Kisaragi and Mai Valentine stepped onto a Duel Machine together, placing three Metal Stars onto the console.
If I'm facing Mai… then I'll use that deck, Kisaragi thought, setting a deck neatly at the lower-left of the platform.
Ever since winning the National Duelists Tournament, Kisaragi had unlocked access to many decks. Before coming to Duelist Kingdom, she'd relied on her memories of the story and prepared multiple builds—each tuned for a different opponent.
"Here we go—Kisaragi's first duel of the tournament!" Joey said excitedly. "No idea what deck she's bringing out!"
Kaiba and Yugi stayed silent. They wanted to confirm Kisaragi's true strength—one duel at a time.
Elsewhere, Pegasus's black-suited guards contacted him in secret, reporting the group's "fast Metal Star collection" strategy.
Inside Pegasus's castle, he watched as usual with a glass of red wine in hand. After the attendant finished the call and relayed the plan, Pegasus merely smiled.
"No matter. They aren't breaking any rules," he said calmly. "In fact, I hope they enter the castle quickly."
He swirled his wine.
"Besides… that method has a weakness. If they lose, they sacrifice their teammates' Stars too. It's risky."
"Yes, sir. I'll tell the guards shadowing them not to interfere."
Pegasus nodded, eyes returning to the monitor—where Kisaragi was about to duel.
"Miss Kisaragi… what an amusing way to collect Stars. You must truly trust the others' strength—otherwise you'd never gamble like this."
The Duel Begins
On the arena floor, Kisaragi and Mai faced each other.
"Duel!" ×2
Mai: LP 4000
Kisaragi Aoi: LP 4000
"First move is mine, Kisaragi!" Mai declared.
"My turn—draw!"
"I Normal Summon Harpie Lady – Cyber Bondage in Attack Position!" (ATK 1800 / DEF 1300)
"I set one card. Turn end." (Hand: 4)
Kisaragi's eyes narrowed.
"My turn—draw."
"I activate the Continuous Spell Soul Absorption!"
"Every time I banish a card, I gain 500 Life Points."
"Next—I activate the Field Spell Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map!"
The entire field transformed into a vast illustrated map, routes traced like migrating flight paths.
"Map's effect: During my Main Phase, I can reveal a Level 1 Floowandereeze monster in my hand, banish a different 'Floowandereeze' card from my deck… then I Normal Summon the revealed monster."
Kisaragi flipped a card toward Mai.
"I reveal Floowandereeze & Eglen! I banish Floowandereeze & Robina from my deck—then I Normal Summon Eglen!"
A brown-bodied hawk with a white head appeared on Kisaragi's field.
Floowandereeze & Eglen(ATK 800 / DEF 1000)
"At that moment, Soul Absorption triggers—I gain 500 LP!"
Kisaragi: LP 4000 → 4500
"Now I activate Eglen's effect: When it's Normal Summoned, I add a Level 7 or higher Winged Beast from my deck to my hand. Then I can Normal Summon a Winged Beast."
"And since Robina is currently banished—its effect activates when I Normal Summon a Winged Beast. It returns to my hand."
"So I add Raiza the Storm Monarch to my hand… and because of Eglen, I Normal Summon Floowandereeze & Robina!"
A small red robin swooped in, circled the arena once, then landed on Kisaragi's field.
Floowandereeze & Robina(ATK 600 / DEF 1200)
"Aww, that bird is adorable!" Téa said.
But Yugi and Kaiba both felt it—something sharp and unnatural beneath the cuteness.
Mai laughed openly.
"Hahaha! Sure, they're cute—but their Attack is nowhere near my monster's."
"So the champion… is playing weaklings?"
Kisaragi's smile didn't change.
"Is that so?"
"I activate Robina's effect: When it's Normal Summoned, I add a Level 4 or lower Winged Beast from my deck to my hand. Then I can Normal Summon a Winged Beast."
"I add Floowandereeze & Toccan to my hand."
"Then I Tribute Robina and Eglen—and I Normal Summon Raiza the Storm Monarch!"
The air pressure dropped.
A towering monarch descended in a gale, cloak snapping like a storm front.
Raiza the Storm Monarch(ATK 2800 / DEF 1000)
Mai's eyes widened—genuine irritation flashing across her face.
"You summoned something that strong already?!"
"And one more thing," Kisaragi said, voice calm and surgical.
"When Floowandereeze monsters leave the field, they don't go to the Graveyard—they're banished instead."
"So Eglen and Robina are banished."
"And that means Soul Absorption triggers twice—I gain 1000 LP!"
Kisaragi: LP 4500 → 5500
Yugi nodded, impressed. "Banishment is usually a drawback… but she's turning it into an engine for sustained LP recovery."
"And we're not done," Kisaragi continued.
"Because Eglen is banished—its effect activates when I Normal Summon a Winged Beast. It returns to my hand."
Mai stared at Kisaragi's field—then flicked her gaze to her own set card.
It's fine. If she attacks, she walks straight into my trap.
Kisaragi spoke before Mai could even settle into the thought.
"Mai Valentine… that face-down card is a Trap, isn't it? One that triggers the moment I declare an attack."
Mai's expression tightened—surprised, but not panicked.
So what? Now she'll hesitate. She won't dare attack.
Kisaragi's eyes narrowed to crescents, her smile thinning.
"Heh. You're thinking I'll fear your face-down and refuse to attack… aren't you?"
The smile stayed.
But there was no warmth in her eyes.
Mai's back went cold.
A bead of sweat slid down her spine.
…Something's coming.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 120)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 95)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 85)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter85)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter81)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter60)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter66)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 40
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 50
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