After taking Shuraig's direct attack, Morgan's Life Points fell by 3000.
Despite that, to her, that was nothing—Zack only had 200 more LP than she did now, and he no longer had threatening monsters left.
Zack's hand held just three monsters, two of them hand traps, with no cards to Set. He could only end his turn.
"My turn ends."
The crowd finally exhaled. The duel had been so thrilling that they had forgotten to breathe. Zack's showing proved his worth as a pro Duelist. Even so, more astonishing was Morgan's strength—equal to a top pro while still a student. What heights would she reach once she came of age?
Duel King?
She had indeed signed up for the Duel King selection tournament. No one thought she was just a filler anymore—she was a contender.
The watching pros grew wary. They resolved to sharpen their own skills before the tournament began.
"She's incredible, unfazed against a pro. Truly Morgan!"
"I heard she entered the Duel King tournament. I wonder if I could be her teammate…"
"Dream on. To team with her, you'd need to solo a pro. Can you?"
"No wonder every club fought over her. If one of them produced the Duel King, their reputation would skyrocket!"
From a balcony on the second floor, Hannah watched. Zack was indeed on the list of duelists slated for corruption, but Morgan had beaten her to it. Still, both were dangerous—fast learners who would be trouble if left unchecked.
Regardless of this result, they would make their move.
She checked the time. Zeroro and Akiyama should already be dueling on the island. They'd arrive soon. She would wait quietly for this duel to end.
Then she spotted Milo in the crowd and frowned.
He's here again? Doesn't the Heisen Club have anything better to do?
She didn't want to meet Milo now. If she slipped and he recognized her, their plan would be blown.
She forced her eyes back to the duel.
Meanwhile, Jade arrived, fresh from winning her own match. With Morgan's guidance and her Floowandereeze deck, she could now easily defeat Academy students—though still not yet a match for pros.
Seeing Morgan still in battle, Jade squeezed in beside Isla. "She's still going? Look, I've got two badges already!" She waved them proudly.
Isla coolly produced four from her pocket. "I just picked these up. Focus on the duel."
Jade pouted, glancing enviously toward Morgan.
After Zack ended his turn, Morgan began hers.
"My turn, draw!"
Her biggest disadvantage now was empty hands versus Zack's full grip. This draw would decide everything.
She smiled at the card. Zack's deck had better sustain; however, hers could still clutch.
"I Normal Summon [Swordsoul of Taia]!"
Taia appeared again. Zack was startled, then chuckled. Morgan must have drawn the one card she needed. If not, the duel would already be over. He felt a pang of regret, but also excitement at the new twist.
A [Swordsoul Token] joined her, and she Synchro Summoned once more.
"Synchro Summon! [Swordsoul Grandmaster – Chixiao]!"
The red-armored master returned. An 8-star Synchro with a powerful negation. Not as strong in ATK as Shuraig, albeit with comeback potential. Morgan hadn't forgotten Zack still had [D.D. Crow]. The Graveyard wasn't safe. She shifted strategies. Her real key lay in the Extra Deck.
She had another Chixiao in the Graveyard.
Two Level 8 monsters…
"I activate the effect of [Swordsoul Grandmaster – Chixiao]!"
"When this card is sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material: send 1 'Swordsoul' card or 1 Wyrm monster from your Deck to the Graveyard."
Zack hesitated, then played both his hand traps: [D.D. Crow] to banish Taia, and [Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring] to negate.
"At this moment, I activate [D.D. Crow] and [Ash Blossom]!"
"Banish your Taia and negate the effect!"
Morgan froze. She had expected Crow, but not Ash Blossom. Zack had hidden it well. Two hand traps together—a Called by the Grave effect. Brutal.
Milo sighed. Zack's style was merciless: suffocate the opponent, never leave a chance. Both hand traps at once proved it.
Morgan now had little left. Taia's effect was shut down, leaving only Chixiao. Could she fight back with just that? Shuraig still stood at 3000 ATK.
Isla shared the worry. If Morgan didn't answer now, the next turn could be disastrous. Zack's hand still held Kitt and Fraktall—both extenders that could push into more Links. With just Chixiao, she might not hold.
Hannah, too, watched closely. Pros weren't easy prey. She herself had once lost to Milo for underestimating him. She clenched her teeth at the memory—Akiyama had mocked her for weeks. She shot Milo a glare.
Her communicator buzzed. Zeroro messaged—he had arrived, with good results. A photo showed a handful of badges in his grasp.
She put it away. The plan had begun.
After the chain resolved, Taia was gone. However, Chixiao's summon effect remained.
"By [Swordsoul Grandmaster – Chixiao]'s effect!"
"When this card is Synchro Summoned: add to your hand or banish 1 'Swordsoul' card from your Deck."
"I add [Swordsoul Sacred Summit] to my hand!"
The Swordsoul's revival spell. She could bring back a Swordsoul monster from the Graveyard. Her target—the other Chixiao.
Zack realized too late.
"I activate [Swordsoul Sacred Summit]!"
"Target 1 'Swordsoul' monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it."
"I Special Summon another [Swordsoul Grandmaster – Chixiao]!"
Now she had two Chixiao. Two 2800-ATK monsters still couldn't overpower Shuraig—anyhow, Isla knew Morgan's plan. Two Level 8s meant an Xyz Summon.
"I overlay my two Chixiao!"
"Xyz Summon! [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon]!"
From a swirl of golden data emerged a radiant dragon, crystalline armor gleaming, butterfly wings spread in shimmering starlight.
[Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon] Rank 8│LIGHT│Dragon│3000 ATK / 2500 DEF
The crowd was stunned. None had expected Morgan to bring out such a dazzling, off-theme monster.
Morgan laughed. She wasn't the only one who could pack surprises in her Extra Deck.
"I activate [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon]'s effect!"
"Detach 1 material; target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls. Take control of it until the End Phase!"
...
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