Yet the atmosphere between them had become like clashing blades, leaving no room for retreat.
Battle was about to begin at any moment!
"Both duelists, take your positions!"
Senior Judy's voice rose sharply.
Dark and Victor simultaneously drew their decks from their Card Cases and slowly inserted them into the card slots.
Afterward, the tables automatically shuffled the cards.
The words "Preparation Phase" appeared overhead.
The tension grew tighter and tighter.
Everyone realized that this duel had entered its final opening countdown.
The referee presiding over this moment wore a solemn expression.
The two commentators originally assigned to the "Silver Cup" stepped onto the commentary platform.
They were preparing to cover this "Golden Cup" points match, which carried special significance.
On the Red Duelist Platform.
On the Blue Duelist Platform.
Victor and Dark faced each other from afar, their gazes locked as their fingers rested above their shuffled decks.
"Beep—"
At that instant, the referee's whistle pierced the night sky.
The moon and stars overhead seemed to shine even more brightly in that moment.
"Preparation Phase" [30s]
The instant the "30s" countdown appeared, both duelists drew their cards at the same time!
Once the five cards were in hand, both duelists transferred them to their left hands and spread them open like peacock tails.
From then on, their movements and rhythm were almost completely identical.
Yet as their eyes flickered, the two stepped onto entirely different paths.
Dark no longer looked at Victor's expression. Instead, he focused completely on the five cards in his hand.
This "Bliss" deck he had assembled at the last minute was far from perfect. It had considerable flaws, both in its individual cards and in its overall structure.
But he had assembled it nonetheless and brought it into this duel.
Since that was the case,