Want to play cards? I'll use my King's Deck!

The venue changed, and we arrived at the location of the Duel Division.

With his thick arms crossed over his chest, Kido Harutora stared wide-eyed at his surroundings, looking around in surprise before revealing a satisfied expression.

On the way, Youxi and the others had already exchanged names with Chenguang's side, and Chunhu finally stopped calling Youxi by the nickname that was the same as his nickname.

"Yes, it's very nice. You can tell the people who built this place have ambition."

Even Fei Yu, who has a rather discerning eye, had to admit how good the facilities were.

While it may not be as good as their school, which upgrades its equipment every year, it's no worse than a typical dueling club. Dueling doesn't require much else; the most important and basic thing is having an environment that allows duelists to be relaxed and in good condition.

"Let's finalize the format for the friendly match now."

There was no one else in the dueling club, and Izayoi Yuki, who was clearly already in the middle of the match, had no more interest in small talk. She went straight to the point with the others from Morning Light and asked, "What are your thoughts?"

"Let's proceed as the preliminary rounds of the Star Cup, is that alright?"

Akabane Ryo said, "Both sides should determine their respective playing order, and they will face off in the order of forward, center, and captain. The first team to win two rounds will win today's friendly match."

The Star Cup preliminary rounds use a team competition format, but it's not the relay race typical of team competitions; instead, it's a one-on-one format that tests individual skills more. No matter how strong the previous person is, it won't affect the outcome of the next person's match.

This eliminates the possibility of some schools advancing by relying on a single, unparalleled strong player.

To win, everyone must possess a certain level of dueling ability.

Using this format for the duel means that today's friendly match will be a preview of the future Star Cup preliminary rounds.

"no problem."

Izayoi Yuki and Yuki had no reason to refuse.

So, the two teams stood at a certain distance from each other, discussed things within their teams for a while, and rested and adjusted their condition before exchanging the slips of paper with their rosters written on them with the other team.

The person assigned as the striker—

"Hahaha! I'm the first one!"

Kido Harutora jumped into the dueling arena without hesitation, looking expectantly at the blonde girl opposite him.

"It's a pity that I can't play against Yuki again, but since you're Yuki's teammate, you must be very strong, right?"

"That's right, I'm very strong."

Having already finished her warm-up exercises, Xingye Wu activated her Duel Disk with a "heave-ho!" and said with a smile, "I've been looking forward to this competition for a long time too. Let's have a fun duel!"

"Duel!!"

【Star Leaf Dance LP: 8000】

【Kido Harutora LP: 8000】

Amidst the overlapping shouts of Hoshinobu and Haruta, the friendly match between Kiyosumi High School's Duel Club and the regular team of Morning Light Duel Academy officially began.

First, it's the girl's turn.

"My first move? I'll summon 'Harpie Perfumer' in attack stance."

Xingyewu placed a card into the Duel Disk, and a mature woman with purple-pink hair appeared on the sunlit ground, surrounded by a faint fragrance.

"Harpie Perfumer, ATK: 1400"

"If 'Harpie Perfumer' is Normal or Special Summoned, you can add 1 Spell/Trap Card from your Deck that bears the name of 'Harpie Sisters' to your hand. I choose 'Kaleidoscope - Magnificent Clone -' and activate it immediately. Target 'Perfumer' whose card name is 'Harpie Sisters', and Special Summon 'Harpie Sister 1' from your Deck."

"Harpie Girl 1, ATK: 1300"

The first "Harpie," evolved from the original ordinary bone, appeared in a funhouse mirror-like magic, a sight that brightened Harutora's eyes. He exclaimed expectantly, "Oh! We have two Level 4 monsters on the field now. Is it time for an Xyz Summon?"

"Sorry, you answered incorrectly. Next up is this. Spell Card: 'Winged Repayment' activated."

"If you control two or more Winged Beast monsters with different original card names, pay 600 LP and draw two cards from your deck. Then, use the Field Spell: 'Divine Wind of the Valley of Mist'!"

【Star Leaf Dance LP: 8000→7400】

After activating the Greed card exclusive to the Winged Beast race, Xingyewu opened the side slot of her Duel Disk, placed a Spell Card between two fingers, and instantly a cool breeze blew across the field.

"Once per turn, when a WIND monster returns to my hand, Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower WIND monster from my Deck. Activate the effect of 'Allied Next-Generation Birdman' in my hand; return 1 face-up monster you control to your hand, and Special Summon this card."

"Allied Next-Generation Birdman Soldier, Level 3/Dark/Mechanical/Adjustable" "ATK: 1400/DEF: 400"

A whirlwind blew up, turning "Harpie Perfumer" into a card and returning it to Xingye Wu's hand. Then, amidst the sound of a mechanical engine running, the bird-like mechanical life form flew down.

"A Tuner Monster?" Harutora suddenly realized. "I see, it wasn't an Xyz Summon, but a Synchro Summon?"

"You got half of it right this time."

Xingyewu continued, "Because 'Perfumer' has returned to my hand, the effect of 'Dream Wind of the Valley of Mist' activates! Special Summon 'Harpie Spirit Master' from my Deck, activate 'Spirit Master's' effect, discard 1 'Harpie' card, and Special Summon 'Harpie Prophet' from my Deck in Defense Position."

Just like the scene when Yuki fought Hoshino Mai, after a series of events, four monsters were already entrenched in the girl's front field.

Then, the light of harmony flashed.

"I used a 3-star 'Next-Generation Birdman' to adjust the star level of a 4-star 'Harpie Prophet'."

3 stars + 4 stars = 7 stars!

"The sacred light of protection now merges into eternal life! Synchro Summon—"

"Born, Ancient Fairy Dragon!!"

A verdant star-tuning ring enveloped the "Hawk Prophet," from which the corresponding stars were analyzed, and then a blazing white lightning bolt pierced through the tunnel constructed by the star-tuning ring.

What emerged from it was an extremely beautiful dragon.

With wings like a butterfly and a slender blue body, it seems to have stepped out of a fairy tale. Countless specks of light fall from its wings, creating an effect that is both sacred and dreamlike.

"Ancient Fairy Dragon, Level 7/Light/Dragon/Synchro" "ATK: 2100/DEF: 3000"

"One or more Tuner monsters + one or more non-Tuner monsters"

"What a beautiful monster."

Fei Yu raised an eyebrow and said, "But it seems like it's not just about being pretty."

"Hmph, of course. This kid's power is quite formidable—" Activate the ① effect of "Ancient Fairy Dragon": Once per turn, Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster from your hand. During the turn this effect is activated, I cannot enter the Battle Phase.

Hoshinobu took a picture of the card, showcasing the graceful movements she had honed through stage performances, and said, "Come on, 'Sacred Bird Crane'!"

"Sacred Bird Crane, Level 4/Light/Bird/Beast" "ATK: 1600/DEF: 400"

The "Ancient Fairy Dragon" raised its head and let out a roar, releasing a ball of light in which a white red-crowned crane gracefully spread its wings.

If "Sacred Bird" is successfully Special Summoned, draw 1 card from your Deck. Then activate the ② effect of "Ancient Fairy Dragon": once per turn, destroy 1 Field Spell Card you control and recover 1000 Life Points. After that, add a Field Spell Card with a different name from your Deck to your hand.

I destroyed "The Divine Wind of the Valley of Mist" and retrieved "Summoning Circuit Breaker".

【Star Leaf Dance LP: 7400→8400】

"Summon the circuit breaker?"

Upon hearing this, Chunhu blinked and recalled, "I remember the effect of that magic card was... after a total of three Summons, Flip Summons, and Special Summons, it would enter the End Phase of that turn?"

"correct answer."

Xingye Wu laughed and said, "Whether it's Synchro, Xyz, or Link, apart from Fusion which can be summoned manually, the rest all rely heavily on setting up a field beforehand. In that case, even with the simplest Xyz Summon, you can't do anything the moment the monster is summoned."

Based on various surveys and Yuki's personal experience, Kido Harutora's "Heroic Challenger" deck relies heavily on combat and is a typical melee-focused deck.

If a monster enters the EP (Extreme Power Level) upon being summoned, it's equivalent to having its most effective fighting style sealed away.

In contrast, Hoshino Mai can use "Ancient Fairy Dragon" to destroy "Summoning Circuit Breaker" at any time to break the restriction, and the initiative in the duel is now in the girl's hands.

"However, 'Summon Circuit Breaker' can only be activated during Main Phase 1. As long as Harutora skips the battle phase, there will be no restrictions when Main Phase 2 unfolds."

Feiyu quickly saw through the weakness of this field spell. As a member of the Duel Academy's school team, his knowledge of cards was no less than that of Izayoi Yuki and the others.

In all aspects, the "Summoning Circuit Breaker" is much weaker than the "Summoning Limiter" of the same type, and is not a threat.

"Let's finish this round first, and if necessary, we can always compete again in the next round."

"Yes, generally speaking, doing it this way is more appropriate."

Yuki also strongly agreed with Feiyu's opinion. If there were no card like "Whirlwind", he would have done the same if he were in Harutora's position.

"but……"

Yu Xi recalled her duel with Xing Yewu in the church.

"Miss Hoshino's formation is probably not limited to this. Next up is probably that guy."

Under Yu Xiguo's unsurprised gaze, Xingye Wu took out a card from her extra deck.

"Set 1 card, then activate 'Summon Limiter,' and then use this monster to end this turn. I'll use 'Sacred Bird' and 'Harpie Girl 1' as materials to construct the Light Network!"

A magnificent nebula vortex unfolded on the earth, one gold and one green, and two beams of light, transformed from the souls of monsters, flew into it. A dazzling number appeared in the intense light of the vortex's explosion.

"Unburden yourself and enjoy sweet dreams in the dead of night! Xyz Summon! Rank 4—"

"No. 41!" "Mud-Sleeping Monster Baku!"

Chapter 61 Adjustment is not such an inconvenient thing.

"No. 41 Mudstalker Baku, Rank 4/Earth/Dark/Xyz" "ATK: 2100/DEF: 2000"

"2 x 4-Star Monsters"

The light from the Super Summon faded, revealing a gigantic Baku before everyone.

It has the number "41" written on its chest, symbolizing its "No." status. It is lying on its card while hugging a pillow, and holding a wine bottle in its hand. The snot bubbles on its nose are getting bigger and smaller with each breath, and it looks like it is fast asleep.

"It's 'No.'?!"

Both Fei Yu and Akabane Ryo widened their eyes slightly, somewhat surprised by the monster summoned by Xing Ye Wu.