This is a massive circular arena, with huge circular magic arrays flying slowly in all directions.
Inside the arena, a large number of Spellcaster-Type Spirits are either researching magic or drawing magic arrays with their hands, seemingly chanting something.
Some Spell Cards and Trap Cards are spinning in the mages' hands, transforming into entities before reverting back into cards.
"Hi there~~ everyone who's new here, let's test your magic power first~~" A lively and cheerful blonde Magic Girl holding a magic staff is guiding some newcomers to this dimension.
The only one in the world, the legendary Card Spirit, Dark Magician Girl.
Naturally, her mentor is, of course, the strongest Magician—Dark Magician!
At this moment, the Dark Magician, dressed in an Egyptian-style Priest Robe, completely different from other mages, is sitting quietly at the center of the magic array, meditating with closed eyes. Suddenly, as if sensing something, he slowly opens his eyes, glancing towards a small platform in the distance to his left.
There, a mage with a cold face is manipulating a magic staff with one hand to draw a magic array in the air, while controlling a Spellbook with the other hand, letting it autonomously turn pages.
This mage is constructing some wonderful magic array.
Beside him is another mage clad in a heavy Mage Robe, covered head to toe with powerful magic arrays. At this moment, he gently adjusts his glasses, squinting with a smile, waving at the spirits nearby: "Everyone come and take a look, come and see!
Everyone, isn't this person handsome? He's my disciple, meow!"
The mage constructing the magic array beside him has veins bulging on his forehead but does not stop his actions.
Some mages, hearing his voice, curiously gather around, and even those unfamiliar with this quirky Spellcaster-type spirit, upon learning he is the highest level "Quintet Magician" spirit, approach with curiosity, curious about what kind of person his disciple really is.
Moreover, the one beside him is also "Aleister the Invoker," equally one of the top Spellcaster-Type spirits.
This kind of liveliness, to take a break from their research and have a look, is not unreasonable for these high-level mages.
"Damn it, Daitokuji, can't you handle it yourself!" Seeing a bunch of spirits gather around, Ah Lai growls under his breath to his old friend beside him.
"Ah, Crowley, you know, I just reincarnated and don't quite understand this new magic stuff, meow~"
Nothing but a pure excuse.
Similar to the Warrior's Domain, in the Mage Domain, mages strive towards the ultimate goal of being the "highest level mages." However, unlike the Warrior-Type's pinnacle culminating in the "Black Luster Soldier," mages focus more on the study of magic and traps, thus the mages here aim to master the highest level of magic.
Just like the vast array of powerful spells and traps mastered by the Dark Magician.
But Aleister knows well.
Daitokuji, even after reincarnation, though he may have only his original form, can convert all his "alchemy" into cards during duels.
This means that even though he has not learned magic, he can use the world's strongest alchemy to substitute for "magic"—this is the ultimate secret of alchemy, the Philosopher's Stone!
Under such circumstances, it's impossible for Daitokuji to be unable to use the magic at his disposal.
However—
"Wow!! Everyone look, the duel is starting! Today my student will perform a bare-hand takedown of a Water Dragon, how cool is that, meow!"
Beside him, Aleister was originally a little angry, but after seeing Tenjo Hikari draw out the Invocation with one hand, his anger subsided significantly.
Previously, when Tenjo Hikari contacted Bartle, Bartle immediately reported the matter. But considering Daitokuji's current unstable state, it did not leave in person, instead setting up an observation array, connecting to the academy's observation spell array, to see how Tenjo Hikari is progressing.
It still appreciates Daitokuji's disciple very much.
But once Daitokuji sees something like this, that comedic performer vibe instantly reappears on him.
"Quiet, the duel is starting!"
Invoked Cocytus, LP: 4000.
Tenjo Hikari, LP: 4000.
The Water Dragon emits a low growl and raises its hand, causing a card formed by Spirit Power to fly out from the deck.
The card, imbued with the power of the ocean, floats before it. Glancing at it, it lets out a gentle breath.
It lightly raises its hand, revealing the flipped over card.
Spell Card, Bargain Shopping.
Discard 1 LV 8 monster from your hand to activate. Draw two cards.
The Water Dragon stretches its claw, grabs a monster, and discards it.
Spiral Dragon, a LV 8 Water Attribute Sea Serpen-Type Monster.
After discarding this monster, the Water Dragon draws two cards, then lets out another low growl.
It seems to have seen something that makes it very happy.
A card was thrown by it, summoning onto the ground.
Normal Summon—
"Wow!"
"Ohhh!!"
Outside the duel fence, the mages from the Magic Academy watching the duel couldn't help but gasp in amazement.
Because, the Water Dragon summoned an extremely [terrifying] monster!
Aleister the Invoker, LV 4, Dark Attribute, Spellcaster-Type, ATK 1000.
"Ah Lai the Invoker!" Tierra chuckled on the side, "I didn't expect it could use such power as Aleister's?"
"That's right, Lord Midrash," Bartel, who was still explaining to Tierra, responded while watching the match, "In fact, all Invoked monsters possess the power of Lord Crowley. So, those mages from the Magic Academy who aim to evolve towards Lord Crowley like to research Invoked monsters as their subject."
"I see, that Aleister indeed has ridiculously strong fusion power," Tierra nodded slightly, "It's reasonable to target that."
"But—" As they whispered, Tenjo Hikari interrupted their discussion, "Isn't this Cocytus Spirit dissatisfied with you? If you want to learn and evolve, why should you irritate it like this?"
"That... I don't know." Bartel scratched the back of his head, "Haha, I'm just an ordinary teacher at the academy, not responsible for such advanced subjects as summoning arts."
As they talked, the Water Dragon had already activated Aleister's effect, adding Invocation from the deck to the hand.
Printed on the Invocation card face were Aleister and the Water Invoked, Cocytus.
After adding the card to the hand, the Water Dragon did not hesitate and immediately placed the Invocation onto the field.
"Wow!"
"Finally, I get to see Invocation again!"
"This time, I must watch carefully, I must master the Spell Card of Invocation!"
The mages outside the fence said excitedly.
But it was precisely these words that made Cocytus even angrier, as it slammed its claws with great effort, causing the room to shake.
"When Invocation Fusion Summons an Invoked monster, it can banish monsters from both the field and opponents' Graveyard for fusion." Tenjo Hikari watched as the water flow transformed into Aleister and the Water Dragon from the Graveyard in a spiral, turning into foam and dissipating. Cocytus roared, taking big strides onto the field, and he wasn't surprised at all.
Invoked Cocytus, LV 6, Water Attribute, Dragon-Type, DEF 2900.
"Ohhh, so this is the Water Invoked!"
"Cannot be chosen as target for effects, unaffected by opponent's card effects, DEF 2900, can even attack while in Defense Position! So strong, unbelievably strong! It won't even be destroyed by Mirror Force!"
That's not the end.
The Water Dragon waved its claws, and in the Graveyard, the image of Invocation briefly appeared, and then Invocation returned to its deck to be shuffled, while Aleister the Invoker, which had been banished, returned to the hand.
"Invocation can return itself to the deck from the Graveyard, bringing the banished Crowley back to hand... truly powerful!"
"Yes, this is the mighty effect of Lord Crowley that can change fusions. With little card consumption, the higher-level powerful Fusion Monster is summoned."
Is it strong?
Too strong!
"This is the second time I've seen such a scene from the opposite side." Tierra nodded gently, "Although it's the second time, each experience is different. Tenjo Hikari, this happens to be a chance to test your own growth."
Tenjo Hikari nodded.
For some reason, he always felt that someone was watching him, an eerie feeling.
Even more apparent than the Swamp Tribe before, with a greater sense of "intrusion."
The Water Dragon did not immediately end the turn, but covered two more cards before finally ending its turn.
"Be careful, Lord Tenjo Hikari." Bartel waved, calling to Tenjo Hikari from the side, "Each Invoked monster possesses tremendous power. Don't treat them as ordinary Fusion Monsters, otherwise it could be extremely dangerous, with even a slight mistake possibly resulting in serious injury!!
Especially since the emotions of the current Invoked monster are quite unstable!"
"No worries, I know all about these things."
After nodding to respond, Tenjo Hikari drew a card from the deck, then looked down at it.
Field Spell...
Magical Meltdown!