Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

Chapter 1381

The first duel is over.

Exchanging a glance with Judai, both the victor and the vanquished Asuka smiled in unison and shouted in unison, "Gotcha! What an interesting duel!"

Seeing that the other person was making the same move as them, they couldn't help but stand there and burst out laughing.

Jaden burst into laughter because the sight of the two moving in unison satisfied his low threshold for laughter, while Asuka, while laughing without any restraint, took the opportunity to slightly cover her flushed cheeks with her falling hair.

Although she always presents herself with the composure and elegance of a top student in public, few people know that Asuka actually harbors a sense of inferiority deep down.

This sense of inferiority originated not from anyone else, but from her brother, Tenjouin Fubuki. Don't let Fubuki's current nonchalant attitude fool you; his reputation as "King" is no joke. Otherwise, people like Riki Mackenzie, who had encountered him in previous Duel Academy exchange tournaments, wouldn't have remembered him for so many years.

Although they are only two years apart in age, that two-year gap is enough to create an insurmountable chasm. In addition to fighting monsters, Fubuki has shown talent in many areas since childhood, including opera, stage performance, and musical instruments. As a result, Asuka has always been called "that Fubuki's little sister" since childhood, and people only say "Tenjōin who has an excellent older brother" and "she is almost catching up with your brother".

No matter how well Asuka demonstrates her equally outstanding talent, the fact that the second-place finisher also scores 100 points cannot create a surprise that surpasses the first-place finisher's 100 points, even though Asuka does not have any conflict with Fubuki because of this and their relationship remains deep, the feeling of inferiority in her heart always lingers and constantly creates pressure to urge Asuka to move forward.

This sense of inferiority did not dissipate even a year after Fubuki disappeared. Instead, it remained because of other people's comments such as "It's such a pity about Fubuki," and it became even more profound because of his own excellent results afterward, when the words "If only Fubuki were still here" were spoken.

This is also the source of Asuka's feeling that "if she is not strong enough, Jaden will abandon her because she is weak." However, this feeling of "inferiority" has now vanished, and all Asuka feels is unparalleled peace of mind.

Initially, she wanted to catch up with Jaden's progress and wanted to have a duel that would satisfy Jaden, because that would mean that she had the strength to be equal to him, or at least at the same level. However, Jaden's words made Asuka realize that Jaden was not the kind of person who would change his opinion of others because of their strength.

Enjoying the duel, he wouldn't abandon Asuka just because her strength couldn't keep up with him. This doesn't mean that Asuka would develop a "it's okay to stay in the same place" mentality, but rather that Jaden's words finally gave her a sense of "peace of mind".

People live for peace of mind.

"This duel was really fun, Asuka." Thanks to the complete virtualization of the cards, there was no need to sort them out after the battle. After winning, Jaden walked straight toward Asuka. "I probably won't forget you (this duel) for the rest of my life."

"W-Why are you saying something like that to me all of a sudden!" Asuka reacted a little strongly to Judai's words, and said with a bit of embarrassment and annoyance, "Don't say such heavy things as 'forever' so easily, as if I'll stay in this state forever."

"You're right. Sorry, sorry. After all, Asuka, you're quite strong. If I had relaxed even a little in our duel, I probably would have lost, right?" Jaden scratched the back of his head a little embarrassed. "It would be terrible if I could only remember you now. There's still such a long future ahead of us, isn't there?"

Those who know what Judai means can understand that he means "Asuka will become stronger in the future, and he will suffer a great loss if he only remembers the present and ignores Asuka's growth in the future." However, if someone who does not know Judai's personality hears him say such things, they might misunderstand that he is confessing to Asuka and discussing the days they will spend together in the future.

Judai's bright and sunny smile momentarily stunned Asuka, but she quickly turned her head away, covering her face with her hair so that Judai wouldn't see it. Without looking directly at Judai, Asuka, who was looking at the audience behind her, said, "You always say things that can be misunderstood. It's only because I know your personality, Judai, that I would think of other things."

If it weren't for the fact that her ears, which weren't completely covered by her hair and were already red, Asuka's words would have been more credible.

But Jaden didn't have time to notice any of this, because Asuka had already grabbed his sleeve and pulled him toward the audience seats, saying the reason she had just made up as she walked: "Alright, alright, if we're going to chat, this isn't the place. Now that our duel has ended, shouldn't we give up our seats for the next two people to use?"

"They've been waiting for this duel for a while now, just as we've been looking forward to it."

Upon hearing this, Jaden also turned his gaze toward the audience. Following their gazes, Daitokuji, Maeda, Misawa, Manjoume, and Marufuji, who were sitting in the front row of the audience, also turned around and looked at the two people sitting in the row behind them.

As Jaden and Asuka's duel came to an end, Marufuji Ryo stood up and, without any intention of interacting with anyone around him, walked straight off the stage to prepare for his next duel in the empty space. Even the infatuated Momoe Hamaguchi and Junko Makuta simply watched Marufuji Ryo's dashing figure without uttering a sound to disturb him.

At the same time, Tenjouin Fubuki also stood up from her seat with a helpless, wry smile.

"The decks used by Fubuki-senpai are the Winged Beast deck [Smurf] and the Dragon deck [Red-Eyes]. However, her opponent, Kaiser, has the powerful Cyber ​​Dragon deck that destroys everything with its strong attacks, as well as the Dragon-specific deck [Cyber ​​Dark] that even Manjoume's [Light and Dark Dragon King] could not suppress."

Sitting in his seat, Misawa analyzed seriously, "Although with the help of [King of Light - Queen Mador], Fubuki-senpai can freely use that [Red-Eyes] deck without worrying about the burden on her body, the opponent of [Red-Eyes] is [Cyber ​​Dark], which seems to be specially designed for hunting dragons."

"According to my intelligence network, the card construction in Fubuki-senpai's deck is... On the other hand, the combos that can be formed in Kaiser's deck are... And according to probability..."

Manjoume was completely bewildered by Misawa's words. He shook his head to clear his mind of the information he was trying to absorb. Impatiently, Manjoume interrupted Misawa, saying, "Who understands what you're saying? Nobody cares about your calculations. Just tell me your conclusion."

"I'm just calculating the approximate odds of winning for both sides; it's not a conclusion," Misawa corrected, unconcerned by Manjou's attitude. After a year, he already knew that was Manjou's personality, and besides, he knew that very few others could truly understand his reasoning. "If Fubuki-senpai gets the second turn, his win rate will be 20%; but if Caesar gets the second turn..."

Misawa didn't continue, but everyone else knew how ferocious the attacking [Electronic Dragon] was, and the [Electronic Darkness] of the "Inner Electron Flow" was no less aggressive than the "Outer Electron Flow," and might even be more so.

"While [Cyber ​​Dark] does have a counter to Dragon-Type monsters, such a level of counter is utterly insignificant to true duelists. Would a Dragon-Type user like Legendary Duelist Seto Kaiba be defeated by just one or two counter cards?" Because he himself was a Dragon-Type user, Manjoume couldn't stand Misawa's words. "Hmph, just theoretical. If you're so good at calculations, why didn't you even make it to the top four?"

“Aren’t you the same in this respect, Manjoume?” Although Misawa was not flamboyant, he was not one to take things lying down. He immediately retorted to Manjoume, making him blush.

"Kaiba certainly won't lose because of one or two counter cards, but the problem is that some people use a dozen or even twenty counter cards at a time," Jonouchi teased Hayato, nudging him with his elbow. "Hayato, what do you think of this duel?"

“Although I know you really want to hear me say that Fubuki, who uses the same Red-Eyes Black Dragon as you, has a better chance of winning, the counters between decks are a real thing.” Hayato shrugged. “Even if you keep creating miracles in duels, it will be quite troublesome to use Red-Eyes against Cyber ​​Dark.”

Will we lose?

“It’s a sure thing.” Hayato shook his head. “Like I said, he keeps creating miracles by drawing cards in duels. Fubuki’s Red-Eyes, which is different from Jonouchi’s, can go toe-to-toe with Cyber ​​Darkness, but the problem is—who isn’t a true duelist?”

“Compared to Fubuki, who has been mired in darkness for the past year, Caesar has grown for an extra year. It’s time for the former ‘Twin Peaks of Duel Academy’ to be determined.”

Walking to the open space, seeing that the spot where Judai had been standing was empty, while Caesar had already taken up the spot where Asuka had been, Fubuki whistled lightly: "Are you leaving me the spot of the victor, Ryo? Are you planning to hand over the victory to me?"

"It's just because this location is closer." With his back to Fubuki, Kaiser Ryo didn't turn around. He simply finished adjusting his deck and reloading it in the Duel Disk. "As for handing over victory? Heh, unfortunately, the cowardly Marufuji Ryo of the past is dead. The current me is Kaiser from hell—Hell Kaiser."

"Is it necessary to be so cold? We're friends, after all. And you've become way too childish lately. You never used to joke around like that." Fubuki walked forward helplessly, because Caesar was standing on the side closer to the audience, so she had to walk further away to the opposite side.

As Fubuki brushed past Marufuji Ryo, she heard his voice: "Friend? When you came to me to duel, all you got was the humiliation of defeat after defeat. You're my friend?"

Fubuki didn't stop for even a second, but said as she walked, "Your appearance and demeanor can fool others, but not me, Ryo. You say you're willing to go to hell for victory, but your duels and your cards don't say that."

"You're surprised and unable to accept your own desire for victory, a hunger for victory that's completely different from what you've been taught and learned before. That's why you put on that 'I've turned evil' attitude like a primary school student." After several duels with Caesar, Fubuki wasn't exaggerating. She saw through Caesar's true thoughts in one sentence. "But Akira, I know very well what it feels like to sink into darkness alone. I know it even better than you do."

"You don't need to worry that such a nature will be rejected, because there is nothing wrong with a duelist's desire for victory. A noble duel is certainly respectable, but there is nothing despicable about fighting with all your might. On the contrary, in my opinion, you are growing into a more mature duelist by pushing your strength to 1000% for the sake of victory."

Standing still and turning around, Tenjōin Fubuki looked at Caesar, whose face was expressionless, and said with a smile, "So, Marufuji Ryo, no, 'Hell Caesar,' my friend, are you ready?"

"Are you ready for a duel with me? With me, Ten~"

Raising her arm high and pointing to the sky, Fubuki waved her hand forward and shouted, "~Join!"

"Duel!"

[Tenjōin Fubuki: 4000LP, 5 cards in hand]

Without directly responding to Fubuki's words, Kaiser Ryo simply raised his Duel Disk, looked up, and revealed a smug smile: "Then let's begin! Get ready to receive 'Reverse Electron Flow,' receive 'Cyber ​​Darkness,' and receive the ravages of Hell Kaiser!"

"Duel!"

[Ryo Marufuji: 4000LP, 5 card in hand]

Although Ryo Marufuji claims that "the weak man of the past is dead, and the current one is 'Hell Caesar'", it is clear that the Kaiba Group's dueling system does not recognize the new nickname he gave himself. The duelist's name displayed on the data panel next to him is still "Ryo Marufuji" as recorded in the Duel Academy's academic system.

"I'll take the first turn, Draw!" To everyone's surprise, without any intention of letting anyone else go first, Caesar decisively chose to go first, drawing a card from his deck before Fubuki could even react.

Looking at the card he had drawn, Caesar's lips curled into a cold smile.

Chapter 1382 Armored Black Dragon? Armored Prison Dragon!

"During my Main Phase 1, I activate the Spell Card 'Angel's Charity', draw three cards from my deck, and then discard two more cards."

After filtering out the useless cards in his hand, Caesar began his formal opening move: "Activate the Continuous Spell Card [Cyber ​​Dark World]. As part of the effect processing when this card is activated, I can add one [Cyber ​​Dark] monster with the same name that is not in my Graveyard from my Deck to my hand."

As Caesar was about to activate it, starting from his feet, crimson and purple electricity began to spread out, with green, data-like lines flowing through it, constructing intricate patterns in mid-air. Although it was only a Continuous Spell Card, the activation of [Cyber ​​Dark World] was almost equivalent to that of a [Field Spell Card].

"There are no monsters in my graveyard right now, so I can choose any CyberDark monster, and the card I choose is this one, CyberDark Claw."

After retrieving the card and adding it to his hand, Caesar revealed the [Cyber ​​Dark Claw] that had just been added to his hand: "Then, I activate the effect of [Cyber ​​Dark Claw] in my hand, I discard it from my hand, and then add a [Cyber ​​Dark] Spell/Trap Card from my deck to my hand."

"The card I want to search for is this one, [Cyber ​​Horizon]. According to the rules, this card's name is also used as a [Cyber ​​Dark] card, so it can be searched by [Cyber ​​Dark Claw].

Just like Sameshima years ago, who used the [Cyber ​​Dark] deck to help Hayato unlock the final legacy of "Cyber ​​Flow," this "Reverse Cyber ​​Flow" deck is now gradually showing excellent synergy with Caesar. Like Sameshima before him, Caesar also initiated the deck with the single card [Cyber ​​Dark World].

"You can only activate one card with the name 'Cyber ​​Horizon' per turn, and during the turn this card is activated, I cannot Special Summon non-Machine-Type monsters from my Fusion Deck." Playing the card he had just retrieved, Kaiser took one card from his hand and one from his Deck. "To activate 'Cyber ​​Horizon,' you must send one different Attribute Dragon/Machine-Type 'Cyber' monster from my hand and one different Attribute 'Cyber' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. As cost, I sent these two cards to the Graveyard—the LIGHT Machine-Type monster 'Cyber ​​Dragon Core' from my hand, and the DARK Machine-Type monster 'Cyber ​​Dark Horn' from my Deck."

As the card was activated, the green lines around Caesar converged into a complex concentric circle, forming a three-dimensional channel. From this point onward, Caesar's operation became different from the "inner electron flow" used by Samejima in the past.

Many people entered this virtual world. Although no one reached the [King of Todoroki], Samejima also had people from other worlds watching the live duel through the water screen created by [King of Todoroki Battle - Howl]. Professor Chronos was right beside him, acting alongside him.

Seeing Caesar's actions, Samejima's eyes widened in surprise: "How could this be!?"

"What's wrong with Marufuji's actions, Principal Samejima?" Since Hayato wasn't present, Professor Chronos addressed Samejima directly as "Principal," omitting the "Vice Principal," practically wearing his "emotional intelligence" on his sleeve. He didn't see anything special about Caesar's actions. "Aren't he just using cards he's used before?"

"It's precisely because they're using cards we've had before that I'm surprised," Samejima said seriously. "The 'Hidden Electro Stream' that Hayato gave to Ryo is considered taboo and secret within the 'Electronic Stream' monastery. This is because using that deck causes the powerful energy residing on the cards to transform into an out-of-control, frenzied current that constantly stimulates the duelist's body, making them excited and mentally active, while also constantly stimulating their heart and putting a huge burden on it."

"However, this is only one of the reasons. Another reason is that the use of 'internal electron flow' is contrary to the concept of 'external electron flow'."

Unlike the "Frontline Cyberse" deck, which has always had the philosophy of "growing up with monsters" and "fighting with all its might to achieve dazzling glory", the "Dark Cyberse" deck, as the "shadow", has never pursued the process of growth but the result of victory. It is a deck that will not be surprised if it uses any means to achieve victory, even if it has to abandon all dignity and struggle.

Because of the conflicting philosophies, countless generations of "surface electron flow" duelists, even those who honed their skills to the extreme, found it difficult to adapt to the power of "inner electron flow." Instead, they were unable to return to the pure and noble state of using "surface electron flow," meaning their "purity" had decreased. This is the main reason why "inner electron flow" was sealed away.

Samejima had explained this to Hayato during their duel in the past, and had also worried about whether anyone could inherit the ultimate secret of "Electronic Flow" like Hayato did, and pass on "Inner Electron Flow". He didn't want someone like him who could only barely manipulate the cards of "Inner Electron Flow" by relying entirely on his strength in "Surface Electron Flow", but could never truly integrate into it.

“When using ‘Reverse Electro Flow’, even experts in ‘Surface Electro Flow’ find it difficult to use ‘Surface Electro Flow’ cards as skillfully as before, and vice versa. ‘Surface Electro Flow’ cards also resist the power of ‘Reverse Electro Flow’. I cannot use two decks at the same time, nor can my teacher—the previous master, and the masters before him. This is a problem that has plagued the ‘Cyber ​​Flow’ dojo for many generations, just like ‘Ultimate Secret Technique’.”

After a pause, Samejima suddenly smiled with relief. "I thought that although Ryo had included two sets of cards in his deck, he was just barely coexisting with the two sets of cards, just like me. That's why I was dissatisfied with Hayato giving 'Reverse Cyber ​​Flow' to Ryo, because that was just hindering Ryo's growth."

"But now it seems that my judgment was indeed not as good as Hayato's. This kid, Akira, might become the first true 'Electronic Flow' duelist in generations to be able to use both 'Surface Electron Flow' and 'Inner Electron Flow' at the same time, and the true inheritor of 'Electronic Flow'."

“Yes, yes! Because it’s Marufuji, not just you, Principal, but he’s also one of my proudest students, no way.” Professor Chronos wholeheartedly agreed.

Back in the duel, after activating "Cyber ​​Horizon" and sending two cards to the graveyard, Caesar took one card from his deck and one from his Fusion Deck, saying, "Under the effect of 'Cyber ​​Horizon,' I added a 'Cyber' monster of the One-in-One Dragon/Machine type from my deck to my hand, and sent a 'Cyber' Fusion monster of the One-in-One Machine type from my Fusion Deck to the graveyard."

"I added [Cyber ​​Dark Cannon] to my hand from my deck, and then sent [Armored Black Dragon - Cyber ​​Dark Dragon] to the graveyard from my Fusion Deck."

"It's not over yet! Of the two cards that are sent to the graveyard as the cost of activating 'Cyber ​​Horizon', 'Cyber ​​Dragon Core' has an effect that can be activated when it is sent to the graveyard."

"If this card is sent to the Graveyard, add one Cyber ​​Dragon other than Cyber ​​Dragon Core to my hand from my Deck or Graveyard. I chose this Cyber ​​Dragon Core. As long as the name of Cyber ​​Dragon Core exists on the field or in the Graveyard, it can be used as a Cyber ​​Dragon."

Tenjouin Fubuki was taken aback: "【Cyber ​​Dragon Core】? When was that card... the 【Angel's Charity】 at the start of the turn?"

[Ryo Marufuji: 4000 LP, hand 5→6]

After repeatedly dumping cards into the graveyard while maintaining the same number in his hand, Caesar discarded another card into the graveyard, saying, "Next is this card, [Cyber ​​Dark Cannon]. You can activate this effect by discarding this card from your hand. Add one [Cyber ​​Dark] Machine-Type monster from my Deck to my hand. The monster I chose is this one—[Cyber ​​Dark Chimera]."

As Caesar added the card 【Cyber ​​Dark Chimera】 from his deck to his hand, a smirk crept across his face, and he burst into maniacal laughter: "Ya~da! Finally got it! Hehe, hehehahahahahaha!"

"I activate the effect of the Continuous Spell Card 'Cyber ​​Dark World' in my main street to Normal Summon a 'Cyber ​​Dark' monster. I Normal Summon 'Cyber ​​Dark Chimera' from my hand, and then use its effect to discard one Spell/Trap Card from my hand and add one 'Power Bond' from my Deck to my hand."

"Then during this turn, I cannot use Cyber ​​Monsters that are not Dragon-Type or Machine-Type as Fusion Material, but I can banish monsters from my Graveyard as Fusion Material only once when I Fusion Summon a monster!"

A seemingly haphazardly pieced-together [Cyber ​​Dark Chimera] appeared on Caesar's field. Compared to the composed Fubuki, it was Banjou in the audience who reacted more strongly. After all, in the previous quarterfinals, Caesar had used the effect of this card to search for [Power Fusion] and fuse it to create [Armored Black Dragon - Cyber ​​Dark Dragon] to defeat him.

【Electronic Dark Chimera】【4☆/Dark】

[Mechanical Race/Effect]

[800/2100]

"Mingming, you were supposed to go first this time, and you're going to use this card right from the start?" Fubuki said casually after counting the cards in Caesar's graveyard. "I don't have any suitable Dragon monsters in my graveyard that you can equip, and you only have nine cards in your graveyard right now. Even if you summon [Armored Black Dragon - Cyber ​​Dark Dragon], it won't increase your attack power by much."

"And speaking of which, didn't you already use the effect of [Electronic Horizon] to send [Armored Black Dragon - Electronic Dark Dragon] to the graveyard?"

Sending a Trap Card of dubious significance to the graveyard and then retrieving [Power Bond] from the deck to add to his hand, Caesar sneered, "I don't recall saying I was going to Fusion Summon [Armored Black Dragon - Cyber ​​Dark Dragon]. So sending it to the graveyard doesn't really matter, does it?"

"I Tribute [Cyber ​​Dark Chimera] on my field, and Special Summon [Cyber ​​Lighthouse] from my hand in Defense Position by its own effect." Without hesitation, Caesar Tributes the [Cyber ​​Dark Chimera], which had already been used and lost its value, and plays the card in his hand. He then says, "At the same time, the second effect of [Cyber ​​Dark Chimera], which was sent to the Graveyard, activates!"

"I send a single [Cyber ​​Dark] monster from my deck that is not in my Graveyard to the Graveyard. The card I choose is this [Cyber ​​Dark Dragonbone]!"

【Electronic Lighthouse】【1☆/Light】

[Mechanical Race/Effect]