By the time the finals began, even more onlookers had gathered around the Duel Department arena.
"That's Jun Manjoume versus Yugen Fujiki. Both are the most talked about freshmen this year."
"You have not heard? This is a grudge match. They already played once."
"Really?"
"Before enrollment, at the Moonlight Cup. Manjoume got knocked out in the Top Eight back then."
Up in the higher stands, the Duel Department senior host sat watching. "I have been observing Jun Manjoume since he joined Duel Department. He is very different from when he first arrived."
Her companion tilted her head. "Different how?"
"His Deck, his tactics, even the way he carries himself. It feels like a complete transformation. I cannot say how much stronger he is, but it is obvious he changed. Since this is a grudge match, Manjoume definitely does not want to lose."
She leaned forward with interest. "Let us see where this Duel goes."
Both duelists stepped onto the final stage.
"Thanks to you, I had a hard time facing my two older brothers after the last match," Manjoume said in a low voice. "But this time will be different."
"Funny, I was thinking the same," Yugen replied with a smile as he activated his Duel Disk. "Today is not like last time."
Manjoume snorted. "Your calm act ends here. Since enrolling, I have completed my transformation. Watch closely. This is my evolved, elite Duel style."
"Duel!" they both called.
Yugen, LP 4000. Manjoume, LP 4000.
"I go first. Card Draw!" Manjoume declared. "I activate the Spell Card Spell-Sealing Treasure! I draw two cards from my Deck. But this turn, I cannot activate any other Spell Card or set any cards."
He added the two cards to his hand, then placed another onto the field.
"I Summon Dorudora in Defense Position."
Dorudora, DEF 1200.
"End of turn."
"My turn. My Turn!, Card Draw."
Yugen revealed two cards at once. "The effect of Machina Fortress in my hand. I can discard Machine monsters whose total Levels equal eight or more to Special Summon it from my hand or the Graveyard."
"I discard Level 7 Machina Fortress itself and Level 4 Machine V-Jet Tiger to the Graveyard. From endless war, forge an unbreakable fortress. Machina Fortress, Summon!"
Heavy treads rolled across the field as the massive artillery unit locked onto its target.
Machina Fortress, ATK 2500.
Manjoume frowned. "A Machine Union build this time?"
He did not realize that V-Jet Tiger had originally come from his own Deck.
"Machina Fortress, attack Dorudora!"
The cannon fired in a burst of golden light. The dragon's body was pierced and exploded apart.
"I set two cards and end my turn," Yugen said.
"At the end phase, Dorudora activates its Effect Activation!" Manjoume announced. "If it is Destroy and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it during the End Phase with its ATK and DEF becoming 1000. This effect can only be used once per Duel."
Dorudora, DEF 1000.
Yugen studied the revived dragon. Another Dragon type. It seemed Manjoume was moving closer to his manga counterpart's path.
"My turn. Card Draw."
"First, the Quick-Play Spell Mystical Space Typhoon. I Destroy your left set card!"
A storm swept up the face down card and lightning shattered it. It was a Trap Hole.
Yugen only shrugged.
"Next, I activate Card Destruction. Both players discard their hands, then draw the same number of cards from their Deck."
They both discarded and redrew.
"Then I activate Trade-In. I discard a Level 8 monster to draw two cards. I send Tyrant Dragon to the Graveyard and draw two!"
He drew sharply, his blue coat lifting slightly from the motion. Seeing one of the new cards, he curled his lips.
"It is here."
"Since meeting you again at Duel Academy, I have thought every day about that moment at the Moonlight Cup. I could barely sleep at night."
Yugen widened his eyes. "Why are you thinking about me every night?"
A vein throbbed on Manjoume's forehead, but he forced himself to calm down.
"Today, I step past that barrier. Watch as I crush you with my new and ultimate power, and bury that past!"
"From my hand, the effect of Hard Armor Dragon! I send a Level 8 monster from my hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon it. I discard Interdimensional Dragon and Special Summon Hard Armor Dragon!"
Hard Armor Dragon, ATK 1500.
"You really stocked up on high Level monsters," Yugen commented.
"I tribute Dorudora and Hard Armor Dragon!"
Manjoume raised his card as dark energy swirled around him.
"Dragon of the endless abyss, become the blade that cuts through all and bring me victory. Dark End Dragon, Summon!"
A massive vortex of darkness opened, and a black dragon stepped out, its scales shining like cold metal.
Dark End Dragon, ATK 2600.
Yugen blinked in surprise. For a moment he almost thought it was a Synchro Monster, before remembering that in the original story it was an Effect Monster.
"This is the embodiment of my current power, Dark End Dragon!" Manjoume declared, coat flaring in the wind. "Today, I move forward beyond that wall!"
Manjoume's brand new ace, Dark End Dragon!
"Watch closely, Yugen. This is the power of the new me!" Manjoume shouted. "I activate Dark End Dragon's effect. Once Per Turn, it loses 500 ATK to send one monster on your field directly to the Graveyard!"
Dark End Dragon's ATK dropped from 2600 to 2100 as dark energy burst from its body. The black dragon roared, and a surge like a spreading Dark Hole exploded at the center of the field. Machina Fortress was swallowed by the darkness without any chance to resist.
Yugen raised a hand calmly. "At this moment, the effect of Machina Fortress also applies. When it becomes the target of an opponent's monster effect, I can check your hand and discard one card."
The massive Machine aimed its cannon at Manjoume as if firing one last shot before being taken. But Manjoume reacted at once and slid another card into his Duel Disk.
"I won't let you! Quick-Play Spell Book of Moon! Change one monster on the field to face down Defense Position. I set Machina Fortress face down!"
A crescent moon rose above the field as magic sealed the Machine inside a single face down Card. "Now when the effect resolves, it is no longer face up on the field, so its discard effect cannot apply."
"Be buried by Dark End Dragon's power!" Manjoume pointed forward.
The face down Machina Fortress was consumed by the black vortex. The dragon's roar echoed as the field fell quiet again.
"You have improved," Yugen said with a small nod. Compared to their previous match against Hajime Manjoume, Manjoume felt sharper and more confident.
"Battle Phase! Dark End Dragon, direct attack!"
The black dragon opened its jaws and released a torrent of dark flames. The blast swept across Yugen's field and struck him head on.
Yugen, LP 4000 to LP 1900.
"Looking good," Yugen Do commented from the side.
"Of course," Manjoume replied. "I prepared for this rematch for a long time. But I'm not done yet. From my hand, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Super Rejuvenation!"
"In the End Phase of the turn this card is activated, I draw cards equal to the number of Dragon monsters discarded from my hand or Tributed this turn. This turn I discarded two Dragons with Card Destruction, discarded Tyrant Dragon with Trade-In, discarded Interdimensional Dragon by Iron Armor Dragon's effect, and Tributed Iron Armor Dragon and Dorudora. That makes six cards."