"Xyz Summon! Number 39: Utopia Roots!"
[Number 39: Utopia Roots] Rank 1│LIGHT│Warrior│500 ATK / 100 DEF
[2 Level 1 monsters]
The Rank 1 Utopia appeared like a shrunken version of the Rank 4 original, but its armor and wings glowed with the unique pale-blue light of "Roots."
Aisha exclaimed, "Summoning Utopia with Level 1 Mokey Mokeys?! Miles, even Mokey Mokey can be used like this? You really know how to print cards!"
Having fought alongside Miles for half a year, Aisha no longer reacted with the wide-eyed naivety of Nova, who once asked what to do if someone printed a Fusion. Even an impromptu Xyz Summon didn't faze her now.
After all, "printing cards" just meant pouring your soul into it and shouting the name of the card that surfaced in your mind. The spirits in the Extra Deck would answer.
"An Xyz Summon?"
At first, Kaima was surprised by the sudden Accelerated Xyz Summon, but quickly understood.
"So you've mastered Xyz Summoning, too, Aisha Carlos. This must be the fighting style most suited for you."
Considering her Deck, full of low-Level monsters, Xyz Summons with matching Ranks were the perfect way to expand her power.
"In just a few days, you've grown stronger than in our last Duel, Aisha!"
Though they faced the Empire's Supreme General, Kaima's voice brimmed with excitement—for Miles and Aisha beside her.
At the Fusion Academy Festival's final battle, Miles had beaten Kaima with nothing but weak monsters, no Xyz Summons at all. After awakening her Chaos MAX Dragon, Kaima herself had broken her own fate's chains.
Though, of course, all Duelists were walking the path of their chosen future. There was no reason for only one to grow stronger.
"Show me your potential, Aisha Carlos. Fight the way you're meant to fight!"
Cameron muttered, "A Number card? But… Number 39, at Rank 1?"
Even as the Supreme General of the Varian Empire, he had never seen such an Xyz Monster. Its number, appearance, and effect were all unknown. Judging by its stats and Rank, two Level 1 monsters couldn't amount to much.
Not compared to his invincible Rank 11 fortress, [Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Juggernaut Liebe].
Power trumps fear—whatever its effect, sheer firepower would crush it.
"Don't think just because you used Xyz Summon, you can block the Empire's strongest artillery. I'll show you the absolute gulf between Ranks! Destroy [Number 39: Utopia Roots]—Juggernaut Cannon!!"
Juggernaut Liebe, its cannon blazing with powder fire, unleashed a shell meant to annihilate all, aimed at the 500 ATK Utopia Roots.
"Just as expected. Nobody can resist attacking a monster with only 500 ATK."
Miles detached a material from beneath Utopia Roots, staring into the oncoming blast. "I detach Mokey Mokey to activate Utopia Roots's effect—negate the attack!"
Like its Rank 4 counterpart, Utopia Roots's "Moon Barrier" could negate one attack by detaching a material.
But as a Rank 1, it gained an additional effect—
[When any monster declares an attack: detach 1 material; negate the attack. If that monster is an Xyz Monster, this card gains ATK equal to its Rank × 500.]
With his starlit blade, Utopia Roots spread its wings against the cannon fire.
The Xyz clash at ten thousand meters shook the fog-wrapped capital below.
"So strong… that's Miles, isn't it? It has to be him!" Ren's red eyes lifted skyward, unable to pierce the fog, but she felt the heroic presence fighting above for everyone's sake.
"You must win, Miles!"
"—Moon Barrier: Hope Turnaround Slash!!"
With Miles's roar, the starlight blade met the cannon blast, both energies absorbed into Utopia Roots's radiant body.
"By negating Juggernaut Liebe's attack, Utopia Roots gains ATK equal to its Rank × 500. Eleven times 500 equals 5500!"
[Utopia Roots, ATK: 500 → 6000]
In an instant, the tiny Rank 1 monster's ATK surged to match the Rank 11 Juggernaut Liebe.
Kaima's eyes sharpened. "So this is your fighting style, Aisha Carlos. Even with Xyz Monsters, nothing has changed!"
A Rank 1 standing against a Rank 11—that was no different from when Aisha had once pitted Mokey Mokey against a 12-star Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.
The ultimate underdog tactic: Shattering the boundary between weak and strong with the sword of hope.
"If I'm not mistaken, Juggernaut Liebe can attack twice this turn, right? Then go on, Cameron Slint. Try to press me with your 'absolute firepower.'"
Miles extended Aisha's slender arm, taunting the Empire's general.
Liebe could attack again. And with one more Mokey Mokey beneath it, Utopia Roots could negate another attack, raising its ATK to over 10,000.
"Didn't you say you'd show me the gulf between Ranks? But look. The difference between Rank 1 and Rank 11 is gone."
"You…"
Had he not known the effect, Cameron would've attacked again. But now, no matter the taunts, he couldn't risk it.
"This isn't the time for recklessness. Our Duel has only begun."
He ended his Battle Phase and set two cards. "I set two and end my turn. Even if our ATK is equal, I have no reason to fear you!"
"As expected of a seasoned general. Your resolve is different."
As Cameron ended, Miles's green eyes hardened. "But don't forget, I'm not fighting alone! Kaima—!"
"My turn, draw!"
The Duel shifted, Kaima's Spirit Eyes blazing as she drew, her silver-white coat flaring in the high-altitude wind.
"With the pure white dragon guiding my soul, I'll unveil a new form of power to pierce the Empire's strongest firepower!"
She revealed [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] in her hand, alongside another dragon spirit.
"Effect of [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon]!"
[Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must first be Special Summoned by revealing 1 "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" in your hand.]
"I reveal Blue-Eyes White Dragon to Special Summon Alternative! Roar, new form of the White Dragon!"
[Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon] Level 8│LIGHT│Dragon│ATK 3000 DEF 2500
"Roaaaar!!"
The Alternative form took wing, matching the original in power but bearing its unique destructive light. It immediately targeted Juggernaut Liebe.
"Take this burst of annihilating white light—Alternative's effect activates!"
[Once per turn: Target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy it. This card cannot attack on the turn this effect is activated.]
"Destroy the Empire's strongest artillery—Alternative Burst Stream!!"
The beam struck—but Cameron roared, "My monster won't fall so easily! Trap activate—[Utopian Aura]!"
[By detaching 1 material: all your Xyz Monsters cannot be destroyed by card effects until the End Phase.]
Detaching Gustav Max beneath Liebe, a golden wave cloaked it in armor, making it impervious.
The Alternative's blast crashed harmlessly against it.
"So, effect destruction won't work. That leaves only one path…"
Kaima glanced at Miles. He nodded. "I know. Battle destruction is the way!"
Two former rivals, now in sync.
Only one monster on their side could match Liebe's ATK—Utopia Roots. It would strike, opening the way for Kaima to deal the final blow.
"But Kaima… your Alternative can't attack this turn. Do you still have the firepower?"
"Hmph!"
Their foe still had 4000 LP. Regardless, to Kaima, it was already gone.
"Now witness your utter defeat! Ritual Spell, [Chaos Form] activate!"
[This card can be used to Ritual Summon any "Chaos" or "Black Luster Soldier" Ritual Monster. Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal the Level of the Ritual Monster.]
"I Tribute Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand, Level 8, to Ritual Summon!"
The Chaos gate opened behind Kaima, embedding the White Dragon's Level into its door.
"Chaos incarnate, wings that shatter even earth—descend! Ritual Summon, Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon!!"
[Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon] Level 8│DARK│Dragon│ATK 4000 DEF 0
[Must be Ritual Summoned with "Chaos Form." Cannot be targeted or destroyed by your opponent's card effects.]
"ROOOAARRR—!!"
Its thunderous wings shook the sky. With Utopia Roots's sword of hope and Chaos MAX's overwhelming power, their combined ATK reached 10,000.
The two strongest Duelists of Fusion Academy had together cornered the Empire's Supreme General.
Aisha yelled, excited, "Amazing! Chaos MAX, Utopia, and Mokey Mokey total up to 10,300 ATK!"
...
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