The Peerless Alchemist!

"Then as promised, these gems are yours," Golden Eyes Idol said, pointing to the pile of jewels.

"We'll split it evenly," Hikaru said to Jaden. "I don't know much about this stuff, so let's just divide it straight down the middle."

Jaden didn't think much of it as he wasn't short on money and agreed readily.

"We'll probably need Tome-san to help sell them," Hikaru scratched the back of his head.

First, sell a portion,then, buy this world's versions of Future Fusion and Overload Fusion. He'd had his eye on Zane's cards for a long time.

After the duel ended, neither of the Golden Spirits disappeared. Captain Gold came to Jaden's side, looking at the now-grown Jaden with pride, before pointing to a corner.

"Go crouch over there."

Avian obediently trotted over to squat, looking less like a hero and more like a street thug.

"This guy, without supervision, gets worse and worse," Captain Gold shook his head, while Jaden laughed awkwardly.

"Jaden, it's been a while. You've grown far braver and more excellent than I imagined," Captain Gold praised sincerely.

"Facing Shadow Games without fear, not stubbornly clinging to pride, and entrusting victory to your companions, I'm proud of you!"

As the "Captain" of the HERO spirits, he deeply valued teamwork and once protected Jaden like a guardian. It was just a shame that, because of "that event," they had been exiled to another dimension.

"Haha… honestly, I've been changing just recently," Jaden scratched his head. "It's all thanks to Hikaru. He's taught me a lot these past six months!"

'Hikaru? That alchemist called Amagi Hikaru?' Captain Gold looked toward Hikaru.

Before coming, he'd already heard about Hikaru from Eldlich.

He thought for a moment, then suddenly, several cards dropped into Jaden's hand.

Elemental HERO Captain Gold, Evil HERO Adusted Gold, Elemental HERO The Shining, and Evil HERO Malicious Fiend.

"Jaden, entrust the power of Malicious Fiend to him," Captain Gold said. "I sense a familiar, terrifying strength from him. He should be able to handle it, and consider it thanks for supporting you. I'll be with you from now on!"

"Haha! Thanks, Captain!"

Meanwhile, Hikaru was more curious about why they came to this world and what mission they carried.

After some explanation, he understood.

They were spirits from the "Golden Land", a dimension ruled by Eldlich the Golden Lord.

Far ages ago, Eldlich had fallen into madness and begun uncontrollably invading other spirit dimensions, leading to devastating battles.

At that critical time, a peerless Alchemist appeared, curing and even elevating Eldlich, filling the missing gaps in his being, turning him into the ultimate Golden Lord.

Afterward, Eldlich became friends with that Alchemist and promised to offer help if needed.

Since then, Eldlich ceased his invasions, while silently amassing strength and gathering spirits, preparing for something.

And this time, under the Alchemist's guidance, the Golden Spirits had come to this world.

"Wait," Hikaru raised his hand. "You mean, that 'peerless Alchemist' built a dimensional path without a portal and brought you here?"

"Exactly."

"And this fragmented metropolis dimension we're in now was also created by that Alchemist?"

"Correct."

"He even restored the missing parts of Eldlich's existence??"

"I've repeated it several times now, humans' Alchemist!" Golden Eyes Idol insisted. "A legendary Alchemist who traveled countless dimensions, created the Philosopher's Stone by hand, and is revered across spirit worlds!"

'Holy…' Hikaru blinked, dumbfounded.

'That Professor Banner?'

'No—' He shook his head to stay rational, though hard.

Unlike Jaden, Hikaru had long known that in the original, Professor Banner was the true "leader of the Shadow Riders." He alone had defeated all the Duelists besides Jaden, waiting alone in his lab for Jaden's growth.

Compared to the other Shadow Riders, Banner was undisputedly strong.

Even among the current story's Shadow Riders, the original Banner would still reign supreme.

No matter those fusion HERO duelists, vampires from other dimensions, or early Darkness avatars, none could likely defeat Banner.

He was a top-tier Alchemist who could forge the Philosopher's Stone!

And now, hearing Golden Eyes Idol, Hikaru realized something deeper:

In the original, Banner traveled the world seeking alchemical truth.

In this world, if he traveled many dimensions before death, what could he have turned into, A "peerless Alchemist"? The "legendary strongest Alchemist"?

"Hahaha, anyway," Golden Eyes Idol said, "your duel was marvelous, flawless teamwork, better cooperation than me and that grump. Among alchemists, you're already excellent at harmonization!

Please let me follow—"

"Really!?" Alkahest suddenly leapt forward, staring at him with shining eyes. "Really, really, really, for real, for real!?"

"Master, can I touch him?" Alkahest already held up a hammer, ready to knock some gold off.

"What the fuck!? Where did this lunatic come from!? Don't hit me!"

"Uh. You'll have to ask him first," Hikaru said, watching the chaos.

Accepting new Fusion Monsters from Jaden, and feeling the richness of his gains, Hikaru finally shook off his shock, patting his cheeks and smiling brightly.

'Hahaha!'

He had it wrong!

Wasn't this the greatest blessing!?

If Professor Banner was even stronger than before, then learning alchemy from him would be even better!