Morgan's opponent was using one of her most hated Decks—the Frog Deck.
And sitting on the field was the most annoying frog of them all: Toadally Awesome.
Just that alone made Morgan determined to utterly crush her opponent this time!
"Heh, Witch Morgan, I've been wanting to duel you for a long time. Luckily, the first two didn't drain much of my resources, so now we can enjoy a proper, intense Riding Duel. By the way, I'm Dukon, also a freshman."
Morgan ignored him outright. She had no intention of chatting with someone running Toadally Awesome.
Brushed off, Dukon only chuckled, not minding at all.
"My turn, draw!"
Unlike a normal Duel, in this relay format, the newcomer always went first. After all, the previous player had already built their board—if they also got the first move, the lock would only get stronger and the next duelist would have no chance.
Morgan glanced at her draw. This time, she had exchanged for a flexible, jack-of-all-trades Deck—capable of handling nearly any matchup with about a 50/50 shot. Unlike other Decks with glaring weaknesses, this one was perfect for a one-versus-three relay.
Sliding the card into her hand, Morgan's eyes flicked to the Toadally Awesome behind her opponent.
That card could negate and destroy any activation she made, then Set it to their own field—a truly oppressive effect, enough to spike anyone's blood pressure.
However, to use it, a WATER monster had to be sent from the hand or field to the Graveyard. And with Dukon's resources full, Morgan's only option was to bait it out.
After a moment's thought, Morgan locked in her plan.
The entire Duel had become the arena's focus. Both teams were aiming for the championship, but if Morgan lost here, their title hopes were gone.
If only one opponent remained, it would be manageable; on the flip side, with all three still standing, the situation was shrouded in uncertainty.
Could Morgan really break through all three and take the crown?
The crowd was on edge.
A one-versus-three sweep wasn't unheard of in tournament history; even so, it was rare—a feat demanding overwhelming skill and a little luck. Many duelists had the skill but lacked the fortune, falling short in the end.
Could Morgan be the one to create a miracle?
"I activate the Spell Card, Foolish Burial!"
"I send Shaddoll Dragon from my Deck to the Graveyard, then activate its effect!"
"When sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, it destroys one Spell/Trap on the field!"
Morgan pointed straight at Dukon's set backrow. This was her bait—without knowing what kind of Deck Morgan was running, there was no way Dukon would let her freely destroy his card.
As expected, Dukon hesitated briefly before activating Toadally Awesome.
"I activate Toadally Awesome's effect!"
"When a monster effect or Spell/Trap is activated, I send one WATER monster from my hand or field to the Graveyard. Negate that activation, destroy it, then Set it on my field."
He discarded Swap Frog, negating Shaddoll Dragon and Setting it to his field.
Morgan smirked. She'd baited out his negate at the cost of only Foolish Burial and Shaddoll Dragon. Her hand still held plenty of plays.
With Toadally Awesome's once-per-turn effect used, Dukon had no way left to stop her.
He seemed to realize this, too, his expression tightening.
"I Normal Summon Aleister the Invoker!"
A white-robed mage wielding a staff appeared, his hood shadowing eyes that gleamed with wisdom behind thick glasses.
[Aleister the Invoker] Level 4│DARK│Spellcaster│1000 ATK / 1800 DEF
This combo line was practically etched into Morgan's DNA—she could run it automatically, without thought or emotion.
The crowd, however, looked puzzled. Aleister didn't seem impressive at all—why summon such a weak monster when Toadally Awesome still loomed?
"Why waste her Normal Summon on that guy? How can he deal with Toadally Awesome?"
"Even if she has some trick, it's going to be a tough battle."
"Yeah, even for Morgan—cards aren't infinite. Once she runs out, it's over."
"No matter how strong she is, facing three tough opponents at once might be impossible."
In the lounge, Jade pouted unhappily. Why was everyone doubting Morgan? Hadn't she shown enough strength already? She believed in Morgan unconditionally—she would win this match.
Still, Jade's own cheeks burned with shame. As the first player up, she had been crushed without doing much at all, leaving the enemy practically untouched for Isla.
"When will I ever be able to help Morgan?" Jade muttered sadly.
Isla, though bitter about her own loss, patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. Just making it onto the field was already good enough. Trust in Morgan and the Deck she gave you."
Jade nodded silently, turning her eyes back to the track.
"Aleister's effect activates! When this card is Normal Summoned, I add Invocation from my Deck to my hand!"
Morgan fetched the key Fusion Spell, then continued without hesitation.
"I use Aleister to set the Link Circuit!"
"Link Summon! Artemis, the Magistus Moon Maiden!"
A petite blonde girl appeared, curled within a crescent moon like a goddess.
[Artemis, the Magistus Moon Maiden] Link-1│LIGHT│Spellcaster│800 ATK
Morgan only needed her for two reasons: being LIGHT-Attribute, and a Link-1. With Invocation, she could use Graveyard resources for Fusion—perfect for enabling her plays without wasting other cards.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card, Invocation!"
The core card of the Invoked archetype.
"I banish Artemis from the field and Aleister from the Graveyard as Fusion Materials!"
"Fusion Summon! Invoked Mechaba!"
A silver chariot burst forth, racing alongside Morgan's D-Wheel. It was a powerhouse from a previous era, feared much like Toadally Awesome for its once-per-turn negation.
[Invoked Mechaba] Level 9│LIGHT│Machine│2500 ATK / 2100 DEF
Dukon frowned. He had used Toadally Awesome's effect too early, letting Morgan summon a monster stronger than it. Worse, its ability was still unknown. But he wasn't out yet—Toadally Awesome could recycle a WATER monster when destroyed. On his turn, he could summon it again.
Morgan clearly didn't plan to give him that chance. After Invocation recycled Aleister, she played another card immediately.
"I activate the Spell Card, Nadir Servant!"
"I send El Shaddoll Apkallone from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard, then add a Dogmatika monster with ATK lower than it from my Deck to my hand!"
"I send Apkallone, and add Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous!"
Hannah's eyes widened.
She wasn't mistaken—Morgan was piloting three archetypes at once.
This wasn't just a single-series Deck. It was Invoked, Shaddoll, and Dogmatika—woven together seamlessly.
Most pros stuck to one archetype. Mixing carried huge risks of bricking. Even hybrids usually only added Extra Deck options.
However, Morgan's triple-engine Deck ran like clockwork, her plays flowing without a hitch.
It shocked Hannah. This level of Deck-building was already beyond reach for most.
Her confidence faltered—suddenly, she feared for the three duelists she had put against Morgan.
"I activate Apkallone's effect!"
"When sent to the Graveyard, I can add 1 Shaddoll card from my Deck to my hand, then discard 1 card!"
"I add Shaddoll Schism to my hand, and discard Wendy."
Shaddolls thrived on being sent to the Graveyard, and Wendy was no exception.
"Wendy's effect! When sent to the Graveyard, I Special Summon 1 Shaddoll monster from my Deck in face-down Defense Position!"
"I set Shaddoll Beast face-down!"
Now it was time to break through Dukon's field.
"I activate Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous' effect! I Special Summon her to the field!"
A petite girl in silver-white armor appeared, hefting a hammer glowing with magical runes—far from fragile.
[Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous] Level 4│LIGHT│Spellcaster│1500 ATK / 1500 DEF
With Ecclesia summoned, Morgan declared her attack without hesitation.
"Battle! Invoked Mechaba, attack Toadally Awesome!"
...
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