The incident where someone was injured during interdimensional travel wasn't discussed for long among the students at the academy. Most treated it as a minor episode, talked about it for a few days, then simply moved on.
After all, interdimensional travel had always carried risks. Everyone knew that. It's just that no one had been hurt before.
Besides, even during Chazz's livestreamed duel, the spirits had bombarded him with artillery fire. It was par for the course.
But for Hikaru, he couldn't let it go.
The appearance of Aster Phoenix, the first manifestation of the "Light of Destruction", this looming threat that was soon to emerge before the world, and before him, was something he had to consider carefully.
So, on top of handling the curious Thunder Dragon who kept running around, he also had to continue his alchemy studies and carefully plan for what came next.
"You really are dedicated," Bastion said.
His injuries weren't serious, and after a few days and confirmation from the teachers that he was fine, he returned to class.
Today, as he came back to the classroom during a self-study period, he once again saw Hikaru's desk covered in books and notes and couldn't help but comment.
Even though Hikaru was already top of the grade in both academics and dueling, he still worked this hard. Not to mention running the Fusion Club and studying the alchemy Professor Banner left behind. It truly left Bastion in awe.
After all, he didn't have to study alchemy.
And maybe that awe was why he told himself he absolutely couldn't lose to Hikaru again, at least not this time. At least when it came to academics, he had to beat Hikaru!
Then he looked to the side and saw Chazz Princeton pulling at his hair, trying to calculate all sorts of things, including contracts from multiple companies.
Looks like Chazz wouldn't have time to meddle in their "battle" this time.
Even though Chazz had only "beaten" him once, that time when he had a heartbreak, it was still a lingering pressure. With final upgrade exams coming up, he couldn't let himself fall behind again.
Compared to the high-achieving trio busy with academics, business plans, and alchemy, Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley had it much easier.
Jaden had just woken up groggy from another long nap, and Syrus was about the same. Only Chumley was surprisingly serious today, writing something down diligently.
Jaden rubbed his eyes, looked at Chumley's activity, and asked in surprise, "Chumley, what are you doing?"
Chumley smiled and said, "It's an employment form."
"Employment form!?" Jaden nearly fell off his chair. He stared at Chumley, "W-what company?"
He couldn't believe it. They were all still prepping for finals, and Chumley was already applying for a job!
"Industrial Illusions."
"Industrial Illusions!!!"
Gasps echoed around them. A bunch of classmates turned stiffly toward him, then immediately rushed over.
"Wait, wait, wait, Chumley, Industrial Illusions? The actual Industrial Illusions!?"
"Y-yeah—"
"The one with President Pegasus!?"
"Chumley, you actually got acknowledged by that company!?"
"Is it true, Chumley!? Chumley, we're good friends, right!? Can you maybe boost a few cards in my deck? Please, I'm begging you, this is a once-in-a-lifetime favor!"
A crowd swarmed around him.
Hikaru looked up briefly, noted the situation, yet had no particular interest. He returned to his writing and calculations.
He was currently tackling an extremely difficult alchemy challenge, trying to build a portal that consumed less energy.
To do that, he had to rewrite the blueprint left by Professor Banner for the dimensional gate. That said, for a beginner, even the so-called "idiot-proof interdimensional teleportation gate" was actually the most optimized, safest, and most stable version. Rewriting it was anything but easy.
Chumley getting into Industrial Illusions was something that happened in the original series, too. Later, he even designed a card for Jaden called "Skyscraper 2 - Hero City", a true bro move: Bro, I printed a card just for you!
However—
Hikaru remembered. In canon, Chumley had designed a card called "Ayers Rock Sunrise," which impressed Pegasus. If he passed the finals, he would get a chance to work at Industrial Illusions.
But, at that time, Professor Crowler reminded the principal that Chumley had been a repeater, a student who once gave up on dueling.
So his demand was: Chumley had to score high enough on the upgrade exam the next day, while Crowler himself would act as examiner. No holding back.
In the end, even though Chumley fused his self-designed "Ayers Rock Sunrise" to summon the 4200 Attack "Master of Oz" and aimed to defeat the Ancient Gear Golem, he failed due to Crowler's "Limiter Removal."
Still, Crowler acknowledged his growth, recognized he was no longer the lazy, hopeless student, and personally wrote a recommendation letter for Industrial Illusions.
He even told him he was his proudest student.
This proved that Professor Crowler actually understood every student very well, even those who barely attended class or used to sleep away their days in the dorm, like Chumley.
In this world, too...
Hikaru recalled.
During one of the academy's exchange events, Industrial Illusions staff had indeed visited. It was probably then that Chumley earned Pegasus's recognition.
Different path, same destination.
"So Chumley is leaving school soon?" Syrus asked, a bit reluctant.
"At times like this, you just gotta look forward," Jaden said cheerfully, on reflex.
But the moment he said that, a sharp look entered his eyes.
Suddenly, his demeanor changed. He rushed to pull out a bunch of miscellaneous items and finally found the application form he had submitted to Professor Crowler half a month ago.
That's right!
Besides Chumley, there was someone else who would soon part ways with them!
The academy's strongest Duelist. The pride of the school. The one he had once lost to the upperclassman, he saw as an older brother.
Zane Truesdale!
Before he became a professional Duelist, they had to give him the best graduation sendoff!
...
Bonus Chapter
Stones PlZzz