Shia's centaur vanished, its lock nullified. Without it, Morgan's Multirole was free, just as she'd planned. Now she could recycle resources and end the turn with composure.
"At the End Phase, I activate Sky Striker Mecha Modules - Multirole!"
"I Set Sky Striker Mecha - Widow Anchor from my Graveyard!"
Seeing Widow Anchor return, Shia stiffened. It had stolen her Silquitous before; she remained on guard. Although thanks to Silquitous's effect, she had also retrieved Manifestation, giving her options. Now it all depended on her draw.
The crowd exhaled at last. The duel had been a grueling back-and-forth, and now, with Morgan slightly ahead, they could breathe again. Yet nothing was decided. Shia still had ways to retaliate.
Meanwhile, far off, Zelo lowered his binoculars. "The duel's about to end," he murmured.
"End? Who's winning?" Akiyama asked lazily, hands wandering as he ignored the duel.
"Morgan," Zelo replied curtly. The word sobered Akiyama, who hadn't expected even Shia to fall. However, the two had other priorities—securing control of the academy. For now, Morgan remained an unpredictable variable.
Back on the field, Morgan pressed on.
"Because Sky Striker Ace - Zeke went to the Graveyard, I Special Summon Sky Striker Ace - Raye from my Graveyard!"
Raye appeared, clad in a white uniform. At the same time, Shia retrieved her Trap.
"By Altergeist Silquitous's effect, I return Altergeist Manifestation from my Graveyard to my hand!"
Zack frowned thoughtfully. Shia had overreacted to Zeke—letting Multirole go would have been fine, but she'd cracked under pressure. Morgan had forced her into misplays.
Morgan struck.
"Battle! Sky Striker Ace - Raye attacks Altergeist Multifaker!"
It was a probing attack—she knew Kunquery lurked in Shia's hand. As expected, the centaur burst forth.
"I activate Altergeist Kunquery from my hand!"
"When an Altergeist is on my field, I can Special Summon this card and negate the attack!"
The mechanical centaur landed, nullifying Raye's attack. Morgan didn't mind. Shizuku still stood ready.
"Sky Striker Ace - Shizuku attacks Altergeist Multifaker!"
This time, the attack struck true. Multifaker shattered, and Shia's Life Points dropped by 300.
Though minor, Morgan smiled—the duel had entered countdown. Shia's defenses dwindled.
She swiftly transitioned.
"I use Raye and Shizuku to set the Link Circuit!"
"Link Summon! Dharc the Dark Charmer, Gloomy!"
A somber woman with a weathered staff and a skull perched atop it appeared, shadows swirling with her pet spirit.
[Dharc the Dark Charmer, Gloomy] Link-2│1850 ATK
Zack blinked—then realized. Gloomy could summon a DARK monster from Shia's Graveyard. With three Link Materials, Morgan could climb further.
"I activate Dharc the Dark Charmer's effect!"
"I Special Summon Altergeist Multifaker from your Graveyard to my field!"
Multifaker reappeared, now serving Morgan. Shia's fists clenched—her monster had been stolen again.
But Morgan wasted no time.
"I use Dharc the Dark Charmer and Altergeist Multifaker to set the Link Circuit!"
"Link Summon! Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians!"
A golden-haired angel descended, standing upon a crescent moon.
Zack's eyes widened. He knew what was coming. With Selene, Morgan could revive Effect Veiler from her Graveyard. Four Link Materials meant only one thing.
"I activate Selene's effect!"
"On Link Summon, she gains Spell Counters equal to the number of Spells in both Graveyards. I place eight counters!"
"I remove three counters to Special Summon Effect Veiler from my Graveyard!"
The spirit in black stockings appeared, once dismissed as just a hand trap, now crucial.
"I use Selene and Effect Veiler to set the Link Circuit!"
"Link Summon! Accesscode Talker!"
...
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