"Wow, so big!"
Rosemary looked at the huge Cannibal Flower in front of her and couldn't help but swallow nervously.
So terrifying!
Predaplant Chimerafflesia, LV 7, Dark Attribute, Plant-Type, ATK 2500.
"Impressive!" Tierra cheered from the side, punching the air excitedly.
"Activating the effect of Shaddoll Dragon from the Graveyard." Tenjo Hikari opened the Graveyard, holding up a card, "When Shaddoll Dragon is sent to the Graveyard by an effect, you can activate its effect, targeting one Spell or Trap Card on the field. Destroy that card."
"I will destroy the Set Card."
Even though I don't know what the Set Card is.
But it's not too important.
For now, let's just destroy it and see.
"Uh…"
Shaddoll Dragon's body rose from the darkness, transforming into a shadow, smashing into the Set Card on Marjoram's field.
Trap Card, Enchanted Javelin.
It can be activated during the opponent's attack declaration to restore Life Points equal to the Attack Power of the attacking monster.
Combined with that Aromage Rosemary, it can directly change the battle position of monsters on the field, which is really useful in this world.
"Activate the monster effect of Predaplant Chimerafflesia, once per turn, banish one monster on your opponent's field with a lower level than it."
"What?"
"Is it that easy to remove?"
Mitsuzawa Daichi looked at the massive Cannibal Flower in surprise.
"Banish Aromage Jasmine."
The enormous Cannibal Flower moved its tendrils, rolling over to Jasmine and pushing her out of the battle stage.
"Next, we enter the battle phase! Chimerafflesia attacks Aromage Rosemary!"
Rosemary was terrified, her legs trembling, clutching her Magic Staff tightly, firing lasers with her eyes closed.
But such attacks were completely useless against Chimerafflesia.
"The effect of Chimerafflesia!"
"Chimerafflesia can activate its effect during the battle when it declares an attack on an opponent's monster! Until the end of the turn, the opponent's monster's ATK decreases by 1000, while its ATK increases by 1000!"
Aromage Rosemary, ATK: 2300→1300.
Predaplant Chimerafflesia, ATK: 2500→3500.
"So exaggerated…"
"That Fusion Monster is too powerful, isn't it?"
Originally not very confident, Rosemary felt all the plant strength within her being absorbed by the opponent, leaving her limp as if about to be swallowed whole.
But after a while, she didn't notice any damage, only feeling a gentle force pushing her aside.
When she regained her senses and opened her eyes, she found herself outside the field.
Wow, I'm still alive!
Aromage Marjoram, LP: 4500→2300.
"A Plant-Type monster on my field was destroyed by battle. I can Special Summon myself." Marjoram revealed her card.
Then, she lightly stepped forward a few steps, treading on the vegetation: "At that time, I can recover 500 Life Points."
Aromage Marjoram, LV 5, Dark Attribute, Plant-Type, ATK 2000→2500.
Marjoram, LP: 2300→2800.
"Additionally, due to Aura Garden's effect, when an Aromage Monster is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. I recover 1000 Life Points."
Marjoram, LP: 2800→3800.
Almost no loss, one might say.
"So amazing, Miss Marjoram!"
"Heh, the damage caused by that Fusion being was immediately offset!"
"Finally, when I recover Life Points, my own effect activates! Once per turn, I can banish cards in your Graveyard equal to the number of Aromage cards on my field. I banish your Shaddoll Dragon."
Shaddoll Dragon was pulled out of the Graveyard by plant roots, then placed on a small table, looking a little puzzled at the botanical tea spreads on the table.
"Battle over," Tenjo Hikari said nonchalantly.
Then, he examined his Hand Cards.
"Set a card."
"End turn."
After Tenjo Hikari set a card, Tierra continued to gaze intently at Chimerafflesia, nodding repeatedly in satisfaction with its appearance.
However, Tenjo Hikari's turn left some people around a bit dissatisfied.
Not just the students from his school, but also students from branch schools or Professional Duelists spoke up to Tenjo Hikari.
"Tenjo Hikari, what are you doing!?"
"Clearly, the Fusion Army incident just happened recently! Why are you still daring enough to use Fusion?"
"Yeah, the cooperation we worked so hard to establish with the X Dimension could end because of that Fusion Army incident! How can that be compensated?"
The chatter was quite intense.
Not only because Tenjo Hikari attacked their beloved Marjoram.
But also because the presence of Chimerafflesia somewhat obscured Marjoram's figure, preventing them from fully seeing her, causing "wisdom" to momentarily reappear in their minds—thus amplifying their malice towards Tenjo Hikari.
"What's going on?" Rosemary asked, puzzled.
"Miss Rosemary, you might not know, but in our world, there were terrorists who attacked other worlds, causing thousands of deaths. Their slogan was that Fusion is the noblest summon method in the world... just like this guy!"
"Eek!" Rosemary was startled.
However, when she looked at Tenjo Hikari, she felt somewhat puzzled again.
Could this human warrior who just pushed her aside really commit such acts?
"You understand now, Miss Rosemary, stay away from this guy; he's very dangerous!"
"People still daring to use Fusion don't know what they're thinking nowadays."
"Miss Marjoram—also, you must be vigilant against users of Fusion!"
Tenjo Hikari lightly tapped his forehead.
Marjoram's expression appeared somewhat troubled.
"Heh…" Before Marjoram could speak, Tenjo Hikari opened his mouth, "How foolish."
"?"
"Notice this. The Fusion Army's slogan is that Fusion is the noblest summon method in the world; whereas my slogan is, Fusion is the noblest summon method in the world."
"Ah, playing with words, are you? Tenjo Hikari."
"No, I'm reminding you all not to be mistaken." Tenjo Hikari glanced at them, "Whatever the summoning method is, whether it's Tribute Summon, Ritual Summon, Synchro Summon, or Xyz Summon, it doesn't matter. What's truly important is the duelist's intent.
Look at you useless individuals, clinging here for days just because the Aromage Mages are beautiful.
Do your badges have marks?
It's been ten days now, hasn't it?"
Being pointed out by Tenjo Hikari, many people's faces turned red, touched by his words.
No matter what, arriving in this Dimension so early, not having a single mark, and loitering around here is decidedly unqualified behavior.
"In dueling, there is no such thing as appearance, and in Duel Monsters there's no such thing as beauty or ugliness, only what you like and dislike!
You people babbling nonsense, do you think that Duel Spirits will like duelists like you who only care about appearances?
Don't go too far. If you are still duelists, hurry up and leave, stop clinging to Marjoram.
The duels I love, the Fusions I love, are absolute. No matter what happens externally or in the world—it doesn't matter—because I will always uphold Fusion!"
"No one can stop me." Tenjo Hikari said with profound calm.
"As for correcting others' thoughts, I won't spout grandiose words, nor do I need to." Tenjo Hikari looked at his Duel Disk, "Because it will happen."
"You…"
"Miss Marjoram, all his cards are Fusion related, and there's no need to worry about Trap Cards; they're mostly still Fusion-related, just battle without hesitation!"
Upon hearing this, Marjoram was no longer as agitated as before, because she didn't mind the surrounding voices anymore: "A true warrior… There really are true warriors among humans."
Uncaring of appearance or rumors, focusing only on Fusion.
What a pure duelist!
Even the two spectating Spirits, Rosemary and Jasmine, couldn't help but nod in agreement at this moment.
"I see, I understand." Marjoram looked at her Hand Cards.
Since the opponent is a true warrior, there's no need to dwell on Kaiba Company's rules.