My Turn

The Scorpio Gate, with its interwoven light, forms the stage for Yu-Gi-Oh!!

Inside the door, Scorpio Scorpio and Cana stood facing each other.

A semi-transparent game arena appeared on the ground between the two players, complete with grids, card slots, a life counter, and even its own lighting effects.

Scorpio held a stack of cards in his hand, grinned, and revealed two rows of white teeth.

"Since you're a card master, let's have an exciting duel! I'll go first!"

Scorpio pulled a card from his hand and slammed it onto the field.

Summon Gemini! Then set a card face down to end Gemini turn.

He casually pulled out another card and placed it face down on the ground.

A flash of light appeared in the arena, revealing two smaller figures – miniature versions of Gemi and Mini.

The two little ones stood ramrod straight, like two little sentries on guard, side by side in the middle of the field, with a cover card facing up behind them, looking rather mysterious.

Bilibili!

A number pops up above Gemini's head: Attack Power 1000.

Cana looked down at the deck of cards in her left hand, somewhat bewildered.

She flipped the card over and over, then held it up to the light to examine it. It was just a blank sheet of paper, nothing there.

Still not giving up, she brought the card to her nose and smelled it, wondering if there was any invisible ink.

"A duel? What nonsense is this? What are the rules? Why are my cards blank?"

"Then I'll be merciful and state the rules; I am the rules."

"???"

That's as good as saying nothing at all!

Cana looked completely bewildered, opened her mouth, but couldn't figure out where to begin.

She suppressed the numerous questions in her mind and went through the cards, the field, and Scorpio's actions from beginning to end.

As she pondered it, she began to understand.

This game has no fixed rules.

The venue is a picture in your mind, and the cards are your imagination.

Whatever you think in your heart, that's what's on your card.

Scorpio raised his chin.

"It seems you understand."

This scene, witnessed by the Princess Hisui outside the light screen, caused her brows to furrow so deeply they could trap a fly.

"What do you understand now? Are all Celestial Spirit this abstract after their mutation?"

Back inside the door.

Cana closed her eyes and silently recited the mantra.

The blank card in her hand suddenly felt warm, and a face she recognized most appeared on it.

They were all her Fairy Tail friends; familiar faces lined up and popped into her mind.

Cana opened her eyes, smiled confidently, drew two cards from her hand, and slammed them onto the table.

"Summon! Riyao! Mirajane!"

Two small figures landed on the field.

A miniature version of Riyao and a miniature version of Mirajane stood side by side, not even reaching Cana's knees.

The moment Little Riyao saw Little Mirajane, his eyes lit up and he scurried over.

"Mira!"

"Stop fooling around, we're fighting."

Small Mirajane, with a stern face, pushed Small Riyao aside.

The smaller version of Riyao, unwilling to give up, moved another half step in that direction.

"..."

Cana suppressed a laugh, trying to quell her smugness, and drew another card.

"I activate the Spell Card Star Dress! This card can fuse Riyao and Mira."

The smaller version of Riyao transformed into a stream of light, covering the smaller Mirajane and becoming a ribbon that encircled her.

The halo of light from the ribbons rippled outwards, illuminating the checkered pattern beneath their feet.

Mirajane's aura visibly increased, and a number popped up above his head.

Attack power: 10000.

Scorpio's eye twitched.

"I asked you to imitate, not to surpass."

Cana puffed out her chest, exuding confidence.

"Go! Mira! Crush them!"

Mirajane responded immediately, a ball of dark light gathering in her small hand, growing larger and larger until it solidified into a black sun.

[The Pitch-Black Sun]

The black sun hurtled toward Gemini.

Gemi and Mini screamed and vanished into starlight particles, not even having time to flip the overlay card behind them.

The black sun continued its relentless advance, smearing Scorpio's face with its light.

Scorpio's health points decreased from 4 to 3.

Instead of getting angry, Scorpio laughed, dusted himself off, and his tone even carried a hint of appreciation.

"Very good, as expected of a master card player. This was a thoroughly enjoyable battle."

Cana scratched her head. Such a cringeworthy line—it was unclear whether he was genuinely praising her or just plain stupid from losing.

I'll end my turn by setting one card face down.

She drew a card and placed it face down in the center of the room.

It was Scorpio's turn.

He drew two cards from his deck, glanced at them, and chuckled.

"Looks like Lady Luck is on my side! Summon Leo the Lion! Then activate Lion's Radiance! This card's effect is: if there's Leo the Lion on the field, summon two more Leo the Lion. Fusion of the three Leos... Come forth, Two-Star Leo!"

The arena was ablaze with light.

Three small Leo are stacked together to form a medium-sized Leo, which stands there with a burly build, exuding an imposing aura.

Attack power: 11000.

Cana gasped. Good heavens, it was a thousand higher than hers.

"Leo! Launch the attack!"

Leo raised his hands, and a ball of dark flame leaped from his palms, condensing into a roaring lion's head phantom, which he blasted towards Mirajane.

"Now! Activate the face-down card! Riyao's Protection!"

Flip the cover card over.

Mirajane and Riyao's Star Dress lost their light, and the fusion dissipated.

The smaller version of Riyao stepped forward to block, raised its small hand, and with a flash of green light, blocked all of the lion's head's attacks, standing still without retreating an inch.

Scorpio clicked his tongue.

"I didn't expect there to be such a move. End of round."

Cana drew two cards, which gave her more confidence.

"Activate the Dragon Force! Riyao transforms into the Azure Dragon Form! Riyao and Mirajane each launch an attack!"

The smaller version of Riyao swayed, transforming into a majestic little azure Azure Dragon. It raised its head and roared before smashing Leo to pieces.

Mirajane followed closely behind, unleashing an attack on Scorpio.

His health points dropped another bar.

"Next, activate the card Star Dress! Riyao and Mirajane merge once more! Attack!"

The Riyao transformed back into ribbons, wrapping around Mirajane.

[The Pitch-Black Sun]

The black sun condensed once more, this time without any regard for reason, and crashed down on Scorpio with unstoppable force.

My last life.

Scorpio clutched his chest, glanced down at his health bar, and sighed resignedly.

Cana picked up another card, held it above her head, and raised her voice.

"By sacrificing Mirajane, the Star Dress, we summon Fairy Tail's Guild Master Makarov and launch an attack!"

Mirajane in the field turned into particles and dissipated.

A miniature version of an old man appeared out of thin air in the arena, and upon landing, his body expanded wildly, transforming into a towering giant.

Makarov, in giant form.

He looked down at Scorpio at his feet, as if he were looking at a tiny ant.

The giant slammed down with a punch, the resulting gust of wind rattling the cards on the field. Scorpio didn't even have time to react, and his last life was instantly wiped out.

Cana jumped up and swung her fist.

"I won!"

Scorpio shook his head.

I was just not bold enough, and my skin wasn't thick enough.

He couldn't bring himself to print the card, so he deserved to lose.

Cana took out the key to the locked door and pressed it against his forehead.

A flash of light.

Scorpio successfully closed the door.