"But first, let's find a few weak-looking guys to practice on."
Yuto suggested, then turned to Joey. "Didn't you just overhaul your Deck? Perfect chance to test it out."
Yugi added with concern, "Joey, be careful picking your dueling grounds."
"Yeah…"
Joey sat cross-legged on the spot, pulling out his Deck for a closer look.
"Most of my cards are Warrior and Beast-Warrior… so dueling on Plains terrain favors me most."
"Then this is your home turf."
Yuto stomped the ground beneath them, gesturing at the wide-open field around them.
"Yeah…"
Joey's eyes lit up as he scanned the area.
Just then, a flamboyant laugh rang out nearby: "Alright, alright! Hand over your Star Chips and scram! Hahaha!"
Mai Valentine stood by a freshly descended duel arena, a dejected duelist at her side. The duel had clearly just ended.
The duelist who'd lost all his Star Chips was escorted away by staff. Mai immediately noticed Yuto's group of five.
"Well, if it isn't handsome Yuto!"
Her eyes sparkled as she strode over, reaching for Yuto's wrist.
"Already got four Star Chips? Impressive! How about a thrilling duel with me?"
Smack!
Téa slapped Mai's hand away, yanking Yuto back two steps. She planted herself in front of him like a mother hen, glaring: "Shameless woman! Stay away from Yuto!"
"Oh~ someone's jealous?"
Mai smirked, pretending to advance again.
Téa stiffened, blocking her more firmly.
Mai's sharp gaze swept over the group. Two without Duel Gloves were irrelevant. Yuto, who had beaten Kaiba, clearly had skill. Yugi Muto, the national champion, was no pushover. And the blond kid… Joey Wheeler, if she remembered right? His glove held only a single Star Chip.
Target acquired.
Mai's lips curved with calculation.
"Now then…"
She raised her voice, pointing at Joey.
"I challenge Joey Wheeler to a duel!"
"Huh? M-me?" Joey pointed at himself in shock.
Mai's hawk-like eyes locked onto him. She knew provocation worked best on hot-headed rookies. "What's wrong? Don't tell me you're scared, little boy!"
"Hmph! Who's scared!" Joey's pride flared. "Fine, let's duel! Right here!"
Rumble…
The ground split, and a duel arena rose. Both climbed aboard, placing their Decks.
"Only one Star Chip left, huh?"
Mai lazily twirled one of her own chips onto the table.
"I'll wager just one too. No need for rare cards."
Joey placed his only Star Chip.
But before starting, he looked at her intently.
"Mai, before we duel… I want to ask you something."
"Oh?"
"Why are you here? For the honor of being King of Games… or the prize money?"
"Both."
Her answer was crisp, eyes glittering with ambition.
"Once I beat everyone and win the prize, I'll travel the world, splurge on shopping, and buy every brand I want! That's my joy!"
"I see…"
Joey nodded, the haze in his eyes clearing. A steadier light replaced it, and his entire aura shifted.
"Duel, start!"
Joey went first, drawing.
"I Normal Summon [Baby Dragon] in Attack Position!"
A small orange dragon appeared, letting out a cute roar.
"Turn end!"
With Joey's turn over, Mai began hers.
Instead of checking her draw, she made a puzzling move—she set all six cards in her hand face-down!
Then she closed her eyes, as if meditating.
"Hey! What are you doing? Why not look at your cards?"
"The reason's simple."
Mai smiled mysteriously, eyes still shut.
"Because I know my Deck inside and out. I already know what I drew."
She reached and picked a card from the six without glancing, slamming it onto the arena.
"I Normal Summon [Harpie Lady]!"
With a cry, Harpie Lady descended from the skies.
"And furthermore—"
Mai's eyes opened, brimming with confidence. "This is the border of Plains and Mountains. Harpie Lady gains a 30% Mountain boost!"
A flash, and Harpie's Attack rose from 1300 to 1690.
"Attack! Tear that baby dragon apart!"
Harpie Lady swooped like lightning, talons shredding Baby Dragon to pixels.
[Joey, LP: 2000 → 1510]
"I Set one card. Turn end."
'Why… why doesn't she even need to look at her cards?'
Sweat beaded on Joey's forehead. Her blind play, precise summons, and field boosts pressed him hard.
Yuto, recalling the "perfume tactics" episode, spoke up.
"Joey! Don't let her rattle you!"
"Whether she sees her cards or not doesn't matter. Just focus on your own duel and play your best!"
'Yeah!'
Like a splash of cold water, Yuto's words banished Joey's doubts. Whether she looked at her cards or not—what did it matter?
"Thanks, Yuto! My turn, draw!"
He drew—[Great Tray-class Land Battleship]!
"Perfect! My friends are backing me up!"
"I Normal Summon [Great Tray-class Land Battleship]!"
The massive warship appeared, cannons aiming at Harpie Lady.
"Attack! Fire main cannon at Harpie Lady!"
The thunderous blast hit, obliterating her in an explosion.
[Mai, LP: 2000 → 1690]
"Turn end!"
Joey's spirit soared.
'Damn, that kid's got a 2000 ATK rare card?!'
Mai hid her surprise but stayed composed.
Still, 2000 ATK could be managed.
"My turn, draw!"
She abandoned the perfume trick, pulling from her hand.
"I Summon another [Harpie Lady]!"
A second Harpie swooped in.
"Then I equip her with [Cyber Shield], boosting her ATK by 500!"
Sleek armor wrapped her form, raising her to 2190 ATK.
"Attack! Shred that hunk of junk!"
Harpie darted through fire, claws ripping the battleship's bridge.
Boom—!
The ship exploded into a fireball.
[Joey, LP: 1510 → 1320]
Yuto twitched. In Duel Monsters, why does a bridge hit always blow the whole ship?
"Turn end."
Mai lifted her chin proudly.
Joey drew—[Shield & Sword].
He frowned, mind racing.
"What's wrong? Scared of Harpie Lady's power?" Mai taunted. "Give up and hand over your Star Chip!"
"…."
Joey stayed silent, thinking. His highest ATK card besides the destroyed battleship was [Panther Warrior]—2000 ATK. Wait… Plains terrain… Beast-Warriors also get 30% boost?!
A bold plan sparked.
"Not yet, Mai!"
His eyes blazed anew.
"You're the one who'll lose!"
He slapped down a card.
"I Summon [Tiger Axe] in Defense Position!"
Seeing the weak defender, Mai burst into laughter.
"Big talk, and you summon that? Pathetic!"
From her hand, she placed a card.
"Then I'll let it live a bit longer—while I play my trump card!"
...
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