# Chapter 84: Rank-Up-Magic - The Phantom Knights' Launch!
After the green light that was Kaiser entered the silver-haired man's Deck, two figures, one black and one blue, burst forth from his Duel Disk, transforming into a four-armed birdman wielding a longsword and a fishman entwined with azure waves.
"Appear! Gladiator Beast Augustus! Gladiator Beast Murmillo!"
"When Gladiator Beast Murmillo is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Gladiator Beast' monster, I can destroy one face-up monster on the field!"
The short fishman cackled, shooting a harpoon at Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon.
"At this moment, the Quick-Play Spell, Rank-Up-Magic - The Phantom Knights' Launch, activates!"
"During either player's Main Phase, I target one DARK Xyz Monster I control with no Xyz Materials. I Special Summon one DARK Xyz Monster from my Extra Deck that is one Rank higher than that monster by using it as material. This is treated as an Xyz Summon. Then, I attach this card to the summoned monster as material."
A tombstone burning with ghostly blue fire slowly rose, transforming into a flowing river of stars. Dark Rebellion leaped into it, dodging the incoming harpoon.
"From the abyssal valley of Purgatory, a song of rebellion dedicated to the relentless soul! Echo for eternity and descend now! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Rank 5! Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon!"
Within the flowing river of stars, an unyielding dragon's roar resonated. Dark Rebellion's pitch-black body was cloaked in a layer of golden armor, and between its spread wings, colorful patterns, like a church mural, shimmered brightly in the sunlight.
Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon ATK: 3000
"The effect of The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots activates! By banishing this card from the Graveyard, I can add one 'Phantom' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand."
"I add The Phantom Knights' Lost Gauntlets to my hand!"
"I Set two cards and end my turn!" Yuto ended his turn.
"My turn! I draw!" The silver-haired man drew a card.
"At this moment, the trap card, The Phantom Knights' Lost Gauntlets, activates!"
"I target one face-up monster on the field. Until the end of the turn, that monster's ATK decreases by 600, and its Level becomes 2. My 'Phantom Knights' monsters cannot be destroyed by battle. After that, this card becomes a Normal Monster (Warrior/DARK/Level 2/ATK 600/DEF 0) and is Special Summoned to my Monster Zone in Defense Position."
The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales LV: 4→2
"Next, I activate the trap card, Wonder Xyz!" The moment his opponent drew, Yuto revealed his set cards in succession.
"I perform an Xyz Summon using monsters on my field as material."
"I overlay the Level 2 The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales and The Phantom Knights' Lost Gauntlets!"
"Cursed spear of rebellion that pierced tens of thousands of warriors and was buried in darkness! Descend now! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 2, The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin!"
With the help of the trap, Yuto successfully performed an Xyz Summon during his opponent's turn. A phantom lancer, shrouded in ghostly fire, appeared before Yuto.
The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin ATK: 1800
Seeing Yuto Xyz Summon during his own turn, the silver-haired man's expression changed slightly. He tentatively played a card from his hand. "I summon Rescue Rabbit in Attack Position!"
"Rescue Rabbit's effect activates! By banishing this card from the field, I can Special Summon two Level 4 or lower Normal Monsters with the same name from my Deck."
"At this moment, Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon's effect activates!"
"While this card has Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon as material, when my opponent activates a monster effect, I can detach one material from this card to negate the activation and destroy it. After that, I can Special Summon one Xyz Monster from my Graveyard."
Dark Requiem let out a long roar, its colorful wings blooming with dazzling light. The rabbit, still digging its hole, was annihilated by this light.
"Battle!" The silver-haired man gritted his teeth and entered the Battle Phase. With no resources left, his only path to victory was to destroy the opponent's newly summoned monster in battle, then use his monster's effect at the end of the Battle Phase to destroy the dragon.
"Gladiator Beast Augustus attacks The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin!"
The sword-wielding, black-winged birdman flew forward, slashing with his sword toward the skeletal lancer. At that moment, a faint smile appeared on Yuto's face.
"At this moment, the effect of The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin activates!"
"I detach one material from this card and target one face-up monster my opponent controls. Until the end of this turn, that monster's ATK becomes 0, and its effects are negated. If this card has a 'Phantom Knights' card as Xyz Material, this effect can also be activated during the opponent's turn."
"What?" the silver-haired man cried out in shock. He watched as the phantom lancer's shield emitted a faint blue light, and the black-winged birdman warrior visibly weakened under its illumination.
Gladiator Beast Augustus ATK: 2600→0
The skeletal lancer raised its spear to meet the attack. Since it was merely an ATK change and didn't trigger an attack replay, the silver-haired man could only watch helplessly as his monster crashed to its destruction against the longspear.
Silver-haired Man's LP: 1650 → 0
...
On the other side, Serena's opponent, upon seeing the person guarding the intersection, spoke in disbelief.
"Serena? Why are you here?"
"It's you?" Serena frowned, looking at the newcomer. She knew this person; they had been classmates when she attended the Duel Academy. Her name was Mizutani Ri.
She used to be the person Serena resented the most. Despite her performance being inferior in every aspect, she had been chosen by Professor Akaba Leo for the elite Obelisk Blue dorm, while Serena herself was inexplicably sent to the gathering place for underperformers—Osiris Red.
But now, Serena was rather grateful to her. If Mizutani Ri hadn't taken her spot, Serena might have already become a brainwashed executioner.
"I'm here because I'm doing the right thing, not becoming a blood-stained tool in someone else's hands," Serena said coldly.
Mizutani Ri looked at the red ribbon fluttering in the wind on Serena's right arm and scoffed, "Betrayal is betrayal. Aren't you afraid of biting your tongue, speaking so righteously?"
"I originally thought this was just an ordinary mission, but who knew there would be such an unexpected gain. If I bring you, this traitor, back, what kind of reward will I get?" Mizutani Ri licked her lips and smiled.
"You think you can? A good-for-nothing who has never beaten me?" Serena said coldly, activating her Duel Disk.
"Do you still think I'm the same as I used to be?" Mizutani Ri sneered. "After all these years of baptism on the battlefield, I'm no longer someone an honor student from the Academy like you can compare to."
"The me of today... is a glorious warrior!" Mizutani Ri said fanatically.
"Someone who only brings despair to others deserves to be called a warrior? Don't make me laugh!" Serena retorted, unwilling to show weakness.
"Duel!" x2
(end of chapter)