After recovering from the shock that there could be such a godlike duelist in the world, Yato dropped to his knees, momentarily dazed.
"What's wrong?" Yusei walked over to the child.
"Yusei." Yato looked up, his expression dim. "Sure enough, it's because I'm too weak. If... if I could be as strong as you, Yusei, then surely I wouldn't have..."
He pulled out the "Petit Angel" card again. Though it was merely a low-star vanilla, it was his favorite card, one he had always kept close at hand.
Even now, when he could no longer hear the spirit's voice and felt that his card had betrayed him, he still could not bring himself to easily change that habit.
Yusei watched the boy begin to cry again. A few seconds later, he crouched down and gently stroked Yato's head.
"I don't think that's true," Yusei said.
"Eh?" Yato raised his tear-filled eyes in confusion.
"When a duelist trusts their Deck, the Deck will surely answer them in return. No matter the dimension or era, that bond of trust has always guided duelists and spirits forward together, forging a new future."
Yusei spoke softly.
"From now on, never lose the heart that believes in your companions and moves forward alongside the spirits."
Yato looked lost. "But... then why...?"
"You said before that everyone else attacked by Duel Academy fell unconscious, while you alone were the exception, right?" Kira stepped forward and said calmly. "I think those people lost consciousness because the Duel Academy duelists sealed their opponents' souls into cards after defeating them.
The other duelists had their souls taken after losing, which was why they remained unconscious. But conversely, if a soul were taken in the duelist's place after a defeat, then the duelist would probably escape unharmed."
Yato blinked blankly.