"Artoria, when did you get a Caster class?"
Hoshino's brain temporarily short-circuited. No matter how much she thought about it, she simply couldn't find any memory whatsoever of a Caster-class Artoria.
Then, if nothing unexpected had happened, this Heroic Spirit Summoning should have been different from the previous ones.
A completely new Heroic Spirit — one who had never formed a bond with Hoshino before — had responded to this summoning.
"Hmm, I've been a Caster from the very beginning. Could it be that I have other classes too? I don't think so… Sorry, I don't really know much about these things~"
You don't think so?
That was quite the humble way of putting it.
If you added up all of your classes, there would be enough of you to fight an entire Holy Grail War.
However, Hoshino also gradually noticed that this Caster Artoria's personality was different.
Compared with the mature King of Knights after obtaining the Holy Sword and Holy Lance, this version of Artoria was much more inclined toward being like Lily — a pure and innocent young girl.
"Well, there's no point getting hung up on all that." Hoshino smiled. "Welcome to Chaldea, Artoria~"
"Chaldea… I've heard of this organization before. Not only does it allow proper Heroic Spirits to stay here, it even allows mysterious beings, strange beings, and beings who have nowhere else to go to remain here and help one another. It's really interesting~"
The light on the card surface gently shimmered.
Artoria Caster seemed to be in a very good mood, almost as though she were about to perform her Ascension right there on the spot.
Although all the Heroic Spirits Hoshino had summoned previously had already established a bond with her from the very beginning, a Heroic Spirit like Artoria Caster — someone she was meeting for the first time, and with whom she would have to build a bond from scratch — also made Hoshino experience a feeling completely different from before.
["Hehe, having a new wife is great, isn't it~"]
Hoshino gently put away Artoria Caster's card, afraid that she might scare this little girl who had just arrived at Chaldea.
Then Hoshino returned to the summoning page in the shop.
"Now then, next up is the familiar glutton Artoria! Swimsuit Archer! This time, I'm definitely getting her!"
Without even looking at the random garbage that had appeared from the remaining ten-roll, Hoshino tightly grabbed Eve's little hand.
"Come on, Eve! We're very close to success! The road of hope is right ahead!"
"_(´ཀ`」∠) No, Hoshino… I'm almost done for. I feel a little airsick. I'm going to throw up…"
Eve, whose magical energy had been completely exhausted, weakly leaned against Hoshino's legs.
Every now and then, her body would twitch slightly, proving that she was still alive.
"Pull yourself together! We can't stop here!"
"Bleurgh!"
"Good grief, stop! That's disgusting!"
It seemed Eve really hadn't been exaggerating.
This girl's magical energy was only enough to support a single blessing for a Summon before reaching her absolute limit.
After excessively depleting her magical energy to this degree, she was practically about to throw up everything she had eaten for breakfast.
However, after losing the blessing of magical energy for the summons, things went exactly as expected.
Hoshino threw all 300 Saint Quartz at the banner, yet she couldn't see even the slightest trace of Swimsuit Artoria.
"Quit while you're ahead when you see a bad result. I can't get too caught up in this. I need to stay calm, Hoshino. You're already a mature adult!"
[Remaining Saint Quartz: 100]
["…You threw 300 Saint Quartz into it and that still doesn't count as getting too caught up in it? Aibo, your definition of the bottom line for a mature adult is really low."]
Three hundred Saint Quartz was already pretty restrained, okay?
There were plenty of people who still couldn't stop themselves even after spending ten full packs and completely sinking.
The journey back took about the same amount of time as the journey there.
Because the Ice Kingdom was located right next to the island of Duel Academy, it took less than an hour before Hoshino could already peek through the airplane window and see the familiar island outside.
However, Hoshino and the others had only departed after two o'clock in the afternoon.
By the time they returned to the island, the sky had already gradually darkened.
"Not bad. At this time, we might even make it back in time for dinner."
Hoshino glanced at her phone and wore a smug expression, as though everything had gone according to her master plan.
Eve suddenly became excited.
"Dinner! I want to eat! Bleurgh—"
"!!!∑(ﾟДﾟノ)ノ You haven't finished throwing up yet?!"
After wiping the corner of her mouth, Eve also wore a smug expression, as though she had everything under control.
"If I throw up a little more thoroughly, I'll be able to eat more later!"
As expected of someone possessing the Gluttony attribute of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Although her appetite couldn't keep up with Artoria's, her fighting spirit when it came to eating was absolutely no less impressive.
"Stop fooling around!"
Kaiba, who was piloting the airplane while staring straight ahead, suddenly spoke up.
"Something has happened at the academy. You'd better pay a little attention, Hoshino."
"Something happened?"
After being warned by Kaiba, Hoshino once again pressed her face against the window and looked toward the center of the island, in the direction of Duel Academy.
Unlike the other areas, which were simply becoming dim as evening approached, the color of the sky above the academy was clearly different.
It was as though the sky had been split apart above the academy, with thunderclouds violently churning.
"This special effect is… the summoning of a God!"
Hoshino recognized it immediately.
But why would the thundercloud effect that appeared whenever a God Card was summoned suddenly appear at the academy at a time like this?
No matter how she thought about it, Hoshino couldn't figure it out.
"Fly a little closer, Kaiba."
"Then hold on tight."
Under normal circumstances, weather accompanied by this much thunder and lightning was absolutely unsuitable for flying.
Fortunately, no matter how terrifying the special effects of a God Summon were, they were ultimately just effects displayed by the Duel Disk.
Although it couldn't be said that they had absolutely no influence, at least their actual impact wasn't particularly great.
"We can see it now…"
Kaiba swept his eyes across the scene at the academy.
His expression suddenly changed, and he spoke in disbelief.
"What… kind of God is that?"
It was completely different from the Three Egyptian Gods and the Three Wicked Gods.
A gigantic, majestic form, pitch-black in color, with an overwhelming aura of despair rushing toward them.
"That's Dystopia the Despondent! Isn't that card in Minazuki's possession?"
Although it was called a "God Card," technically speaking, it merely had the same effect as a "God."
Its actual Attribute and Type were DARK/Fiend, and it was a Level 12 monster.
However, when Dystopia had been summoned the first time, Hoshino had personally been there to witness it.
Its overwhelming presence and power were completely on par with those of the God Cards.
The fact that Kaiba had mistaken Dystopia for a God Card further demonstrated exactly how impressive it was.
"Why would Minazuki summon a God? Did something happen?"
Hoshino raised an eyebrow curiously.
However, since it was Dystopia being summoned rather than one of the Three Egyptian Gods, to some extent, that should mean this probably wasn't anything particularly urgent.
After all, the current Duel Academy had Yugi and Atem himself stationed there.
If they really encountered an enemy powerful enough to pose a threat, there was no way someone like Minazuki — a half-baked Duelist — would be the one sent out to fight.
"Land, Kaiba. There probably isn't any danger. But I do want to see what that guy is up to."
After landing in the courtyard of Duel Academy, they looked in the direction where Dystopia had appeared.
It seemed to be somewhere near the Red Dormitory.
"It's over, Akasha! Feel this despairing power from Kami!"
However, when Hoshino and the others arrived at the Red Dormitory, the very first thing they saw was Minazuki dueling Akasha.
Besides them, Alexis, Syrus, and the others were also standing nearby, watching the duel.
"I activate the Equip Spell Megamorph directly and equip it to Dystopia the Despondent! When my Life Points are lower than yours, Dystopia the Despondent's ATK will be doubled!"
[Minazuki LP 5000]
[Akasha LP 8000]
After successfully triggering the effect of the Equip Spell Megamorph, Dystopia's already sufficiently enormous body expanded even further.
Its gigantic, pitch-black, majestic body now gave off an oppressive presence that, in this instant, even surpassed Obelisk the Tormentor.
[Dystopia the Despondent ATK 5000 → 10000]
"10,000 ATK?! Is this really the kind of combat power Minazuki can produce?"
Hoshino widened her eyes as she looked up at the towering, materialized Dystopia before her.
"But why is Minazuki fighting Akasha in the first place?"
"Take this, Akasha! I'm not going to give Jaden to you!"
Syrus cheered from the sidelines.
"Go, Minazuki! Let the women see the friendship between us men!"
"It's actually because of such a ridiculously gay reason?!"
Hoshino was completely stunned.
She had absolutely no idea how she was supposed to evaluate this situation.
"I'll finish you off with a single blow! Dystopia's direct attack!"
With a massive 10,000 ATK, Dystopia locked onto Akasha, whose field was completely empty.
If the attack connected, then it really would be, just as Minazuki had said, a devastating one-hit kill that would decide the outcome of the duel.
"— I activate my Set Trap Card! Drowning Mirror Force!"
Akasha had no choice but to flip up the Set Trap Card in her back row. As the God's attack approached, a fragile barrier of rippling water formed in front of her.
[Drowning Mirror Force — Trap Card Effect: When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: Shuffle all your opponent's Attack Position monsters into the Deck.]
"Too naive, Akasha! The Trap Cards you're good at are useless against a God! I activate Dystopia the Despondent's effect directly—"
[Effect: Once during the Battle Step in which this card battles, you can banish 1 Level 1 monster from your Graveyard to activate this effect. Until the end of the Damage Step, this card is unaffected by other card effects and cannot be destroyed by battle.]
"I banish the Level 1 monster Bunilla from my Graveyard! Dystopia the Despondent will be unaffected by other card effects! I win, Akasha!"
Alexis, who was watching the Duel from the side, couldn't help but comment:
"Why do you keep saying 'chokusetsu' so much? First you had your Daijōbu catchphrase, and now this is Minazuki's new verbal tic?"
"Baka!"
Akasha muttered the insult under her breath in annoyance.
She lowered her Duel Disk, narrowed her eyes, and fearlessly took Dystopia the Despondent's direct attack head-on.
"Wait… why didn't I win?"
Minazuki scratched his head in confusion as he stared at the Duel that still hadn't ended.
"Idiot! Why do you think I bothered wasting a Trap Card even though I already knew Dystopia the Despondent's effect? If Dystopia the Despondent activates its effect during battle and becomes unaffected by other card effects, then Megamorph doesn't work anymore either!"
The instant the battle began, Dystopia the Despondent activated its effect to counter the effect of Drowning Mirror Force, gaining immunity to all other card effects.
But immunity to all card effects also meant that it simultaneously lost the ATK boost provided by Megamorph.
Its ATK instantly returned to 5000.
Akasha naturally had the confidence to take the attack.
[Akasha LP 8000 → 3000]
The corners of Akasha's lips curled upward into a smug smile.
"Furthermore, the current situation has my Life Points lower than yours. So with Megamorph equipped, Dystopia the Despondent's ATK should be halved, right~?"
[Dystopia the Despondent ATK 5000 → 2500]
"You… you actually survived that!"
Minazuki desperately tried to maintain his composure.
"But Daijōbu! You won't be this lucky next time!"
"I won't give you another opportunity! Trap Card, activate — Dark Horizon!"
After the battle damage was calculated, Akasha flipped up the second Set Card in her back row.
[Dark Horizon — Trap Card Effect: When you take battle or effect damage: Special Summon 1 DARK Spellcaster-Type monster from your Deck with ATK less than or equal to the damage you took.]
"I Special Summon the DARK Spellcaster monster from my Deck! Heroic Spirit – Nursery Rhyme!"
[Heroic Spirit – Nursery Rhyme ★★★★ (Level 4)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 800/DEF 800]
"Akasha… don't you think starting an internal conflict right now is a little inappropriate?"
Nursery Rhyme descended together with her book-like toy and questioned Akasha.
"To fulfill my promise to Jaden, how could I possibly let this guy get ahead of me? It's my turn! Draw!"
Akasha had effectively forced Minazuki's turn to end, then drew a card and placed her second monster onto her Duel Disk.
"This turn, I Normal Summon — Heroic Spirit – Jeanne d'Arc Alter Santa Lily!"
[Heroic Spirit – Jeanne d'Arc Alter Santa Lily ★★★★ (Level 4)][LIGHT][Fairy/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 800]
"Then I'll overlay my Level 4 Nursery Rhyme with my Level 4 Jeanne! Build the Overlay Network! Please — let the battle begin from here! White wings carrying our hopes! Xyz Summon! Messenger of Light — Number 39: Utopia!"
Using the two Lily Heroic Spirits as Xyz Materials, Akasha summoned Number 39: Utopia in the name of hope, pitting it against Dystopia the Despondent.
[Number 39: Utopia ☆☆☆☆ (Rank 4)][LIGHT][Warrior/Xyz/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2500]
[2 Level 4 monsters]
"This is the clash between hope and despair! No… this is the strike of hope that will sever despair! Number 39: Utopia, attack Dystopia the Despondent!"
The Duel entered the Battle Phase.
With its brilliant light wings shining, Number 39: Utopia raised the blade in its hand and charged toward the enormous Dystopia the Despondent.
Alexis looked confused.
"Even if Dystopia the Despondent's ATK has been halved by Megamorph, it still has 2500 ATK. Akasha, won't attacking it like this just result in both monsters destroying each other?"
"We won't be destroying each other!"
Minazuki activated Dystopia the Despondent's effect and suddenly looked delighted.
"You're the idiot here, Akasha! I activate Dystopia the Despondent's effect again! This card cannot be destroyed by battle and becomes unaffected by other card effects!"
Minazuki was once again making use of the God Card-like immunity in reverse.
Since the ATK-doubling effect of Megamorph had been negated by Dystopia the Despondent's immunity during the previous turn, the ATK-halving effect of Megamorph would likewise be negated this turn once Dystopia the Despondent activated its own absolute immunity.
"If Dystopia the Despondent isn't affected by Megamorph, then its ATK returns to normal!"
[Dystopia the Despondent ATK 2500 → 5000]
"Number 39: Utopia's effect activates!"
Akasha had already anticipated this.
She reached into the Xyz Materials beneath Utopia, removed Nursery Rhyme, and activated its Xyz Effect.
[①: When a monster declares an attack, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to activate this effect. Negate that attack.]
"I detach one Xyz Material! I negate Utopia's attack! Moon Barrier!"
A layer of shimmering light formed in front of Utopia's blade.
The Messenger of Hope forcibly stopped its own attack for this turn.
Minazuki mocked her.
"Hahaha! You knew you couldn't beat me, so you forcibly stopped your attack? Pretty clever, Akasha~"
"This is as far as you get to laugh, Minazuki. Quick-Play Spell — Double or Nothing!"
After Utopia's attack had been negated by its own effect, Akasha immediately chained a Quick-Play Spell from her hand.
[Double or Nothing! — Quick-Play Spell Effect: When a monster's attack is negated: Target that monster; it can make a second attack during this Battle Phase, and if it does, its ATK is doubled during the Damage Step only.]
"Because Utopia's attack was negated, Double or Nothing! activates! If Utopia attacks again, its ATK will be doubled!"
Utopia once again swung the Sword of Hope in its hand.
Empowered by Double or Nothing!, the ATK of Number 39: Utopia instantly matched Dystopia the Despondent's.
[Number 39: Utopia ATK 2500 → 5000]
"Daijōbu! If we both have 5000 ATK, Dystopia the Despondent is still stronger because it can't be destroyed by battle!"
"This is the Final Hope Chain! Quick-Play Spell — Double Up Chance!"
[Double Up Chance — Quick-Play Spell Effect: When a monster you control declares its second attack during this Battle Phase, you can activate this card. During the Damage Step, that monster's ATK becomes double its current ATK.]
"Double it once, then double it again! Hope piled upon hope! In this instant, sever the God with the power of hope! Go, Number 39: Utopia!!"
[Number 39: Utopia ATK 5000 → 10,000]
"Even if your God can't be destroyed by battle… your Life Points can't survive this! — Finish him! Hope Sword Mars Double Slash!!"
With its ATK doubled again and again, Number 39: Utopia reached four times its original ATK.
Its radiant wings flashed brilliantly as it unleashed a devastating strike.
The blow of hope shattered the God of Despair.
[Minazuki LP 5000 → 0]
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!"
Duel Ended.
Winner: Akasha