The moment Alpha's transforming Duel Disk activated, a ripple of transparent waves spread outward, covering the entire field like a pale blue barrier.
You Xuan recognized it instantly. This was technology similar to the Duel Disk Kaiba had used last time.
A Scientific Shadow Duel?
You Xuan frowned slightly.
He knew of similar technology used by the Yliaster organization in Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, but those people were from the future. Was there anyone in this era besides Kaiba who possessed such technology?
He was beginning to get curious about his opponent's origin.
"Fine then."
You Xuan also expanded his Duel Disk.
"Duel!"
[You Xuan, LP 4000]
[Alpha, LP 4000]
"I'll take the first move. Draw!"
You Xuan revealed a card from his hand.
"I activate the Continuous Spell, Messenger of Peace. Neither player can declare an attack with monsters that have 1500 or more ATK."
Similar to Gravity Bind or Level Limit - Area B, this was a common attack-locking card used in stall decks during the early years. However, this card was more flexible. Its controller had to pay 100 Life Points during each of their Standby Phases to maintain it, or they could choose not to pay and let the card be destroyed.
This allowed the controller to lift the lockdown at any time they wished.
"An attack lock right out of the gate," Alpha said, crossing his arms with a cold sneer. "Are you really that afraid of the power of my deck?"
You Xuan didn't answer, only offering a small smile as he continued. "Next, I activate the Spell card, Card Destruction. Both players discard their entire hands and draw the same number of cards."
Alpha redrew his hand, silently observing You Xuan's expression after he drew.
A card to cycle the hand... Is he looking for a specific card or a combo?
"I set one monster in face-down Defense Position," You Xuan said. "Then I set one card in the backrow. I end my turn."
"Heh, it seems you didn't find the combo you wanted. In that case, prepare to be crushed by my power! My turn, draw!"
Alpha waved his hand.
"I Normal Summon Paladin of Felgrand!"
A blonde swordsman appeared on the field, his white cloak fluttering behind him.
[Paladin of Felgrand, ATK 1700]
"When this card is Normal Summoned, I can equip one Level 7 or 8 Dragon-Type monster from my hand or deck to this card as an Equip Spell."
Alpha pulled a card searched from his deck.
"From my deck, I equip the Level 7 Dragon, Arkbrave Dragon!"
The phantom image of a shimmering giant dragon appeared, attaching itself to the knight's blade like a dragon soul.
"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell, Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lords!" Alpha declared.
A sculpture of a divine dragon appeared on the field, surrounded by the scenery of a ruined temple.
"Once per turn, I can send one face-up card on my field to the Graveyard, other than this card, to Special Summon one Dragon Token. I send Arkbrave Dragon, which is currently treated as an Equip Spell, to the Graveyard to Special Summon a Dragon Token!"
[Dragon Token, DEF 0]
"Now, for the subsequent effect of Paladin of Felgrand. By Tributing one monster on my field and this card, I can Special Summon a Level 7 or 8 Dragon-Type monster from my Graveyard. Therefore, I Tribute Paladin of Felgrand and the Dragon Token to revive the soul of the Shimmering Dragon"
"Level 7, Arkbrave Dragon, Summon!"
The Paladin and the Token vanished simultaneously. From within a dazzling curtain of light, the form of a dragon materialized. The radiant dragon descended amidst a shower of glowing sparks.
[Arkbrave Dragon, ATK 2400]
"So it's this deck..." You Xuan rubbed his chin.
He had seen this deck during his last visit to KaibaCorp. It was a derivative series developed by KaibaCorp's research team based on the eight-star dragon, Felgrand Dragon. It was the latest generation of high-powered Dragon-Type decks.
However, this deck had only recently been created and was strictly "not for sale" even within the Kaiba Group. It shouldn't have hit the market yet.
You Xuan became increasingly curious about who his opponent actually was.
"When Arkbrave Dragon is successfully Special Summoned from the Graveyard, all face-up Spells and Traps on the opponent's field are banished!" Alpha shouted. "Begone, Messenger of Peace!"
A brilliant radiance erupted from the dragon's body. A storm of light blew away the Messenger of Peace in the backrow, exiling it to the far reaches of a different dimension.
"Furthermore, for every card banished by this effect, Arkbrave Dragon gains 200 ATK!"
[Arkbrave Dragon, ATK 2400 -> ATK 2600]
"With this, the attack lock is lifted! Such simple tricks are useless before my Shimmering Dragon!"
Alpha burst into laughter.
"Battle! Crush him! Arkbrave Dragon, attack the face-down monster!"
Arkbrave Dragon opened its maw, releasing a burst of blinding light. The face-down monster flipped up, revealing a red-skinned blacksmith.
[Iron Blacksmith Kotetsu, DEF 500]
"The monster you attacked is Iron Blacksmith Kotetsu," You Xuan said calmly. "When this card is flipped face-up, I can add one Equip Spell from my deck to my hand."
He pulled a card from his deck.
"I add the Equip Spell Butterfly Dagger - Elma to my hand."
Had there been any student present who had witnessed the brutality of the "Elma OTK" back at the Academy, they would likely be breaking into a cold sweat by now. However, the opponent didn't seem to realize the severity of the situation.
"Hmph. The Battle Phase is over. I set three cards to the field."
Three set cards appeared in Alpha's backrow.
"Next, from my hand, I activate the Continuous Spell, Mirage of Nightmare! During your Standby Phase, I can draw cards until I have four in my hand!"
You Xuan glanced at the three set cards in the opponent's backrow.
From the looks of it, those cards might have been set specifically to increase the number of cards drawn.
I'd bet there's at least one Emergency Provisions back there...
"By the way, Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lords has another effect," Alpha sneered. "While I control a Level 7 or 8 Dragon, only monsters Special Summoned from the Graveyard can activate their effects. Monsters Special Summoned from anywhere else have their effects negated during the turn they are summoned!"
You Xuan nodded slightly. "That is quite a hassle."
"Hmph." Alpha crossed his arms again and gave a cold snort. "If you don't want to be beaten to a pulp, it's not too late to surrender and join us."
You Xuan scrutinized the other's posture and pose, pondering for a moment.
"Don't you think the way you talk... and some of your movements... are a bit similar to Seto Kaiba?"
"Oh? You've noticed already?" Alpha chuckled. "That's right. I am..."
"A die-hard fan of President Kaiba?" You Xuan interrupted.
"That's right, I'm a die-hard fan of Seto Kaiba Wait, no!"
Alpha, nearly caught in the rhythm, scowled.
"Nonsense! I am the latest generation AI designed with Seto Kaiba as the prototype. Code name: Alpha. Seto Kaiba is destined to be replaced by us. We will lead the Kaiba Group back onto the correct path!"
You Xuan: "..."
Hearing this villainous declaration, You Xuan's first reaction wasn't shock or surprise. Instead, an old saying instinctively popped into his head.
If only you'd had a few peanuts to go with all that wine...
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