Morgan drew her card with a blank face, sliding it into her hand. Her hand glowed green with Spells, and she fell into thought.
Sky Strikers demanded precision, especially against opponents with disruption. She studied Professor Mayn, then nodded—her moves were set.
"I activate the Spell Card, Reinforcement of the Army!"
The standard Warrior searcher. Heroes used it often. It simply added a Level 4 or lower Warrior from the Deck to the hand.
Morgan played it as bait. Even if it wasn't resolved, it still advanced her plays.
From her desk, Isla frowned. Reinforcement meant Morgan was on Heroes. Playing it suggested her hand lacked starters.
Even so, that was reckless. Isla knew Mayn's Adamancipator Risen - Dragite could negate and destroy a Spell or Trap. If he stopped Reinforcement, Morgan's plays might end there.
At the doorway, Hannah thought the same. She'd seen Mayn's Deck firsthand—his negate forced opponents into hesitation. That said, she felt Morgan would break through. She had, after all, stood firm even against the Dean's Karakuri Super Shogun mdl 00N "Bureibu."
Hannah wanted Morgan as a Shadow Duelist—but to convert her, she had to defeat her herself.
Mayn's eyes narrowed. He didn't know if this was a probe, but he knew he couldn't allow Morgan to gain momentum.
"Adamancipator Risen - Dragite's effect! Since I have a WATER in my Graveyard, when a Spell or Trap is activated: Negate and destroy it!"
Dragite glowed, shattering Reinforcement.
Morgan smiled. She had waited for this.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Sky Striker Mecha - Widow Anchor!"
A black grappling claw shot out, latching onto Dragite.
Gasps rippled through the class. 'Not Heroes—Sky Strikers?!'
Even the Dean looked puzzled. He'd never seen this card. Heroes didn't run it. Had Morgan built an entirely new Deck already?
If true, she could outbuild professors themselves.
Hannah's eyes widened. From the Junior Division until now, Morgan had piloted countless self-built Decks—every one powerful. Clubs would kill for her construction skill alone.
Deckbuilding was a rare talent. Top students with it were scouted the instant they graduated, even to the Duelist Alliance HQ.
Hannah licked her lips. With Morgan, Shadow Duelists would never lack for Decks.
Rowe glanced at Jade. Did Morgan build another new Deck behind their backs? Jade only shook her head.
The girls stared, dumbfounded.
"When you control no monsters in your Main Monster Zones: Target 1 Effect Monster on the field; negate its effects until the end of this turn."
Morgan declared. Sky Striker Spells all shared this condition. Hence, the archetype's style: keep Main Zones empty, summon only to the Extra Monster Zone.
"Negate Adamancipator Risen - Dragite!"
Dragite's glow dimmed. Despite that, Mayn didn't panic. With 3000 ATK, he could still bounce Morgan's monsters next turn.
Chain resolved. Reinforcement succeeded.
"I add Sky Striker Ace - Roze from my Deck to my hand!"
'Sky Strikers?'
Isla nodded. She didn't know the archetype yet, but if Morgan brought it out, it had to be strong.
"I Normal Summon Sky Striker Ace - Roze!"
A girl in black military garb appeared, wielding a crimson blade, gray twin-tails swaying—cute yet fierce.
[Sky Striker Ace - Roze] Level 4│1500 ATK / 1500 DEF
The class erupted.
"So cute! A military girl, I love her!"
"She looks just like Morgan! If Morgan cosplayed her, it'd be perfect!"
"Adorable, but her ATK's low. What's her effect?"
"Cute is enough!"
The room buzzed. Mayn scoffed. Chasing aesthetics didn't make real Duelists. Half the class was unfit.
Morgan only smiled. Her setup was ready. Dragite was strong—but soon it would be hers.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Sky Striker Mecha - Hornet Drones!"
...
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