"Duel!" x2
[Alexis, LP 4000]
[Takahashi, LP 4000]
There was still time before the conference started, so experts from all around gathered to watch.
"Hey, isn't that the Cyber Angel?"
"That's Chief Takahashi—the top authority in the field. But her opponent looks like just a student. Does anyone know her?"
"I heard she's a Duel Academy freshman…"
"Huh? For real?"
"…"
Misawa, the golden commentator, stood next to Kira.
"Her opponent is the top expert, and she's even using the same type of deck. Do you think Rhodes will be okay?"
"Expert means great research, but not necessarily dueling skills. Besides, with our recent breakthroughs, we're not any worse than them, are we?" Kira smiled.
"Well, that's true…"
"Don't worry, just watch." Kira patted Misawa's shoulder, confident. "She'll be fine."
"…"
"Then, I'll let the young lady go first." Takahashi showed her sportsmanship, giving the first move.
Alexis nodded, not holding back: "Then it's my turn—draw!"
She quickly scanned her hand, recalling the new strategies after the Cyber Angel upgrades, and the deck build she'd revised under Kira's advice.
"First, the Spell Card 'Terraforming'!" Alexis declared. "Add a Field Spell from my deck to my hand.
I add 'Ritual Sanctuary' from my deck!"
Chief Takahashi nodded. This Field Spell was also developed by their association, granting access to key combo pieces.
"Then I activate the Field Spell!"
As Alexis slotted the card into her duel disk, the scene changed—a grand cathedral rose. Sunlight streamed through stained glass, roses floated down, and an ornate altar held a Bible and cross.
"Ritual Sanctuary lets me discard a Spell Card to add a Ritual Spell or LIGHT Ritual Monster from my deck to my hand."
Alexis discarded a card and searched her deck.
"I add 'Cyber Angel Benten' to hand! Then activate 'Preparation of Rites'! Add a Level 7 or lower Ritual Monster from my deck and recover a Ritual Spell from my grave."
"I add the Level 5 'Cyber Angel Natasha' to my hand, and retrieve the Ritual Spell 'Machine Angel Ritual' I just discarded!"
"Natasha?" Takahashi was shocked.
There's a Cyber Angel like that? How did I not know?
"Oh, we just finished this card yesterday, so it wasn't in the paper." Alexis showed the newly searched Ritual Monster. "Now's a great chance to show you—please give me your guidance, Chief."
"You…you made a new card just in these few days!?" Takahashi was stunned.
Even the watching experts were shocked, glancing at the Academy kids in disbelief.
A brand new card, unknown even to the Chief herself…
Are these really students?
"Interesting. Very interesting." Takahashi's anticipation only grew. "Let me see this new Cyber Angel power for myself."
"Of course," Alexis said seriously.
"I activate the Ritual Spell 'Machine Angel Ritual' from hand! I tribute monsters from my hand or field whose total Levels equal or exceed the Ritual Monster's Level, and Ritual Summon a 'Cyber Angel' monster!"
She revealed both Ritual Monsters she'd just searched.
"I tribute the Level 6 'Cyber Angel Benten'—Ritual Summon!"
Alexis raised her hand.
"O angel of light, keeper of healing power, bring holy salvation with your beautiful form—descend!
—Cyber Angel Natasha!!!"
Benten's form vanished on the altar, replaced by surging flames. Holy light burst forth. A red cape billowed, a golden helmet's four eyes opened, and the half-human, half-beast, four-armed angel descended.
[Cyber Angel Natasha, ATK 1000]
"The new Cyber Angel appears at last."
After years of research, seeing a new angel emerge made Takahashi involuntarily excited.
"But…her ATK is only 1000," Takahashi pointed out. "Benten has 1600 ATK. Why tribute Benten for this card?"
Alexis smiled: "Benten's new effect—when tributed, I can add a LIGHT Fairy monster from the deck to my hand.
So I search…"
She searched her deck and revealed another Ritual Monster.
"I add 'Cyber Angel Idaten' to my hand."
"I see—the full value of Benten's new effect is only realized when she's used as a tribute." Takahashi nodded.
"Now, 'Cyber Angel Natasha' activates her effect!" Alexis declared. "Once per turn, target a face-up monster I control—recover LP equal to half its ATK.
I choose Natasha herself, so I gain 500 LP!"
[Alexis, LP 4000 → LP 4500]
"A healing effect," Takahashi mused. "A more defensive type of Cyber Angel, huh? That's rare."
Alexis smiled faintly.
Natasha's power was far more than that.
But she didn't say it yet.
"My turn is over."
"Then it's my turn—draw," Takahashi said. "I activate 'Graceful Charity'—draw three, then discard two."
One of the discarded cards quickly triggered another effect.
"One of my discards is 'Card of Compensation.' When sent from hand to grave, I draw two more." (Anime effect)
She drew and then revealed three cards at once.
"Spell Card—'Polymerization'!
I fuse 'Blade Skater' and 'Etoile Cyber' from hand! Fusion Summon—
—Cyber Blader!!!"
Blade Skater and Etoile Cyber vanished in a fusion vortex. The graceful skater arrived, gliding on razor-sharp ice, long hair flowing, spinning lightly.
[Cyber Blader, ATK 2100]
Alexis focused—this was also the ace Fusion monster in her deck.
"Here I go, little sister from Duel Academy," Takahashi said. "Show me the new power of Cyber Angels!"
PS: Hey guys, please subscribe to our patreon.com/AbsoluteCode for advanced chapters.