In fact, in this duel, You Chen had already calculated two completely different routes to victory.
The first route was the one he had just executed.
The second route was a more conservative line.
That was to not use the Quick-Play Spell [Instant Fusion] immediately to avoid [Breakthrough Skill], but instead allow Breakthrough Skill to resolve first.
Then, after the negation took effect, he could activate Instant Fusion to Special Summon a Cyber Dragon-related Fusion Monster and forcefully destroy the two remaining back-row cards through effect pressure.
The advantage of that line was simple and direct—by using a Fusion Monster with removal capabilities, he could blast away the opponent's back row without worrying about timing tricks.
However, the disadvantages were just as obvious.
If he chose that path, [Cyber Dragon Core] would lose its opportunity to search, because its effect would be negated.
That meant card disadvantage.
It would also reduce his flexibility for follow-up plays.
Between the two options, the first route was clearly superior.
Because with the first method, he could probe the opponent's traps, test their timing windows, and still retain the freedom to adjust afterward.
In just that brief exchange, You Chen's mind had already processed multiple layers of calculation.
"Since one of the face-down cards is [Bottomless Trap Hole], and the other one failed to activate under destruction conditions…"
"Then the remaining possibility is either a battle-trigger trap or a continuous effect trap that cannot currently respond."
"Or…"
"It's simply a trap that cannot meet activation timing right now."
You Chen narrowed his eyes.
"Either way, I already have enough information."
"And just now, you tried to activate the left-side face-down card, but failed due to timing."
"That means the left one is [Bottomless Trap Hole]."
The moment You Chen finished speaking, several students around the field gasped quietly.
That level of deduction wasn't luck—it was experience.
Wang Hao's brows knitted together.
This freshman…
Was he really analyzing that deeply during live combat?
Before Wang Hao could respond, You Chen had already raised another card.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Mystical Space Typhoon]!"
A violent spiral of wind formed instantly above the duel field, compressed magical pressure tearing through the air.
"I target the face-down card on your right!"
The whirlwind slammed down violently.
"Bang——!"
"What?!"
Wang Hao's right-side back-row card was revealed mid-destruction.
[Sakuretsu Armor].
It shattered instantly, fragments scattering like broken glass.
Even though its name contained "explosion," this time, there was no explosion at all.
It was simply destroyed—cleanly, mercilessly.
Why did this feel so irritating?
You Wushuang watched from the sidelines and smacked his lips.
Good grief.
This guy wasn't just dismantling decks.
He was dismantling mental states.
Even Wang Hao, the captain of the assessment team, looked visibly tense now, his face darkening.
In a normal duel, Wang Hao would never lose composure like this.
But under this kind of pressure—being read, baited, and dismantled step by step—his blood pressure was clearly climbing.
+1890 emotional value!
Even the Cyber Dragon deck itself probably didn't expect it could double as a psychological weapon.
You Chen calmly continued.
"Next," he said, "I enter the Battle Phase."
"Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon, attack the face-down Defense Position monster!"
The massive mechanical dragon roared, its cannons charging with dark red electromagnetic energy.
The field trembled as the attack was unleashed.
"Boom——!"
A wave of crimson energy surged forward.
Under the impact, Wang Hao's monster flipped face-up.
What appeared was [Batteryman AA].
The small battery-shaped monster crackled with electricity, sparks jumping across its metallic body.
At that moment, the theme of Thunder Academy was perfectly embodied.
Cyber Dragons.
Batterymen.
Machines and lightning everywhere.
If this duel hadn't been random, people might have thought it was a staged exhibition match.
"I admit you're strong," Wang Hao said coldly.
"But my Batterymen don't rely solely on trap cards."
"Activate the effect of [Batteryman AA]!"
"When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, I draw 1 card!"
"Resource gain and extension at the same time—how will you deal with this?"
A faint sneer appeared on his face.
You Chen smiled instead.
"You're right," he said calmly.
"Resistance is indeed important."
Then he raised a card.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Forbidden Chalice] from my hand!"
A golden goblet materialized above the battlefield, radiating holy light.
"I target your [Batteryman AA]."
"Until the end of this turn, its ATK increases by 400, but its effects are negated."
"This card can be activated during the Damage Step."
The chalice tipped forward.
[Batteryman AA] drank from it—and immediately looked dizzy.
The electric sparks destabilized.
Then the crimson wave from Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon swallowed it whole.
The Batteryman shattered into fragments.
Its draw effect never triggered.
"Hateful!!"
Wang Hao clenched his fists.
Another layer of frustration stacked onto his mind.
+788 emotional value!
"Even so," he shouted, forcing himself to stay composed, "you can't defeat me in one turn!"
"You'll have to wait until the next round!"
Before he could finish—
You Chen raised a finger and gently shook it.
"Sorry," he said softly.
"You don't have a next turn."
Wang Hao froze.
"Senior," You Chen continued calmly, "I don't know what the environment is like inside the academy."
"But the outside world is cruel."
"In Yu-Gi-Oh—"
"Only one person needs a turn."
Wang Hao's eyes widened.
"What are you saying?! I still have 8000 Life Points!"
You Chen smiled faintly.
"Oh, right."
"I almost forgot to tell you."
Then he revealed another card.
"I activate [Limiter Removal]!"
The air exploded with mechanical resonance.
"The ATK of all Machine-Type monsters I control is doubled until the end of this turn!"
"At the end of the turn, those monsters are destroyed!"
Chains snapped.
Limiters shattered.
"Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon—break free!"
The dragon roared, its power output skyrocketing.
ATK surged from 2100—
To 4200!
The entire audience gasped.
Wang Hao staggered backward, eyes shaking.
"That's… not enough!"
You Chen didn't answer.
He simply pointed forward.
"Attack."
"Finish it."
The mechanical dragon unleashed a devastating electromagnetic blast.
Dark red energy flooded the duel field.
4200 damage!
Wang Hao screamed as his Life Points plummeted.
The light faded.
The field fell silent.
The duel was over.
Regardless of how it ended—
Everyone present understood one thing.
This freshman…
Was terrifying.
If you want, next I can:
Continue Chapter 88 seamlessly
Refine dialogue tone to be closer to Takahashi's manga narration
Optimize Cyber Dragon combo realism for later high-tier opponents
Tighten pacing without losing word count
Just tell me.
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