about?"
The subordinates were startled and quickly changed the subject elaborately, and no one dared bring this up again.
In a few days, the official notice from the academy arrived.
Yuki Judai, Manjome Jun, Tenjouin Asuka, Mitsuzawa Daichi, and even the student dubbed the academy's Caesar, Marufuji Ryo, were among the eight students called to the meeting room after school one day.
Principal Samejima and Professor Chronos were already waiting there.
Professor Chronos, smiling brightly, informed all the outstanding students present about the upcoming annual exchange duel with Northern Academy.
"Oh oh oh!" Judai's eyes lit up, "So we get to duel against some really strong folks!?"
All the students present were top performers, except for Yuki Judai who ranked nearly last in theoretical courses. However, the jellyfish-haired fellow felt no awkwardness standing there — he became excited at the mention of dueling.
Many students naturally knew this jellyfish-haired guy, despite his last-place rankings, boasted the impressive achievement of defeating Professor Chronos during the entrance exam, so no one found his presence there inappropriate.
With only eight people present, it seemed these were the academy's selected candidates for the tournament. This year, from the freshmen, candidates included Judai, Manjome, Mitsuzawa Daichi, and Asuka, occupying four spots, showing how outstanding this batch was.
Cronos explained that the eight of them would compete for just one entry spot to represent the academy. The elimination selection was planned for this weekend.
But before the duel began, Marufuji Ryo spoke first: "Last year I fought as a representative, so this year I'll pass."
"Ryo, aren't you participating?" his mentor Samejima asked unexpectedly.
"Yeah." Marufuji Ryo's glance barely noticeable as he quickly looked at Judai, then returned his gaze to his mentor, saluted, and said, "My training is not sufficient, I need more effort."
Though his brief glance was hidden — even Judai himself hadn't noticed — it was captured by Manjome, who had been closely observing.
Manjome felt surprised internally.
What does this mean?
Did the so-called academy's Caesar, Marufuji Ryo, already lose to this Yuki Judai?
Well done, as expected of the Duel King's student. Although he appears foolish and dim-witted on the surface, his strength is truly impressive.
"I'll pass too," Asuka said.
Mitsuzawa asked in surprise, "Asuka, you too..."
"I've already dueled Judai privately," Asuka didn't feel shy, spoke truthfully, "My strength is insufficient, and I don't think a repeat would be any different..."
As she spoke, she even recalled the stomach-aching moment when her "Cyber Blader" was swiftly defeated by Judai's "Karma Cut"...
Mitsuzawa looked at Judai with some surprise.
Even Asuka was defeated by him... and judging by her words, it seemed like she lost completely.
Is this Yuki Judai really that strong?
Manjome's gaze became even more fierce toward Judai.
No matter what, he was confident he wouldn't lose... and couldn't afford to lose!
Meanwhile, the focus point, Judai, remained oblivious to being the center of attention, even spacing out.
"Suddenly, I feel like eating natto..."
"..."
After that day, Manjome became even more focused, burning the midnight oil, saving time by not even going to the cafeteria for lunch and instead stopped by the store to grab a 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' themed cup noodles.
However, as he rushed back to his dorm to continue studying the videos and refining tactics, he very unfortunately heard a voice he'd grown all too familiar with these days.
"Ah~ yawning." Marufuji Sho leaned by the river, yawning, "Boss should probably go eat, a full morning and not a single fish in sight."
"Yeah... seems like it, bad luck, what can you do?"
Manjome halted, drew closer, and when he saw Yuki Judai lying by the riverside with legs crossed holding a fishing rod, he almost lost his temper.
I work hard from morning till night to prepare for the duel, and you... like a retired old man, are here fishing?