"STOOOOOOOP!!!"
Mash screamed at the top of his lungs towards Lovely Labrynth to the point his throat was hurting. But Lovely Labrynth's axe didn't slow down not even slightly. The massive silver axe continued its deadly arc as if my panic meant absolutely nothing.
Alexis clapped both hands over her eyes. "KYAAAH! I CAN'T LOOK!"
Jaden snapped his head toward Mash in an panic. "MASH! PULL THE CARD OUT FROM THE DUEL DISK!"
"I'M TRYING!" Mash grabbed the card and yanked with all of his strength. "IT WON'T COME OUT! IT'S STUCK LIKE SOME KIND OF SUPER GLUE!"
To his horror, Mash noticed something strange beneath the Lovely Labrynth card. A thin, silver substance had somehow formed between the card and the Duel Disk, bonding them together like hardened resin. No matter how hard he try to pull, the card jsut refused to budge.
"SHIT!" Mash heart pounded violently. "IF I DON'T HURRY UP, CHAZZ WILL-!"
And then it happened.
The sound of steel cutting through the air rang sharply through the silent stadium.
SLASH.
A dull thud followed, alongside the sound effects of Life Points dropping.
{Chazz LP: 1000 → 0}
Lovely Labrynth's silver axe had swung straight across Chazz's neck. The moment the blade finished its motion, she released her grip on him as if he were nothing more than discarded trash. His body collapsed onto the arena floor with a dull thud, partially hidden beneath the wide folds of her ornate dress.
But from where we stood… the implication was unmistakable.
Chazz had just been decapitated.
Mash's breath caught in his throat.
His stomach dropped as if the ground beneath him had disappeared, and every nerve in his body ignited with cold panic. His legs gave out completely, sending him crashing down to his knees. His palms hit the cold arena floor as he stared ahead in shock.
[Fuck. We're too late.]
Jaden hesitated before speaking, his voice unusually quiet.
"...Mash."
[If only I hadn't let my anger get the better of me. If only I had laughed it off when he insulted her. If only]
"Mash!"
[IF ONLY!]
Before the panic could completely swallow him, Jaden suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him.
"MASH! GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF, MAN AND LOOK! CHAZZ IS FINE!"
Mash snapped his head upward.
Across the arena, Chazz was sitting upright on the ground, coughing violently. But the most important part... Is his head was still very much attached to his body.
"CHAZZZZ!!!" Taiyou cried, rushing toward him with tears in his eyes. "WE THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!!!!!"
Raizou exhaled loudly in relief. "THANK GOD! THE AXE JUST… SWUNG PAST HIM FOR SOME REASON!"
Chazz clutched his throat while coughing. "Cough… cough… shut the hell up… you two…"
Mash stared in disbelief.
[What!? Chazz is still okay!? But I saw it… that axe…]
Slowly, he turned his head toward Lovely Labrynth.
She stood beside Chazz, resting her massive battle axe casually over her shoulder. A mischievous smile curled across her lips.
"Ho ho ho~ Darling~ I really liked that reaction of yours~❤︎"
Mash glared at her, veins bulging like it was about to explode.
[LOVELY!! THIS TIME YOUR JOKES HAVE GONE TOO FAR!!]
Nearby, Syrus clutched his chest as he exhaled shakily. "Thank goodness… Chazz is okay…"
Alexis cautiously lowered her hands from her face. "Wait… he's alright? Whew… thank goodness. I thought that axe was about to..."
Mash wasn't listening anymore.
He broke into a sprint across the arena.
"Chazz! Are you alright!?"
He skidded to a stop in front of him. But Chazz didn't respond. His head was angled downward, his gaze fixed on the ground, his expression hidden beneath his hair.
[Oh, shit… he must be traumatized.]
Panic spread across Mash face.
[How could he not be!? He literally almost got decapitated by her! Now he's probably going to avoid me for the rest of the year! SHIT, did I just break one of the main characters!? He's going to have PTSD now! Damn you, LOVELY!!!]
Before Mash could spiral further, Chazz suddenly pushed himself to his feet, Though, his head remained slightly lowered, hiding his expression from Mash in front of him.
Mash feeling extremely bad at him, immediately bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle.
"I AM VERY SORRY FOR WHAT MY MONSTER DID TO YOU!"
Lovely Labrynth tilted her head in confusion. "Darling~ What are you doing-!?"
Hearing the person who created this mess, Mash spun around and pointed at her furiously. "YOU! YOU LITTLE SHIT! BOW DOWN!"
With a little jump, he grabbed her horns left horn and yanked it downward. With a startled cry of "Kyah!", Lovely stumbled forward as Mash forcibly dragged her into a bow beside him.
"MY MONSTER JOKED A LITTLE TOO MUCH! PLEASE FORGIVE HER!"
Chazz let out a slow breath.
"I…"
Mash's mind immediately spiraled into a catastrophe.
[Oh god, here it comes! He's never going to forgive us! He's going to make me work as a slave for the Princeton family for the rest of my life, isn't he!?]
However...
Chazz just crossed his arms and looked away with an irritated grimace. "I didn't die, alright? So just… whatever."
Mash blinked.
[What?]
Chazz clicked his tongue and refused to meet his eyes. "Look… maybe I went a little overboard trash-talking your freaky waifu card. I'm sorry."
Mash's brain short-circuited.
[WHAT!?]
As if forcing the words out physically hurt him, Chazz added, "You... Really are a strong duelist... someone like you shouldn't be stuck in Slifer trash. I'll… mention it to the Chancellor or something. Don't get used to it."
Mash's mind exploded.
[WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTT!!!!!!!?????????]
Chazz turned his back to him.
"But don't get arrogant!" Chazz pointed at him.
"You may have won this duel... But that's because I'm using a deck that counters Jaden fusion strategy specifically!" he said all coolly, "but next time... I'm not going to be holding back! Next time, I'm crushing both you and that silver psycho of yours, Mash!"
He glanced toward his lackeys.
"Let's go. I need some damn sleep."
Mash could only stand there, watching in utter disbelief as Chazz walked out of the arena.
[DID I JUST BREAK HIS CHARACTER!!????? AIN'T NO WAY THE LITERAL CHAZZ PRINCETON JUST APOLOGIZED TO ME AND EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED ME!!!??]
Before he could process the situation any further, an arm suddenly wrapped around his shoulders.
Mash turned to see Jaden grinning brightly.
"That was an awesome duel, Mash! You beat Chazz in just three turns! Even when I dueled him, it took way longer than that!"
Mash forced out a stiff chuckle. "Ha… ha… thanks…"
[Jaden… you just watched a guy nearly get decapitated. Why aren't you traumatized? Why are you so damn happy!?]
Alexis approached, clapping politely. "Mash, that was a spectacular duel. Honestly, your dueling skill might even be on par with Zane Truesdale. If you ever want to duel him, let me know and I'll arrange it."
Mash nodded awkwardly. "Ha ha… I'll keep that in mind."
[Alexis, why are you also so desensitized!?]
Meanwhile, Syrus with face as pale as a ghost shouted in disbelief.
"HOW ARE YOU GUYS SO RELAXED!? CHAZZ WAS LITERALLY ABOUT TO GET DECAPITATED!!! AREN'T YOU ALL SCARED BY WHAT HAPPENED!????"
[FINALLY! A NORMAL REACTION! THAT'S MY GOAT SYRUS-BOY!]
Lovely Labrynth suddenly leaned down until her face was level with Syrus's.
"So what, scaredy-boy~?"
"HIII!" Syrus squeaked and immediately hid behind Jaden.
Lovely crossed her arms and pouted dramatically. "Ho ho ho~ Everyone keeps praising my darling, but shouldn't you also praise the real MVP..."
She struck a smug pose.
"Lovely Labrynth~?"
Jaden gave her a casual thumbs-up… then immediately turned back to Mash.
The others followed suit, completely ignoring her.
Lovely puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "HMPH! How cruel! I guess I'll just go back to my card, then!"
"Wait! Lovely! " Mash shouted quickly. "Shouldn't you explain how you literally grabbed Chazz by the neck!?"
She flashed him a devilish smile.
"Well~ I'll tell you once we get back to the dorm. It's getting late, you know~"
Syrus suddenly checked his PDA. "She's right! It's already 00:28 AM! We should get back!"
Mash sighed as he finally removed Lovely Labrynth's card from the Duel Disk. She vanished in a flash of hologram particles.
[What a troublesome lover…]
A sudden smack landed firmly on his back.
"Mash! Let's go, man," Jaden said cheerfully. "I'm ready to hit the bed!"
Mash exhaled slowly, then allowed himself a small smile.
[And then there's this protagonist…]
He nodded and followed them out of the arena. As he watched Jaden, Syrus, and Alexis walking ahead, a thought quietly formed in his mind.
[Doesn't Jaden and his friends go through life-threatening situations all the time… and then act completely fine the next episode?]
Mash chuckled and shook his head as he stepped out of the arena.
[Whatever. This is the Yu-Gi-Oh world... where every problem, from minor inconveniences to world-ending disasters, can be solved with a children's card game.]
[Seeing a guy almost get decapitated? Something like that is child's play.]
----
Back at the Slifer Red Dorms
Jaden and Syrus stood in front of their dorm room doors while Mash lingered outside his own. Both of them waved at him with bright, carefree smiles.
Jaden stretched his arms behind his head and grinned. "Good night, Mash! Don't oversleep, you don't wanna be late for our first class tomorrow!"
Syrus nodded enthusiastically beside him. "Yeah! Sleep well, Mash!"
Mash flashed them a toothy grin and threw up a casual V-sign before stepping into his room.
The moment the door shut behind him, the energy drained from his body all at once.
He staggered a few steps forward and immediately collapsed onto his bed face-first. The mattress groaned softly under his weight as every muscle in his body screamed for rest after the insanity of the duel.
But despite the exhaustion dragging at his bones, there was still one thing he needed to do.
Lying on his back, Mash stared at the ceiling and let out a long sigh.
"Lovely," he muttered tiredly, "I know you're there... Just come out already."
As if responding to a cue, Lovely Labrynth materialized beside him on the bed.
Mash flinched slightly at her sudden appearance, but what truly caught him off guard wasn't the teleportation.
It was her clothes.
She wasn't wearing her usual regal silver dress.
Instead…
She was wearing a sweater.
Lovely Labrynth rested one hand on her hip and smiled seductively at him, tilting her head slightly as her silver hair cascaded over her shoulder.
"Ara~ Ara~ I can't believe my darling summoned me into a room where we're all alone. How romantic~ Does darling want something from me~? like... my body~?"
Mash squinted at her, his expression flat and entirely unimpressed. "Why are you wearing a sweater?"
The seductive mask shattered instantly. Lovely's lip curled into a pout, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Hmph! I'm a spirit, darling~ I can change my appearance however I wish~ That dress is far too cumbersome for casual lounging~ This is much more comfortable~"
Mash's eyes narrowed, spotting a familiar embroidery on the chest. "...Why does that sweater have a brand logo on it?"
Lovely let out a dramatic, long-suffering sigh. "Darling...!"
"Yeah, yeah," Mash cut her off, sitting up with a groan. "We'll come back to this later. For now, I want you to explain to me, how did you grab Chazz by the throat and lift him off the ground and why did your axe suddenly phase through him like a hologram is supposed to?"
Lovely smirked smugly.
"Fufu~ Oh Darling~ That is simply one of my spirit powers~"
"Spirit power?" Mash raised an eyebrow. "Like the one where you can set actual traps in the real world?"
"Exactly~!" Lovely clapped her hands. "Though... that was only one of them~"
"And here is the other~!"
She flicked her wrist, and a sphere of pure silver materialized in her palm. It caught the weak light of the dorm room, gleaming with an unnatural luster. She held it out to him, and to Mash's shock, he could actually feel the weight of it when she placed it in his hand. It was cold and solid.
Mash examined it closely with admiration. "This is…!"
"Behold, Darling~!" she declared, flipping her hair. "My second spirit power: Silver Manipulation and control~! But be warned, it only lasts a day before it crumbles into dust~ So don't go trying to make quick bucks from it~"
Mash turned the silver ball over in his hands. "Okay, cool, but that still doesn't explain the physical contact with Chazz."
She wagged a finger at him playfully. "Tsk, tsk. So impatient~! I simply lined the 'inside' of my hologram with silver~! Because of that, it allowed me to interact with the physical world while keeping the illusion of a hologram~ No one notices the silver if it's tucked under the skin, so to speak~"
"Oh... That actually makes a lot of sense." Mash nodded. "And pretty clever! As expected of my Spirit Partner!"
Then his brain caught up to what she said.
"WAIT, HOLD ON!" Mash shot upright. "I thought Duel Spirits could only appear, communicate, and sometimes possess people like ghosts! Since when did Duel Spirits have unique abilities like this!?"
Lovely giggled, her finger still wagging.
"Hohoho~ Nope! Let me explain, darling~ All of my abilities…"
She placed a hand over her heart dramatically.
"Come from the Power of Love~"
"Stop." Mash held up a hand, his face twisting in genuine disgust. "Don't finish that sentence. I already regret asking."
She pouted. "But darling, it's a very romantic and simple way to put it—"
"Nope. Cringe as hell. How about you just explaining it to me like a normal person."
Lovely huffed before rolling her eyes. "Fine. If you must be so clinical... open your system window. Go to your deck and check my card info..."
Mash swiped his hand through the air, bringing up the glowing blue interface. He navigated to the Lovely Labrynth of the Silver Castle entry and began to scroll. "Alright, I'm here. Now what?"
"Scroll down. You'll see something interesting~"
Mash scrolled.
There was a new section labeled [Bond], with ten red hearts lined up inside a box.
=====================
{Lovely Labrynth of the Silver Castle}
Bond: ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎
6 Heart: The Queen of the Trap Cards!
Allows the user to set up traps in the real world
9 Heart: Bow before the Silver Queen!
Allow the user to create and manipulate silver.
=====================
Mash's eye twitched violently as he stared at the system window.
[What the hell is this!?] he screamed internally. [I've never seen this before! Did GOD seriously drop a random patch update into reality or something!?]
Beside him, Lovely Labrynth pointed at the screen with unmistakable pride, her posture radiating smug satisfaction as if she had personally invented the system.
"This," she declared with theatrical flair, "is the Spirit Bond System~! And it's very simple, darling~ Basically, as you spend time with a card, treat it well, and battle alongside it, you gain Bond Points. Fill up each heart and you unlock new abilities!"
She tapped her cheek playfully with one finger, her smile turning mischievous as she continued explaining. "Here is mine for example... once you reached six hearts with me, I gained the ability to communicate outside of duels, alongside gaining the power to set real traps in the real world~ And when our bond reached nine hearts…" She flipped her hair proudly. "That's when I unlocked my ability to create and manipulate silver."
Mash slowly turned his head toward her, staring at her like she had just told him gravity was optional.
"Wait," he said, his voice filled with disbelief. "So you're telling me that if I increase the Bond level with my cards… I can actually talk to them like Duel Spirits?"
Lovely's grin widened.
"Yup~! And actually, you can use some of the abilities too, darling~ Though not every card has spirit powers. Only certain special cards possess abilities like this."
Mash frowned slightly, confusion creeping into his expression.
"Special cards?" he asked. "Like what exactly?"
Lovely chuckled smugly, clearly enjoying the moment. "Ohoho~ Darling~ You played Master Duel before, didn't you? Surely you remember what happens whenever I'm summoned to the field~ You know~ The special animation thing that fills the entire screen~?"
Mash blinked once.
Then his eyes widened in realization.
"Oh!"
He smacked his fist into his palm with sudden excitement.
"The special summoning animation!"
"Ding ding ding~!" Lovely immediately pointed finger guns at him with dramatic enthusiasm. "Correct, darling~! Ten billion points for you~!"
Mash's hands began trembling with excitement as the implications exploded in his mind. "Holy shit… that's actually insane! BUT ENOUGH ABOUT THAT!" he suddenly shouted, sitting upright like a man possessed. "I NEED TO TEST SOMETHING!"
He quickly cupped his hands together and squeezed his eyes shut, concentrating as hard as he possibly could. His entire body tensed as he poured every ounce of focus into his palms, as if sheer determination alone could force reality to obey him.
Then, with absolute conviction, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "SILVER CREATE!!"
Nothing happened.
Mash remained frozen in position, still holding his dramatic pose.
The room was completely silent.
Several seconds passed.
Lovely stared at him.
Mash slowly opened one eye.
Still nothing.
The silence dragged on just long enough to become painfully awkward.
Then Lovely completely lost it.
"HOHOHOHOHO~!!"
Her laughter exploded through the room as she doubled over, clutching her stomach.
"OH DARLING—HOHOHOHO—THAT WAS AMAZING! YOU LOOKED SO SERIOUS! HOHOHOHOHO!!"
Mash's entire face turned bright red as humiliation set in.
"Lovely!" he snapped in embarrassment. "How do I do the thing!?"
She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still chuckling uncontrollably. "Oh darling~ there's a learning curve to it~ And while I would absolutely love to teach you right now…" Her gaze drifted toward Mash's slumped posture and exhausted expression before she smirked knowingly. "…you look completely dead."
As if her words had triggered something, Mash's body finally caught up with reality. The adrenaline faded instantly and exhaustion slammed into him like a freight train. A massive yawn escaped his mouth before he could even stop it.
"Yeah… yeah… you're right…" he muttered weakly as he collapsed backward onto the pillow again. His voice had already begun to fade with sleep. "But you better teach me how to be a silverbender tomorrow…"
Lovely chuckled softly at that before lying down beside him on the bed. The smug teasing expression from earlier had faded, replaced with a warm and oddly gentle smile as she looked at his already sleeping face.
"Of course, darling," she murmured quietly. "Sweet dreams."
Mash didn't respond.
He was already completely unconscious.