Professor Mayn drew a card, face dark, and added it to his hand. Truthfully, he hadn't expected that beauty Hannah to be a Shadow Duelist.
From the moment their confession Duel began, he'd sensed something was wrong. But once the Shadow Game was on, escape was impossible. He had fought hastily, only to be overwhelmed within a few turns, converted into a Shadow Duelist himself.
Yet now, Mayn found the change not so bad. His Duel strength had grown, surpassing even the Dean. And he no longer had to wear the mask of the kindly teacher everyone thought him to be. He could finally show his true self.
Gentle? Patient? Calm? All lies.
His real self was vengeful, cold, quick-tempered, and devoid of empathy.
No more pretense. Today, he would use a Duel to crush this arrogant freshman.
Word spread fast. A teacher challenging a student to a Duel drew a crowd. Other teachers and administrators arrived. When they saw Mayn facing Morgan, they were shocked. Mayn was not the type to recklessly challenge students.
Hannah was among the spectators. She sighed. Yesterday, after turning Mayn into a Shadow Duelist, she had forgotten to warn him not to provoke Morgan. And now, just one day later, the two were facing each other.
All her work, wasted.
Thankfully, Mayn hadn't triggered a Shadow Game in public—that would have exposed her. Still, Mayn was her piece on the board. If he somehow beat Morgan, the value gained would be worth it.
Hannah watched with interest, looking forward to the Duel.
"I activate the Spell Card, Miracle Rupture!"
"Send 1 Level 4 or lower Rock monster from your Deck to the Graveyard."
"I send Revival Golem to the Graveyard!"
Mayn sent the card. Morgan frowned. 'Miracle Rupture? Fossils again? But that card didn't need Revival Golem…'
'Wait.'
Her eyes lit up. She understood which Deck he was running—and smiled.
"Next, I activate Revival Golem's effect!"
"When this card is sent from the Deck to the Graveyard: Special Summon it!"
Clay gathered on the field, shaping into a bald, muscular giant.
[Revival Golem] Level 4│100 ATK / 2100 DEF
Morgan knew. Mayn needed Rock monsters on the field to extend his plays. Miracle Rupture plus Revival Golem was his core combo.
The Dean muttered, puzzled. "Strange. Professor Mayn is usually cautious, letting students take the first turn. Why so aggressive now?"
Others agreed. Mayn had always been mild and popular with students. Yet, now he seemed desperate to win.
Hannah sighed. Becoming a Shadow Duelist magnified one's true self. It took time to adjust. Mayn had clearly lost himself. Zelo would have beaten obedience into him. She, however, was too soft for that.
"Activate Adamancipator Researcher's effect!"
Morgan's guess was right—Mayn was playing Adamancipators.
The famous mining Deck. Its three core monsters excavated the top five cards of the Deck. If they revealed a Level 4 or lower Rock non-Tuner, it could be Special Summoned. Hence the nickname: miners.
And it was a Synchro Deck, its boss monsters' powerful negates.
"If you control a Rock monster other than Adamancipator Researcher: Special Summon this card from your hand."
A girl in a red robe appeared, staff in hand, backpack slung over her shoulder.
[Adamancipator Researcher] Level 4│100 ATK / 2100 DEF
"Researcher's effect! Excavate the top five cards of my Deck!"
He flipped five cards, hitting a non-Tuner Rock. He Summoned it immediately.
"I Special Summon Doki Doki!"
A red clay pot with an angry face emerged.
"Doki Doki's effect! Discard 1 Rock monster; Special Summon 1 Rock monster of the same Level and Attribute from your Deck."
He discarded The Rock Spirit, pulling out Adamancipator Analyzer.
The combo was nearly complete.
The Dean's eyes narrowed. Mayn's playstyle was uncharacteristically aggressive. With his setup, he was aiming to Synchro Summon two monsters on turn one.
"All out from the start… this isn't like him. Losing to Morgan must've changed him."
He shook his head. They would have to talk after this Duel.
Meanwhile, Mayn pressed on.
"I Normal Summon Adamancipator Analyzer!"
"I tune Analyzer with Doki Doki!"
"Synchro Summon! Adamancipator Risen - Raptite!"
A massive green bird descended, winds swirling. On its back was Analyzer, used as a Synchro Material.
[Adamancipator Risen - Raptite] Level 6│2200 ATK / 2800 DEF
Like the others, Raptite excavated five cards, Special Summoning another Analyzer. Mayn now had material for his next Synchro.
"I tune Revival Golem, Researcher, and Analyzer!"
"Synchro Summon! Adamancipator Risen - Dragite!"
A colossal dragon of blue crystals coiled into existence. It could bounce cards and negate effects if a WATER monster was in the Graveyard.
Mayn immediately set it up.
"I activate the Spell, Foolish Burial!"
"Send 1 monster from the Deck to the Graveyard. I send Adamancipator Crystal - Dragite, a WATER Rock!"
Perfect fuel for Dragite's negate.
"My turn ends."
Two Synchros on turn one, with a negate—strong enough to stop most Decks. Students and teachers alike stiffened, eyes on Morgan. How would she answer this field?
Morgan glanced at her hand—nothing but Spells. She grinned.
Sky Strikers, of course. No bricks—already a win.
Her finger touched her Deck.
"My turn. Draw!"
...
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