Hikaru received a card with coordinates marked on it from Acting Principal Crowler.
According to Crowler, this dimension was named "Critical Nexus" by KaibaCorp, a massive realm where multiple races coexist, filled with endless possibilities.
KaibaCorp had basically confirmed the safety of this dimension, so when Principal Sheppard selected it, he did so without much concern.
However, sending so many students to another dimension was a matter of serious deliberation for both parents and investors. The process required extensive negotiations and discussions, so it couldn't be finalized immediately.
Since that was the case, Hikaru now had time to build a dimensional gate and check the situation himself. Just in case, he could even construct a two-way dimensional gate over there to ensure a backup route for the students to return to the human world.
But before that, he had to check on Jaden.
The atmosphere in the Fusion Club was a bit gloomy, but it brightened slightly when Hikaru returned.
Hikaru didn't see Jaden or Aster. From Bastion, he learned that after defeating Jaden, Aster wasn't particularly satisfied. In fact, he seemed a bit disappointed.
"Head Instructor Napoleon wants Aster to duel other students. If Aster wins, they'll shut down the Slifer Red dorm." Since Jaden, as the face of Slifer Red, lost, Napoleon seized the opportunity to stir up trouble.
"Crowler didn't mention this to me," Hikaru said.
"Probably because you live in the Ra Yellow dorm, so it doesn't directly concern you," Bastion replied. "But Chazz is ready. If Aster shows up again, he plans to take him on."
In this world, Chazz didn't get expelled for card theft like in the original timeline, nor did he transfer to North Academy. He remained an Obelisk Blue student. However, since he preferred black clothes and constantly clashed with Jaden, he had long been living alone in a Slifer Red single room.
In fact, even Tyranno Hassleberry from Ra Yellow stayed in Slifer for a time, and even Alexis Rhodes moved into Slifer temporarily to live by herself.
"Also, Aster said he really wants to duel you," Chazz chimed in. "He's very interested in your fusion style. But now that this has escalated to dorm pride, I'm not backing down to let you take the fight."
The original plan was that once Hikaru returned from the other dimension, he'd be the one to duel Aster.
After all, besides defeating Jaden, Aster was also eager to duel Hikaru, whose Ultimate Fusion style fascinated him.
Dueling Jaden was about Aster's personal philosophy. Dueling Hikaru, however, was because Aster wanted to experience what it meant to face a true fusion master.
That said, since Hikaru stayed in the Skyscraper dimension for so long, and with Napoleon aggressively pushing things forward, they had to adjust the plan.
Not that Chazz minded.
"When I win, I'll make Napoleon expand the Slifer dorm," Chazz pounded the table. "And give Light and Darkness Dragon and Armed Dragon their own rooms to sleep in!"
"Cough... hahaha." Hikaru couldn't help laughing.
Despite mainly using decks like Armed Dragon, Ojama, and VWXYZ, Chazz had dozens, maybe even over a hundred Duel Spirit companions. Most were low-attack, common spirits.
Even though he constantly called them weaklings, he never abandoned them. Because of that, his sleep quality was always terrible.
On top of that, dealing with the Ojama Trio and business matters was mentally exhausting, so he desperately needed a bigger space to relax.
Still, beating Aster right now would be tough for Chazz.
Compared to the original timeline, Chazz was much stronger. But truth be told, before getting Plasma, Aster in the original was nearly unbeatable. Not in an exaggerated way, but genuinely destroying anyone he faced. Only Jaden, after completely changing his deck, ever defeated him. Everyone else got crushed.
Of course...
Once he got Plasma, everything went downhill. Before Plasma, he was invincible. After Plasma, it was a cursed losing streak.
Hikaru rubbed his chin, thinking.
In that sense, maybe now is actually the best time to duel Aster, when he's at his peak.
Of course, he was half-joking. In reality, despite Plasma having a weird curse-like effect in the story where whoever used it lost, Aster with Plasma was actually his fully realized self. He had all his Destiny HEROes, was free from doubt, believed that fate wasn't set in stone, and was willing to sacrifice for justice and the world.
That was when he truly became a HERO of Destiny.
As for Jaden, after getting Neos, he basically became an Ultraman. Not even in the same narrative genre anymore.
Either way, Hikaru figured he should duel Aster eventually.
After all, besides Aster, there was no other legitimate way in this world to obtain Destiny HERO cards. If he wanted to get Dystopia later, dueling Aster would be the way.
As he thought about this, Hikaru's phone rang.
"Hm?" He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and looked surprised.
"Hello, Amaki Hikaru speaking."
It was a call from someone at Funglow Corp.
That was odd. It wasn't work season, nor was it GG filming period. Why were they calling?
Hikaru answered, and as he listened to the anxious voice on the other end, his expression darkened rapidly.
His friends watched his face get gloomier and exchanged concerned glances.
What could possibly make Hikaru, normally tolerant of everything except the Fusion Army, this angry?
"...Yes, understood. I'll go ask Principal Crowler for leave immediately. Please wait for me."
Hikaru hung up, took a deep breath, then looked at Chazz and shook his head. "Sorry, Lightning. I won't be able to cheer you on in person."
"Hahaha, it's no big deal. Either way, the winner's gonna be me!"
He really believed it.
"Is something serious going on, Hikaru?" Alexis asked curiously.
Hikaru gripped his phone tightly, squinted, and a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes before he suppressed his anger and turned to explain, "Rex Raptor got injured in a duel."
Rex Raptor, a legendary duelist, Hikaru's senior at the company.
Someone of his level getting injured in a duel? Impossible.
Everyone immediately frowned. Celina quickly raised her hand and hopped in place, trying to get Hikaru's attention to tag along. Hikaru saw her and quickly shook his head.
First-years need to focus on their foundation.
"I'll be back soon."