"I detach one material to Tribute your El Shaddoll Construct!"
The last golden sphere circling Teardrop fused into her body. Once again, Construct was consumed by a sea of flowers. But this time, Morgan smiled. This was exactly what she had been waiting for—Luli using that effect. Construct had only been a decoy. Her real plan was to end the duel with an Invoked monster.
Even if Luli had held back her effect, she had no other choice. It was like running out of hand traps, only to find the opponent could still play. With Morgan holding multiple Fusion Spells and more than enough materials, there was no way Luli could stop her advance.
Luli realized this as well, panic flashing across her face. She turned toward her set cards—that was her only chance to turn the duel around.
It was a Rikka Trap—Rikka Sheet—which could negate the effects of one face-up monster. Without its effects, Morgan's monster would find it difficult to overpower Teardrop. What's more, her other Trap was Rikka Tranquility, which could Special Summon a Rikka from her Graveyard.
But when the chain resolved, Luli saw that even after Construct was Tributed, Nephe Shaddoll Fusion still succeeded. Morgan had changed Construct's Attribute to EARTH.
Clearly, Morgan had anticipated Luli's set cards. She hadn't rushed to use Invocation. For her, Construct wasn't the only bait. The monster she was about to summon was just another lure to drain Luli's resources.
"I change El Shaddoll Construct's Attribute to EARTH!"
"Then, by the effect of Nephe Shaddoll Fusion, I send Construct and Shaddoll Hound from my hand to the Graveyard as Fusion Material!"
"Fusion Summon! El Shaddoll Shekhinaga!"
A statue bound by threads appeared on the field, her eyes seductive, her gaze lowered. Purple strings tied around her joints as if binding her movements.
[El Shaddoll Shekhinaga] Level 10│EARTH│Machine│2600 ATK / 3000 DEF
'...A new Fusion Monster?'
Seeing the eerie monster appear so suddenly, Luli froze. Her Tribute had failed to achieve its intended effect, and with this unfamiliar monster on the field, she grew frantic, fearing it carried some unknown ability that could break through her defenses.
Overcome with urgency, she flipped her set cards.
"I activate my set card—Rikka Sheet!"
"And I chain my other set—Rikka Tranquility!"
Rikka Tranquility Special Summoned a Rikka from her Graveyard.
Rikka Traps always had bonuses when a Rikka was Tributed. Rikka Sheet could Tribute a Rikka to not only negate but also take control of an opponent's monster. But unwilling to sacrifice her ace, Teardrop, Luli used Rikka Tranquility to revive a Rikka monster as tribute fodder.
"I Special Summon Mudan the Rikka Fairy in Defense Position!"
A girl in a violet dress reappeared on the field.
"Now, Rikka Sheet resolves!"
"I Tribute Mudan to target your El Shaddoll Shekhinaga—I take control of it!"
Mudan's sweet smile lingered as her body dissolved into petals, engulfing Shekhinaga and pulling it to Luli's field.
Jade cried out in shock. After all that effort Morgan had spent to summon her monster, it was stolen before it even acted. If it were her, she'd be devastated.
Isla, too, looked worried. She didn't know Shekhinaga's effects, but she knew Morgan had summoned it to counter Luli. Now, with it stolen, Morgan's strategy was broken, making victory far harder.
The crowd split again—half cheering for Luli's triumph, the other groaning in despair.
"Ha! I knew it—Luli's the best! Even Morgan is helpless now!"
"With her monster stolen, Morgan only has Aleister left. She can't win! The match is over!"
"You idiots—duels aren't over until one Duelist's Life Points hit zero!"
"Can't you see? If Luli attacks directly next turn, Morgan loses! Teardrop's ATK rises whenever a monster is Tributed. She's already over 3000!"
Luli's fans laughed with glee. If they had champagne, they'd be popping bottles already.
Morgan's supporters, meanwhile, hung their heads in silence, some too crushed to respond.
On the sidelines, the Director of General Affairs marveled. This girl, Luli, had disrupted Morgan's moves multiple times already—her skill was impressive. Though unlike the frenzied fans, he didn't disparage either Duelist. From a teacher's perspective, both were excellent students worth being proud of.
Meanwhile, the principal wasn't watching the duel. He was on the phone, face looking serious.
After a moment, he set it down, frowning as he spoke to the Director.
"Once this duel is over, prepare yourself. The old man is bringing some students for an exchange match."
"An exchange match?"
The Director immediately understood who he meant. Of the three Senior Divisions in the country, Morgan's Academy stood on an isolated island. The others were deep in a forest and atop a mountain. The one coming was the forest school's principal—the oldest of the three, nicknamed the old man.
"But it's not time yet. The exchange match happens every two years. Only one has passed."
"Hmph. I hear the old man has an extraordinary student he can't wait to show off." The principal's expression darkened.
"Extraordinary student?" The Director frowned. Could anyone be greater than Morgan?
He also understood why the principal was upset. Last year, when Morgan hadn't attended, they had been crushed in the exchange by the forest school, and the old man had mocked him relentlessly. Now he was coming again, clearly confident of a repeat.
Right then, the principal laughed, speaking with confidence.
"That old man doesn't know last year's League Champion is right here. He came at the perfect time… I'll make sure he regrets it."
The Director chuckled wryly. The two principals were close friends despite their barbs, nearly like family. Still, with Morgan, they truly could face almost any challenge.
Back on the field, even with Shekhinaga stolen, Morgan still smiled. Losing it hardly mattered. It had only been bait anyway. Now, Luli had no resources left.
And Shekhinaga's effect to destroy Special Summoned monsters required discarding a Shaddoll card—without one, it was useless.
Now, Morgan could freely play Invocation and bring out a far stronger Invoked monster.
"I activate Invocation from my hand!"
"I banish Aleister the Invoker from my field and El Shaddoll Construct from my Graveyard as Fusion Materials!"
"Fusion Summon! Invoked Augoeides!"
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]