"Then I activate the Continuous Spell 'Messenger of Peace.'" Asuka Tenjoin said. "While this card is face-up on the field, monsters with 1500 or more ATK cannot declare an attack." It could not stop destruction from monster effects, so it could not save 'Hero Barrier' from the cannons, but it could buy her one more turn. "I set two cards and end my turn."
She had survived another round, and Asuka Tenjoin took a deep breath with her fists tight. She could not let herself be dragged into the opponent's pace. From the entrance exam duel onward, she had sensed this Duelist was different from the others.
His tactics looked like tricks that avoided head-on clashes, but even then she had felt there was more to it. Now that she faced him directly, she was certain of it. He was not limited to clever dodges, he simply liked to disrupt opponents and block their plays to throw them off balance and pull them into his rhythm.
That did not mean he could not handle other styles. As a Duelist, he was irritating, but undeniably strong. She had to hold steady and keep her own momentum.
"My Turn!. Card Draw!" Asuka Tenjoin said with resolve.
Seeing the fighting spirit still burning in Asuka Tenjoin's eyes, Seika Kohinata in the audience could not help but react. "Only 200 Life Points left, and her field is empty. The opponent has a monster this powerful, with destruction on demand and complete immunity." At this point, the gap was enormous.
It almost felt like the duel was already lost. It was only a casual duel, not a match or an exam, and Asuka Tenjoin had already said she would give up the Academy Lady election even if she won. Starhua felt that if she were on the field, her mindset would have collapsed long ago, with no need to keep going.
"Why can she still push on?"
Asuka Tenjoin drew a card and spoke firmly. "I came to Duel Academy because I love the Duel. I never cared about the Academy Lady at all. I want to be recognized as a Duelist, and only as a Duelist."
Hearing this, something shifted in Seika Kohinata's heart. Without realizing it, the way she looked at the junior before her had changed.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Dark World Dealings'," Asuka Tenjoin continued. "Both players draw three cards from their Deck!" (ANIME EFFECT) This wild Card Draw engine from the GX manga carried real risk, since it fed the opponent resources as well. In theory it was a three-card gain for herself, while the opponent drew three for free.
Since she was inviting him so openly, Yugen accepted without hesitation and drew as well.
"You really are strong, Yugen," Asuka Tenjoin said. "Maybe I truly cannot beat you, but the soul of a Duelist will not let me surrender here." She raised her voice as the crowd listened. "From my hand, I activate the Field Spell 'Ritual Sanctuary'!"
The field rumbled as a massive church rose up, rose petals drifting through the holy white light pouring in through its windows. "Ritual Sanctuary, effect activated. By discarding one Spell Card from my hand, I can add a Light Attribute Ritual Monster or a Ritual Spell Card from my Deck to my hand." (ANIME EFFECT)
Asuka Tenjoin sent a card to the Graveyard and searched her Deck. "I add the Ritual Monster 'Cyber Angel Benten' to my hand." Yugen raised an eyebrow as recognition set in.
So it was finally coming, Cyber Angel. This was the Ritual Deck that Asuka Tenjoin used in the GX original, a set that would not be printed in physical form until ten years later. Even in its original version, its strength was already high for the current environment.
"The real fight starts now," Asuka Tenjoin declared. "Watch closely, Yugen. This is my full power."
"This is my full strength!"
Asuka Tenjoin moved without pause and revealed another card from her hand. A soft gold light flowed across the green surface of the Spell Card card as it rose into view.
"Spell Card 'Preparation of Rites'! From my Deck, I add a Ritual Monster of Level 7 or lower to my hand, then I can choose a Ritual Spell Card in my Graveyard and add it to my hand!" (ANIME EFFECT)
She pulled out her Deck, flipped through it quickly, and presented a single card to the field.
"I add the Level 6 'Cyber Angel Idaten' from my Deck to my hand!"
The Deck was shuffled and slid back into the Duel Disk. At the same time, golden light burst from the Graveyard zone on her Duel Disk, and another card slipped free.
"The card I discarded earlier as the cost for 'Ritual Sanctuary' returns to my hand. The Ritual Spell 'Machine Angel Ritual'!" (ANIME EFFECT)
Without hesitation, she placed the retrieved card into her Duel Disk.
"I activate the Ritual Spell 'Machine Angel Ritual'! I tribute monsters from my hand or field to Ritual Summon a 'Cyber Angel' Ritual Monster whose Level is equal to or higher than the total Levels of the tributed monsters!"
She revealed two Ritual Monsters she had just added to her hand.
"I tribute the Level 6 'Cyber Angel Benten' to Ritual Summon! Appear, the embodiment of light and wisdom!"
"Level 6, Cyber Angel Idaten!"
A mechanical ritual altar rose into the air as the form of Cyber Angel Benten flashed for an instant before turning into a pillar of light. From within it stepped a tall, radiant Cyber Angel figure, fully formed as the light faded.
Cyber Angel Idaten, ATK 1600.
Asuka Tenjoin swept her arm forward again.
"Effect of 'Cyber Angel Idaten'! When this card is Ritual Summon successfully, I add one Spell Card from my Graveyard to my hand!" (ANIME EFFECT)
She picked up a card from the Graveyard and held it up. "I recover the Spell Card 'Dark World Dealings'. Then I activate 'Dark World Dealings' again! Both players draw three cards from their Deck!" (ANIME EFFECT)
Yugen accepted the extra cards calmly. "Are you planning to decide the match this turn?"
The risk of giving the opponent resources was huge, but doing nothing would have meant certain defeat. With only 200 Life Points left, Asuka Tenjoin had no choice but to push everything into this turn and gamble on a breakthrough.
"Then I Normal Summon 'Cyber Petit Angel'!"
Cyber Petit Angel, ATK 300.
"Effect of Cyber Petit Angel. When it is Summon successfully, I add one Ritual Spell 'Machine Angel Ritual' from my Deck to my hand!"
She searched her Deck again, then immediately played the card she found.
"I activate the Ritual Spell 'Machine Angel Ritual' once more! I tribute the Level 2 'Cyber Petit Angel' and 'Cyber Angel Idaten' on my field to perform an advanced Ritual Summon!"
"With the power of light, illuminate the path ahead. Angel of light, descend now!"
"Level 8, Cyber Angel Dakini!"
Both angels vanished into the ritual altar as a spiraling pillar of light burst upward. From it emerged a four-armed holy angel, holding a long blue staff in two hands and a blade and sword in the others, her presence sharp and commanding.
Cyber Angel Dakini, ATK 2700.
"Effect of Cyber Angel Dakini!" Asuka Tenjoin declared. "When this card is Ritual Summon successfully, my opponent must choose one monster on their field and send it to the Graveyard!"
"You only control one monster," she said, pointing straight ahead. "So you have no choice."
"Send 'XYZ-Dragon Cannon' to the Graveyard!"
The crowd erupted again, though confused voices rose among them.
"Wait, isn't 'XYZ-Dragon Cannon' protected by 'Safe Zone' and immune to all Spell and Trap Cards effects?" Sho Marufuji asked in disbelief.
Daichi Misawa folded his arms and explained, "Dakini's effect does not affect the monster. It affects the opposing Duelist. The duelist is forced to choose and send a monster to the Graveyard. That is the same as tributing it themselves, so no resistance applies."
Realization spread through the audience, and their gazes toward Asuka Tenjoin filled with respect. Even Seika Kohinata watched in open admiration, momentarily forgetting their rivalry.
"Before Dakini's effect resolves, I activate a set card," Yugen said calmly.
He flipped his back row.