Morgan drew sharply. This time, she was using her Traptrix Deck. The HERO Deck was stylish but not bright enough; Floowandereeze, she had already handed it to Jade. What she had left was Traptrix.
But this Traptrix build was different from last time—she had added new cards. These came from the System, which kept updating her with cards released in her past life, giving her more options and upgrades.
What she held now was pure Traptrix—no external engines.
A pure loli Deck!
As Morgan's turn began, the stream's chat exploded, doubling in volume. Everyone speculated which Deck she'd use. Most guessed her championship-winning Trickstar build.
Though those who knew her understood—Morgan's specialty was her Deck-building talent. She rotated Decks far more frequently than normal Duelists. For other players, the audience only speculated how their combo lines might differ. For Morgan, the question was: which Deck would she bring this time?
That was what made guessing her so entertaining.
Morgan placed her card down. With the new additions, her combos hadn't changed much—just more consistency.
"I Normal Summon Traptrix Pudica in Attack Position!"
A pitcher plant bloomed, its lid lifting to reveal a tiny girl with dark violet eyes and short orange hair adorned with a six-petal purple flower.
[Traptrix Pudica] Level 4│900 ATK / 1900 DEF
One of the new support cards. When Special Summoned, it could temporarily banish an opponent's Special Summoned monster. Though they could return it next turn, the pinpoint banish was strong. With Sera or Dionaea, it could be summoned repeatedly, bouncing threats turn after turn.
Now, opening with Pudica was ideal. Her other effect searched the archetype's Field Spell.
"I activate Pudica's effect!"
"When this card is Normal Summoned: Add 1 Traptrip Garden from your Deck to your hand!"
Morgan searched the Field Spell and added it to her hand.
Rowe's eyes widened. She'd faced Morgan's Traptrix many times. She knew the core monsters. Even so, she had never seen this Pudica—or that Field Spell. Where had they come from?
The only explanation: Morgan had secretly upgraded her Deck. Or she had been holding back all along.
Rowe suspected the latter. Since arriving at the Academy, Morgan hadn't had time to change her Deck.
Isla, meanwhile, was simply surprised—Morgan had gotten serious. Perhaps because this was a live-stream Duel. She even recalled hearing Morgan and Anneli agree to split the stream profits. Even with championship money, running a team wasn't cheap. Morgan was finding new income streams.
Isla had once wanted to help, but her father had taken back her key card. Now, she only got allowance money… a drop in the bucket for team expenses.
The chat, seeing new cards, erupted. As always, Morgan didn't disappoint.
"What's that monster? So cute!"
"Traptrix? Is that an archetype? Never heard of it."
"Cute girls in pitcher plants… why though?"
"Pitcher plants remind me of Predaplants…"
While the viewers speculated, Anneli tensed. She noticed Morgan's search for the Field Spell. If she grabbed it turn one, it had to be central to her Deck. Maybe she should blow it up.
Abruptly, before she decided, Morgan activated it.
"I activate the Field Spell, Traptrip Garden!"
"Once per turn, you can Normal Summon 1 'Traptrix' monster during your Main Phase, in addition to your Normal Summon."
"I Normal Summon Traptrix Mantis in Attack Position!"
Mantis appeared, perched on a giant flower.
Garden's extra Normal Summon was key—allowing her to immediately bring out Rank 4 Xyz monsters without needing Rafflesia or Parallel eXceed.
She then set the Link Arrows.
"I use Pudica as Link Material!"
"Link Summon! Traptrix Sera!"
The familiar green-haired girl appeared. Seeing Morgan's Link Monster, Anneli grew wary. She still had outs; however, she'd have to play carefully.
Anyhow, she wasn't going to sit idle.
"I activate Evil★Twin's Trouble Sunny's effect!"
"Tribute this card; Special Summon 1 Ki-sikil and 1 Lil-la from your Graveyard."
"And it can be activated during either player's turn!"
Sunny vanished in a burst of light. Ki-sikil and Lil-la returned, smiling brightly, relieved without their boss looming.
Both were Special Summoned at once—triggering their effects.
"I activate Evil★Twin Ki-sikil and Evil★Twin Lil-la!"
"Draw 1 card, then destroy Traptrix Sera!"
Anneli pointed straight at Morgan's Sera. Lil-la's effect destroyed it instantly.
Morgan raised an eyebrow. Destroying a Link-1 instead of her Field Spell? Odd choice.
Even without Sera, she still had Mantis. She could just Link Summon Sera again—and she still held more Traptrix support.
Jade realized what Anneli was doing: creating a double-Twin board to trigger both effects, replenishing her hand and breaking a card at once.
Yet, Isla sighed. "She's too nervous. That pop effect was wasted."
Jade blinked. Wasted?
"Destroying a Link-1 isn't worth it," Isla explained. "Morgan can resummon it easily. The Field Spell is the real threat. Pop a Trap and battle over Sera—that was the best play."
Jade deflated. She hadn't seen it. Isla reassured her, "Don't worry. With Morgan guiding you, you'll catch up fast."
Morgan, meanwhile, revealed another new support.
"I activate Traptrix Arachnocampa from my hand!"
"If you control a 'Traptrix' monster, you can Special Summon this card from your hand."
Glowing branches descended. A jellyfish-haired girl emerged, aqua hair shining like crystal, white dress and skirt eerie under her smile.
[Traptrix Arachnocampa] Level 4│1300 ATK / 1500 DEF
One of the new key supports. Its Special Summon ability let her skip eXceed engines, going straight into Rank 4s. It also protected her Set Traps from destruction.
Morgan immediately followed up.
"I activate Traptrip Garden's effect!"
"Banish Arachnocampa from my field; Special Summon Traptrix Sera from my Graveyard!"
Her core Monster returned. With Mantis still present, Sera's effect could activate, pulling a Trap directly from the Deck. And with Traps set, Pudica could return from the Graveyard next turn to banish key monsters.
"I Set 1 card. Then I activate Traptrix Mantis's effect!"
"Return 1 Set card I control to my hand, then Set 1 Trap from my hand."
Anneli frowned, not understanding. Why bounce and reset the same card?
However, Morgan's allies knew—this triggered Sera.
"Activate Traptrix Sera's effect!"
"When another Traptrix monster's effect is activated: Set 1 'Hole' or 'Trap Hole' Normal Trap directly from your Deck."
Morgan searched and Set a card.
"I Set Traptrix Trap Hole Nightmare!"
This would negate and destroy any monster that activated its effect upon being Special Summoned. Perfect against Evil★Twins.
Though she couldn't yet Xyz Summon Rafflesia, her field was ready to disrupt Anneli's plays.
"My turn ends."
Anneli exhaled, relieved—but also confused. Morgan's pressure wasn't overwhelming. No direct damage, no flashy combos. Just monsters and Sets.
Had Morgan grown weaker after a year away?
Albeit Isla and the others knew better. They exchanged glances, sighing. That girl was in for trouble.
Chat buzzed with debate. Many thought Morgan had fallen off. No OTK, no crazy moves.
All that said, the veterans disagreed. This was the calm before the storm.
"She didn't even attack or enter Battle Phase. Morgan's washed up."
"Yeah, her monsters get popped so easily. That bounce-play made no sense."
"You fools. She's stronger than ever. This is just the eye of the storm."
"Classic!"
"LOL. Don't commentate if you can't even read the board."
As chat spammed, Anneli drew. Her card showed both Twins together—a high-Level monster, requiring her to send both Evil★Twins from her field.
It had a powerful effect: reduce the opponent's field to just 2 cards. If she could wipe Morgan's monsters, leaving only her Sets, she could swing in.
She nodded and declared:
"I send Evil★Twin Lil-la and Evil★Twin Ki-sikil to the Graveyard!"
"I Special Summon Evil★Twins Ki-sikil & Lil-la from my hand!"
The Twins embraced, transforming together.
[Evil★Twins Ki-sikil & Lil-la] Level 8│2200 ATK / 2200 DEF
"I activate its effect!"
"When Special Summoned: If your opponent controls 3 or more cards, reduce them to 2 by sending the rest to the Graveyard!"
Morgan only smiled. Anneli had triggered the perfect Trap.
She flipped her Set.
"I activate Traptrix Trap Hole Nightmare!"
...
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