Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

Suddenly interrupting Judai, Daitokuji shook his head, comforting the Pharaoh in his arms while looking at Judai and saying, "Identity is never a label outside a test tube, but rather a substance suspended in a solution. Some can be dissolved, while others can only settle."

“In that case, it’s like different solubility levels will inevitably lead to a hierarchy in terms of status.” Daitokuji’s tone was slightly subtle as he looked at Judai. “I can’t be like you, Judai, just a duelist.”

"No, it's not just me, I'm afraid most people are the same. Jaden, you must be very lonely, because there are so few people who can live as a pure duelist like you."

At this point, Daitokuji put down the Pharaoh in his arms. The orange cat, who always seemed carefree, seemed to know what Daitokuji was thinking. It rubbed against its human again, leaving its fur behind, and finally gave him a deep look before slowly walking away from the dueling arena.

Raising the Duel Disk, Daitokuji said, "Whether I win or lose, there won't be much left in this body to keep me going. Before the end of this second life comes, I want to conclude my life as an alchemist. So, Judai, my student who has shown me the most alchemical talent over the years, the student I've been waiting for, let me see your talent, let me see your talent as an alchemist!"

At this point, Daitokuji suddenly opened his eyes, which he usually kept squinting, revealing crimson eyes that were also slightly translucent.

【Amunaeru → Daitoku-ji Hugo: 1200LP, 6 in hand】

[Alchemy Cauldron - Chaos Refining] [Imperial Decree] [The Great Universe]

“Daitokuji-sensei…” Looking at the resolute Daitokuji, Judai lowered his head and clenched his fists. After a brief internal struggle, he raised his head again and said with a firm gaze, “I understand, Daitokuji-sensei. Even if the final exam starts early, I will try my best to get a perfect score!”

"Because the battle destroyed the monster, I draw one card from my deck due to the effect of [M·Hero Kamikaze]." After glancing at the card he had drawn, Jaden set it to the back row. "Then I set one card, and my turn ends."

[Yujo Judai: 2000LP, 0 cards in hand]

【E·hero Sunrise Man】【ATK3100】

【E·hero Sky Knight】【ATK2400】

【E·hero Blaze】【ATK2200→1800】

【E·hero Necromancer】【ATK2500】

【M·hero Kamikaze】【ATK3300】

【GaiKa】

As the round ends, the armor on [E·hero Blaze] is removed, and the stats revert to their original values.

As Judai covered the card, Daitokuji nodded and said, "As expected of you, Judai, 'Fusion' is the possibility I see in you. But it's not enough. I can see an even greater power dormant within you. Even if it's not fully awakened yet, even just a little bit of it can bring you the power to create miracles."

"A mere superficial 'fusion' is not enough for your duel with me, Jaden. Unleash more power! Your battle with me is a battle of alchemy; otherwise, you will not be able to cross this universe."

"My turn, draw a card!"

Upon seeing the card he had drawn, Daitokuji immediately played it, saying, "I activate the Spell Card [Dimensional Distortion]. This card can only be activated if there are no monsters in my Graveyard. I Special Summon one of my banished monsters to the field. I choose [Primal Sun God Helios].

The headless female monster, named after the sun goddess in ancient Greek mythology, has returned to Daitokuji's field. Its attack power is 1400 points, the same as its defense power, which is no match for the monsters on the field in Generation X.

【Helios, the Primordial Sun God】【ATK1400】

However, after the return of [Primordial Sun God Helios], Daitokuji played another card and said: "My alchemy will enter the next stage at this moment. After 'darkening' and 'whitening', it will be 'yellowing'. I activate the magic card [Yellow Process - Kitolenics]!"

Golden light emanated from the card that Daitokuji had inserted into the Duel Disk, enveloping the [Primordial Sun God Helios] in front of him. His originally slender figure became bloated as the sun on his head expanded; time truly is a cruel mistress.

Above the greatly expanded sun, an additional smaller sun split off. This pair of twin stars, one large and one small, is the name of the newly appeared monster: Helios, the Twin Sun God.

【Helios, the Twin Sun Gods】【6☆/Light】

[Flame Clan/Effect]

【？ /？】

"The effect of 【Kitolenics】 is to Tribute one 【Primal Sun God Helios】 on my field and Special Summon one 【Twin Sun God Helios】 from my hand or Deck." Daitokuji put down the card and continued, "And the ATK and DEF of 【Twin Sun God Helios】 will be equal to 200 points of the banished monster."

"The liberated [Primordial Sun God Helios] will be banished due to the effect of [Massive Universe]. I banished 13 monsters, and Jaden you banished 2 monsters, so [Twin Sun God Helios] will have an ATK of 3000!"

【Helios, the Twin Sun Gods】【? /? →3000/3000】

“However, even with 3000 attack power, even attacking Jaden’s [E·Hero Blaze], which has the lowest attack power on your field, won’t defeat you. So my alchemy will continue.” Daitokuji said, drawing another card, “The final stage is ‘Red Transformation,’ the most important step in sublimating ordinary gold into a wondrous red potion!”

"The Spell Card 【Red Process - Rubedo】 is activated! I Tribute 【Twin Sun Gods Helios】 on my field and Special Summon 【Triple Sun Gods Helios】 from my hand and Deck!"

The yellow sun turned red and split into another sun. The two split celestial bodies and the original sun were intertwined and rotated by gravity, gradually balancing into three suns of equal size. Even the headless old woman below the sun became three!

【Helios, the Third Son of the Sun God】【8☆/Light】

[Flame Clan/Effect]

【？ /？】

"Jūdai, you've probably noticed the pattern by now, haven't you? But let me explain it again. The attack power of [Three Sons Helios] will be 300 points of the number of monsters banished. And with the [Twin Helios] that was just released, the number of monsters banished by both sides has reached sixteen."

Daitokuji waved his hand and said, "This is the last ace monster in my deck, Judai!"

[Helios, the Third Son of the Sun God] [? /? → 4800/4800]

Seeing Daitokuji play three cards and quickly summon Helios, the Sun God, whose attack power surpassed that of the legendary Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Jaden calmly said, "But Daitokuji-sensei, if you only increase attack power without any resistance, then your ace is just like the previous Golden Artificial Lifeform."

"【E·Hero Sunrise】's destructive effect isn't limited to my monsters' attacks; it can activate even if your monsters attack. No matter how high the attack power, it's meaningless if it misses!"

Daitokuji smiled and said, "You're right, Judai. This is a limitation that our decks share. While we can pave the way forward, we can't protect what's behind us. Your current choice is to use the effect of [E·Hero Sunrise] to barely cope, but that's just drinking poison to quench thirst. Destruction only brings destruction, not protection."

“And as an alchemist, let me show you my choice.” Daitokuji drew a card and inserted it into the Spell & Trap Zone. “The Quick-Play Spell Card [Grand Cross] can only be activated when I have [Cosmos] on my field.”

"Inflict 300 damage to your opponent's duelist and destroy all monsters on the field!"

"What?! They even brought their own monster?!"

Judai watched in astonishment as Daitokuji activated the card. Countless enormous celestial bodies in the simulated starry sky unfolded by the 【Great Universe】 were driven by invisible gravity to arrange themselves into a giant cross. The fluctuation of gravity burst forth in an instant, sweeping across the entire field!

First, Jaden suffered 300 points of effect damage. Then, not only were Jaden's [E·hero] monsters, which had no resistance, crushed and annihilated by the gravity wave, but even the [Three Sons Helios] that Daitokuji had managed to Special Summon!

[Tenth Generation: 2000 → 1700 LP]

After raising his hand to block the impact, Jaden put down the Duel Disk, puzzled as to why Daitokuji-sensei, who could have used [Grand Cross] first and then performed a series of "evolutions" with [Helios the Sun God], would destroy the monster that he had finally managed to Special Summon.

Jaden's doubts were answered in the next moment. He had clearly seen the [Three Sons of the Sun God Helios] destroyed by the [Grand Cross], but countless flames gathered in the universe and turned into three suns. The [Three Sons of the Sun God Helios] had actually reappeared at Daitoku-ji Temple.

In addition to its increased attack and defense due to the increased number of monsters it banishes, it also gains an extra 500 attack points.

[Helios, the Third Son of the Sun God] [ATK6300→6800]

Chapter 1193 The Limits of Miracles?

"That monster?"

"If destroyed, Helios the Triad can Special Summon itself back to my field. This effect actually existed when Helios the Twins were active."

Daitokuji Kenshin looked puzzled and explained, "At the same time, the attack power of [Helios the Third Sun God] will also increase by 500 points based on the number of Special Summons performed under this effect."

After a pause, looking at Jaden's front row, Daitokuji said again, "But I think it's enough even if it doesn't go up, after all, Jaden, your Life Points are only 1700, and there are no monsters left on the field."

Under the effect of [Grand Cross] which destroys all monsters on the field, only Jaden's monsters were completely destroyed in the end. [Helios the Sun God], which also has the effect of constantly reviving from the graveyard, is not like [Uria the Flame Emperor] which has troublesome attack restrictions. It can even be destroyed during the battle phase to reset the number of attacks.

However, there's no need for that. Jaden's basic attack is barely enough to block the next attack from [Helios the Sun God]. The only thing that seems to be able to save Jaden is the face-down card in his back row.

But would Daitokuji give Judai such an opportunity? For someone whose remaining lifespan could be measured in hours or even minutes, the only thing he cared about was this very duel.

He will look forward to Jaden's performance, but he will never hold back in the duel.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card [Whirlwind] to destroy one Spell/Trap Card on the field. I don't know what your face-down card is, Jaden, but it's always good to destroy it first, right?" Daitokuji said to Jaden with a smile as he inserted the card into the Spell/Trap Zone.

A spinning tornado formed in this cosmic space and moved toward Jaden's field, easily destroying the face-down card he had placed. However, since he would have to use it sooner or later anyway, and since Daitokuji was going to destroy the face-down card anyway, Jaden might as well use it now.

"Master Daitokuji, with your [Whirlwind], I'll also open my back row face-down card, the Quick-Play Spell Card [Call of Kuriboh].

Jaden drew a face-down card from his back row and showed it to Daitokuji, saying, "It doesn't matter if [Kuriboo's Calling Flute] is destroyed, because before that, I can Special Summon a single [Winged Kuriboh] from my Deck to the field using its effect. I'm going to Special Summon Aibo to my field in Defense Position!"

Amidst the melodious sound of a flute, a fluffy monster with adorable little wings appeared on Jaden's field in Defense Position. Only then did Daitokuji's "Whirlwind" slowly destroy the already ineffective "Kuriboh's Calling Flute".

"Curry, ri~" (Kurik, start)

【Winged Kuriboh】【1☆/Light】

[Angel Race/Effect]

[300/200]

Although Jaden's Winged Kuriboh can no longer block attacks from monsters with defensive piercing capabilities like Ancient Gear Giant while being destroyed due to a bug fix in the rules, it still has its own unique advantages compared to the physical card version of Winged Kuriboh.

That is, the physical card version of [Winged Kuriboh] can only activate its effect if it is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. If it is destroyed and then banished due to the effect of [Cosmos], then the physical card version of [Winged Kuriboh] cannot activate its effect. However, Jaden's [Winged Kuriboh] has a different effect: "The turn this card is destroyed, all battle damage you take becomes 0."

Therefore, although the Winged Kuriboh that appears on Jaden's field at this moment will still be banished after being destroyed by the Cosmos, it can still successfully activate its effect to protect Jaden's Life Points from further damage.

As Jaden's teacher, and having carefully observed Jaden's performance in all aspects during the months Jaden was in school, Daitokuji was naturally aware of the specific effect of [Winged Kuriboh], which frequently appeared in Jaden's deck, and knew that Jaden's plan was to use [Winged Kuriboh] to block destruction.

He did have a Quick-Play Spell Card with a destructive effect, [Offering to the Dead], in his hand, but whether destroyed by battle or by card effect, it would trigger the effect of [Winged Kuriboh]. He said somewhat helplessly, "To summon [Winged Kuriboh] at a time like this, I guess I won't be able to defeat you so easily, Judai."

"But even so, it's just a matter of prolonging your life. Without even more powerful alchemy, you can't defeat me, this monster who has already reached the pinnacle of alchemy—[Helios the Three Sun Gods]. I'm going to enter the battle phase and then destroy [Winged Kuriboh] to cut off your chance of turning the tide!"

"Scorch and annihilate the demons!"

The blazing flames detached from the three pseudo-suns of Helios, the three sun gods, and coalesced into a giant axe that seemed to cleave the universe in two, crashing heavily down on Jaden's only Winged Kuriboh.

However, even the "Three Egyptian Gods" must follow basic rules in Duel Monsters. This imposing presence cannot change the fact that Helios the Third is currently attacking Winged Kuriboh, which is in defense position. After the giant axe falls and destroys Winged Kuriboh, even burning away its scattered feathers, Jaden does not suffer any battle damage.

The flaming giant axe was reverted to pure flames and recycled back into the simulated sun. Daitokuji looked at Judai and said, "Looks like you've escaped with your life, Judai. But with the destruction of [Winged Kuriboh] and its removal from the duel, and the renewed increase in the attack power of [Helios the Three Sun Gods], you've also lost the possibility of summoning [Winged Kuriboh LV10], haven't you, Judai?"

[Helios, the Third Son of the Sun God] [ATK6800→7100]

“In the second main phase after the battle phase, I set two cards face down on the back field, and then the turn ends.” After setting both cards face down, Daitokuji looked at Jaden and said, “The [Hero] cards were banished one after another and could not be retrieved to participate in the fusion, and then [Winged Kuriboh] also left the duel. It seems that even Jaden, your talent has reached its limit.”

[Daitoku-ji Temple: 1200 LP, 0 in hand]

【Helios, the Third Son of the Sun God】【ATK7100】

[Alchemy Cauldron - Chaos Refining] [Imperial Decree] [Mass Universe] [GaiKar] x2

Daitokuji knew Jaden very well, and he also knew which cards were in Jaden's deck. As a [E·hero] who was good at breaking through the second turn, Jaden's deck had many ways to clear the field, but most of them revolved around "destruction". This was completely useless against [Helios the Three Sons], which could not only infinitely revive itself after being destroyed, but also increase its own attack power.

Besides, Jaden has two other fighting styles. One is to release the opponent's monster, "Lava Demon," but this is useless when there is only one monster on the field at Daitokuji. The other style is to increase attack power and then use battle to clear the field. After all, there is a saying in Duel Academy, which is said to have been passed down from Principal Hayato: "The most useless resistance in Duel Monsters is battle destruction resistance, but the best way to clear the field is battle destruction."

However, there is always a limit to how attack power can be increased. Even with the combination of [Beloved Hero] and Jaden's highest attack power monster, [E·hero Skywing], which is a fusion of three elements, and with the added boost of [Skyscraper], it is difficult to break through the attack power of [Helios the Sun God], which already has a high attack power of 7100. Moreover, Jaden does not have enough resources to achieve such a combo.

【Winged Kuriboh LV10】represents another approach: if you can't deal with monsters, you can't deal with duelists either? 【Winged Kuriboh LV10】has the ability to become stronger against stronger opponents and can inflict high effect damage on the opponent's duelist based on the attack power of the monsters on the opponent's field. In the current situation where the Life Points of 【Helios】are much lower than those of 【Helios】, it was the best way to win. However, now that 【Winged Kuriboh】 has been banished, it has become a pipe dream.

"Miracles are finite," Jaden realized with unwavering clarity through his duel with Daitoku-ji. Even the miracles that heroes can create seem to have limits, just as one can use the resources of a planet to create great things, but when those resources are exhausted, even the greatest artist cannot create new works out of thin air.

The vast universe depicted in the game was truly fitting, and Jaden suddenly felt a profound sense of loneliness, as if he were the only one existing in this universe. This feeling of fighting alone was incredibly unpleasant. Furthermore, because he had been excluded from the game, Jaden could barely hear the voices of his beloved E-heroes anymore.

"Have the miracles that the [Hero] can create reached their limit?" Looking at his deck, even though only Jaden and Daitokuji were in this duel space, Jaden suddenly heard a faint sound.

Outside the duel arena, looking into the arena through the one-way transparent [Great Universe], Hayato glanced at the [Power Cube] he always carried with him with considerable surprise: "This is...? Jaden, he actually has this kind of talent? Because of the [Great Universe], he's temporarily freed from the damned gravity's restraints?"

As if a bolt of electricity shot through his temples, Jaden suddenly heard the voices of his companions in this vast universe.

Asuka's gentle voice came through: "You have to win, Judai."

Manjoume's arrogant voice rang out: "Take my share and fight back, Judai."