Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"Return 'Planetary Transformation' and 'Ritual of the Mechanical Angel' from my Graveyard to my Deck. Special Summon 'Declarer's Witch' (Level 2☆) from my Graveyard in Defense Position. If it is successfully Special Summoned, activate its effect to send 'Little Fairy' (Fairy-Type) from my Deck to the Graveyard and increase its Level by 3☆."

Asuka's last-ditch effort to boost her win rate was to use "Solemn Mechanical Angel" to increase her attack power. However, the subsequent use of a Field Spell Card and the reappearance of "Announcer's Witch" were merely Asuka's personal wish. Although theoretically, if Asuka could have used another Ritual Spell Card and Ritual Monster, she could have expanded her strategy further, unfortunately, all she had left in her hand were a Ritual Monster and a Trap Card. Her strategy had to be abruptly halted after "Announcer's Witch" appeared.

"Watch closely, Principal Kobayashi, as I will now prove my strength!"

Asuka glanced at Hayato in the stands, then refocused her attention on Judai. Although he was one of the few boys she found agreeable, she had to defeat him in order to enter the old school building and find clues about her missing brother: "Enter my battle phase, here I come, Judai!"

"I attacked [E.Hero Sunrise] with [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-], and due to the effect of [Solemn Mechanical Angel], [E.Hero Sunrise]'s effects will be blocked and nullified!"

The [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-], wielding a sword and a long spear, raised her weapons high, their tips overlapping. Light burst forth from the tips of her weapons, briefly overshadowing the brilliance of [E·hero Sunrise] on the Jaden field. Both the third effect, which Asuka hadn't fully grasped, and the perpetually existing second effect that boosted attack power, vanished in that instant.

【E·hero Sunrise Man】【ATK500→100】

With 4900 attack power against 100 attack power, Asuka had no idea how she could possibly lose. She waved her hand and commanded, "Bring down defeat to your opponent! Achieve the Aerial Walk!"

Named after the method of attaining Buddhahood represented by "Dagini," the weapon shrouded in holy light in the hand of [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini -] was swung towards [E·hero Sunrise], who had been weakened to the extreme on the field, with the intention of "attaining Buddhahood" along with Jaden behind him.

Seeing this, Marufuji Sho, Misawa, and the others outside the arena were all sweating for Jaden, while Junko and Momoe, who were hoping for Asuka's victory, couldn't help but hold their breath. However, on the dueling field, as the attack of [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-] came, Jaden smiled and said, "That's amazing, Tenjouin. Its attack power has reached 4900 points, almost touching the pinnacle of Duel Monsters."

"So strong, so incredibly strong! I can barely contain my excitement fighting a monster like that!" Jaden said, pressing the button to activate the face-down card. "After all, the climax of a hero's story is that moment when you defeat an almost invincible enemy!"

"Open the cover card, [Magic Cylinder], nullify the attack of [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-] and inflict damage equal to its attack power on you, Tenjouin!"

"What?!"

The atmosphere in the stands changed instantly when Jaden activated his face-down card, Magic Cylinder. Misawa and Marufuji Sho, who had just thought Jaden was going to lose, suddenly became excited, while Junko and Momoe stared in surprise at the face-down card Jaden opened.

"Let them see how amazing you are, No. 1!"

"Big brother will always find a way!"

"It's a Magic Cylinder!?"

Hayato leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, looking at the Magic Cylinder that blocked the attack of [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-], and muttered, "The Magic Cylinder that reflects damage. If [Cyber ​​Angel - Nasatemi-] hadn't restored Asuka's base points earlier, the 4900 points of damage could have wiped out Asuka's base points in one go."

"Even now, Asuka's base stats are enough to withstand this damage, but the presence of the [Magic Cylinder] has rendered the [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-] attack, which should have been a fatal blow, ineffective..."

Hayato paused, then looked at Asuka's hand, "...if that card weren't there."

Looking at the Magic Cylinder blocking her way, Asuka clenched her right fist and took a deep breath.

"There is something I must do, not something demanded by others, but something that originates from my own will. For this, I will become the strongest and defeat everything that stands in my way. Not even a Magic Cylinder can stop me!"

"I swear here that I will sever all things in this world. Accept my oath and grant me an invincible blade!" Asuka declared, flipping a card in her hand and showing it to Judai, "Judai, I will use this card to defeat you!"

"【Ancient Saint Dai - First Dragon】When an opponent activates a Spell/Trap/Monster effect that targets a monster on my field, I can discard this card from my hand to negate that activation!"

The situation reversed twice. Jaden finally managed to create an opportunity with a Magic Cylinder, but Asuka unexpectedly played a card from her hand to negate its activation. Ironically, the card Asuka used, Ancient Saint Dai - First Dragon, was the very card that Jaden had exchanged with her at the card exchange tournament held on the cruise ship not long ago!

This can't be called a coincidence; it's almost fate!

As Asuka sends [Ancient Saint Dai - First Dragon] to the graveyard, her [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-] raises a longsword alone. The power originating from [Ancient Saint Dai - First Dragon] surges into the blade from the graveyard, transforming into a great force capable of cleaving through everything. Even [Magic Cylinder], which can reflect infinitely large attacks, will be torn apart by this sword.

Pointing at the [Magic Cylinder] blocking her way, Asuka commanded, "Crush it, [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-]!"

"Then bring me the glory of victory!"

Chapter 1077 Miracle Fusion

"boom!"

The indestructible divine sword cleaved through the [Magic Cylinder], the long spear imbued with divine light sealed the effect of [E·hero Sunrise], and finally, the longsword of [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-] struck directly, piercing through the heart of the almost powerless being.

Asuka breathed a sigh of relief as she watched [E·hero Sunrise], which had been visibly destroyed in the battle, explode into a wide flame that covered Jaden's entire arena.

"Yada...it's finally over."

"【E·hero】has finally fallen to my 【Cyber ​​Angel】..."

Looking at the cards on her duel disk, Asuka's face finally broke into a relieved smile of victory: "[Cyber ​​Angel], [The Proclaimer's Sorcerer], and [Ancient Saint Dai - First Dragon]'s Phowa!"

"This proves that I am the strongest among the new students at Duel Academy, and no one can surpass me, Tenjouin Asuka!"

"I've already secured entry into the old school building, and then I'll be able to find clues about your disappearance, brother!"

Of course, Asuka only thought all of these things in her mind; she wasn't an outspoken person and wouldn't say such arrogant things in public. However, the joy of defeating Jaden and getting one step closer to her goal was genuine.

She looked down at the Duel Disk she was wearing, preparing to organize the cards on it, but before her hand could even touch the cards, she suddenly froze in mid-air.

It was as if a centenarian, who had spent the last two seconds of their life in someone else's time stop, was completely stunned and motionless.

【Asuka: 6150LP】

On her Duel Disk, the Life Division area remained lit up with numbers, indicating that her Duel Disk was still connected to Jaden's and that the duel had not ended due to the attack from [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-]!

"Hiss~ Even if it's an impact simulated by a virtual projection system, a combat damage value of 4800 points is really quite painful."

With a wave of her hand, she dispersed the fiery image in front of her, and what appeared in front of Asuka was none other than Judai, who still had enough points to fight even after the previous attack!

[Junior: 200LP]

"That's impossible! What's your basic level—"

Before Asuka could finish speaking, the flames that had swept across Jaden's field suddenly began to flow like water, surging towards one point. As the flames receded, Asuka saw the card itself that had absorbed all the exploding flames.

"I was going to use the Trap Card [Elemental Charge] to see if you, Tenjouin, would be defeated by [Magic Cylinder] or fall into the trap effect of [E·Hero Sunrise], so I didn't activate this card during your Main Phase. As a result, I lost 1000 Life Points."

A massive energy tank stood before him, constantly converting elemental power into life force to supply himself. Jaden smiled and said, "Before [Ancient Saint Dai - First Dragon] destroyed [E·Hero Sunrise], I activated this card. Its effect is to restore 1000 Life Points to me for each face-up [E·Hero] monster I control."

[10th Generation: 3000→5000→200LP]

"Did the two [E·hero] monsters recover 2000 life points in one go and survive the attack?" Asuka frowned, realizing why Jaden was able to withstand the attack from [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-]. "It's like someone who can hold their breath underwater for a minute suddenly put on a full set of diving gear when they're about to give up on the 59th second."

"Hehe, if we compare it that way, Asuka, didn't you get pushed back into the water when you surfaced at the fifty-ninth second?" Judai said with a laugh, glancing at the [Ancient Saint Dai - First Dragon] card that Asuka had sent to the graveyard. "But to be able to use a card you just got so skillfully, you're really impressive, Tenjouin."

"You're not bad at this either, are you?" Asuka hadn't forgotten the finishing move Jaden made with [Beloved Hero] in his previous duel with Manjoume, and the card she exchanged with him. Jaden was skilled at using [Beloved Hero], so she couldn't fall behind in using [Ancient Saint Dai - First Dragon].

Looking at Jaden's [E-Hero Tornado] on the field, which had lost the boost from [E-Hero Sunrise] and now only had 400 ATK left, and at the row of Defense Position monsters on her own field, especially [Cyber ​​Angel - Nasatemi-], Asuka would be lying if she said she wasn't disappointed.

Jaden's 200 Life Points are practically nonexistent; any monster with an attack power exceeding 600 can easily wipe out Jaden's remaining Life Points by attacking [E. Hero Tornado].

Upon closer reflection, I realized I made another mistake: I used the effect of [Electronic Angel - Nasatimi -] a little too early. I should have used it after [Solemn Mechanical Angel] was activated, otherwise I could have recovered an additional 600 points of my base score.

However, my current base score is enough to deal with any possible offensive from Jaden Yuki in the next round.

"You've escaped with your life, Judai." Asuka said to Judai, inserting the last card in her hand into the Spell & Trap Zone, "Set one card face down, and my turn ends here."

"And the third effect of [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini] is activated: During my End Phase, target one Ritual Monster in my Graveyard or [Ritual of the Machine Angel] and add it to my hand. I add [Ritual of the Machine Angel] to my hand."

My base score is now more than 3000% of Jaden Yuki's. How could he possibly defeat me in one turn?

Although he failed to defeat Jaden Yuki, his defensive strategy ensured that all his lower-level monsters were in defense position and would not be harmed by battle. Furthermore, the ability of [Cyber ​​Angel - Nasatemi -] to nullify attacks effectively prevented Jaden Yuki from using high-attack monsters to break through his defenses.

In the next turn, he can use the Field Spell Card to revive the "Cyber ​​Angel" in the Graveyard to search for other "Cyber ​​Angel" Ritual Monsters, and then use the monsters on the field as tributes for the Ritual Summon to set up the board. The "Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini" already on the field not only has high attack power, but also hides a second effect - Defense Penetration. Even if Jaden Yuki uses a card like "Winged Kuriboh", he will not be able to survive.

Victory is within our grasp!

[Tenjouin Asuka: 6150 LP, 1 card in hand]

【Electronic Angel - Tagini -】【ATK4900→3700】

【Electronic Angel - Nasatimi-】【DEF1500】

【Electronic Egg Angel】【DEF300】

[The Proclaimer's Shaman] [DEF300]

【GaiKa】

Venue: [Blessed Church - Ceremonial Chapel]

"The difference in life points is so huge, it's really exciting, Tenjouin." Even seeing Asuka's current setup on the field, Judai's face still had a bright smile. "But heroes don't back down, and I've already assembled a combination in my hand that can defeat your powerful [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-]!"

"My turn, draw!" Jaden swiftly drew a card from his deck, not even glancing at what he had drawn. Instead, he pulled out the three cards he had already selected from his hand and showed them to Asuka. "I activate the [Fusion] Spell Card from my hand, fusing the two heroes in my hand, [E·hero Electroman] and [E·hero Golden Blademan]!"

The hero wielding thunder and the armored Blademaster appeared as phantoms on either side of Jaden, their fists meeting in perfect unison. As Jaden inserted the Fusion into the Duel Disk and sent both of their cards to the Graveyard, the vortex of Fusion released its power, beginning to harmonize their elemental forces.

"Shining across the sky and resounding across the earth, the hero of destruction, Thunder, is born! Let the golden gauntlets shine, and shatter all enemies that stand in the way of hope!"

"Fusion Summon! [E·Hero Ionizer]!"

The warrior wielding the metal blade leaves his invincible armor to his comrades, while the warrior who drives the thunder uses "thunder metallurgy" to forge the golden armor into the shape of the gauntlets he needs. The gauntlets, imbued with thunder, are strong and powerful, capable of easily cutting through and crushing any barrier!

【E·hero Ionizing Claw Man】【8☆/Location】

[Warrior Race/Fusion/Effect]

[2600/2300]

"【E·Hero Electrocutioner】has the ability to discard cards during the Main Phase to target and destroy any Attack Position monsters on your opponent's field, and it also has a powerful Defense Penetration effect!" Jaden explained the effect of 【E·Hero Electrocutioner】, looking at Asuka and saying, "From the moment he appears, I'm going to sound the horn for the victory charge, Tenjouin!"

"Is that all you're relying on, Jaden? But to declare victory so easily with just this much is a bit too early, isn't it?" Asuka calmly said as she pressed the button to activate the face-down card, completely disregarding the handsome and imposing [E·hero Ionizer]. "To defeat you, I will go all out, even if it's an unfair duel where I know a bit about you, but you know little about my deck."

"Having witnessed your duels with Professor Chronos and Jun Manjoume, I know that your greatest strength lies in using fused [E·hero] monsters to turn the tide of battle. In that case, I naturally have methods prepared in my deck to counter your signature moves!"

As the card that had been set down in the previous turn was flipped over, Judai saw a spherical device wrapped in ominous blue lightning appear in Asuka's back row. The screen on the front of it displayed the design of a [Fusion] spell card!?

"What is that card?!"

“Trap Card [Fusion Removal Device], destroy 1 face-up Fusion Monster on the field.” Asuka said, pointing to [E·Hero Ionizer], which had just been summoned and hadn’t even had a chance to activate its effect yet. “As the one I must defeat to achieve my goal, Jaden, I will shatter your hopes!”

"【Fusion Removal Device】Destroy 【E·hero Ionizing Claw Man】!"

"Oh!"

Before she could even strike a cool pose, [E·hero Electrocution Man] was blasted away the moment it touched the ground and bounced into Jaden's graveyard. Despite having spent three cards to obtain [E·hero Electrocution Man], Asuka noticed that Jaden's face showed no surprise or despair, but instead, he was all smiles as always.

It was as if he had not lost all hope of victory and was still enjoying the duel.

"So you had that trick up your sleeve, Tenjouin. It seems you really do know about my heroes." Judai didn't care about the small "unfairness" that Asuka was dueling with him while knowing his deck, and he knew nothing about Asuka's deck. For him, this level of "unfairness" was far less exciting and thrilling than the unknown. "But this is still a long way from 'despair'."

"Rather than saying that your destruction of [E·Hero Ionizer] and sending it to the graveyard actually fostered the growth of hope!" After sending the card [E·Hero Ionizer] to the graveyard, Jaden raised his Duel Disk and pointed the graveyard area at Asuka, saying, "The path of hope lies within it!"

"Open the last card I set face-down last turn, the Normal Spell Card [Miracle Fusion]. As long as you have faith, the card will respond to you and create an incredible miracle!"

"Unlike regular Fusion that can be performed from the hand, Miracle Fusion is a Fusion Spell Card that miraculously uses monsters from the field or graveyard as Fusion Material and banishes them to Fusion Summon an E-hero Fusion Monster. I want to banish these two cards from my graveyard."

“One of the fusion materials for [E·hero Electro-Man], [E·hero Electro-Man], and... um?" Asuka looked at the cards Judai was holding, which he had taken from the graveyard. One of them was [E·hero Electro-Man], which had just been sent to Judai's graveyard a short while ago. The other card made her pause, “[The Demon King of the Swamp]!?”

"Besides being able to search for [Fusion] Spell Cards when discarded from the hand, [Swamp Demon King] also has the ability to serve as a substitute for Fusion Material, making it an indispensable card in a Fusion deck. The Fusion Material I chose is [E·hero Electro] and [Swamp Demon King]."

Putting the two cards into his pocket, Jaden's phantoms of heroes reappear beside him. In addition to [E·hero Electroman], the other fusion material transformed from [Swamp Demon King] is actually the fusion monster [E·hero Flame Wingman] that Asuka had seen before, which defeated Professor Chronos!

"Using a Fusion Monster for fusion!?"

"The intense elements burst forth with miraculous light from the graveyard, and thunder will whip up flames and gales to become a flash of hope, descending in the form of sublime heroism! Inherit the legacy of countless friends and soar high in the sky!"