"Ah ah ah! I understand this, I can do this!" Among the audience in the main venue, a student from the Fusion Department stood up and said, "The point that distinguishes Polymerization from Xyz and Synchro is that even Monsters in Face-down Position can be used as Fusion Material!"
"Yes, yes, yes—"
"Ah, so that means even a Cyber Dragon in Face-down Position can be turned into a Chimeratech Fortress Dragon!?"
"Of course, that's our department head's understanding—"
Because Tenjo Hikari had repeated this matter several times recently, everyone naturally remembered it right away.
Naturally, Manjome was even clearer on this matter: "Activate the Monster Effect of Armed Dragon LV10! Send Armed Dragon Thunder LV7 from your Hand Card to the Graveyard to destroy your Cyber Dragon!"
Thunder spread its wings, and lightning gathered in its right hand. Targeting the Set Monster, it released the lightning from its hand. With a thunderous sound, the Set Monster shattered.
"The effect of Armed Dragon Thunder LV7 adds a Pile Armed Dragon from the Deck to the Hand Card!"
"At the same time, the ATK of Armed Dragon Thunder increases by 1000!"
Armed Dragon Thunder LV10, ATK: 3000→4000.
"Then, pay 1000 Life Points to activate Instant Fusion and Fusion Summon Thousand-Eyes Restrict!"
Tenjo Hikari LP: 3200→2200.
Thousand-Eyes Restrict, LV 1, Dark Attribute, Spellcaster-Type, ATK: 0.
"Then, I activate the Continuous Trap Card, the effect of the Extreme Cannon, discarding Pile Armed Dragon and Ojama Monster to destroy your Thousand-Eyes Restrict and Keeper of Dragon Magic!"
The cannon launched an attack again, and since it wasn't a Dragon-Type Monster, even Thunder LV3 couldn't draw a card, so Manjome only took Pile Armed Dragon.
As a precaution, Manjome also destroyed Keeper of Dragon Magic at the same time.
"Amazing..." Mitsuzawa Daichi whispered in surprise.
If it were him, getting blown up twice in the first turn and then again twice in the second turn would leave him unable to fight, but Hikari not only withstood the attacks, but also seemed ready to continue. That's truly impressive.
"The effect of Fusion Substitute in the Graveyard returns Nephilim to the Graveyard, banishes this card, and then draw a card."
"Then, Spell Card, Shaddoll Fusion, since you have XYZ-Dragon Cannon on the field, I can send Fusion Materials from the Deck to the Graveyard. I choose Shaddoll Falco and Mirage Swordsman to send to the Graveyard for a Fusion Summon!
El Shaddoll Grysta!"
Red Puppet Strings connected from all directions, a Gem-Knight slowly rose before Tenjo Hikari, then endless red lines filled it, making it swell even more.
El Shaddoll Grysta, LV 7, Fire Attribute, Rock-Type, ATK: 2450.
"The effect of Shaddoll Falco allows it to be Special Summoned in Face-down Position when sent to the Graveyard by an effect."
A few purple Puppet Strings dragged a mechanical falcon onto the field, setting it face-down, emitting a dim blue glow.
"Huh? Recalling Nephilim, why not fuse Nephilim but instead with Grysta?" John wondered.
Whether in terms of values or effects, Nephilim is obviously stronger.
"Indeed, if you look only at the effect, Nephilim is indeed superior." Mitsuzawa Daichi nodded, "But the Mirage Swordsman that Hikari sent to the Graveyard also has a similar effect, which is to destroy both battling Monsters during the battle damage step.
And the Mirage Swordsman can be Special Summoned directly as long as an on-field Fusion Monster with Fire Attribute is destroyed by battle or card effect."
"Strengthen defense?"
"No—now I see. Hikari did it on purpose." Caesar suddenly laughed.
"On purpose?" The companions exchanged glances.
"Mirage and Nephilim have similar effects, but if you just think Hikari is only protecting himself for the next turn, you'd be gravely mistaken. Hikari wants to use Grysta for battle as a precaution and get destroyed to recover Shaddoll Schism."
Oh!
The realization dawned on everyone.
Instead of relying on a single Nephilim next turn to face the constant risk of collision, it's better to use Shaddoll Schism to Special Summon Midrash next turn, preventing Manjome from achieving continuous Summons and gaining an advantage in battle.
"Then...activate the Spell Card Spiral Fusion!"
"Spiral?"
"A fusion we've never heard of..."
Now, everyone exchanged bewildered looks.
"Spiral Fusion is a Fusion Spell Card exclusive to Dragon-Type." Tenjo Hikari smiled and said, "This card can send Dragon-Type Monsters as Fusion Materials from the Hand Card or on the field to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster!"
Tenjo Hikari picked up two cards from his hand: "I will fuse the Magical Knight Gaia, whose card name is treated as 'Gaia The Fierce Knight,' and the Curse of Dragon from my Hand Cards!"
Tenjo Hikari raised the two cards, which turned into a whirlwind, swirling up into the sky, and then a rapidly spinning whirlwind crashed onto the field.
"Fusion Summon, Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion!"
A seemingly ordinary knight riding an Ancient Dragon descended amidst the storm. Compared to ordinary Dragon Knights, the dragon was red, and the knight looked more heroic.
Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion, LV 7, Wind Attribute, Dragon-Type, ATK: 2600.
"Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion?"
"Ah! It's that, one of the Ace Monsters of the legendary Duel King!"
"It's Gaia? It's been a long time since this card has appeared."
The audience chattered excitedly.
The companions looked at one another, seeing the shared confusion in each other's eyes.