As Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss appeared, the surrounding spectators erupted in astonishment at this brand-new form of Xyz Summoning.
Even among the strongest first-year students of Saint Fusion Academy—Autrys, Alice, Carl, and Chuck—each couldn't help but shudder at the spirit power radiating from Shark Drake Veiss.
One thought appeared in everyone's minds:
…This monster was far from ordinary.
In Class A, the transfer student from the Chaos Empire, Christine Kayla, frowned upon seeing Shark Drake Veiss take form, muttering a few curses under her breath.
However, since this was an official Duel, she couldn't openly object to Nash revealing the Chaos Empire's exclusive summoning technique—Chaos Xyz Evolution.
Besides, Nash's identity alone was enough to keep her silent.
On the field, the pressure that Ace felt intensified the moment Shark Drake Veiss emerged. He could sense that something about this monster was fundamentally different—Even so, he didn't know why; his instincts as a Duelist screamed that it held terrifying power.
Nash raised his hand. "I activate the effect of Xyz Slidolphin in my Graveyard! If an Xyz Monster was Special Summoned to my field, I can target that monster and attach this card from my Graveyard to it as Xyz Material. I attach Xyz Slidolphin to Shark Drake Veiss!"
[Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss, ATK: 2800 | Xyz Materials: 4 → 5]
Next, Nash revealed the card he had drawn this turn. "I activate the Spell Card Aqua Jet! I target one Fish, Sea Serpent, or Aqua monster I control—it gains 1000 Attack! I target my Shark Drake Veiss!"
[Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss, ATK: 2800 → 3800 | Xyz Materials: 5]
"3800 Attack!?" Ace exclaimed. At that strength—and with its immunity to destruction by non-Number monsters or effects—this monster was a real threat. Even more dangerous, Shark Drake Veiss hadn't even activated its effect yet.
With such a monster on the field, Nash now had an unbreakable fortress.
"Battle Phase!" Nash declared. "Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss, attack Elemental HERO Flame Wingman—Abyssal Chaos Devour!!"
"Tch… so it's me you're targeting after all," Yuui muttered under his breath.
Veiss roared, spreading its wings as deep violet energy swirled within its jaws. Flame Wingman responded in kind, igniting its dragon-headed arm and charging forward without hesitation.
Both unleashed their attacks simultaneously. Veiss's energy projectiles rained down like a storm of violet bullets, while Flame Wingman weaved through them with agile aerial maneuvers, trying to close the distance.
But as the saying goes: You can miss countless times, but a single mistake means defeat.
A single violet beam struck Flame Wingman square in the chest, breaking his rhythm for just an instant—enough for the rest of the barrage to consume him.
Countless blasts tore through his body, and an explosion of flame engulfed the field as Flame Wingman was obliterated.
[Yuui, LP: 4000 → 2300]
Yuui slid back nearly a meter before steadying himself, grimacing at the burning pain across his body.
"Ugh… that actually hurts! Feels just like a Shadow Duel!"
Alicia: "Yuui-san, are you alright!?"
Yuui: "I'm fine! Luckily, he can't use Veiss's effect right now—otherwise this would've been much worse!"
Yuui's eyes narrowed as he stared at Shark Drake Veiss. Its effect could only activate when its controller's Life Points were 1000 or less. Since Ace hadn't inflicted any damage on Nash earlier, and Great Tornado had reduced Shark Drake's Attack to 1400, Nash had been forced to summon Shark Drake Veiss to go on the offensive.
Even with Aqua Jet raising Shark Drake's power by 1000, that would've only brought it to 2400—too weak to fight Ace's Red Dragon Archfiend or Yuui's HEROES.
So Nash had chosen to evolve it into Shark Drake Veiss instead.
Now, with 3800 Attack and immunity to both battle and effect destruction, he could endure until his next turn.
Nash frowned slightly as he noticed Yuui's calm, knowing gaze… it felt like she had already seen through his plan.
Yet, even if she had, what of it? As long as she couldn't destroy Shark Drake Veiss, she couldn't defeat him.
"My turn ends!"
Yuui exhaled, scanning the monsters before him.
A 3500-Attack Red Dragon Archfiend/Assault Mode capable of destroying all monsters on the field—and reviving itself when destroyed.
And a 3800-Attack Shark Drake Veiss, immune to both battle and effect destruction, capable of reducing an opponent's monster's ATK and DEF to zero when Nash's LP fell below 1000.
Both monsters far surpassed his Great Tornado.
To defeat such powerful monsters, such powerful Spirits, it was time to call upon his power.
"Alicia!"
"Yuui-san?"
"Lend me your Neos!"
"Eh!? Oh—okay, Yuui-san!"
...
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