[Duel Academy – 2 PM]
Hello again! It's ya boy, Mash. Just Mash.
Right now, he was sitting high in the spectator stands of Duel Academy's largest indoor duel stadium, legs stretched out lazily across the concrete step in front of him while he surveyed the enormous arena below like a king observing his domain. To give some perspective on how ridiculously big this place was, the Obelisk Blue training ground where he last dueled Chazz had only one arena.
This place?
Have six.
Six full duel fields arranged across the massive stadium floor like some kind of gladiator coliseum for card nerds. Each arena was surrounded by holographic projectors, scoreboards, and its own cluster of seating sections. Every single one of them was active today for the academy's practical field test, meaning students and spectators packed the place shoulder to shoulder in the stands surrounding the stadium.
The noise alone was impressive, hundreds of Slifer Reds, Ra Yellows, and Obelisk Blues all talking at once created a constant buzzing murmur that echoed against the massive dome ceiling.
But more importantly…
Today was the day of the exciting duel between Chazz and Ja-
"DARLINGG~!!"
Mash flinched slightly as a very familiar voice rang out behind him.
Lovely Labrynth came bouncing toward him through the rows of seats with her usual regal enthusiasm, somehow managing to carry an oversized popcorn bucket and five drinks in her arms without spilling a single drop. It was honestly impressive, considering the fact she was practically skipping.
"I brought popcorn and drinks~!"
Mash's eyes lit up immediately.
"Thanks, Lovely!" He eagerly grabbed the popcorn bucket the moment she sat beside him, already reaching in before she had even finished settling down.
Almost instantly, heads began turning in their direction. Several nearby male students openly stared. Some blinked in disbelief. Some whispered to their friends while glancing back again. A few simply glared daggers at Mash like he had personally stolen their life's happiness and kicked their dog on the way out.
Mash ignored all of them with the ease of someone who had long since accepted being the target of random jealousy.
He tossed a piece of popcorn into his mouth and leaned back comfortably. "So… excited to see who we'll be facing?"
"Of course I am~!" Lovely answered brightly, crossing her legs and leaning slightly toward him.
"After all…" Her smile then slowly twisted into something far more wicked, her crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"I simply cannot wait to see the look of despair on their faces when we crush them~"
A matching grin spread across Mash's face. "Heh… me too."
"O HO HO HO HO HO HO HO!!"
Their synchronized villain laughter rang across the stands like the introduction of a boss battle, drawing even more attention from surrounding students.
Right beside them, Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley sat staring at the two with completely flat expressions.
Mash eventually noticed the silence and stopped laughing mid-cackle, clearing his throat before turning toward Jaden. "You really have a knack for showing up out of nowhere."
Jaden leaned back casually with a lazy smirk. "And you've got a knack for giving me second-hand embarrassment."
"Ugh…!" Mash clutched his chest dramatically like he'd just been stabbed through the heart. "Damn, Jay! Where'd you learn all these comeback lines?!"
"I could say I learned from the best." Jaden chuckled before casually reaching over and stealing a handful of popcorn like he owned the bucket. "Ha ha!"
Mash snorted at that but then his attention drifted to the other side of Jaden.
Specifically… to Syrus.
Mash blinked as he stared at him. Syrus was sitting stiff as a board and... was praying!?
The small Slifer student had his hands clasped together while gripping a {Monster Reborn} card between them like it was some kind of holy charm. His eyes were tightly shut while he muttered something under his breath with intense focus.
Mash tilted his head slightly. "What's up with lil' bro?"
Jaden grabbed another piece of popcorn and nodded toward Syrus. "Lean in. Just listen."
Mash leaned closer.
"Please, oh Slifer…" Syrus whispered desperately. "Don't let me duel against Mash or Jaden… Don't let me duel against Mash or Jaden… please… not Mash or Jaden…"
Mash slowly leaned back into his seat again.
His face completely flat.
Before he could comment, Lovely nudged his arm excitedly. "Look, Darling~ It's starting~!"
Mash turned his attention toward the field as the stadium noise gradually died down. Standing proudly in the center arena was Dr. Crowler himself, holding a microphone while his ridiculous cape fluttered behind him for dramatic effect.
"Welcome, students!" Crowler announced proudly. "I see you're all quite excited for today's field test! Or… are you simply excited to see me? MUAHAHAHA!"
Crick. Crick.
The entire stadium fell so quiet that a random cricket chirping somewhere in the stands could actually be heard.
Mash leaned toward Jaden and muttered under his breath, "I'd be excited if this were a circus."
"And the guy was riding a unicycle while juggling bowling pins," Jaden whispered back.
Down on the field, Crowler continued his speech with grand gestures. "Now then! This promotion exam is the most important opportunity for you students, one that will determine your future as duelists and proud members of this academy! It is essential that you demonstrate both strategy and discipline-"
[Bla bla bla bla… useless and long monologue.]
[No wonder the anime skipped this part and just jumped straight to Jaden dueling Chazz.]
[God… if only I could skip this too.]
Thirty minutes later…
"Well! That is all I'm going to say." Dr. Crowler clapped his hands dramatically. "And I hope you all perform at a good enough level!"
With a flourish of his cape, he turned and marched off the field like a theater actor exiting the stage.
Up in the stands, the students had already fallen into several different categories. Some were preparing their decks and reviewing strategies. Some were discussing matchups with their friends. A few had even started mock duels across the benches.
And others had simply fallen asleep from sheer boredom.
Mash belonged to that last group.
He was currently lying sideways across the bench with his head resting comfortably on Lovely's lap like it was the most natural pillow in the world.
Lovely looked down at him with an amused expression before gently poking his cheek. "Darling, darling~ wake up~! The yapping is finally done~."
"Five more minutes…" Mash groaned without even opening his eyes.
"Darling~!"
"Alright, alright…" Mash grumbled as he slowly sat up, stretching his arms with a loud yawn before glancing around.
Jaden was still asleep, slumped sideways against Syrus.
Syrus himself was also completely asleep, leaning backward against him with his mouth slightly open.
And Chumley…
Chumley was happily eating the popcorn bucket like a man fulfilling his life's greatest dream.
Lovely noticed a second later.
"WAAAH~!!! THE POPCORN~!!!" She immediately snatched the bucket out of Chumley's hands.
Then she tilted it upside down and only a single popcorn fell out, with a plop sound as it hit the ground.
Lovely slowly turned toward Chumley with a terrifying smile.
"WHAT THE FUCK FATASS~!?" she snapped. "You finished it all yourself!?"
Chumley gulped so hard it was practically audible. "Uh-Um… I-"
"GET MORE!!!"
"Y-Yes Ma'am!!"
Chumley practically launched himself out of his seat and sprinted down the stadium stairs toward the card shop where the popcorn stand was located.
At that moment, footsteps approached from behind them. Mash glanced back to see Bastion calmly slipping into a seat behind him.
"Hey, Mash." Bastion gave a small wave. "Did I miss something?"
"Nah. You didn't miss anything." Mash leaned his elbow on the seatback. "Where've you been? That 'strategy review session' really last that long? Also..." he held up one of the drinks "...want some Kaiba Soda?"
Bastion politely waved it off. "Heh. The longer the better, right? But it looks like I made it back just in time for the main event."
"Hm?"
Mash turned back toward the arena just as a soft chime echoed through the stadium speakers.
Ding!
A scratchy announcement crackled over the PA system. "Krrsskk—The field test has now begun. Students called, please proceed to your assigned duel arenas."
Mash immediately leaned over and nudged Jaden's shoulder. "Jay. Jay. Jaden… Oi, Jaden. SHMADEN!"
Jaden jolted awake instantly. "Huh? Uh? Wha? Is my name called!?"
Mash shook his head. "No. But you might want to wake up and prepare yourself. Because your opponent's gonna be real dangerous this round."
Jaden's eyes immediately sparkled with excitement. "For real, dude!? Well, I'm always GAME ON for a challenge! But… how do you know—"
Before he could finish, the speakers crackled again.
"Krrsskk—The duel in Arena Number 1 has been decided… Syrus Truesdale."
Syrus shot upright like someone had fired a cannon next to his ear. "WHAT!? I'm going first!? Oh no…"
"Versus…"
He immediately clasped his hands again. "Please don't let it be Mash. Or Jaden. Please… not Mash or Jaden…"
"Krrsskk—Bob Uchiha."
Syrus froze.
Then he leapt out of his seat with pure joy.
"WOOHOO!! I'M NOT DUELING AGAINST JADEN~! I'M NOT DUELING AGAINST MASH~!"
Jaden laughed. "You look like a guy who just dodged a bullet, Sy."
Mash grinned. "Literally."
"Quip your singing and go crush them, Sy-chan~!" Lovely added cheerfully.
"Alright, Jay, Mash, Miss Labrynth, wish me luck!" Syrus said before giving them a quick wave and running down the stadium stairs toward the field.
"You got this, Sy!" Jaden called after him.
Mash leaned back in his seat with a smirk. "Of course he does. Jay, let's be honest… everyone in our dorm's an idiot except us."
The speakers chimed again.
"Krrsskk—In Duel Arena Number 2 has been decided… Joko Kujo… versus… Rio Brandy."
And so it went. For the next hour, names kept getting called over the speakers one after another as students filtered down toward the arenas to begin their practical duels. Most of the matchups ended up being between dormmates or students from the same dorm entirely, which... for the Slifer Reds meant the duels were less about dramatic rivalries and more about proving who had the slightly less embarrassing deck build.
Still, it was surprisingly entertaining to watch. Granted, most of their strategies felt a little… old school. Mash leaned back with a lazy sigh while watching a Ra Yellow student proudly summon a painfully predictable beatstick monster. Still, the constant rotation of duels kept the crowd lively, cheers and groans rippling through the stadium like waves.
Until…
The speakers crackled to life again. "Krrsskk- In Duel Arena Number 5… Jaden Yuki."
Jaden shot straight up from his seat like someone had just fired a starter pistol. "Man, I've been waiting for this!" His grin stretched ear to ear, excitement practically radiating off him.
"You got this, Jay!" Syrus shouted immediately, pumping both fists in encouragement.
"Good luck," Bastion added calmly with a small approving nod.
"Rip and tear them to shreds, Jay-Jay~!" Lovely added with a wicked sparkle in her eyes.
"Heh, thanks guys!" Jaden laughed, already turning toward the stairs so he could head down to the arena floor. He had barely taken two steps when a hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.
"Hold up, Jaden." Mash's voice wasn't loud, but it had a sharp edge to it that made Jaden pause.
Jaden blinked and turned around.
Mash was already digging into his pocket with his usual smug grin. "Here is one more bit of generosity from the great Mash."
From his pocket he pulled out a single card and held it out.
Jaden's eyes immediately lit up.
"Sweet! Another card from Mash!" He snatched it happily and glanced at the name {A Hero Lives}. That alone was enough. He didn't even bother reading the effect. Every card Mash had ever given him had been absurdly good, so he simply slid it straight into his deck without hesitation.
"Wow, getting a card from you is awesome and all," Jaden said while putting his deck back to his deck box. "but… who am I dueling that's got you thinking I'll need it?"
Just then, the speakers buzzed again."Krrsskk—Versus..."
"Of course you'll need it." Mash slowly rose from his seat, a smirk spreading across his face as if the stage lights had just turned on.
"Because...!"
He swept one arm dramatically toward the arena below, drawing the attention of Syrus, Bastion, and several nearby students who were suddenly curious about what he was about to say.
"You're about to face…" Mash declared grandly, "the most infamous! arrogant! unbearable, insufferable, most narcissistic person in this whole school!"
Jaden gulped slightly.
"The so-called elite! With his shiny new cards! A deck freshly bloated with rare treasures given to him by a mysterious figure…"
Jaden blinked, now fully intrigued but also slightly confused.
Mash pointed toward the arena like a man revealing the final boss. "The one and only… THE CHA-"
"Krsskk-" The speakers abruptly cut in. "Snazz Princegram, please go to Arena 5."
Mash froze in place, finger still pointing. His expression went blank. A long beat passed. Then an eye twitched.
"...Who. The. Actual. FUCK—"
"Calm down, Darling." Lovely gently tugged on his sleeve and pulled him back down into his seat.
Meanwhile Jaden's eyes were sparkling like fireworks. "Whoa! So this is the opponent you were hyping up so much! Alright, I better get my game on!"
"W-wait!" Mash reached out, but Jaden was already too fired up to hear him. The Slifer student practically sprinted down the stadium stairs, racing toward Arena Five like a kid charging into a theme park ride.
Mash slowly slumped back into his seat, the smug energy draining from his face as confusion crept in instead. Something about this felt… off.
Syrus and Bastion exchanged glances before looking back at him.
"Mash… you okay?" Syrus asked carefully.
"It's nothing, Sy," Mash muttered while rubbing his forehead. "It's just…"
Lovely leaned closer to his ear, voice dropping into a playful whisper. "A butterfly effect, Darling~?"
"Butterfly effect!?" Mash blinked. "What did I do to trigger that?"
Lovely just stared at him flatly.
"…Okay. There are a lot of possible answers to that question." He sighed as he leaned back and crossed his arms, thinking for a moment before muttering to himself, "But then… who's Chazz supposed to duel now- oh."
His eyes drifted across the stadium until they landed on the far side of the spectator stands.
There was Chazz. Leaning on the railing, arms crossed with a sharp smirk on his face and beneath it all is a clear, unmistakable, aura of killing intent… aimed directly at Mash.
Mash stared for a moment before slowly turning his head toward Lovely.
"Uhm… Lovely."
"Yes, Darling~?" she replied sweetly.
"I think we should get ready for round two with Mr. Elitist himself."
Lovely's grin twisted with delight. "Ohohohoho~ This is going to be exciting~!"
"What's exciting?" a new voice asked from behind them.
Mash jumped slightly in his seat and turned around to see Alexis standing there with her arms crossed. Lovely, however, immediately brightened.
"Ah~! Sexy Lexy~!"
"Don't call me that."
"Where've you been, Lexy~?" Lovely asked playfully while leaning forward.
Alexis rubbed her temple in mild frustration. "I was sitting comfortably over there just a few minutes ago… until your 'bestie' spotted you."
"Bestie…? Ah~!" Lovely's realization was cut short when two hands suddenly covered her eyes from behind.
"Guess who~?"
"Oh~! I know this one~!" Lovely said immediately with absolute confidence. "It's Min Min~!"
Mindy pulled her hands away, giggling happily. "Haha! 100 points for you, Labby-chan~!"
"Min-Min~!" Lovely beamed. "Oh! And where's Jassy~?"
Mindy laughed. "Oh, she's just hiding from you. How about we go find her!"
"Agreed~! Let's go~ go~ go~!" Lovely sang as she sprang to her feet, already dragging Mindy along as the two of them rushed down the stairs like hyperactive conspirators.
Mash and Alexis simply stared as they disappeared into the crowd.
Mash tilted his head slightly. "You're not going with them?"
Alexis sighed and shook her head. "I'd rather watch Jaden duel right now. Besides… things are already getting interesting."
Mash turned his attention back toward the field.
Jaden was already standing in Arena Five.
Across from him stood his opponent.
Snazz.
Mash stared at the guy for a long moment.
(Who the fuck waited nine months just to name their child Snazz???)
---
On Arena Number 5, the duel had begun.
Jaden Yuki stood ready on his side of the arena, his Duel Disk humming softly as holographic wind rippled across the battlefield. Across from him stood another Slifer Red student, Snazz, who had already completed his first turn with a rather confident flourish.
{Snazz LP: 4000 | Jaden LP: 4000}
"Hmph! I'll end my turn," Snazz declared proudly, folding his arms as if he had already secured victory.
His field wasn't empty either. Standing front and center was many goblins in soldier armor in an orderly line. All of them grip an iron bat that glints in the stadiums light.
{Goblin Attack Force|4 Star|Earth|Warrior/effect|ATK: 2300 DEF: 0}
Snazz then set two face-down cards behind the goblin before raising another card dramatically. "And I equip my Goblin Attack Force with {Axe of Despair}!"
The hologram of the goblins suddenly roared as a massive cursed axe materialized in their hands. The weapon pulsed with dark energy, making the already intimidating group of monsters look even more dangerous.
{Axe of Despair|Equip spell| Increase the attack of the monster equipped to this card by 1000 points. If this card is sent from the field to the graveyard, you can tribute 1 monster and put this card in the top of your deck.}
{Goblin Attack Force: ATK: 2300 -> 3300}
{Snazz hand: 2 Cards|Field: 1 Monster, 2 sets, 1 equip.}
Up in the stands, Syrus leaned forward so suddenly he nearly fell over the railing. "Holy moly! Snazz already summoned a monster with over 3000 ATK on his first turn!"
Bastion adjusted his glasses, analyzing the field calmly. "Yes, but Goblin Attack Force has a drawback. After it attacks, it automatically switches to Defense Position and remains there until its controller's next turn." He crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"However…" His gaze narrowed toward the two face-down cards behind the monster. "I believe I have a strong suspicion what those traps might be. It's a pretty popular strategy after all."
He glanced sideways toward Mash. "Either way, this won't be an easy duel for Jaden. What do you think?"
Mash didn't even bother leaning forward. He simply sat back with his arms crossed and a lazy grin on his face.
"Nah." Mash shrugged. "Jaden's already won."
"Agreed." Alexis added calmly.
Mash turned toward her with a grin. "Heh."
She clearly understood what was about to happen. Probably experience from the last tag duel we had before.
Bastion, however, looked completely puzzled. "I understand Mash being confident, he is Jaden's friend. but you, Alexis? Why?"
Alexis didn't even look at him. "Can you just shut up and watch the duel."
Chazz Princeton leaned against the railing with his arms folded, his usual smug grin stretching across his face.
[With this plan I arranged with Dr. Crowler… I can observe Jaden's deck before I one day match against him.]
His eyes narrowed as he watched the field below.
[I'll analyze his every move. Learn the strengths and weaknesses of his deck. Then when the time comes… I'll crush him.]
The grin widened.
[After I defeat Mash first, of course.]
[Heh. What a brilliant strategy… from none other than Chazz Princeton.]
---
Back down on the field, Jaden was staring at the massive goblin across from him with sparkling eyes.
[A monster over 3000 ATK right off the bat?]
His grin slowly widened.
[Man, Mash was right. This is gonna be fun.]
"Heh… looks like I really should go all out!" Jaden said enthusiastically as he cracked his knuckles before raising his hand high.
With a dramatic flourish, he drew his card. "Draw!"
Jaden glanced at the card he drew. It was {Winged Kuriboh}.
[Well, if it isn't my favorite furry friend.] Jaden smiled warmly at the little fluffball on the card. [You're really in luck today, buddy. You'll get front row seats to this duel.] His grin widened slightly. [But first… let's start with the card Mash just gave me.]
Before he could make his move, Snazz suddenly slammed one of his face-down cards open.
"Not so fast! At the start of your Standby Phase I activate one of my traps {Final Attack Orders}!"
The arena trembled as the trap card activated, projecting an aggressive red aura across the battlefield.
"Now all monsters on the field must remain in Attack Position! That means Goblin Attack Force won't switch to Defense after attacking!"
Up in the stands, Bastion chuckled with satisfaction. "Ha! I knew it!"
Snazz burst out laughing. "Now there's no way you'll win! With this setup complete, my victory is guaranteed! Soon I'll finally rank up to Ra Yellow! HA HA HA HA!"
Jaden pointed at him enthusiastically. "Alright, challenge accepted!"
He slid a card onto his Duel Disk. "First, I activate the Spell Card {A Hero Lives}! If I control no monsters, I can…"
Jaden paused as he leaned down to read the card effect.
"PAY HALF MY LIFE POINTS!?"
The Duel Disk beeped immediately.
{Jaden LP: 4000 -> 2000}
Snazz barked out a laugh so loud it echoed across the arena. "Ha ha! Half your Life Points gone and I didn't even have to attack!"
Up in the stands, Chazz folded his arms with a smug grin. {Stupid Jaden. As expected from a Slifer slacker.}
"Geez… I hope this effect is worth it," Jaden muttered.
Then his face suddenly lit up. "Oh! It totally is!"
"I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Elemental HERO from my deck! And I know just the one!"
He flipped through his deck quickly before pulling out a card and slapping it onto the Duel Disk.
"Come forth from the stratosphere! {Elemental HERO Stratos}!"
A burst of wind exploded across the arena as a blue-armored hero descended from above, rotor-like wings spinning behind him as he landed with a heroic pose.
{Elemental HERO Stratos|4 Star|wind|Warrior/Effect|ATK: 1800 DEF: 300}
"Now Stratos' effect activates!" Jaden declared excitedly. "When he's summoned to the field, I get to add a HERO monster from my deck to my hand!"
He searched his deck again.
Up in the stands, Alexis glanced sideways at Mash. "Being able to search any HERO monster… that's a pretty powerful effect. Let me guess. You gave him that card, Mash?"
Mash coughed awkwardly. "I have no idea what you're talkin about."
Down on the field Jaden continued, slipping another card onto his Duel Disk. "Since I haven't Normal Summoned yet, I'll play this! Flame on, {Elemental HERO Blazeman}!"
Flames erupted across the arena as a warrior wreathed in fire appeared beside Stratos.
{Elemental HERO Blazeman|4 star|fire|Warrior/effect|ATK:1200 DEF: 1800}
"And when Blazeman is Normal Summoned, I get to add…" Jaden searched his deck again before dramatically raising a card into the air. "{Polymerization}!"
Snazz's confident grin twitched ever so slightly at the sight of the fusion card.
Snazz's confident grin twitched slightly.
Alexis leaned forward. "Here it comes."
Mash smirked. "That guy is cooked."
"I activate {Polymerization}!" Jaden shouted. "I fuse {Elemental HERO Stratos} on the field with {Elemental HERO Sparkman} from my hand to Fusion Summon… {Elemental HERO Sunrise}!"
A brilliant golden light flooded the arena as a radiant hero descended onto the field like a blazing dawn.
{Elemental HERO Sunrise|7 Star|Light|Warrior/fusion/effect| ATK: 2500 DEF: 1200}
"Sunrise's effect activates!" Jaden continued excitedly. "When he's summoned I can add {Miracle Fusion} from my deck to my hand!"
Snazz's eyes widened. "You're searching your deck again?!"
"Oh, and Sunrise has another effect!" Jaden added happily. "All my monsters gain 200 ATK for each different Attribute I control! And since I've got two… that's 400 points!"
{Sunrise: ATK: 2500 -> 2900}
{Blazeman: ATK: 1200 -> 1600}
Jaden snapped his fingers. "Now that I've got {Miracle Fusion}, I'll use it right away! By removing Stratos and Sparkman from play, I Fusion Summon…"
He slammed the final card into his Duel Disk.
"{Elemental HERO Flame Wingman – Infernal Rage}!"
Flame Wingman enters the field and immediately starts spewing flames like a pyromaniac.
Bastion's raised his eyebrow. "Flame Wingman?! Fusion with Stratos and Sparkman? Isn't it supposed to be Avian and Burstinatrix?"
Mash leaned back, cutting him off. "No, no, Bastion. That's not the Flame Wingman you're thinking of. This one is Flame Wingman-"
"Infernal Rage!" Jaden cutted Mash off.
"Goddangit, Jaden."
{Elemental HERO Flame Wingman - Infernal Rage|8 Star|Wind|Warrior/fusion/effect|ATK: 2100 -> 2700 DEF: 1200}
Jaden grinned proudly. "Instead of Avian and Burstinatrix, Infernal Rage can be summoned using two HERO monsters with different Attributes! And when he's summoned, I can add a card with 'Favorite' in its name from my deck!"
Up in the stands, Chazz clicked his tongue impatiently. "Tch… how long is this combo going to go on…?" His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
[And what exactly is he planning…?]
"I'll add {Favorite Hero}!" Jaden pulled out a card from his deck. "Alright! Now it's time to activate Infernal Rage's effect! When he is Fusion Summoned using a Normal Monster as material, I can tribute him—"
On cue, Infernal Rage pointed his flaming draconic arm toward himself and incinerated himself, leaving behind a swirling inferno.
The entire crowd fell silent. Even the duelists in nearby arenas stopped mid-turn to process the scene that they just witnessed.
Jaden scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah… he kinda just does that."
He pointed forward enthusiastically. "Anyway! Since I tributed him, I can Special Summon a Level 7 or lower Elemental HERO from my deck or Extra Deck! And the one I'm bringing out is my favorite!"
The flames burst outward.
"Come forth! {Elemental HERO Flame Wingman}!"
With a flash of emerald light and a surge of fire, the classic hero leapt from the inferno and landed beside Sunrise.
{Elemental HERO Flame Wingman|6 Star|Wind|Warrior/fusion/effect|ATK: 2100 -> 2700 DEF: 1200}
Jaden thrust a finger toward his field. "Oh yeah! And since there are three different Attribute monsters I control, all of my HEROes get 600 extra ATK!"
{Sunrise: ATK: 2900 -> 3100}
{Blazeman: ATK: 1200 -> 1800}
Snazz's eyes widened. [It's fine... it's fine... he still can't get past my 3300 ATK monster... right...?]
Jaden snapped a card firmly into place on his Duel Disk, the motion sharp and confident. "Now I'll equip {Favorite Hero} to {Elemental HERO Flame Wingman}, and immediately go into the Battle Phase! When the Battle Phase begins, Favorite Hero activates its effect. That means I can activate a Field Spell directly from my hand or even my deck!"
Snazz frowned, clearly not liking where this was going. "Huh?"
With a quick flick of his wrist, Jaden launched another card into the Field Spell slot. "So I'll activate {Skyscraper}!"
"WHAT!?" Snazz blurted.
The transformation of the arena was instant and overwhelming. The stadium floor trembled as massive steel structures burst upward from the ground, rising like giants clawing their way out of the earth. Towering skyscrapers shot into the sky until they pierced the clouds themselves, their glass surfaces gleaming beneath a suddenly darkened night sky. Moonlight bathed the battlefield in silver, reflecting across endless windows and metal beams until the entire arena looked like a sprawling metropolis.
High above the streets that had materialized below, Flame Wingman stood perched atop the roof of the tallest building, the wind whipping his angelic wings behind him as flames curled from his dragonic arm. From that height, he looked down upon Snazz's goblin army like a Hero staring down his villain.
Sweat trickled down Snazz's temple as realization dawned on him. [I remember Skyscraper's effect… If his HERO has less ATK than my monster when it attacks, it gains 1000 ATK!? And he can just pull it straight from his deck!?]
Chazz was gripping the railing tight now, teeth gritted. [S-since when did Jaden get this powerful...? Last time he was just a weak Slifer slacker, but now...!]
Jaden pointed cheerfully toward the skyscraper skyline as if presenting a magic trick. "Oh, and there's more! Since I've got a Field Spell active, Flame Wingman equipped with Favorite Hero gains ATK equal to his original DEF! And as a bonus, he can't be targeted by card effects!"
Snazz's jaw practically hit the floor. "WHAAATTT!??"
{Flame Wingman: ATK: 2700 -> 3900}
Even Chazz's eye twitched at that. [A-almost 4000 ATK!?]
Alexis watched the field from the stands with her arms folded. A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips, part amusement, part sympathy for the poor idiot down there. She had already experienced firsthand the wrath of Jaden's Hero combo.
"Welp," Jaden said with an easygoing grin, "since Final Attack Order, orders me to attack... I guess I don't really have a choice. Then let's do it!"
Snazz immediately began waving his arms like he was trying to stop a train with his bare hands. "Wait-wait-wait don't—!"
"Now, Flame Wingman will attack!" Jaden declared. "And because of that, Sunrise activates his effect!"
Snazz made a strangled sound somewhere between a gasp and a scream. "Again!? That monster has three effects!?"
Jaden scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Heh, yeah. Pretty awesome, right? Anyway, when one of my HERO monsters attacks, Sunrise lets me destroy one card on your field. And I'll go ahead and target that lonely face-down back there!"
"No!" Snazz shouted.
Sunrise raised his arm and drove a glowing fist forward. A blazing golden shockwave erupted from the punch and rocketed across the battlefield before smashing straight into Snazz's back row. The set card exploded in a burst of light, fragments of holographic data scattering into the air.
"Ah—!" Snazz groaned as the card was revealed. "{Time Machine}… my insurance!"
"Not anymore," Jaden said with a confident nod before thrusting his arm downward toward the field. "Now that the safety net's gone, it's time to show them what you've got! Attack those goblins with Infernal Rage!"
With a mighty leap from the top of the skyscraper, Flame Wingman descended in a heroic leap, as he spew flames from his dragonic arms incinerating every last one of Snazz's goblin army in a fiery inferno. Some of them even flew toward Snazz himself.
"Ugh...!" Snazz staggered.
{Snazz LP: 4000 -> 3400}
"And don't forget Flame Wingman's effect!" Jaden called brightly. "When he destroys a monster by battle, you take damage equal to that monster's original ATK!"
Flame Wingman landed on the battlefield in a heroic crouch. Then he stood, raised his blazing dragon arm once more, and unleashed a massive pillar of fire straight at Snazz.
"AARRGGHHHH!!!"
The blast slammed into him like a flamethrower.
{Snazz LP: 3400 → 1100}
Up in the stands, Mash leaned back with a lazy grin. "Welp, looks like it's over in two turns," he said casually. "Just like me in bed."
"Oi!" Alexis immediately elbowed him in the ribs.
Syrus stared at the field in horror. "S-so strong… Jaden is way, way too strong…"
"Yeah..." Bastion muttered, watching closely. "But that won't stop me from one day defeating him!"
Down below, Jaden swept his arm forward like a commander ordering the final charge. "Alright everyone! go finish him off!"
Blazeman and Sunrise surged forward together, flames and golden light blazing behind them. Snazz threw up his arms in pure panic, desperately trying to shield himself as the two HEROes struck at the same time.
"UWAAAHHHH!!"
{Snazz LP: 1100 -> 0}
A massive explosion rocked the arena, smoke and holographic debris bursting outward as the duel ended in spectacular fashion.
For a moment there was silence.
Then the stadium erupted into cheers.
Jaden flashed a carefree V-sign toward Snazz with his usual grin. "Gotcha! That was a… fun duel?"
But as the words left his mouth, a small doubt flickered across his mind.
[…Was it?]
"Whoa! He finished him in just two turns!"
"H-he got two monsters over 3000 ATK in one turn!"
"He's just like Mash!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement as Jaden jogged back up the stairs toward the spectator seats.
"That was a great duel, Jay!" Syrus said brightly.
"As expected of Number One," Bastion added with a respectful nod.
"It was pretty entertaining," Alexis said with a small shrug. [When you're not the one experiencing it…]
Mash leaned closer, squinting at him. "Jay? What's with that face? Something wrong?"
"Eh? N-no… it's just…" Jaden scratched his cheek awkwardly and looked away.
For a moment he hesitated before speaking quietly. "I guess, that duel was just… not fun."
Mash's eyes widened in pure shock. While Syrus and the others stared, confused.
Mash's eyes widened in absolute disbelief. Syrus and the others stared at him like he had just spoken a foreign language.
"Not fun?" Syrus repeated.
Jaden sank into his seat and folded his arms, his usual bright grin gone as he stared down at the arena floor. "Let's talk about it... later."
Mash sat frozen beside him, his brain short-circuiting.
[Not fun…? NOT FUN???]
His thoughts spiraled in confusion. [Jaden Yuki. The guy who can have fun even in a life-or-death duel… just said a normal duel wasn't fun!??? What the hell is going on!?]
Before he could think any further, the stadium speakers suddenly crackled.
"Krsssk—In Arena Number Three… Justin Mash… versus… Chazz Princeton."
The entire crowd gasped.
For the first time in Duel Academy history, a Slifer Red was being matched against an Obelisk Blue in a promotion exam—and not just any Obelisk. It was the academy's top dog himself.
"YOU'RE DUELING CHAZZ!?" Syrus nearly screamed.
"Unconceivable! Is this rigged?" Bastion blurted out in shock.
"So this is a rematch, huh?" Alexis said, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
Jaden forced a weak laugh. "Ha ha… you could even call it a revenge match."
But Mash barely heard any of them.
His brain had latched onto a completely different problem.
[I have a first name…?]
[And it's… Justin!?]
Mash slowly blinked.
[Holy shit… I'm a Justin.]
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Hey guys! IG here
This chapter was supposed to be released and done 3 days ago, But... I was really busy training some horse girls.
Especially one horse named Agnes Tachyon, she is so hot, holy shit, I want to serve her like a dog on a leash holy fucking shi-
Anyway,I hope you enjoy this chapter, Chiao!
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