Chapter 854: Chapter 827: Professional
"Exhausted."
Yugen leaned back in the dorm chair as he connected the call.
On the other end of the student terminal was the fat cat face of the Pharaoh, but it was Teacher Dade Temple’s voice that came through. Yugen knew Dade Temple’s ghost was likely floating on the other side of the screen, but ghosts couldn’t be seen through electronic devices; they could only be seen face to face.
"Do you know how tiring a duel is for a cat?"
Teacher Dade Temple began to protest for his worker rights.
"I demand a raise! There must be extra duel overtime pay!"
"Alright." Yugen was quite generous, and readily agreed, "Then I’ll reward three pounds of cat food tomorrow."
Dade Temple’s ghost’s face turned black—though Yugen couldn’t actually see it on the other side of the screen.
"Cat food as a bonus, really!"
Yugen shrugged helplessly, "But Teacher, you’re already a cat, what else can be rewarded...how about I find a way to introduce a couple of pretty female cats to you?"
"Shoo, shoo," Teacher Dade Temple grumbled, "Alright then, no overtime pay. I demand a holiday!"
Having a cat busy with this and that all day was too much. Teacher Dade Temple felt he needed a vacation to relax, as did the Pharaoh.
"Sure, no problem."
Yugen switched gears.
"By the way, where’s that guy?"
"Here he is."
The camera turned, and Teacher Dade Temple gave the camera to Butterfly. This legendary bug boy was lying on the ground, dazed and confused, with his glasses crooked to one side, mumbling incessantly.
"No, this is impossible, it’s not real..."
"The cat...the cat duel...it’s too terrifying..."
Butterfly wasn’t someone who couldn’t bear failure—after all, he’d failed more than a couple of times. Life had dealt him heavy blows, but suffering a crushing defeat from a cat was probably a first.
All his grand ambition to seize the Duel King title and reach the pinnacle of the world was instantly shattered by the fact that he was "not even as good as a cat."
"Uh, are you sure he’s not broken?" Yugen asked.
"Don’t worry, meow, I’ve got my limits, meow." Dade Temple said confidently, but then his tone dropped, "But it’s best to have someone come to this coordinate to pick him up. I’m just a cat, don’t expect me to carry him back..."
"Got it, I’ll arrange for someone to pick him up. Prepare the interrogation room when we get back," Yugen said, "Find out what’s going on with that Descent Sect and what that lost elf information is all about."
The eye floated next to Yugen, expressing discontent, "I’m not a ’thing’!"
At this moment, maid Alice came over with a tray, placing it on the table beside Yugen. On the tray was a beautifully arranged fruit platter.
"Oh, it looks delicious, your skills are improving, Alice-chan!"
The eye widened, staring at the platter of fruit with longing.
Maid Alice looked expressionlessly at the big eye, "It’s not for you to eat."
"So heartless..."
The big eye drooped down, somewhat dispirited, and asked.
"By the way, why do you stick with this guy so loyally?"
Lowering its voice, it quietly whispered.
"He doesn’t seem like a good person, you know..."
Alice smiled lightly.
"One reason is for redemption. I once lost myself and nearly made a mistake, but Mr. Yugen stopped me in time and brought me back to my senses.
Another reason..."
She paused slightly, closing her eyes lightly.
Reopening them, the eyes carried an eerie sinister gaze, and the corners of her mouth curled into a terrifying arc. Her delicate, pretty doll-like face revealed a sinister smile.
"Because watching Mr. Yugen punish certain self-righteous dark-hearted duelists, sending them to a land of never-ending despair, is just so satisfying..."
The eye gave a shiver, instinctively shrinking back from the sinister doll.
"I now understand what ’birds of a feather flock together’ really means..." the eye murmured quietly.
At this point, Yugen hung up the communication terminal in his hand, turned around, "Alice."
"Here, I’m here!"
Alice quickly flashed to his side, her dark look instantly swept away, replaced by a sweet and pure smile, her eyes curved into crescent moons.
"What orders does the master have?"
The eye’s large eyes almost bulged out.
This face-changing skill is unmatched...
"Oh, nothing much. Just that recently there might be an unexpected guest arriving on the island."
Yugen paused, giving a mysterious smile.
"I’d like Alice to help greet them when the time comes."
Alice tilted her head in confusion, pointing at herself.
"Greet? Me?"
...
...
Elsewhere.
Deep underground, in a shadowy laboratory, the air was thick with a stifling atmosphere. Unusual glass vessels stood in the center of the lab, towering almost to the ceiling, filled with an unknown liquid that ranged in color from inky black to deep blue.
Golden energy quietly swirled within the liquid. The densest cluster of golden light in the center began to take shape—a clear form was slowly sculpted.
——A giant eye.
No eyelids, just an eye, with a deep, boundless pupil seemingly containing a hunger-filled desire.
"Wait for me, Judai..."
It murmured softly.
"My beloved... Yuki Judai."
"..."
...
Above this laboratory, a man in a long coat sat cross-legged on a sofa, taking a task briefing.
"Duel Academy?"
The man in the long coat furrowed his brow slightly.
"This isn’t an easy errand."
He looked up at another man in front of him.
The man was quite tall and burly, with dark skin, standing like a small mountain.
This man’s name was Kobra, a professor at the western branch of the Duel Academy, known as Professor Cobra.
"Of course, it’s not easy. But don’t worry, the price will be fair."
Professor Kobra folded his hands behind him, speaking lightly.
"After all, it’s the turf of the Duel King. Nowadays, there aren’t many who’d take on such a commission. I’m aware."
"That’s good."
The man in the long coat leaned against the wall, squinting his eyes with a quiet smile.
"Ha, everyone in the world fears the Duel King’s name, but I do not. Kings... I’ve faced them before."
Casually playing with a card in his hand.
"I’ve long wanted to try against this so-called new generation of Duel Kings, but it’s a pity no one has bid before, no chance to try..."
"Now you have one."
Kobra said coldly.
"But I must remind, the Duel King is not the target itself. If possible, try to avoid direct confrontation..."
"I know, I know, it’s that student named Yuki Judai, right? Let’s see how far he’s evolved now... Don’t worry, leave it to me."
The man in the long coat smilingly patted his chest.
"I’m a professional."
