"What?!"
Zack was stunned, staring at Morgan in disbelief. Who could have expected her to pull out such an unpredictable monster at a decisive moment—and one that could seize control of his field? He only had Shuraig left. If she took it, she would have two 3000 ATK monsters ready to attack.
His LP was just 5200. He couldn't withstand it.
He glanced at his hand nervously. His hand traps were spent. Even Ash Blossom and D.D. Crow wouldn't have stopped this. Was he really about to lose?
Lose to a student girl?
A bead of sweat ran down his forehead. But he quickly composed himself. Losing was part of dueling. And Morgan's strength had already been acknowledged by the Duelist Alliance—losing to her was no shame.
Milo, watching, felt satisfied. This only reinforced his conviction: Morgan was worthy of being a Duel King candidate.
However, she had refused aid for now. All he could do was push the Alliance to give her leeway. He hadn't come just to see Hannah—his true mission came from the Directorate: shadow duelists were gathering on the island academy.
He still remembered the last time a teacher had infiltrated the academy. He stayed sharp, scouting for threats even as he watched.
Meanwhile, thanks to [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon], Shuraig appeared on Morgan's field—its form morphing into a mirror of Cipher's.
"That monster's effects are negated, its ATK becomes 3000, and its name becomes 'Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon.'"
Morgan wanted to finish the duel here; that said, Cipher came with a restriction: only it could attack that turn. Regrettable, though she prepared for what came next.
"Battle! [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon], direct attack!"
A starlit breath engulfed Zack, his LP falling by 3000 to just 2200. He shut his eyes, bracing for the end—abruptly, then Morgan ended her Battle Phase without attacking with Shuraig.
She explained calmly:
"After Cipher's effect, only it can attack this turn."
Relief washed over Zack. The duel wasn't over. He still had a chance.
Regardless, Morgan was already planning her lock.
"I overlay [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon] to build the Overlay Network!"
"Xyz Summon! [Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS – Sky Thunder]!"
A titanic war machine descended, casting its shadow across the ground. The students had never seen such a card; even Zack gaped. A monster like this existed?!
He quickly realized why—this thing had to carry a crushing control effect. But with his Graveyard nearly empty, his options were thin. He couldn't summon another Link-4 Shuraig.
He consoled himself—Cipher's control would wear off at the End Phase.
Yet, Morgan's Main Phase 2 wasn't over.
"I activate [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher X Dragon] from the Extra Deck!"
"Once per turn, you can also Xyz Summon this card by using a 'Galaxy-Eyes' monster you control as material."
Since Shuraig's name had become Cipher, it qualified. Golden light flashed, and Zack's Shuraig was absorbed as material.
Zack went slack-jawed. Two overwhelming Xyz monsters—he chuckled bitterly. Even with the turnabout, he couldn't escape defeat.
"My turn ends."
Zack drew, still defiant. He had already fought uphill twice today, and a true Duelist never surrendered.
"My turn, draw!"
The crowd stirred. In such a hopeless state, most would have conceded. But Zack's calm resolve to fight back—that was a real Duelist.
Yet no one could see how he might win.
Zack himself wasn't sure. He pinned his hopes on his top-deck. Could he, like Morgan, draw salvation?
He looked at his draw—and disappointment flickered in his eyes.
It wasn't enough. Nonetheless, he would gamble anyway.
"I Normal Summon [Tri-Brigade Kitt]!"
The furry girl appeared once more.
"I activate her effect! Banish monsters from my Graveyard to Special Summon a Link Monster!"
"I banish two to Special Summon [Tri-Brigade Ferrijit the Barren Blossom]!"
A sharpshooter woman appeared, goggles over her eyes, rifle in hand, beastly ears twitching.
[Tri-Brigade Ferrijit the Barren Blossom] Link-2│Beast│1600 ATK
"I activate her effect: during my Main Phase, Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Beast, Beast-Warrior, or Winged Beast from my hand!"
"I Special Summon [Tri-Brigade Fraktall]!"
The centaur warrior returned.
Morgan smirked. Zack flinched.
"I activate [Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS – Sky Thunder]'s effect!"
"Detach 2 materials; send all other cards on the field to the Graveyard. This is a Quick Effect."
ZEUS's remaining materials vanished, and its cannons unleashed a devastating purge. The field was wiped clean, leaving only ZEUS.
Zack froze. It was truly over. Still, he smiled and ended his turn.
Morgan declared ZEUS's direct attack. The duel was done.
"Impressive. No wonder the Directorate favors you," Zack said cheerfully, scratching his head. He was used to losing. To him, it was just part of the game.
Morgan, however, was intrigued. "Who is this 'Directorate' you mentioned?"
"Huh? They haven't approached you yet?"
Zack realized his slip and laughed awkwardly. "I thought you'd already met them…"
Milo finally stepped forward. "The truth is, the Duelist Alliance has chosen you as a candidate for Duel King. The decision was only just made, so it hasn't been announced yet."
The spectators erupted. A student—already named as candidate? Even the last Duel King hadn't been nominated until three years after graduation. Morgan had shattered precedent.
"Unreal. While we're still crawling, she's aiming straight for Duel King?"
"Next to her, I feel like less than a rookie."
"When will I ever achieve that…"
"Forget it. She was born for this."
Morgan was surprised, but calm. The Alliance's help meant little to her. Still, Hannah took it very differently. Learning that Morgan was a candidate put her at the top of their target list.
She quickly sent Zeroro instructions to assign multiple people to take Morgan down, forwarding all that had just transpired.
The reply came quickly: he was already moving. His massive size made him unsuited to crowded places; however, someone else was already on the way. He hinted at their identity. Hannah blinked, then smiled.
The duel over, the crowd began to disperse—when a striking figure appeared.
A woman with sun-kissed skin and short white hair. Her voluptuous figure made the boys gulp. She ignored everyone else, eyes locking on Morgan.
"So you're Morgan?"
She strode over, chest thrust forward as if flaunting.
"Too bad—you look like you just finished a duel. Got the strength for one more?"
She tossed a pile of badges to the ground. She had already defeated many since landing.
The crowd gasped. Undoubtedly, she was strong. Yet she wasn't on the pro rankings.
'An independent duelist?'
Morgan confirmed through the crimson dragon mark: a Shadow Duelist.
Even so, she was puzzled. The woman resembled a gender-swapped Albaz. Was she running Branded?
The woman strapped on a worn Duel Disk and smirked. "Looks like you'll accept. Then let's talk through cards."
Morgan didn't hesitate. She raised her Duel Disk.
"Duel!"
...
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