Chapter 203

"Ughhh--!"

[Yusei Fudo: LP3300→200]

When the smoke cleared, Blaze was found unharmed on the field, Judai still had health points remaining.

Seeing this, Kaiser's eyes widened in shock. "They actually withstood the [Cyber End Dragon]'s attack?"

"Phew, that was close..."

After letting out a sigh of relief, Judai explained, "[Half Unbreak]'s effect is to prevent one monster on the field from being destroyed by battle this turn, and to reduce the battle damage it takes by half."

"Therefore, Blaze was not destroyed in this battle, and the damage he caused was reduced to 3100 points."

"Unfortunately, Kaiser, I am the one who wins in the end!"

Upon hearing this, Kaiser's lips curled up slightly.

"Yusei Fudo, you're quite interesting indeed."

Seeing his expression, Asuka was stunned. "Ryo, who's always been so serious, actually smiled..."

At this moment, Kaiser revealed his last card, saying, "I summon [Cyber Dragon] from my hand in Attack Position."

Buzz--!!

In a flash of golden light, a mechanical Qilin appeared beside him.

[Cyber Dragon: Attack Power 300]

[Ryo Marufuji's hand cards: 1→0]

"Due to this card's effect, I offer it as a tribute, and until the end phase of this turn, all damage from card effects against me becomes zero."

"In other words, the risks posed by [the Power Bond] are nullified."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Cyber Dragon on the field disappeared.

Asuka remarked, "As expected of Kaiser, he completely negated the negative effects and left his ace monster with an attack power of 8000 on the field. Now the pressure is back on Judai."

Of course, Judai wouldn't be afraid of this monster.

"My turn, draw a card!"

[Yusei Fudo's hand cards: 0→1]

After glancing at his hand, Judai first flicked his left hand, looked at the Flame Warrior beside him, and said, "I'm activating Flame Warrior's special effect once again."

"During my Main Phase, I send [Elemental HERO Avian] from my Deck to the Graveyard. This monster's Attributes, ATK, and DEF become the same as the monster sent to the Graveyard."

[Elemental HERO Flame Man: Attack 1200 → 1800, Defense 1800 → 300, Fire → Wind]

"And by offering up Blaze, whose attack power has been enhanced, Earth Hero's attack power increases by its numerical value."

As soon as he finished speaking, Blaze was instantly transformed into energy and absorbed by Earth Hero's core, becoming nourishment for the latter.

[Elemental HERO Earth Neos: Attack Power 2500 → 4300]

"Earth Hero's effect has no limit on the number of times it can be activated per turn, so I also offered up the Necromancer as a sacrifice, which increases the attack power by another 1900 points."

Thus, the Necromancer also transformed into pure energy and was absorbed by Earth Hero's core.

[Elemental HERO Earth Neos: Attack Power 4300 → 6200]

Seeing this, Kaiser said coldly, "6200 attack power... that is indeed a terrifying number, but in terms of attack power, [Cyber End Dragon] is still higher. That monster is still powerless against [Cyber End Dragon], which has been enhanced by [Power Bond]."

"Of course I knew that, so I was prepared..."

As he spoke, Judai revealed the card he had drawn that turn.

"I activate the Spell Card [Mask Change] from my hand!"

You can activate this effect by targeting 1 [Hero] monster and 1 [Change] Quick-Play Spell Card in your Graveyard. Add those cards to your hand.

"I'm adding [Elemental HERO Avian] and [Mask Change] from my graveyard to my hand."

[Yusei Fudo's card pack: 1→2]

Asuka exclaimed, "They actually managed to get their hands on [Mask Change] at this crucial moment!?"

At the same time, Kaiser's expression also changed slightly. "So that's how it is. [Mask Change] was also sent to the graveyard by [Card Blaster]."

Judai smiled smugly and replied, "That's right, I put this card in the graveyard from the very beginning."

"And I haven't even used my Normal Summon right this turn yet."

Chapter Twenty-Four: The First Change of Position in the Academy

"Go, Kaiser!"

After shouting, Judai slammed the monster cards from his hand onto the Duel Disk.

"I summon [Elemental HERO Avian] in Attack Position!"

Buzz--!!

With a flash of light, a blue warrior equipped with spiral wings on his back was projected.

[Elemental HERO Avian: Attack Power 1800]

After the new hero entered the field, Kaiser's eyes narrowed. "An [Elemental HERO] with 1800 attack power. With it, Earth Hero's attack power will increase to 8000, the same as the attack power of the monsters on my field."

"But this doesn't determine who wins or loses..."

"Solvadocana!"

"What?"

After refuting Kaiser's claim, Judai continued, "At the moment [Elemental HERO Avian] appears, select one of its special effects to activate."

"Using this monster's effect, select one [HERO] monster from your deck and add it to your hand."

"I chose [Elemental HERO Bubbleman]."

After receiving the card, he immediately revealed the Spell Card in his hand.

"It's not over yet. I'll activate the Quick-Play Spell [Mask Change] from my hand!"

[Yusei Fudo's card pack: 2 → 1]

"Send one of your [Hero] monsters to the Graveyard, and Special Summon one [Masked HERO] of the same Attribute."

As soon as he finished speaking, a tornado suddenly swept around Sky Scourge.

Huhu--!!!

"Sky Scourge's element is wind, therefore the [Masked HERO] he summons is also wind-elemental."

Upon hearing this, Kaiser was stunned for a moment, "Wind attribute, could it be...?!"

Judai nodded, smiling as he admitted, "That's right, it's that 'could it be'?"

He then flicked his hand and shouted, "Henshin! Show yourself, [Masked HERO Winds]!!"

Soon, the tornado dissipated, revealing the figures inside.

The Sky Scourge had vanished, replaced by a green-clad warrior wearing a scarf, with a gentle breeze blowing around him.

[Masked HERO Winds: Gust - Attack Power 2200]

Kaiser's mouth gaped slightly, then he smiled wryly and said, "Masked HERO, Gale... I remember its effect is to weaken the opponent's monster's attack power..."

Judai grinned and replied, "Yes, that's right."

"Since Gust is Special Summoned, its special ability is activated!"

"One of the opponent's monsters has its attack power halved."

With a flick of his wrist, a gust of wind swept around the Cyber End Dragon.

[Cyber End Dragon: Attack Power 8000 → 4000]

Asuka suddenly became excited, "Amazing! This means Earth Hero's attack power has surpassed Earthman's! Judai can actually beat Akira!"

At this point, Kaiser truly had no means of defense, and his defeat was inevitable.

However, he was convinced and shouted, "Come on, Judai!"

"Oh--!!"

After responding to him, Judai immediately waved his arm and shouted, "Go! [Elemental HERO Earth Neos] attacks [Cyber End Dragon]! Earth Impact!"

Earth Hero possessed the body again and charged forward, his fists piercing through the body of the Cyber End Dragon, causing a violent explosion.

Boom--!!

After the smoke and dust cleared, the three-headed mechanical dragon had vanished from sight.

"Well..."

[Ryo Marufuji: LP4000→1800]

"The final blow! [Masked HERO Winds] attacks Kaiser directly!"

At the Judai's command, a gust of wind stretched out its palm and released a Mystical Space Typhoon that covered Kaiser.

"Hmph..."

[Ryo Marufuji: LP1800→0]

When the storm subsided, Ryo Marufuji's figure reappeared before their eyes.

Judai, beaming, flicked his fingers. "I won! What an interesting duel!"

Kaiser would not be dissatisfied with this.

He smiled and said, "Well done, Yusei Fudo. You're the first person to make me taste defeat; it was certainly an interesting duel."

"From today onwards, the throne of the Duel Academy No. 1 belongs to you."

Judai rubbed his nose smugly, "Hehe~, then I'll accept it without hesitation."

Although somewhat unwilling, Kaiser nodded slightly and said, "From now on, it's my turn to challenge your position."

"Back in the Duel Academy, I never had a worthy opponent, and my dueling skills couldn't improve even a fraction; they remained at what I called a perfect level."

Upon hearing this, Judai raised an eyebrow and asked, "You've been feeling lost, haven't you?"

"Yes, but now that I have you as a junior, I have the possibility to move forward again."

"Just you wait, Judai. Once my dueling skills have improved further, I will fight you again."

Judai replied with a smile, "Then I'll wait for that day, but I'll still be the winner then."

Ryo Marufuji laughed along, "You're really confident."

The two, who appreciated each other's talents, smiled at each other.

"As for the Chivalry Duel a few days from now, I don't need to worry about it. With your and her strength, you should pass it easily."

"Of course! As long as Asuka and I team up, we can easily defeat any opponent."

Asuka had been ignored for a long time by the two card-playing enthusiasts, was finally brought up by them.

Asuka frowned slightly, pressed her face close to Judai's, and scolded, "Don't be careless, Judai! What if we lose? We'll both be expelled from school!"

Judai was taken aback by her imposing manner and stammered, "Oh, oh, okay..."

The girl stood with her hands on her hips, looking intently at his face, and said, "Alright, now that your duel with Ryo is over, you'll help me organize our decks and prepare for the Arbitration Duel in a few days."

"Okay, I understand."

Ryo Marufuji, watching the two interact like a couple, had a somewhat subtle expression on his face.

He thought to himself, "What would Fubuki do if she found out that my sister is so close to another boy?"

However, he thought of his friend's frivolous and playful personality, who would definitely try to bring them together, and it was very likely that they would make it public knowledge.

However, this had nothing to do with Ryo Marufuji. While Judai and Asuka were still talking, he said goodbye and went back to his dormitory.

The two stayed behind to discuss how to coordinate their teamwork in the upcoming Arbitration Duel.

A few days later, the day finally arrived for Professor Chronos to arrange the Arbitration Duel.

Inside the Duel Arena, which was filled with students, Judai and Asuka walked out of the passageway together.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Labyrinth Brothers