As the Duel began, the students cleared a space for the two duelists. The mont their Duel Disks lit up and shuffled their decks, the surrounding buildings and roads began to transform automatically.
Only when it ca to Dueling could KaibaCorp move with such explosive efficiency.
In just a matter of seconds, Hikaru and Aster were elevated onto a large platform, slightly higher than the rest of the students, allowing everyone to better view the details of the Duel.
Moreover, to ensure that no spectator missed anything, nurous transparent light-screens lit up around the stage, displaying the two duelists from various angles.
"I have the first move? Then, it's my turn. I draw."
Hikaru drew a card.
The fact that the Light of Destruction had possessed Aster was sothing even Hikaru could hardly believe.
After all, in the original story, Aster was the dark counterpart to Sartorius's personality, representing "Fate"—a true Hero.
It was conceivable for anyone to be possessed by the Light of Destruction, but Aster had always been an exception.
Through his analysis of the original and this world's state, Hikaru had roughly concluded that although Aster was sharp-tongued and opposed Jaden Yuki, he was, deep down, a Hero who yearned for peace and disliked conflict.
Thus, he was naturally resistant to destructive impulses.
However, the facts now stood before Hikaru, forcing him to accept the truth.
"I activate the Continuous Spell Card, Fla Swordsrealm." Hikaru glanced at his hand and slotted the card into his Duel Disk.
"Whoa, it's the Swordsrealm!"
"It's coming!"
Students from the main campus imdiately knew what Hikaru was planning. So, who hadn't seen Fla Swordsman in a long ti, grew visibly excited.
After all, Fla Swordsman was one of Hikaru's most iconic "signature cards."
Hikaru looked down at his hand.
Although he was surprised, he didn't let it linger.
It was simple, really. More than half a year ago, while waiting for Jaden to battle the Sacred Beasts, Hikaru had discovered by chance that Kagemaru had died unexpectedly. From then on, he realized the "original story" could at best be used as a reference. Relying on it entirely was a mistake.
So aside from countering the Fusion Army, he'd been discussing the current state of the Academy and world with Chazz, trying to grasp their situation as much as possible.
That said, Aster and Jaden... were matters Hikaru had never interfered with.
Simply because...
To Hikaru, that had absolutely nothing to do with him!
Aster and Jaden each had their own path as Heroes, with their own setbacks and growth. Jumping into their personal conflicts for no reason? That would just be asking for trouble.
Even so, that was when they still stood as counterparts.
Now, sohow, the Light Force had infected even Aster. At the very least, he hadn't gone completely insane yet. Which ant, while Aster was still confused, Hikaru couldn't act as if nothing had happened. He couldn't let Aster go chasing after a Jaden whose whereabouts were unknown.
"Aster, I'll give it everything I've got."
Aster nodded.
Countless spectators swallowed hard, watching the Duel unfold with great anticipation.
Even though Hikaru had gathered many powerful Fusion Monsters, for so reason, whenever he summoned "Fla Swordsman," it always felt like that was when he was at his most serious.
"I activate the effect of the Continuous Spell Card, Fla Swordsrealm!"
Blazing flas ignited around Hikaru, and from within a dragon of fire, a swordsman in blue robes stood with arms crossed, half-shrouded in the inferno.
"Once per turn, I can send 1 monster from my hand or face-up field to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon 1 'Fla Swordsman'!"
Hikaru sent a monster from his hand to the Graveyard. "Co forth, my most loyal swordsman!"
"Hah! My liege, I have arrived!" From within the flaming dragon, the Fla Swordsman leapt out and landed firmly on the field.
[Fla Swordsman] Level 5│FIRE│Warrior│1600 DEF
"I set one card and end my turn!"
It was a simple yet nostalgic opening. Many second and third-year students couldn't help but smile in rembrance, while so first-years, unaware of what their seniors were reminiscing about, still felt a thrill seeing the legendary swordsman.
"Fla Swordsman," Aster murmured softly as he raised his gaze.
This was the Fusion Monster recorded in the school database as the one Hikaru favored during his journey along the path of Fusion.
With its various supporting Fusion Spells, this monster, despite having only 1800 Attack, had demonstrated countless powerful effects.
Aster closed his eyes in contemplation.
In so ways, he felt envy… envy toward Hikaru's pure and undiluted pursuit of Fusion.
Though now…
"My turn. I draw."
After drawing, Aster revealed two cards from his hand.
"Spell Card, Destiny Draw."
"Discard 1 Destiny HERO card from my hand to draw two cards."
"I discard Destiny HERO - Malicious from my hand to draw two."
Once he finished, he pointed to his Graveyard.
"Malicious's monster effect—by banishing him from the Graveyard, I can Special Summon another Malicious from my Deck!"
"Co forth, Destiny HERO - Malicious."
A warrior with wings on his back and a bare chest, jokingly dubbed "Trunks Guy," appeared on Aster's field.
[Destiny HERO - Malicious] Level 6│DARK│Warrior│800 ATK
"Next, I Normal Summon, Destiny HERO - Diamond Dude!"
A green-caped warrior covered in diamonds swept his cloak dramatically as he erged.
[Destiny HERO - Diamond Dude] Level 4│DARK│Warrior│1400 ATK
"Diamond Dude's effect—once per turn, reveal the top card of my Deck. If it's a Normal Spell, send it to the Graveyard. Otherwise, place it at the bottom of the Deck.
If it was a Normal Spell, then during my next Main Phase, I can activate its effect from the Graveyard."
"Departnt Head, Zane Truesdale, once recomnded you to . He said your Fusion style would show sothing beyond Fate." Aster recalled his Pro Duel match against Zane.
Hikaru nodded lightly.
He certainly didn't mind Dueling Aster.
After all, if he wanted to obtain the "Destiny HERO - Destroy Phoenix Enforcer," the embodint of rebirth among Fusion Monsters, there was no better way than to Duel Aster.
"But…" Aster lowered his head, sorrow clouding his expression, and the dark aura around him intensified.
He muttered, "Lately, I've co to understand—Fate... really cannot be changed.
The next card will be a Normal Spell."
Several students stretched their necks, trying to catch a glimpse of Aster's next card.
"No way, could he really call that?"
"Right? How many Normal Spells can you even run in one Deck?"
"What are the chances? And it turns out to be a Normal Spell!"
So students assud Aster was bluffing.
But he calmly held up the card for all to see.
"Normal Spell Card, Pot of Greed!" He sent it to the Graveyard. "Next turn, I can activate Pot of Greed's effect!"
"It really was a Normal Spell!?"
"What insane luck!"
"Seriously? And it was Pot of Greed?!"
From the audience, Celina watched the Duel, an inexplicable dread rising within her… as if sothing terrible had locked its eyes on her. Just flipping over a single card made her feel like a monstrous demon had marked her.
What was going on?
She looked around the arena.
There was nothing obviously suspicious, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that a pair of malicious eyes were staring down from the sky, fixated on this Duel!
...
Stone 💎💎💎
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