After Bastion accepted the challenge, the Amazoness warriors brought forth a massive throne.
The throne landed with a thunderous crash, kicking up dust. The Amazoness Empress casually stabbed her great blade into the ground and sat, waiting in silence.
"You got this, Bastion!"
"Bastion, we're all counting on you!!!"
Even those unfamiliar with him cheered passionately. If Bastion won, everyone could skip the grueling trials and directly earn their Four-Star Stamp—far easier.
This wasn't some pervert in love with a Spirit—he was a saint!
The Empress sat quietly. Don't mistake her suggestion as casual. As the head of this zone, every Duel was considered carefully.
"Select four warriors for this Duel" wasn't just a formality—it was a test.
Being a Diplomat wouldn't be easy.
First, would your chosen allies even agree to join such a Duel?
"Empress, may I ask if you yourself could be one of the Duelists?"
"Oh? Picking me first? State your reason."
"You are obviously the strongest Spirit in this camp. For this Duel to be thrilling and meaningful, your presence is essential."
"Heh. Very well, I accept."
She didn't argue.
This was the second test:
What defines a "thrilling" Duel?
Is it power? Strategy?
In any case, it must never be boring.
Had Bastion simply picked four random students, he would have failed.
But picking the Empress—that was wise.
As the opposing leader, she'd naturally want to crush Bastion's dream.
Yet if the Duel was too one-sided, that wouldn't be entertaining either.
"Hikaru," Bastion said simply.
A brother's future needed support!
"Heh... no problem," Amaki Hikaru replied.
"Of course!"
"Hikaru's in? We're saved!"
Even students from the Polymerization Club cheered.
Even the Tyler sisters nodded.
They knew Hikaru's strength best.
The Empress watched. So much trust, no hesitation, and the crowd offered no doubt.
This human had a high standing indeed.
Yet, the next pick would be harder.
Bastion looked at Tania, then the Amazoness War Chief.
They couldn't be picked—that would be "repetition."
Then, his eyes lit up.
He pulled out his Deck and began flipping rapidly. Moments later, he spoke softly to a card:
"Teacher, I need your help."
From the field emerged a white-bearded old man—Mathematician!
Bastion's "teacher" and companion.
"Ho ho ho, trouble again, Daichi?"
"I need your help, Teacher," Bastion nodded, then turned to the Empress. "Empress, Mathematician is my partner. I met him in the Village of Spellcasters.
"You said to select four warriors other than myself, regardless of human or Spirit, correct?"
"Correct."
"Then Mathematician, as a present Spirit, qualifies, yes?"
"Oh? Trying to bend the rules? So in the end, you want to Duel alongside our own Amazoness warriors?"
"No!" Bastion grinned. "I want Teacher to team up with you in the Duel! How's that!!"
"What?!" Gasps all around echoed.
He was offering one of his own to the enemy?
What if he threw the match?
Wasn't that risky?
Despite that, the Empress saw Bastion's confident smile and understood.
The greatest divide between humans and Spirits was misunderstanding and distrust.
If Mathematician gave his all on her side, she'd have no grounds to refute Bastion's ideals.
"Fine. I accept." She turned to the Mathematician and nodded. "Greetings, respected Spellcaster."
"Ho ho, the pleasure's mine," the old man adjusted his glasses.
Now, time to choose Hikaru's partner.
It had to be a student.
A human-Spirit, human-human pairing made the most sense.
Following Bastion's gaze, Celina eagerly raised her hand, bouncing with excitement.
She definitely wanted to team with her teacher.
She hadn't had a chance to Duel in the Spirit World yet!
But Bastion looked past her.
Gloria Tyler stood with arms crossed, only to see Bastion looking her way. Before she reacted, Grace lit up and raised her hand, "Yes, yes, yes! Gloria wants in!"
She shoved her sister forward.
Gloria stumbled forward, flustered and blushing. "Grace!?"
"Ahem—" Bastion cleared his throat. "Miss Gloria, would you team with Hikaru? You use an Amazoness Deck, correct?"
"Oh, an Amazoness user?" The Empress understood Bastion's intent.
Logical.
Very logical.
Moreover, also strategic.
Among the students here were many from the Polymerization Club. Even if Leo Akaba had fallen from power, they hadn't abandoned their identity. If only Hikaru fought, they might not accept it.
However, if the Tyler sisters participated, it changed everything.
Bastion had worried they'd refuse, but they seemed open.
"You're bored, right? Fighting alongside Hikaru will be fun."
"Grace!!" Gloria turned redder.
"I gave you the chance, y'know. Should I go instead?" Grace poked her cheek.
"...Fine—" Gloria sighed, composed herself, then smirked at Hikaru. "Amaki Hikaru, don't drag me down!"
Returning to her usual gallant self, she stepped onto the training field, smiling.
Hikaru smirked slightly.
And so—
Teams were set.
"You all know the rules for a Tag Duel, yes?" the Empress asked.
Everyone nodded.
"Then—Come, warriors!"
"OOOOOH!!!"
The forest trembled with the Amazoness warriors' roar. Lions and tigers howled to the sky. Flames lit the entire camp.
[Gloria & Hikaru, LP: 8000]
[Empress & Mathematician, LP: 8000]
...
Bonus @600