"I activate the Continuous Spell Card, [Arrive in Light]!"
"The effect of this card: when this card is activated, as part of that activation, I can place 1 Level 1 Dragon monster from my hand or Deck on the top of my Deck."
Yusaku drew out a card from his Deck and revealed it.
"I place the Level 1 Dragon monster [Stardust Wurm] from my Deck on top of my Deck!"
After returning the card to its place, Yusaku swept his arm upward, his voice suddenly rising.
"Next I tune the Level 5 [Junk Speeder] with the Level 2 Tuner monster [Assault Synchron]!"
"Synchro Summon! Level 7, [Ancient Fairy Dragon]!"
Before his voice had even fallen, a gigantic dragon with wings like a butterfly's abruptly appeared on the field. Brilliant patterns like phosphorescent flowers were scattered across its motley wings, and as it landed, a cluster of crystalline buds bloomed beneath its feet, a holy aura spreading across the entire arena.
[Ancient Fairy Dragon] (Extra Monster Zone)
[Level 7 / Dragon / Synchro / Effect]
[ATK: 2100]
"At this moment!"
Yusaku's gaze sharpened as he shouted again.
"I activate the effect of my Continuous Spell Card, [Arrive in Light]!"
"The effect of this card: when a Synchro Monster is Special Summoned, I can activate it to either draw 1 card from my Deck or Special Summon 1 Tuner from my hand!"
"I choose to draw 1 card from my Deck!"
The instant the card slid off the top of the Deck into his hand, Yusaku did not pause for even half a second.
"[Ancient Fairy Dragon]'s effect! During my Main Phase, I can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster from my hand."
"In that case, by this effect…"
He slapped the card he had just drawn heavily onto the Duel Disk.
"I Special Summon the [Stardust Wurm] I just drew!"
The moment his voice fell, a chibi version of Stardust Dragon's silhouette flickered into being and settled firmly onto the field.
[Stardust Wurm]
[Level 1 / Dragon / Effect]
[ATK: 0]
"Next, I tune [Ancient Fairy Dragon] with the Level 1 Tuner monster [Jet Synchron]!"
"Synchro Summon! Level 8, [Accel Synchro Stardust Dragon]!!!"
With that impassioned shout, the two monsters turned into a shower of sparkling starlight that surged into the sky. A silver-white giant dragon appeared with its head held high, its proud and gorgeous head suddenly whipping upward as it let out a roar that shook heaven and earth, the sound waves sweeping across the entire arena until even the air itself buzzed.
[Accel Synchro Stardust Dragon]
[Level 8 / Dragon / Synchro / Effect]
[ATK: 2500]
"I activate the effect of [Accel Synchro Stardust Dragon], and at the same time I chain the effect of [Jet Synchron] that was sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material!"
"First is the effect of [Jet Synchron]!"
Yusaku's words came at machine-gun speed.
"When this card is sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material, I can activate its effect to add 1 'Junk' monster from my Deck to my hand! I add [Junk Converter] from my Deck to my hand!"
After sliding the searched card into his hand, he continued.
"Next is the effect of [Accel Synchro Stardust Dragon]. When this card is Synchro Summoned, I can activate it to Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower Tuner from my Graveyard."
"I choose to Special Summon [Jet Synchron] from my Graveyard again!"
As his words fell, a dazzling ray of light shot out from the Graveyard like a tiny launcher, and the little machine-like monster reappeared on the field.
[Jet Synchron]
[ATK: 500]
"Next, I tune the Level 4 Tuner monster [Stardust Synchron] with the Level 8 Effect Monster [Accel Synchro Stardust Dragon]!"
"Synchro Summon! Level 12, [Red Dragon]!!!"
A meteor like a spear tearing through the firmament streaked across the sky. A crimson giant dragon let out a dragon's roar that shook the clouds, descending onto the field wrapped in overwhelming might.
[Red Dragon]
[Level 12 / Dragon / Synchro / Effect]
[ATK: 0]
"Red Dragon?"
Seeing the monster that had suddenly appeared, Fujiwara raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with amusement.
"If I remember correctly, this monster's effect lets you target a Level 7 or higher monster on the field, return it to the Deck, then Special Summon a Dragon Synchro Monster…"
He glanced over the monsters on Yusaku's field, the corner of his mouth curling in sneer.
"But you don't have a single Synchro Monster left on your field right now. What use does that monster have?"
Yusaku shot him a faint look, his tone calm.
"You'll find out soon enough what use it has."
With that, he raised his voice.
"I activate the effect of [Red Dragon]! When this card is Special Summoned, I can add 1 Level 7 or higher Dragon monster from my Deck to my hand!"
"It can search Spell and Trap Cards too?"
Fujiwara folded his arms, a more serious light entering his eyes.
"Interesting. Looks like you're not going to disappoint me."
Hearing that, Yusaku smiled slightly, his tone full of confidence.
"I guarantee I won't disappoint you."
As soon as his words fell, the entire Duel arena underwent a sudden upheaval. The stone tiles that paved the ground reshaped at high speed, transforming into a D-Wheel circuit brimming with futuristic flair, the atmosphere hitting its peak.
"Next, I activate the effect of [Wheel Synchron] on my field!"
Yusaku shouted again, his commands crisp and precise.
"During my Main Phase, I can activate it to conduct 1 Normal Summon of a Level 4 or lower monster!"
He revealed a card in his hand, his voice firm.
"In accordance with [Wheel Synchron]'s effect, I Normal Summon the Level 2 [Junk Converter] from my hand!"
As his declaration fell, a small mechanical scrap-heap monster leaped up from the ground, landing lightly on the field, every motion brimming with agility.
[Junk Converter]
[Level 2 / Warrior / Effect]
[ATK: 400]
The moment the monster appeared, Yusaku followed up immediately.
"Next, I tune the just-summoned [Junk Converter] with the Level 3 Tuner monster [Revolution Synchron]!"
"Synchro Summon! Level 5, [Garden Rose Maiden]!!!"
Rose petals scattered through the air in a storm. A maiden in a pure-white bridal gown-like dress, with silver hair so pale it almost seemed to shine, descended gracefully, her posture as lithe as a dance.
[Garden Rose Maiden]
[Level 5 / Plant / Synchro / Effect]
[ATK: 1600]
"At this moment!"
Yusaku's eyes flashed sharply as he seized the critical timing.
"I activate the effect of my Field Spell Card, [Synchro World]!"
"Each time a monster is Synchro Summoned, I place 2 Signal Counters on this card!"
[Synchro World]
[Counters: 0 → 2]
"Next, I tune the Level 1 [Stardust Wurm] with the Level 1 Tuner monster [Jet Synchron]!"
"Synchro Summon! Level 2, [Celestial Double Star Shaman]!!!"
The two monsters turned into a brilliant pillar of light that shot into the sky. A thick Synchro beam poured down like a waterfall, and two figures took shape within the light, landing steadily on the field.
[Celestial Double Star Shaman]
[Level 2 / Fairy / Synchro / Tuner / Effect]
[ATK: 100]
"Since I've conducted another Synchro Summon, the effect of [Synchro World] activates again!"
[Synchro World]
[Counters: 2 → 4]
"I tune [Celestial Double Star Shaman] with the Level 5 Effect Monster [Garden Rose Maiden]!"
Yusaku swept his arm wide, his voice booming like a bell.
"Synchro Summon! [Regalia Blossoms – Empress Fritillaria]!!!"
A torrent of jeweled light blossomed across the field as a regal Plant monster took form, its body adorned with chains of flower-shaped regalia, the petals of a massive fritillaria bloom unfurling at its feet like a crown.
[Regalia Blossoms – Empress Fritillaria]
[Level 7 / Plant / Synchro / Effect]
[ATK: 1600]
[Synchro World]
[Counters: 4 → 6]
Having successfully brought out Empress Fritillaria, Yusaku stopped advancing his board and instead let his gaze sweep slowly across the monsters on his own field, as if pondering something.
Seeing this, Fujiwara let out a cold laugh, his tone thick with mockery.
"What's wrong? Forgot about some self-lock effect and bricked yourself?"
"A low-level mistake like that is probably beneath even you, isn't it?"
"Otherwise, why aren't you continuing to build your board?"
Yusaku looked over at him and said flatly,
"You really seem to want me to keep extending my board."
Fujiwara: "?"
"The more people obsess over chasing victory, the harder it actually is for them to understand what victory really is. Most duelists are fixated on building the strongest possible field, leaving their opponent completely helpless, and using that to win a Duel. Just like you did back then."
"You filled the entire field with monsters using your Blackwing Deck, pouring all your effort into assembling your board… but in the end I still broke it easily, didn't I?"
Fujiwara frowned.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"Why cling to the idea that only a massive board equals victory?"
Yusaku's eyes were razor sharp, every word landing with weight.
"If you make your opponent lose the right to keep dueling, that's also a way to win!"
"So I'm done with building my field. I'm going to surpass the very concept of building a field!!!"
"What!?"
At those words, Fujiwara, the academy students in the stands, and even the players standing behind Yusaku were all stunned, their faces full of disbelief.
The scene was being transmitted through cameras to every projector in both the Satellite Area and the Upper City.
Countless duelists halted whatever they were doing and looked up at the screens.
What did it mean to "make your opponent lose the right to duel, and that's also a victory"?
Down on the arena floor, Yusaku's voice rang out once more.
"I tune the Level 5 Tuner monster [Wheel Synchron], the Level 6 Effect Monster [Voidfate Linker], and [Raimei, Herald of Destiny]!"
He raised his arm high, his voice shaking the entire arena.
"Holy spear driven by the god of destruction, pierce and seize the city of demons!"
"Synchro Summon! [Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier]!!!"
The three monsters on the field instantly burst into a flurry of stars that shot into the heavens. A Synchro pillar of light cascaded down like a waterfall, its roar deafening.
Within that flood of light, countless particles rushed together at high speed, gradually forming a gigantic dragon seemingly woven from blizzards and frost. With each beat of its wide skeletal wings, showers of blinding white snowflakes scattered across the arena. The towering dragon's head suddenly snapped open as it unleashed a roar that shook the world.
[Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier]
[Level 9 / Dragon / Synchro / Effect]
[ATK: 2700]
[Synchro World]
[Counters: 6 → 8]
"I activate the effect of [Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier]! At the same time, I chain the effect of [Junk Converter]!"
"First is the effect of [Junk Converter]!"
Yusaku's words came fast and hard.
"When this card is sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material, I can target 1 Tuner in my Graveyard and Special Summon it in Defense Position."
"I choose to Special Summon [Jet Synchron] from my Graveyard!"
[Jet Synchron]
[ATK: 500]
"Next is the effect of [Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier]! When this card is Synchro Summoned, I can activate it to banish up to 1 card each from your hand, your field, and your Graveyard!"
Yusaku swept his hand forward, his tone decisive.
"I choose to randomly banish 1 card from your hand!"
The instant his words fell, the three-headed dragon roared in unison. All three maws opened wide, spewing out spheres of light crackling with white thunder, which blasted straight through one of the cards in Fujiwara's hand, sending it into another dimension in an instant.
Yusaku glanced at the banished card, and when he saw the familiar artwork, one eyebrow arched.
"Lava Golem, huh. No wonder you were so eager for me to keep building my field."
Fujiwara snorted.
"So what if you banish one card? I still have another card in my hand! You'd better make a monster that can't be tributed, or when it's my turn, I'll let you taste what it feels like to have your own monsters tributed away!"
"That's assuming you even get to use that card."
Yusaku looked at Fujiwara and slowly raised one finger.
"The first card."
Fujiwara: "?"
"I activate the effect of [Red Dragon]! I target the Level 9 [Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier] on my field and return it to the Deck, then Special Summon a Dragon Synchro Monster!"
Yusaku thrust his arm upward.
"Come forth, [Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier]!!!"
As his shout fell, [Red Dragon] dissolved into a beam of brilliant light. A howling blizzard erupted across the field as a second three-headed giant dragon tore out of the storm.
[Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier]
[ATK: 2700]
[Synchro World]
[Counters: 8 → 10]
Yusaku swung his arm down and shouted.
"I activate the effect of [Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier] again, to banish your second card in hand!"
The three-headed dragon roared once more, another trio of luminous spheres crackling with white lightning shooting forth to strike Fujiwara's remaining card dead-on, banishing it face-down into another dimension.
Yusaku slowly raised two fingers, his eyes sharp as blades.
"The second card."
Fujiwara: "???"
"Next, I tune the Level 9 [Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier] with the Level 1 Tuner monster [Jet Synchron]!"
"Come forth, [Abyssal Beast Divine Beast Dis Pater]!!!"
With a deafening shout, a massive dimensional rift split open in the center of the arena. A colossal dragon far beyond ordinary imagination slowly clawed its way out, its entire body wrapped in countless pitch-black giant hands. Each one of those hands radiated a terrifying aura that threatened to devour everything, and the temperature of the entire arena plummeted to freezing in an instant, the oppressive weight of its presence crashing down like an avalanche.
[Abyssal Beast Divine Beast Dis Pater]
[Level 10 / Dragon / Synchro / Effect]
[ATK: 3500]
[Synchro World]
[Counters: 10 → 12]
"I activate the effect of [Regalia Blossoms – Empress Fritillaria]!"
Yusaku shouted, the Duel Disk on his arm exploding with dazzling light.
"During my Main Phase, I can activate this effect: I Special Summon 1 Level 5 or higher Plant monster, other than this card, from my hand or Graveyard in Defense Position!"
"I use this effect to Special Summon the Level 5 [Garden Rose Maiden] from my Graveyard in Defense Position!"
(End of Chapter)
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