This Trainer Has No Sportsmanship

"Use Rock Slide!"

Dio snapped out of his shaken state and hurriedly gave the command.

Emerald Dragon threw back its head and let out a long roar. Rocks gathered around it one after another, then shot forth like missiles.

But Rose Diamond's advance did not slow in the slightest. Displaying extraordinary agility, she easily dodged the thrown rocks, weaving through the gaps as she rushed before Emerald Dragon. She soared into the air and thrust her sword forward, striking it squarely in the chest.

The rapier was utterly incomparable in size to Emerald Dragon. Even if it pierced all the way through, it would probably be like a person being pricked by a toothpick. Yet pink light flashed across the blade, and Emerald Dragon howled in pain as though it had been struck by a stone hurled from a catapult, rolling across the ground as it retreated.

"It's actually Fairy-type!"

Unlike ordinary people, noble-born Dio had many avenues through which to learn about spirits. Since his family specialized in the Rock-type lineage, he had even seen spirits from the Gem-Knight series before. But this was still his first time encountering Gem-Knight Lady Rose Diamond. He had never expected her to possess a second lineage, one that happened to strongly counter Dragon-type.

Lineage counters were also divided into several tiers. From weakest to strongest, they were: "Your attacks deal normal damage to the enemy, while the enemy's attacks against you are weakened"; "Your attacks deal double damage to the enemy, while the enemy's attacks against you deal normal damage"; "Your attacks deal double damage to the enemy, while the enemy's attacks against you are weakened"; and "Your attacks deal double damage to the enemy, while the enemy's attacks against you are nullified."

Fairy-type's counter against Dragon-type belonged to the strongest tier. Of course, as long as an attack was powerful enough, it could break through nullification and deal damage. But Emerald Dragon's attack power clearly had not reached that level, which meant all its Dragon-type moves had been sealed away.

The customers drawn over by the commotion of Emerald Dragon's entrance were even more shocked by the sight.

"The spiritual power detector says this female spirit is an Eight-Star spirit, and she doesn't seem to be Slack Off or disobeying orders. Could this young trainer's spiritual power have reached Eight-Star too?"

"Not necessarily. They might just have a deep bond, like an ace spirit raised from childhood."

"Come to think of it, I've never seen this spirit before. She looks both powerful and luxurious. Is that armor on her body made of diamonds?"

"So what if it is? Are you planning to pry it off and sell it? Don't forget, anything on a spirit's body turns into spiritual power and disappears soon after leaving it."

"Who would be so vulgar? I just think this spirit suits my noble temperament perfectly, and I wanted to ask where I could buy one."

Dio paid no attention to the surrounding discussion. Once he entered a duel, he was utterly focused and free of distractions. His serious expression was vastly different from his usual self as he immediately activated the Spell Card he had just forged.

"I activate Dragon's Treasure, increasing Emerald Dragon's offensive and defensive capabilities."

This was an E-rank Spell Card that could only increase a Dragon-Type spirit's attack power and defense by 300 points. Although the boost was weak and came with a racial restriction, compared to other incomprehensible E-rank cards, this card could at least be put to use.

Forging Dragon's Treasure at the start was one of Dio's common tactics. Forging an E-rank Spell Card did not consume much spiritual power. If Emerald Dragon could overwhelm its opponent, he would set the card on the field to confuse them. If it could not, he would use it to enhance Emerald Dragon's abilities. Either way, he would not lose out.

Although he had nearly been talked into limping by You Zhi's few words earlier, he still possessed all the scheming and tactics a trainer ought to have.

Strengthened, Emerald Dragon swung its tail in a fierce counterattack, but Rose Diamond still easily dodged it. Even while evading, she thrust her sword into its tail again. Fairy-type energy erupted, sending countless gemstone fragments flying in every direction.

Dio thought quickly and commanded, "That opponent is too agile. We have to restrict her movements. Use Stealth Rock."

Receiving the order, Emerald Dragon spread its wings. Invisible, fine stone fragments flew out, but rather than shooting toward its opponent, they hovered in midair.

In the Pokémon games, Stealth Rock was a disruption move that damaged Pokémon switched onto the field, but had no effect on Pokémon already present. In real combat, however, it was a completely different matter. It was used to obstruct an opponent's movements.

The floating stone fragments had sharp edges and corners. Any collision would inevitably cause cuts and scrapes. The faster a spirit moved, the harder it became to avoid them. Furthermore, according to the laws of physics, the faster one moved, the greater the injury from impact. Slow-moving, thick-skinned behemoths, on the other hand, could ignore them.

Rose Diamond seemed to have considered this as well. Rather than charge forward again, she stood where she was and swung her blade, slashing out Air Slash after Air Slash.

Yet those air blades only left shallow wounds on Emerald Dragon's body.

Seeing this, the corners of Dio's lips curled upward. This was exactly the effect he wanted!

"Use Rock Slide continuously!"

Emerald Dragon straightened up and continuously summoned rocks to smash at its opponent. Rose Diamond's movements were hindered. After barely evading the first few volleys, she was ultimately struck by a rock and sent flying backward.

Seeing this, You Zhi glanced at the four E-rank Spell Cards in his hand—he had intended to send Silent Magician out as his second spirit.

After a brief consideration, he chose one and poured in triple the spiritual power to forcefully activate it.

"I activate White Hole!"

Magnet Warrior God

According to the rules of Card Duel, one could not activate White Hole unless the opponent had activated the Spell Card Dark Hole. But Spirit Duel had no such restrictions. It could be activated whenever one wished, at worst resulting in an ineffective use.

Everyone was stunned when they saw You Zhi activate White Hole, and two questions arose in their minds almost simultaneously—"Why did he activate White Hole?" and "Why did he forge that card?"

However, when the white vortex descended onto the field, everyone suddenly understood.

According to astronomy, a black hole was a celestial body that absorbed inward, while a white hole was a celestial body that repelled outward.

Naturally, the Spell Card White Hole could not truly summon a white hole. But it still had to obey the basic principle. Thus, when the white vortex descended upon the training ground, it generated an outward force.

That force was extremely weak, at most equivalent to the lowest setting of a household electric fan. It could not harm spirits at all, but it was more than enough to push away the Stealth Rock hovering in the air.

Before long, under the white vortex's effect, the shattered stones scattered across the training ground were forced to the outermost edge. Rose Diamond immediately regained her freedom and unleashed a storm-like offensive with a flurry of sword thrusts. Fairy-type energy struck Emerald Dragon and detonated in a chain of explosions.

The academy-trained Dio was somewhat dumbfounded by You Zhi's unconventional move and did not know how to respond for a moment.

"White Hole can actually be used like that!"

"I always thought it was a useless card. I never expected it could clear Stealth Rock. I need to write this down quickly. It might come in handy someday."

"Exactly. Even if we learn how to use other Spell Cards, we might not be able to summon them. But with E-rank Spell Cards, we can just try a few more times. I refuse to believe we'll never manage to summon them."

Just as the spectators enthusiastically discussed it, Dio responded. His method was simple: have Emerald Dragon scatter Stealth Rock again.

Spell Cards had cooldown periods, but spirit skills did not have the concept of cooldowns. They could be repeatedly used in succession. White Hole, unfortunately, was not a sustained effect. After appearing on the field for a while, it dissipated.

At that sight, the spectators who had been buzzing moments ago all fell silent, as if invisible hands had gripped their throats. Only one person muttered, "It can still create an opportunity for a killing blow."

However, the battle did not return to its previous state as they had expected. Rose Diamond ignored the damage from Stealth Rock and continued her relentless assault.

After all, as a Rock-type spirit, Rose Diamond's body was not made of flesh and blood. She was not so afraid of colliding with stone fragments. Moreover, she wore a suit of diamond armor. Although it did not cover her entire body, it protected her vital areas, making the damage from Stealth Rock insignificant.

Once Rose Diamond set aside her concerns and began her fierce offensive, she immediately gained the upper hand and firmly suppressed her opponent.

This was not strange. Compared to throwing rocks for ranged attacks, Emerald Dragon excelled more at Close Combat using its physical advantages. Yet because of the lineage disadvantage, it did not dare engage in close quarters. Every contact put it at a disadvantage, preventing it from displaying its true strength.

Dio's attitude, however, was strange as well. Seeing his spirit fall into a losing position, he was not anxious, which was understandable since remaining calm in danger was a virtue. But after forging a Spell Card and setting it on the field, he made no further moves and gave no further commands, simply watching his spirit head toward defeat.

After exchanging blows for a while, Rose Diamond spotted an opening and leaped into the air. Her next sword strike was no longer a thrust like before, but a vertical downward chop. In martial arts terms, it was Forcefully Split Mount Hua, fused with the Fighting-type move Brick Break.

The sword struck Emerald Dragon's head. Emerald Dragon let out a mournful cry and collapsed under the heavy blow, clearly on its last legs.

Rose Diamond's body was covered in scratches left by collisions with Stealth Rock, but she paid them no mind. She plunged sharply from the sky like a falling star, her sword tip surging with Fairy-type energy. If it struck, Emerald Dragon would surely explode on the spot.

"Now! I activate Explosive Dragon Breath!"

[Charge Spell: Explosive Dragon Breath]

[Effect: Sacrifice one of your Dragon-Type spirits to destroy all spirits on the field whose defense is lower than that Dragon-Type spirit's attack power]

As Dio activated the fully charged Spell Card, a demonic dragon with a pair of enormous ram horns appeared on the field. The dragon opened its mouth and transformed Emerald Dragon into spiritual power, swallowing it whole. Then it spewed ferocious blazing flames toward Rose Diamond, whose attack had missed.

In an instant, the entire training ground was engulfed in roaring Flame. The Duel Barrier appeared, preventing the energy from spilling out and harming the two trainers or spectators outside the field.

You Zhi spoke through the flames. "You did nothing all along because you had decided to use that Spell Card for mutual destruction?"

Dio flicked his bangs with two fingers and said, "The moment I discovered your spirit possessed the Fairy-type lineage, I knew this battle would be difficult to win. So I had to prepare in advance. Even if I could not win, I could at least avoid losing. All right, let us each send out our second spirit and continue the battle."

"That may not be necessary."

"What?"

When the demonic dragon vanished, the flames covering the field also went out instantly. Yet Rose Diamond still stood tall, without the slightest sign of being burned. Not only that, she had leveled up after defeating a powerful enemy.

Dio came to his senses and suddenly realized, "This spirit has resistance to effect destruction."

You Zhi neither confirmed nor denied it. He merely set a Spell Card on the field, then urged, "Hurry up and send out your second spirit. I still need to check out of the room."

Dio chuckled, then turned serious. "When I saw that you could command an Eight-Star spirit, I actually already believed you were not a liar. Mother does not want Alisa dating anyone, but I only care whether she has been deceived."

You Zhi nodded. "In that case, there is no need to continue this duel. We can each go home and find our mothers."

"No. If I stop now, the Locke family's reputation will inevitably suffer. Earlier, I fought for Alisa. Next, I will fight for myself. Let me show you my ace."

With a sweeping motion of his arm, Dio pulled a Pokémon Card from thin air.

"Master Bipolar Force and break through boundless darkness! Let the three Magnets gather into the light of a war god! Descend in fusion, Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior!"

[Magnet Warrior: Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior (8-Star) EARTH]

[Lineage: Rock-type]

[Level: 36]

[Attack Power: 3500 (3325)]

[Defense: 3850 (3658)]

[Rock-Type, Effect: You can release this card on your field to Special Summon one each of Alpha the Magnet Warrior, Beta the Magnet Warrior, and Gamma the Magnet Warrior from your graveyard]

Fusion and Separation

Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior was undoubtedly the spirit with the highest attack power You Zhi had encountered in this world. Its offensive and defensive capabilities both exceeded 3000, completely crushing Gem-Knight Lady Rose Diamond.

After seeing its stats through his cheat, You Zhi immediately said to Rose Diamond, "Do not hold back. Give it everything you have."

Although Rose Diamond did not understand, she did as told. Quartz's phantom appeared around her, greatly raising her offensive and defensive stats. Even so, once she clashed with Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior, she swiftly fell into a disadvantage.

Both spirits excelled in close combat and used swords as their weapons. Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior was slightly larger, but still within the range of a normal humanoid. It was nothing like the previous Emerald Dragon, so both sides tacitly chose to test each other through swordplay.

Rose Diamond's attacks focused on thrusts, emphasizing speed and precision. Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior focused on slashes, emphasizing power and weight. Neither style was inherently superior, but the wielders of the swords differed in strength.

Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior was stronger and sturdier. Even its seemingly simple and unadorned swordsmanship, in the eyes of an expert like You Zhi, was clearly more skilled than Rose Diamond's.

In martial arts terms, Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior had already begun subtraction, while Rose Diamond was still doing addition. There was plainly a difference of two levels between them. Of course, that was related to Rose Diamond having only recently mastered her evolved form. It could not be rushed.

There was no lineage counter between them, and Rose Diamond was suppressed in ability and skill alike. Even an outsider could tell that she had fallen behind in the battle. The wounds on her body increased at a visible rate. It was only because she wore diamond armor that she could withstand much of the damage. Any other unarmored spirit would likely have already collapsed from severe injuries.

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, You Zhi had no way to reverse it. Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior was battle-hardened, and no obvious flaw could be found in its technique. Giving random commands would only make things worse. Like Dio across from him, who had fallen silent and allowed his spirit to fight freely, completely unlike when he had commanded Emerald Dragon. Dio clearly understood which spirits needed guidance and which should be given free rein.

After all, the previous battle aside, the rhythm of the two spirits' current fight was swift and crisp. A trainer's speaking speed simply could not keep up. Even if one spotted an opening in the opposing spirit, the battle would already have changed by the time an order was issued.

Furthermore, Rose Diamond herself had no corresponding enhancement Spell Cards. Even if You Zhi wanted to help, he had no way to do so.

Forging Axe of Fools could raise her attack power by 1000, but numerical stats were not the same as actual combat ability. Rose Diamond was not skilled at wielding heavy weapons like axes. Forcing an axe-shaped divine weapon into her hands might very well lower her actual combat strength instead of increasing it.

Left with no other choice, You Zhi could only try activating the Spell Card Miniature Ray to interfere with his opponent.

A laser machine appeared on the field and fired a beam toward Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior. Once hit, not only would its body shrink, its defense would also temporarily drop to 0.

However, Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior forced Rose Diamond back with a heavy slash. Magnetism rotated around its body as it slid backward as though moving sideways, dodging the straight-firing beam. It then raised its left hand toward the laser machine and activated Rock Blast, summoning several hard stones that shot out like cannonballs and smashed the machine to pieces.

Unlike Card Duel, Spell Cards did not possess compulsory force in Spirit Duel. You Zhi had nothing to say at that sight. If he had to blame something, he could only blame this stitched-together world setting.

Still, that interference bought Rose Diamond time to catch her breath. Yet instead of retreating and restoring her defensive stance, she charged forward in a desperate all-or-nothing rush. Fighting-type energy gathered around her blade as she used Forcefully Split Mount Hua again. Its fierce momentum was clearly aimed at perishing together with her opponent.

Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior did not dodge to avoid her edge. Even if it had never heard the saying, "When enemies meet on a narrow road, the brave prevail," its past combat experience told it that retreating now would mean certain defeat. It decisively charged forward.

Bipolar Magnetism activated. An electromagnetic shield appeared on Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior's left hand and met Rose Diamond's thrusting sword. Yet it failed to block it completely, only deflecting it slightly. The blade still slashed into its shoulder. Under the Fighting-type energy's counter, its entire left arm was severed. At the same time, its electromagnetic sword pierced through the diamond armor and entered Rose Diamond's body.

Rose Diamond's gaze flickered. With an unwilling sigh, she exploded on the spot.

"I activate Bright Spark!"

In that instant, You Zhi activated the Charge Spell Card he had set on the field earlier. A huge diamond appeared from thin air and suddenly shattered. Gem-Knight Lady Rose Diamond's light image shot out from within and charged toward Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior.

This Spell Card's effect was that when a Gem-Knight spirit was destroyed, it inflicted damage equal to the opposing spirit's attack power. This was not a destruction effect, so even spirits resistant to effect destruction could not be immune.

The light image struck, followed by a violent explosion and billowing smoke.

Dio's coat whipped loudly in the wind. Shielding his eyes with one hand, he asked, "A final counterattack? The same effect as Explosive Dragon Breath?"

You Zhi stared closely at the center of the smoke and shook his head. "It seems the result is the same as well."

Dio laughed heartily. When the smoke cleared, Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior was gone from the field. In its place stood three Magnet Warriors, one of whom was missing an arm.

"Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior's trait allows it to separate itself into Alpha the Magnet Warrior, Beta the Magnet Warrior, and Gamma the Magnet Warrior, thereby avoiding damage effects targeting it."

[Beta the Magnet Warrior (4-Star) EARTH]

[Lineage: Rock-type]

[Level: 36]

[Talent: Fierce]

[Attack Power: 1700 (2380)]