The card of the Philosopher's Stone created by Teacher Daitokuji can be said to be a truly divine-level "fake card".
Even in the original world full of "fake cards", this Philosopher's Stone ranks among the top fake cards. After all, this card doesn't need to be activated; as long as you wish, it can transform into any card you want and then revert back.
In the original story, the protagonist Yuki Judai used this card in the battle with the Three Phantasms, directly using its effect three times, ultimately winning against the Three Phantasms with its power, saving countless spirits.
If you say it's strong, it certainly is strong.
But you might say it's wasteful? That feeling is truly wasteful to the extreme.
Later, during the duel with Yubel, if Judai had this thing, he would definitely win.
Of course, this is thinking from a hindsight perspective.
In the original story, Judai was indeed in a desperate situation against the Three Phantasms, and victory was only possible by relying on Teacher Daitokuji's legacy.
If there was no Philosopher's Stone at that time, whether Judai could win or the world could continue would all be in question.
Similarly, although Tenjo Hikari defeated Teacher Daitokuji, he couldn't be sure if there were new tricks up Kagemaru's sleeve in this world.
Moreover, the Three Phantasms in the original story were not the same as the real card versions; their effects and strength were far beyond those of ordinary cards.
If it really couldn't be helped, during the battle against the Three Phantasms, handing the card to Judai or using it himself, he would not hesitate.
Compared to a total wipeout, choosing to be wasteful is definitely the option!
Of course, it's more likely he will use Super Polymerization himself.
At least that can be reused.
Also, rather than wasting it directly, Tenjo Hikari felt that trying to create or replicate the Philosopher's Stone himself might better suit his needs. From a strategic point of view, if the Philosopher's Stone could be used as "COST" for Super Polymerization, it would actually better address his shortcomings.
If he could print three of these things, any Phantasm or Yubel wouldn't scare him!
Call over Don Sauzando! Call over Don Sauzando!
However, Tierra seemed to have a different opinion.
Noticing Tenjo Hikari holding back his impulses and desires, pulling his hand back, she smiled while crossing her arms and said, "Honestly speaking, even I am quite surprised."
She tilted her head: "This artificial dimension, I suppose, was created by your teacher using the power of the Philosopher's Stone as the foundation. Even though you have taken the Philosopher's Stone, this space should still exist, but it will definitely keep contracting and eventually collapse. By then, this dimension will only have the space within the workshop area.
But the key is not really this.
It's that your teacher, on top of the Philosopher's Stone, crafted this other dimension, which can, through energy circulation, enhance the power of cards."
She touched her chin, contemplating: "His original intention was probably to utilize the energy circulation to indefinitely maintain this other dimension with the Philosopher's Stone and isolate the prying attempts of other creatures."
"But, because of this design, it instead gives you other opportunities for utilization."
"Other opportunities?"
"The most basic uses of the Philosopher's Stone: the alchemy of gold and eternal life." Tierra gently wiggled her fingers, "Of course, I don't think you will use it to create gold. The alchemist over there might be interested, but I won't allow him to do so."
Indeed.
Moreover, again, he is quite a proud alchemist, willing to accept creating gold with other materials, but those materials must be something he himself had alchemized.
"Secondly comes nourishment." Tierra folded her arms, nodding lightly, "The reason your teacher can live this long is largely due to the help of the Philosopher's Stone. And this ability can affect not only humans.
Similarly, it can also work on card spirits and on the cards themselves."
!!
Tierra glanced at the two swordsmen who followed closely behind Tenjo Hikari, a slight smile playing on her lips: "These two attendants of yours already show a trend of evolution. They might evolve into a card never before seen in this world.
But to grow to that level, the battle experience and grind needed are far from simple.
Even the fight with your teacher today, to be honest, only slightly increased their progress."
Is that so?
Tenjo Hikari looked towards the swordsmen, and the two swordsmen exchanged a glance, hurriedly examining their bodies. It was only then they realized that their swords and armor had indeed undergone new changes: "This is not something you can spot without careful observation..."
The two looked towards Tierra. They couldn't even notice the issues themselves, so how did Tierra find them?
"But I am a God." Tierra, without a flicker of emotion, casually remarked, "For me, these are not details, but flaws visible right at first glance."
"The shortcomings of carbon-based mortal life lie here, incapable of conducting self-audits. Pathetic."
The two spirits froze in place, seeming both embarrassed and uncertain if they should retort.
On the other side, Tenjo Hikari furrowed his brows, hesitating as he spoke: "So if you are here..."
"Ah, you've guessed right." Tierra slightly crossed her arms, surveying the surroundings, "I can feel that in this artificial dimension, my power is recuperating at an incredibly slow pace.
While very minuscule, it is indeed recovering."
Tenjo Hikari grew serious.
Simply by this means she could regain power, if it were the entire Philosopher's Stone?
Even if it couldn't directly resurrect her, she could probably restore an immense degree of power!
Is she going to act now?
Tenjo Hikari prepared himself.
Even if the Philosopher's Stone were to remain hidden and unused, it was Teacher Daitokuji's relic; it was impossible to let others covet it!
Tierra looked at Tenjo Hikari, lightly lifting her magic staff again, saying, "So, as a reward for teaching me dueling and letting me witness such an interesting duel ritual, with this just-recovered power, I'll help you create a card!"
Eh?
Seeing the slightly stunned Tenjo Hikari, Tierra half-puzzled, half-teasingly tilted her head, her neck producing a "crack" sound as she turned it sideways: "What's the matter? Are you thinking I would steal it?
Tenjo Hikari, I am a God!
I shall not break a given promise."
Although the subtext was that if there wasn't a firm promise, she might backstab at any time, as the Goddess of Rebirth, she had her divine might and divine dignity.
"The materials are LV 2 monsters, Dark Attribute monsters, Fiend-Type monsters, Fairy-Type monsters, Machine-Type monsters, Winged Beast-Type monsters, Wind Attribute monsters, it doesn't matter if they are Normal Monsters. Additionally, you need avian feathers and gemstones, with purple or black being preferred colors. If not found, just press in that Crystal thing."
"For the remaining materials, use your imagination, it's all the things needed for card alchemy."
"Uh, oh, all right!" Tenjo Hikari was momentarily stunned, then immediately went to prepare.
It was only then he realized.
When Tierra told him about the Philosopher's Stone earlier, it wasn't with good intentions. If he hadn't resisted the temptation then, she might actually have backstabbed him!
Until confirming he was filled only with respect and devoid of desire, did this Goddess abandon her backstabbing notion.
No wonder she's known as the God despising living things, never take her fond smile lightly as being without ulterior motives.
He pulled himself together, returned to the human world, and after collecting materials for three or four days, brought the spirits back to the workshop, and began crafting the card.
Another half a week passed, Tenjo Hikari opened the furnace, taking a card from it.
Success!
A hint of excitement appeared on Tenjo Hikari's face.
It's a low-level monster from the Shaddoll series, Shaddoll Falco!
An unexpected gain!
He pumped his fist in excitement.
He never expected to acquire a low-level monster from the Shaddoll series so precisely and so quickly! Now, the Shaddoll Fusion Card would come in handy!