Chapter 41: Amano Shio
"We won!" Finesse excitedly threw the victory gesture.
Probably influenced by watching Amano duel, after seeing Judai Yuki's classic hand gesture once, Finesse loved using it even more than Amano himself.
Though it didn't feel out of place.
When someone's that good-looking, any pose looks pleasing to the eye.
Besides, Finesse was the legitimate HERO player.
However, just looking at this duel alone, Amano felt his HEROes weren't disadvantaged either.
Even with only two Vanilla HEROes, the possibilities for HERO Fusion were beginning to unlock.
Of course, the most crucial monster for winning this duel was still...
Amano looked toward the field, at the gradually fading Blue-Eyes White Dragon image after the duel victory.
For an instant, he felt as if his gaze met the white dragon's blue draconic eyes.
Picking up the Blue-Eyes White Dragon card from his Duel Disk, Amano couldn't help pondering the voice he'd heard during the duel.
Was it a card spirit like Eve?
But he'd possessed the Blue-Eyes White Dragon card for quite a while now, yet she'd never jumped out from the card like Eve did.
Including after this duel ended—the card showed no further reaction.
And if Amano remembered correctly—
In the original anime Yu-Gi-Oh! DM's setting, Blue-Eyes White Dragon's card spirit should be a girl named Kisara, right?
If his was Kisara, then who were the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons in Kaiba Chiaki's possession?
Or did all four Blue-Eyes White Dragon cards share the same card spirit?
"The Quintessential White Bride"
Couldn't figure it out.
For Amano as a modern person, spirit matters were far too mystical.
This duel victory's greatest reward was still being able to have Master Vail create mechanical prosthetics for Shio.
"I lost."
Nanki'in Sakuya put away her Duel Disk, transforming it back into the katana hanging at her waist.
"You're strong, Amano Rei."
Accepting defeat gracefully—even as an underworld family young miss, Nanki'in Sakuya didn't display the stereotypical hot temper of underworld families.
The reason being, even after losing to Amano, her affection hadn't decreased.
Of course, it hadn't increased either.
Staying constant at 50 points.
From their first meeting, Nanki'in Sakuya's affection had been as stable as her unperturbed cold expression—frighteningly steady.
Sakuya's only expression change was probably that fleeting moment of terror when directly facing Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
"I didn't expect you to be a duelist capable of summoning Blue-Eyes White Dragon. My earlier words were inappropriate. I apologize for that."
"What inappropriate words? Actually, it wasn't that serious." Finesse suddenly spoke up, answering for Amano.
Not that serious—you mean the loyal dog thing?
Amano recalled he never actually agreed to that.
However, after Amano summoned Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Nanki'in Sakuya naturally didn't believe such claims one bit.
"Unfortunately, I failed at the first task Grandfather personally entrusted to me."
Not intending to dwell further, Nanki'in Sakuya turned and signaled to Ryoma, preparing to leave.
"Wait, wait~" The hooded man who'd been playing invisible since the duel ended finally arrived fashionably late.
"Nanki'in Sakuya, no need to rush off."
"What do you mean?"
"Good news. After watching your duel just now, Master Vail felt both sides fought spectacularly. So, she's decided to make an exception this month—taking on an additional order!"
"..."
This was what Finesse called the 'master's rules' that had 'never made exceptions'?
Finesse coughed dryly: "Masters, sometimes they're flexible too."
"I see. Well then, I can report back to Grandfather."
A rare faint smile appeared on Nanki'in Sakuya's face.
[Nanki'in Sakuya] [Affection +1]
That could increase affection?
Well, thanks to Master Vail for the 1-point affection assist.
Though both sides were simultaneously approved for creation, Amano was ultimately the one who'd won the duel. Following the hooded man's guidance, he entered the workshop interior first.
Gorgeous, brilliant crystal products hung all over the walls. Rather than a mechanical workshop, it resembled a glass workshop.
"D-don't be nervous, Shio."
"Bro, you seem even more nervous than me."
"N-no, no, that's not true."
Saying he wasn't nervous would be a lie—this concerned whether his sister could live like a normal person for the rest of her life.
If even Master Vail couldn't cure her, Amano would be out of options.
And standing behind the crystal counter was the legendary Eden Tower's strongest mechanic, Master Vail herself.
Yep, definitely not the same person as the blue-haired scammer loli Amano had met outside District 11 station.
First off, the chest measurements were like heaven and earth apart.
Tall figure, composed temperament, chest impressively substantial—Master Vail donned a white witch-style hat from beside her, then slowly walked before Shio.
"So it's you, little girl. Want to stand again?"
"Mm... yes." Shio's answering voice was barely audible.
"Alright, follow me."
"Um, Master Vail?" Amano, who'd been pushing the wheelchair, was suddenly intercepted by Vail and couldn't help asking worriedly.
"Leave it to me with confidence. Family members please avoid the next steps." Master Vail's response was reliable and confident, without a trace of merchant scheming.
Amano could only helplessly watch as Vail transferred Shio to the workshop's second floor via elevator.
Inside the completely sealed studio that could isolate all external interference—
On the bed, Vail removed Shio's shoes, slender fingers cradling Shio's pale, delicate feet for careful observation.
"Mm, jade-like white feet, smooth soles, not a single trace of dead skin on the bottom—maintained like a work of art. Can tell you genuinely haven't walked in over a decade."
"Master Vail?"
"(๑·ڡ<☆) Let's taste and see."
"Vail! Stop messing around!" Shio couldn't help stopping her.
"Hahaha, just kidding, Shio." Vail retracted her tongue that had nearly reached the lollipop.
Then her sexy figure spun around, as if performing magic—the next second, mature Vail directly disappeared, replaced by scammer loli Vail standing with hands on hips before Shio.
"Why not maintain that form constantly?"
"I occasionally dress up to let you see my high-framerate mode, so you know what I look like when I'm pretty—that's enough. Making me constantly run this mode is exhausting! It eats so much CPU!"
Shio's eyes narrowed slightly, the beautiful girl's disdainful gaze completely unconcealed.
"But you, Shio." In loli form, Vail observed Shio—who was about her same height—with renewed interest.
"You can actually maintain this appearance constantly. Such patience. And always calling 'brother, brother' so intimately too~"
Before she finished speaking, sea-blue magic gently swept across Shio's petite form.
Outside her delicate, cute ears, fish-fin decorations slowly emerged from her hair. Her bare, pale feet also transformed into gorgeous azure mermaid tail fins.
This was probably the real reason Shio had been unable to walk on land since birth.
"High-framerate mode—you mean like this?"