April 23rd.
The day of the match had arrived, an event the entire Underworld had been buzzing about.
The stadium, located in Gremory territory near the family castle, was packed. Spectators from every corner of the realm gathered, eager to witness the clash between a human and a Phenex.
The crowd was divided. Half supported Riser, whether out of devil loyalty or belief in his overwhelming advantage; the other half rallied behind Judai, some inspired by a human defying norms, others reminded of the legendary romance between Sirzechs and Grayfia.
In the VIP section, the Phenex family, Lord Phenex, Lady Phenex, Ruval, and Ravel, wore complicated expressions. Across from them sat Zeoticus, Venelana, and Sirzechs, all smiling confidently. Behind them stood Grayfia, poised and neutral, while Rias watched with subtle concern.
On the commentator's platform stood Reid Phenex and Naud Namagin, a flamboyant man with purple hair and a trimmed black beard, both dressed extravagantly for the occasion.
"Welcome, Underworld!" their voices boomed in unison across the stadium.
Naud leaned into his microphone. "Is everyone ready to see their world unmade? Are you prepared to witness a moment that will be written into history?"
The crowd roared in response.
"Let's not waste any more time!" Reid announced, his voice carrying over the noise. "From the right corner… BEHOLD! The eternal blaze, the undying scourge, the rising flame, the Phoenix of the Phenex clan! RISER PHENEX!"
Riser emerged from the right tunnel, striding onto the stage with arrogant grace, a victor's smile already on his face. The stadium erupted in applause.
Naud's voice cut through the cheers. "And opposing the inferno, from the left corner… we have the human, the enigma, the champion chosen by Princess Rias herself, the impossible made possible! The wielder of an unrecorded Longinus… YUKI JUDAI!"
A mix of boos and cheers filled the air as Judai stepped out from the left tunnel. He wore a simple black t-shirt and sport pants, his Duel Disk already active on his arm. The monster zones were empty, Judai had come ready to fight.
Everyone's eyes locked onto the Duel Disk.
"Is that… the unrecorded Longinus?" Naud exclaimed, thrilled.
The audience stared, but among them, reincarnated devils and anime fans immediately recognized the device.
"Isn't that a Duel Disk?"
"Is he going to summon a Duel Monster?"
"Wait, now that I look at him… he kind of looks like Jaden."
"Is that scmaden smuchki?"
Laughter rippled through parts of the crowd.
Then, a reincarnated devil near the front shouted, "JUDAI, GET YOUR GAME ON!"
Judai chuckled softly.
"What's so funny?" Riser demanded.
"Because…" Judai grinned, raising his Duel Disk. "THERE IS NO NEXT TURN, DRAW!"
He drew five cards from his deck in one swift motion.
The stadium erupted, not in confusion, but in wild, nostalgic cheers from every reincarnated devil and anime fan present. The atmosphere shifted instantly, charged with recognition and excitement.
The announcers and those unfamiliar with Yu-Gi-Oh! looked on in confusion. In the VIP section, Rias chuckled softly, stopping abruptly when she noticed the others watching her.
"What's so funny, Ria?" Sirzechs asked, curious.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat, composing herself. "He's acting like a character from an anime series, one many in the crowd seem to recognize."
The Phenex family, especially Lord and Lady Phenex, grew visibly annoyed. The human had somehow turned the audience in his favor before the match had even properly begun.
On the stage, Riser seethed. "Start the match! Don't waste my time!"
His outburst drew boos from the crowd, but it prompted Reid to announce, "Let the match begin!"
A barrier enveloped the stage, transforming the arena into a star-filled expanse with a misty, celestial floor.
The moment the field solidified, Riser's fiery wings erupted from his back. He shot toward Judai, unleashing a torrent of flames from his palm.
Judai leapt back just in time, his clothes shifting instantly into his Regalia outfit as he avoided the blaze. At the same moment, he summoned Dodger Dragon, a sleek green dragon that materialized in front of him.
Dodger Dragon dove into the lingering smoke, emerging on the other side with jaws aimed for Riser's head. Riser narrowly dodged, and the dragon soared back to hover protectively beside Judai. As it did, Judai set two trap cards into his Spell & Trap Zone.
Riser grew wary, finally grasping that Judai's summons were real threats.
"Why'd you stop attacking?" Judai taunted.
Riser ignored him, focusing instead on reading Judai's strategy.
"If you won't attack, I will. Trap card, activate!" Judai called out.
A massive trap card, Switch Point, appeared before him. A spectral train erupted from the card, speeding straight toward Riser.
Riser dodged left, but the train adjusted its trajectory, locking onto him. At the last second, he soared upward, evading the attack and as he did, Judai drew a card, frowning slightly at what he saw.
Seeing the dragon holding position, Riser launched a massive fireball toward Judai. But just before impact, another trap activated, a swirling vortex of wind gathered around Judai, catching the fireball and hurling it back at Riser.
Caught off guard, Riser took the blast head-on. He emerged unscathed, his clothing singed but his body healed almost instantly thanks to his Phoenix regeneration.
As the wind cleared, he watched Judai draw another card.
Throughout the stadium and on screens across the Underworld, spectators reacted with shock and excitement.
"That's the advanced enhancement magic from the interview!"
"He can summon a dragon?!"
Meanwhile, the anime fans in the crowd were ecstatic.
"He's dueling for real! I can't believe it!"
"He said the thing!"
"Go, Judai! Show him the heart of the cards!"
In the VIP section, Zeoticus turned to Rias. "That's new. When did he learn to do that?"
Sirzechs watched with a pleased smile, while Venelana looked on, already fond of her future son-in-law.
"I don't know," Rias admitted. "This is the first time I've seen him fight like this."
The Phenex family exchanged tense glances, surprised by the conversation and by the realization that even Rias didn't know the full extent of Judai's abilities.