Although he had received advance notice about the makeup exam, the last‑minute change of opponent still gave Youmi a headache.
The opponent was Zane, the master of Cyber-style. Everyone knew he used a Cyber Dragon Deck. If Youmi adjusted his Deck specifically to counter Zane, wouldn't that hurt his reputation?
"Whatever, I already picked them out. No reason not to use them."
Looking at the cards he had selected, Youmi thought for a moment, then added them into his Deck. "Alright then, time to head out. Everyone, into the Deck~"
Youmi shook the Deck in his hand.
On the floor of the dorm, Fallen of Albaz tugged at a few strands of hair that had been scorched last night thanks to Blazing Cartesia's rough handling. He gave a sideways glare at Blazing Cartesia, who was sleeping on the top bunk and would not be entering the Deck today, then turned into a beam of light and entered the Deck.
Springans Kitt also got up, shook Ecclesia awake from beside Blazing Cartesia, and the two of them dove into the Deck together.
"Then I'll trouble you to watch the place."
Because he had been assigned to a three‑person dorm yet lived alone, Youmi simply let all the spirits out to live with him.
If it were still in the DM era, he wouldn't have had power of this caliber, but according to Ten Thousand Dragon, as his fusion time with his spirits increased, his power gradually strengthened as well, allowing him to manifest spirits without needing a Duel.
That Aluber guy probably used the same method to summon Darklord Ixchel.
Using his Slifer Red uniform as a cape, Youmi strapped on his Duel Disk and Deck, then headed for the Duel Arena.
"Now then, we will begin the makeup exam for Ra Yellow student Youmi—Ah, correction, formerly of Slifer Red. The exam subject is a practical Duel! His opponent is none other than Obelisk Blue's undisputed No.1—Zane Truesdale!"
Youmi stepped onto the field. There, Zane, in his blue‑and‑white uniform, was already waiting.
In the spectator seats, Chazz Princeton, Jaden, and the others had taken front‑row spots, waiting for the Duel to begin.
Chazz held his own Deck in hand, staring intently at Youmi as he walked up. "Zane is an opponent even I couldn't get for an exam, even after sending formal requests. For him to be chosen as Youmi's examiner… looks like the principal has high hopes for him. I need to work harder… Should I go over and learn from him too?"
Beside him sat Bastion in yellow.
"Didn't expect Youmi to be promoted to Blue Dorm this fast. In that case, if we want to stand on the same stage..." He glanced at Jaden, who was still in red. "Jaden, you should at least get to Yellow Dorm, right? If you stay in Slifer Red forever, how are we supposed to compete?"
Jaden scratched his head, the words going in one ear and out the other. "Eh? But I really like red. And who said dorm color equals strength? I'm super strong even as a Slifer Red~"
Perspective returns to the Duel Arena.
"I spent all night preparing for this Duel. Being able to Duel the true No.1, I'm honored."
Raising the arm wearing his Duel Disk, Youmi drew out his Deck and slotted it in. "Even though winning or losing won't affect anything for me… let me make it clear, I'll be giving it my all~"
Zane nodded and advised, "Resting properly is important. Lack of sleep affects Duel performance. In any case, even if you hadn't said so, I always give my all in every Duel; that is my respect to my opponent. Let us have the best Duel possible."
"DUEL!" ×2
Turn 1
"First move is mine."
Zane looked at his Duel Disk and declared:
"I activate the Continuous Spell 'Future Fusion.'"
The first card of the Duel—Future Fusion—was activated by Zane.
"Its effect: I reveal 1 Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck to both of us. Then I send its listed Fusion Materials from my Deck to the Graveyard. During my second Standby Phase after activation, I Special Summon the revealed Fusion Monster as a Fusion Summon. But if this card leaves the field, that monster is destroyed. And if that monster is destroyed, this card is destroyed."
Zane revealed Chimeratech Rampage Dragon.
"I reveal Chimeratech Rampage Dragon. Its materials are 2 or more 'Cyber Dragon' monsters. From my Deck, I send 2 Cyber Dragon, 3 Cyber Dragon Core, 3 Cyber Dragon Herz, 2 Cyber Dragon Nachster, and 2 Cyber Dragon Vier to the Graveyard."
Youmi stared blankly at the massive pile of cards Zane had just dumped into the Graveyard.
"Are you seriously struggling at full HP already? And why is this thing using the original effect…"
"?" Zane did not understand what Youmi meant, but still activated the effects of the monsters sent.
"I activate the effect of Cyber Dragon Herz. When this card is sent to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Cyber Dragon'—other than itself—from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. Cyber Dragon Core counts as Cyber Dragon while on the field or in the GY, so I add Core to my hand and Normal Summon it."
The small Cyber Dragon Core, still connected to red cables, leapt out from the card and coiled before Zane.
"I activate Core's effect, and chain to it the effect of Cyber Dragon Vier in my hand. When I summon or Special Summon a 'Cyber Dragon,' Vier Special Summons itself from the hand in Defense Position. Then we resolve Core's effect: when Core is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add 1 'Cyber' or 'Cybernetic' Spell/Trap from my Deck to my hand. I add 'Cybernetic Overflow.'"
"Next, I activate the effect of Cyber Dragon Nachster in my hand. I discard 1 monster other than itself to Special Summon it from my hand. I discard Cyber Dragon and Special Summon Nachster, then activate its on‑Summon effect to Special Summon 1 Machine with 2100 Attack or Defense from my Graveyard. I Special Summon Cyber Dragon."
"Then, I activate 'Fusion Substitute' using Cyber Dragon Herz, Cyber Dragon, and Cyber Dragon Nachster as materials to Fusion Summon 'Cyber Eternity Dragon.' I Set two cards and end my turn."
Turn 2
"I see. You used Future Fusion to fill your Graveyard and are holding Cybernetic Overflow to blow up my field later? As expected of Zane. Then, my turn, draw—"
Youmi drew a card, but as soon as he added it to his hand, one of Zane's Set cards flipped open.
"After your Draw Phase, I activate the Continuous Trap 'Rivalry of Warlords.'"
Zane saw the "are you kidding me" expression on Youmi's face; no explanation required.
"Zane, you son of a…!"
...
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