"As agreed, these gems are yours now." Golden Idol gestured toward the sparkling pile beside them.
"Let's split them evenly. I don't know their value either, so let's just cut it down the middle," Hikaru Amagi said to Jaden, casual as ever.
Jaden didn't give it much thought. He was never hurting for cash and readily nodded. "Sure."
"These'll be tough to fence… I'll probably need Aunt Tome's help," Hikaru muttered, scratching the back of his head.
First step: sell off a few of the shinier ones. Then? Get his hands on this world's version of Future Fusion and Scrap Fusion.
He'd had his eye on those two cards from Zane for a while now.
Surprisingly, the two golden Duel Spirits didn't vanish after the duel ended. They didn't leave either. Both had come here with purpose.
Golden Captain, of course, walked over to Jaden and stood proudly at his side, nodding as he took in how much Jaden had grown.
Then—he pointed to a corner.
"You. Squat over there."
Avian trudged to the corner without protest, crouching like some punk getting scolded by his teacher instead of an actual Elemental HERO.
"This guy... ever since I wasn't around to discipline him, he's gotten completely out of line," Golden Captain shook his head. Jaden just laughed awkwardly.
"Jaden, long time no see. You're more courageous and capable than I imagined. You didn't flinch at the darkness, and you didn't try to hog the victory—you trusted your partner. I'm proud of you!" Golden Captain spoke sincerely.
As their leader, he'd always valued teamwork above all. In the past, he'd been like a protective parent spirit to Jaden. But ever since "that event," he and many others had been scattered across different dimensions.
"Honestly, it's only been recently," Jaden replied, scratching his head. "It's mostly thanks to Hikaru. I've learned a lot from him this past half year!"
Hikaru, huh?
That alchemist, Hikaru Amagi?
Golden Captain turned toward Hikaru.
He'd already been briefed by Eldlich the Golden Lord about this boy. After some thought, he transformed into several cards, which fluttered into Jaden's hands.
Elemental HERO Golden Captain, Evil HERO Dusk Star Enforcer, Elemental HERO Radiant, and… Evil HERO Malicious Fiend.
"Jaden, give Malicious Fiend to him—Hikaru. There's something about him… something familiar and terrifying. I believe he can handle it. Think of this card as my way of thanking him for supporting you."
His voice echoed as the cards settled.
"You've worked hard, Jaden. From now on, I'll be by your side."
"Hah! Thanks, Captain!"
Meanwhile, Hikaru was more curious about their true purpose—why they'd come to this world, and what their mission was.
After a long conversation, the truth came to light.
They hailed from the Golden Country, a dimension ruled by the undead being known as the Golden Lord—Eldlich himself.
A long time ago, after some unknown catastrophe, Eldlich went berserk. His power spiraled out of control, and he began to invade other spirit dimensions without thought, bringing devastation.
But then…
A peerless alchemist appeared.
He healed the Golden Lord's body and soul—restoring what had been lost, and even elevating him beyond his former limits.
This alchemist gave Eldlich the missing fragment he lacked, turning him into the goldest of Golden Lords.
Since then, Eldlich became friends with that alchemist and made a promise: if ever needed, the alchemist could call upon him for help.
The Golden Lord stopped his invasions and began building strength, gathering spirits, preparing for something vast and unknown.
This time, their arrival was no accident—it was orchestrated by that legendary alchemist.
"…Wait," Hikaru raised a hand, cutting off Golden Idol's explanation. "Are you saying this so-called 'Peerless Alchemist' didn't just use a portal, but constructed an interdimensional path to send you here?"
"Yes."
"And this fractured dimension that looks like a tower-filled metropolis… he made this too?"
"Correct."
"He could even repair the core essence of a Duel Spirit like Eldlich?"
"I've repeated this several times now—he's a human alchemist who's traveled across dimensions, forged a real Philosopher's Stone, and become a legend even in the Spirit World itself!" Golden Idol explained impatiently. "He's met countless spirits during his travels across parallel worlds. His name is whispered like a myth among us!"
Holy hell.
Hikaru blinked.
Was that… Professor Banner?
No—he immediately shook his head hard, trying to clear the thought.
Unlike Jaden, Hikaru already knew that in the original timeline, Professor Banner was the true ringleader of the Shadow Riders—the real Seventh Star. Honestly, the others were just for show. One Banner alone could do the work of all of them combined.
In the anime, when the other keyholders had all been defeated, he single-handedly took down every Duelist—except Jaden—and waited for Jaden to reach his laboratory for a final test.
Compared to the other Shadow Riders, he was the real deal. Undisputed.
Even if you lined up all the gimmicky tag-team heroes, alt-dimension vampires, or Darkness's early incarnations… none could realistically match Banner.
He was, after all, the only Duelist in canon who could forge a Philosopher's Stone.
Now, hearing Golden Idol describe him this way made something click.
In canon, Banner had traveled the world to seek alchemical truth.
But in this version—
If he's traveled not just across the globe but through dimensions…
Could he really have become the Peerless Alchemist?
The most powerful alchemist across infinite worlds?
"…Anyway," Golden Idol laughed, "your Duel was magnificent. The synergy between you two, the way you flowed as one—it was honestly better than mine and Mr. Stick-Up-Butt here. As far as alchemical harmony goes, you're already top-tier!"
"Please let me join—"
"Really!?" Wanmelt the Alchemist suddenly jumped out, face lighting up as he stared dead at Golden Idol's many eyes. "Really really really!?"
"Master, can I touch it!?" He already had his mallet out and was about to start tapping.
"WTF! Who the hell is this psycho!? Don't hammer me!!"
"Eh, ask him." Hikaru shrugged.
Watching the spirits bicker and receiving a new set of Fusion Monsters from Jaden, Hikaru slowly snapped out of his stunned state, slapped his cheeks, and grinned.
Hah!
I got it all wrong!
This is actually amazing!
If Professor Banner is even stronger than he was in canon, and I'm learning alchemy under him… isn't that the best thing ever!?
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For this week I will do more release depending on the power stones !
100 Power Stones = 1 chapter (in addition to the daily update)
So give stones if you want mooooar !