Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"As long as the card 'Fiery Duelists' is in the Spell Trap Zone, each player can only set one Spell/Trap Card from their hand once per turn, and monsters Special Summoned from the Fusion Deck cannot attack during that turn."

"The latter effect was actually a rule that Set tried to promote before the Duel City event, because he thought that Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon was too strong and had to be weakened. However, he changed his mind after my persuasion (referring to Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon), and this non-existent rule became usable only through this card."

Hearing Hayato's words, John nodded, having learned about the backstory of Duel City that he was unaware of, but then asked curiously, "But isn't this effect just a purely negative one? It even affects you, Mr. Hayato, much more than it affects me."

"After all, that [Summoned Beast - Merkaba] was only Special Summoned from the Fusion Deck this turn, but now it's unable to attack because of the effect of [Fiery Duelists]."

Hayato smiled upon hearing this: "After all, powerful cards often come with great risks, but it's enough. The puzzle to break the [Guardian's Power] is now complete."

"Enter the battle phase! Use [Primal Life Form - Nibiru] to attack [Earth Spider]!" Hayato said as he raised his hand, "However, I will use the effect of [Blazing Duelists] to nullify the attack of [Primal Life Form - Nibiru]."

On the massive meteorite in Hayato's field, a humanoid arm suddenly emerged, followed by a humanoid creature. This was not unusual, as the meteorite's true name wasn't actually a meteorite but rather "Primal Life Form - Nibiru." Although it belonged to the rock race, it was indeed alive, and this humanoid creature was a part of it that had differentiated itself for attack.

However, although it is a primitive life form, the humanoid that emerged from the meteorite has long, wavy purple hair, is almost naked except for strips of cloth wrapped around its armpits and shoulders and a loincloth, and strikes a demonic pose. It makes one feel that it would be more appropriate to find two other characters with similar art styles to stand under the moon and strike a pose.

After receiving Hayato's attack command, although Hayato said that the attack was ineffective, John saw the demonic humanoid figure flick its hand, and from its elbows, a pair of slender and long blades grew out on each side as if they were plants, reflecting an almost metallic luster in the sunlight.

And then, it suddenly charged toward John's field, shouting: "Light Flow Technique - Radiant Slide Technique!"

"Watch out, [Earth Spider]!"

Because of the humanoid's imposing aura, John subconsciously shouted at his Earth Spider on the field. It should have been protected by the Power of the Guardian, and neither the battle nor the effect could destroy the Earth Spider. However, facing the humanoid's attack, John had a bad feeling.

At the same time, he was also somewhat annoyed by his own poor execution, having been so shocked by the combo of wormhole, meteor, and continuous spell card he had just used on Hayato that he missed the timing to activate the effect of [Earth Spider].

The effect of [Earth Spider] is that when it is in Defense Position, if the opponent successfully Summons or Special Summons a monster, it can change that monster to Defense Position. If John had been in a calm state of mind, he could have used its effect to turn [Primal Lifeform - Nibiru] into a fragile Defense Position with only 600 DEF when it was summoned.

Instead of facing attacks with unknown consequences, as we are now.

[Guardian's Power] (Magic Indicator: 1→2)

【Earth Spider】【DEF2000→2500】

Although, as Hayato said, the attack of [Primal Life Form - Nibiru] was nullified by one of the unknown effects of [Fiery Duelists], Hayato's declaration of attack against [Earth Spider] was a fact, and [Guardian Power] also increased [Magic Counters] and enhanced [Earth Spider]'s defense due to its own effect.

But John grew increasingly uneasy, and the attack from [Primal Life Form - Nibiru] had already reached his field.

To John's surprise, just as he and [Earth Spider] were ready for battle, the humanoid simply bypassed [Earth Spider] and slashed at the last face-down card in his back row!?

It's clearly a monster, yet it can attack face-down cards?!

"Duel Monsters, isn't that amazing?" As if he had the ability to read minds, Hayato spoke up, answering John's question, "The effect of [Fiery Duelists] can be activated by targeting one Spell/Trap Card on your opponent's field when my monster declares an attack."

Hayato pointed at John's mysterious face-down card and said, "The monster's attack was negated, and the targeted card was destroyed. Take this blow! Shatter your face-down card!"

As Hayato finished speaking, John also saw that the blade of [Primal Life Form - Nibiru] seemed to have countless tiny serrations that spun like a chainsaw. With a casual downward press, it suddenly cut off the face-down card in his backcourt!

Before the card shattered, Hayato also saw John's face-down card clearly—it was actually the magic card [Magic Mastery]!?

"The ability to place a magic counter on the 'Guardian's Power' card, 'Magic Mastery', has the effect of searching for another 'Magic Mastery' card in the deck. The teacher said it's a good card for maintaining card advantage, but its drawback is that you can only use one 'Magic Mastery' card per turn."

John looked at Hayato's expression, which was like he'd been tricked after hearing "Never Gonna Give You Up," and said shyly but also a little smugly, "Keeping it in your hand means you can't use it until the next round anyway, so you might as well put it on the backcourt. Maybe it can fool those more cautious players. That's what my teacher taught me, and it actually works!"

"What [Fusion] trick? Rafael, what have you been teaching this kid?" Hayato couldn't help but look at Rafael outside the arena and complain to him.

But Rafael remained unmoved and retorted, "So, are you going to make the next generation of duelists learn those annoying, hellish dueling techniques from you, Kobayashi Hayato? I've been annoyed by you for a long time. As the Duel King, you always use those strange moves. The impact on teenagers is immeasurable."

"That's why I decided to become an educator in the future, at least to correct some of the children's influence from you!"

Hearing Raferna's resentful words, Hayato shrugged helplessly: "You still care more about the process than the result of the duel, just like before. But unfortunately, I care about the result. No matter how wonderful the process is, if the result is a tragedy, I will be very unhappy."

"Victory is all that matters; the means don't matter." (A card is played from the hand and inserted.)

"Although I was tricked by the wind, it's alright. The card 'Fiery Duelists' still has one last use. I'll activate the Quick-Play Spell Card 'Double Whirlwind' during the Battle Phase!"

"You can target one Spell/Trap Card on your field and one Spell/Trap Card on your opponent's field to destroy those cards. The cards I want to destroy are, of course, the 'Blazing Duelists' that prevents 'Summoned Beast - Melkaba' from attacking this turn, and the 'Guardian' that protects your 'Earth Spider'."

"Although it can provide the equipped monster with strong destruction resistance and a continuous increase in attack and defense, in the end, that card is just an ordinary card with low rarity. It doesn't have any destruction resistance itself!"

Two hurricanes suddenly rose up on the field and collided, sweeping towards the last remaining cards on Hayato and John's back rows respectively. "Blazing Duelists" and "Guardian Power" were destroyed and sent to the graveyard.

【Earth Spider】【DEF2500→1500】

As the Earth Spider lost the attack and defense bonuses from the Guardian's Power, as well as its strong resistance, the Minotaur monster, whose lower body was integrated with the chariot, moved its body, eager to launch an attack after breaking free of its restraints.

Hayato, of course, didn't keep him waiting any longer. He waved his hand and said, "Well then, it's time for battle! Charge! [Summoned Beast - Merkaba], the undead chariot of raging winds and waves! I stole Ilya!"

Hayato's pronunciation of "Tragoidla" was absurd, and the names of his attack moves were somewhat meaningless, but when the silver-white chariot began to charge, everything else became completely unimportant, and its momentum overwhelmingly attracted everyone's attention.

Seeing this, John anxiously shouted to his poorly performing Earth Spider, "Hang in there, Earth Spider!"

However, the Earth Spider, which was just an ordinary Duel Monster card without any awakened spirits, was unable to respond to John. Moreover, this was not the Pokémon movie set, but a Duel Arena with detailed stats and strict rules. The Earth Spider, with only 1500 defense points, was no match for the Summoned Beast Merkaba, which had 2500 attack points. It was instantly crushed by the wheels and sent to the graveyard.

As [Summoned Beast - Merkaba] returned to Hayato's field, John looked sadly at the spot where [Earth Spider] had been destroyed.

Because Earth Spider is in Defense Position, John wasn't harmed. Furthermore, his Duel Disk had its virtual impact simulation system's damage level specially reduced to a minimum to ensure it wouldn't affect younger children. However, compared to the actual physical impact, John's condition was clearly primarily psychological.

With his arms crossed over his chest, Rafael looked at the arena and suddenly said, "Speaking of which, this is actually Johnny's first time dueling with someone."

"First time? That kid's first time dueling?" Atum said with some surprise, glancing at John. "That's quite a talent."

"Wow, this isn't just impressive, it's genius! When I first dueled with Yugi, I couldn't even remember the effects of my own cards, and as far as I know, most people are about the same," Jonouchi said incredulously. "And he used quite a few dueling techniques. Was it really his first duel?"

"In that case, just as Rafael said, he really is a genius in the Duel Monsters field." Honda crossed his arms behind his head, glanced at John, and then asked with some confusion, "But what's wrong with him now?"

Rafael sighed, "I've mentioned it before, Johnny has the rare ability to see spirits. This ability isn't something everyone possesses, even among powerful duelists, but Johnny was born with it."

“In many cases, duelists see the presence of a spirit later than the spirit in their own card awakens. However, because Johnny is born with this ability, the normal order is reversed, which means that he can sense the sleeping spirit in the card, but the card cannot respond to him.”

"That child seems optimistic on the surface, but he is actually very lonely inside. He has no friends like himself, nor any card spirit companions."

"But even so, he regarded every monster as an important friend, even if it was only one-sided."

After Rafiru finished speaking, Atum, who was standing next to him, looked at John, who was clearly in a state of sadness: "But I feel that John has more than just sadness in him, there seems to be something else."

"Because Monster hasn't responded to him, and coupled with Hayato Boy's blows, John Boy seems to be doubting himself, and even starting to wonder if he should continue to trust the cards?"

"Did you see this using the power of the 'Millennium Eye,' Pegasus?" Upon hearing Pegasus's words, Malik glanced at him and also directed Rafael's unfriendly gaze at Pegasus.

"No, no, no, I do have a certain ability to judge people." Pegasus quickly clarified upon seeing this, waving his hand and looking at John with a hint of disappointment, "As expected, you're still an immature child. With this kind of mentality, I still can't quite entrust the card to you."

Inside the arena, Hayato also noticed John's condition, but he didn't say anything to him, only declaring, "My turn is over."

The important purpose of this duel is to demonstrate John's abilities to Pegasus. The destruction of Duel Monsters will happen countless times in John's future duels, and he must overcome this obstacle. Hayato cannot help him.

While John hesitated to draw the card, Rafael, after a moment's thought, said to him, "Johnny, this is the third lesson, lesson 3."

"Trust the card, just trust it."

Chapter 847 Don't Draw Cards If You're Confused

"Trust the card, just trust it."

Seeing that John was about to become confused, Rafael immediately spoke to him. He believed that since he had become John's teacher, he had an obligation to correct John immediately, even if John's performance in this duel would be negatively affected by his help in Pegasus's eyes.

In Rafael's eyes, Pegasus's unfinished card might be powerful and have special significance for John, but John himself was more important to him.

"As you trust the card, the card will respond to you in return."

“Teacher, but I really have come to believe in the cards. I’ve tried so hard to believe in them.” John looked a little frustrated. “I’ve tried to listen to their voices and try to feel their hearts, but none of the cards are responding to me.”

"And I started to waver, and I didn't even manage to use the effect of [Earth Spider]."

"So, are you going to give up here?" Rafiru asked with a serious expression.

"Hey, Rafiru, you're being too harsh on a child." Jonouchi couldn't stand it and wanted to call out to Rafiru, but Atum pulled him back.

"Why are you pulling me? Game—no, Atum?"

Atum shook his head and looked at John, saying, "Rafiru will handle it."

[Hayato: 4000LP, 1 cards in hand]

[Summoned Beast - Merkaba] [ATK2500]

[Primitive Life Form - Nibiru] [ATK3000]

After Hayato finished his turn, it was John's turn. The ten-year-old raised his left hand, which was wearing the Duel Disk, and reached for the cards on the top of his deck with his empty right hand. He shook his head and said, "I don't have any cards in my hand that can create victory, while Mr. Hayato has two powerful monsters on his field. All my hopes are on this card draw."

“However, drawing cards in Duel Monsters is like a tennis ball bouncing off a net. Nobody knows which side the ball will land on or what kind of card you will draw.” John looked at Rafael and said, “But unlike you, teacher, and Mr. Hayato, you can fight alongside your spirits and get their response, but I can’t hear even a single sound from my deck.”

"A true duelist can even decide the future of a gacha pull, but I can't do that. I can't pull off a gacha pull with only a one in ten thousand chance. I can't do anything."

John looked dejected. Rafael, however, spoke up again, scolding, "Idiot! Does that mean a duelist can't duel if they can't hear the card's sound? How much do you think you are, Johnny?!"

"The duelist's card draw is indeed like a tennis ball that touches the net. If there were a god of fate, perhaps the outcome of the card draw could only be decided by him. But the god does not exist. The only ones who exist are us duelists who live in this world." Rafael warned, clenching his fist. "The tennis ball will eventually favor the side that has a clear will and desires victory, and the deck will respond to you when you are no longer confused."

"If you're confused, you won't be able to draw cards, so just trust your deck, Johnny!"

John, who had been stunned, looked down at his deck as Rafael finished speaking.

If you're confused, don't draw cards. In other words, you need to clarify your desires and will in order to win. Undoubtedly, even when facing himself, Hayato, as a true duelist, showed his desire for victory, while I could only put on such a pathetic duel.

How utterly out of line!

Be clear about your own desires. You are naturally very clear about your own desires, which are—

Thinking this, John closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and shouted, "My turn! If this is the draw that decides the outcome, then I want to win! I want a victory that will grant my wish!"

"Respond to me, deck! Then, draw!"

John yanked out the card, still in the drawing motion, and flipped it over to show himself. The card he had drawn was a powerful magic card!

"Is this... a miracle?" John was somewhat incredulous that he had actually drawn a powerful spell card from his deck, a card that he had only included once due to restrictions, at this crucial moment. But his gaze hardened. "No, this is the voice of the deck, the response of the sleeping elves to me!"

“I, John Anderson, have a dream: to become the link between humans and elves. For my ideal, here I come, Mr. Hayato!”

Hayato, seeing the obvious growth in John's eyes, nodded approvingly: "Not bad, then bring it on, John!"

“During my Main Phase, I activate the Spell Card [Monster Resurrection] to Special Summon one monster from both players' Graveyards to my field,” John said. “I’m sorry you sacrificed yourself in vain before, but now you are resurrected to fight for me again, [Earth Spider]!”

The rune "Anka" appeared, and a crack appeared in the ground, allowing the "Earth Spider," which had been pulverized by the "Summoned Beast - Merkaba," to return from John's graveyard through the crack, in an attack stance.

【Earth Spider】【ATK0】

"Hmm? You chose to use [Monster Resurrection] to Special Summon a weak insect?" Hayato raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised that John would use the card this way. "Anything that I have already defeated will no longer be a threat to me, Kobayashi Hayato."

“Ah, I understand. 'Earth Spider' is no match for your powerful monsters, Mr. Hayato, just like me. But should I call it guilt? I don’t want 'Earth Spider' to continue sleeping in the graveyard because of my previous mistake.” John said, playing another card. “My resolve is about to be revealed. Time to go, with my cards!”

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card [Mega Pitch], and then I will activate the last card in my hand!"

When he heard John mention "the last card," Hayato's eyes widened as he recognized the green-bordered magic card John was holding above his head—[The Treasure Card from Heaven].

"This is my deck's response to me: the spell card 'Heavenly Treasure Card,' which allows both players to replenish their hands to six cards at once. Since I had no cards left in my hand, I can replenish six cards in one go!"

John, full of confidence, pulled out a handful of cards, while Hayato, who felt "it's more painful to see others gain cards than to lose them himself," said somewhat sourly, "Because I only have one [Summoner - Aleister] in my hand, I can only draw five cards."