Li Yuu pointed toward the field. Mini Valor's effect surged forth in a pulse of light, piercing through Fiendish Dragon Lord – Ophion and shattering its obsidian armor.
Beneath the cracked shell, its original icy form was exposed—frail and defenseless.
With its ATK reduced to 0, the once-imposing dragon now stood trembling, utterly powerless.
Aka Natsuyama's face turned pale. Regret hit him like a truck.
Why… why did I run my mouth back there?!
Now the damage was going to be catastrophic—nearly a one-shot kill.
All he could do now was pray. Please… please don't let Li Yuu summon another monster. I won't survive it!
Li Yuu raised his voice with composure.
"Battle Phase—begin."
"Neo Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon, attack Fiendish Dragon Lord – Ophion!"
"Supreme Tachyon Spiral Blast!!"
Zhu's head snapped up in alarm.
"You're just… going straight into battle?!"
The answer came in the form of a colossal golden energy beam. Tachyon Dragon unleashed its breath in full force, annihilating Ophion in a single devastating strike!
— Damage: 4500
Li Yuu followed with a command:
"Mini Valor's effect now resolves—deal additional damage equal to Ophion's original ATK!"
— Bonus Damage: 2550
— Aka Natsuyama LP: 8000 → 950
"GWAHHH!!"
The searing pain made Aka Natsuyama scream aloud. That blast had nearly ended the duel on the spot!
Kyūyō Tenma pumped his fist. "Let's go, Li Yuu! Just one more hit!"
Despite the burn, Aka Natsuyama laughed breathlessly, forcing a shaky smirk.
"Ha… haha… Not bad. But I'm still standing. That means I can still fight back!"
Inside, his thoughts were racing.
I survived! That's what matters! I just need to draw the right card next turn and turn this around—
But…
Was that really the case?
Li Yuu had been watching him closely—from his despair… to the spark of hope rekindling in his eyes.
That exact shift… was exactly what Li Yuu had been waiting for.
He smirked.
"Oh? I hope you'll keep that cheerful mood going—"
Aka Natsuyama flinched.
Something was wrong.
He felt it now—the weight in Li Yuu's stare.
And then—
Li Yuu extended his hand to the Graveyard and pulled out a single card.
The declaration that followed shattered Aka Natsuyama's world:
"My Battle Phase isn't over yet."
"When I activated Mini Valor, I tributed Primal Dragon. Its third effect states—"
"If tributed, I can grant one monster on my field a second attack this Battle Phase."
"And naturally, I choose—Neo Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon!"
Zhu's heart dropped into his stomach.
"WHAT?! You never said—!! You didn't say anything about that effect!"
Li Yuu chuckled.
"I didn't have to. I confirmed it silently on my duel disk."
"But wouldn't it be more dramatic… to wait and surprise you?"
His hand dropped like a guillotine.
"Battle continues—Neo Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon, direct attack!!"
"Ultimate Double Tachyon Spiral Burst!!"
A sun-hot beam of destruction filled Aka Natsuyama's vision.
His scream was cut short as he was blasted off his feet—flung from the battlefield like a ragdoll.
— Aka Natsuyama LP: 950 → 0
— Duel Result: KO
"NGHHH—AAAAHHHHHHHHH!!"
His agonized wail echoed across the plaza before he collapsed, unconscious, into the dust.
[Duel Complete – Victory Achieved]
[Win Streak: 2]
[Keep up the momentum! More wins mean better rewards from the system.]
"ZHU!!"
From the shadows, a small crowd rushed forward to pick up Aka Natsuyama's fallen body.
They were his usual rich-kid cronies—sons of noble families like himself. Leading them, naturally, was the sharp-eyed, silver-haired Ye Kun.
Ye Kun knelt to check Zhu's breathing.
Still steady. Just knocked out cold.
Only then did he relax.
He stood and turned to face Li Yuu—then flicked a card toward him.
"Here. 'Monster Reborn.' That was Zhu's wager. You won. It's yours."
Li Yuu caught the card with a nod.
Ye Kun crossed his arms, thumb casually hooked toward himself.
"You're Li Yuu, right? This year's top freshman at Sacred Star Duel Academy."
"Remember my name—Ye Kun, of the Xyz Alliance."
Li Yuu blinked.
He stared at Ye Kun's perfectly styled, silver-gray middle-parted hair… and suddenly felt a chill.
His face twitched.
"…Kun? You're… Ye Kun?"
Ye Kun raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. That's right. You better remember it—my name leaves an impression."
Li Yuu bit his lip, trying not to laugh. Why does this feel so familiar? Like I've seen this guy before in a meme template or something…
Still smirking, he replied, "Oh don't worry. That name's… very memorable."
Ye Kun didn't catch the irony. He lifted his chin proudly.
"I don't know how you got your hands on Number 107, but that card is a sacred treasure of the Xyz Alliance."
"I won't allow an outsider to hold onto it."
"I'm going to take it from you."
Li Yuu raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Is that so? In that case, I hope you're ready to pay the price."
Ye Kun narrowed his eyes.
"I'm not just anyone—I'm the heir to the Ye Group."
Li Yuu turned and asked over his shoulder, "In Koujin, ever heard of the Ye Group?"
In Koujin's expression twisted awkwardly.
"The Ye Group is one of the wealthiest financial clans in the Xyz Alliance. Their influence is massive—even outside their homeland."
"Oho~" Li Yuu said mildly. "Sounds pretty impressive."
Ye Kun smirked. "Glad you understand. I'm a Special Admission student—my talent was recognized early. That's why I didn't need to take the entrance exam."
"But starting this semester… we'll have plenty of chances to duel."
"Better be ready!"
Li Yuu sighed and rubbed his forehead.
The arrogant rival trope, huh?
So cliché it hurts.
Still, under the sun, nothing was ever truly new.
When one stands out—flies too high—there will always be challengers.
Maybe that wasn't a bad thing.
At least his school life wouldn't be boring.
Li Yuu grinned.
"I'll be looking forward to it."