"Wow! Really won!"
"That's amazing!"
With the end of the duel, whether it was the Spirits in the duel or those watching from the sidelines, they temporarily put away their hostile gazes. A large group of young Spirits gathered around Tenjo Hikari and Tenjouin Fubuki, squeezing them into a group, parading and celebrating on the body of the Striker Dragon.
Tenjo Hikari enjoyed a hero-like welcome. Thanks to this duel, even Armored Bird and Tierra received a warm welcome from the Spirits.
However, Tierra wasn't interested in these young 'mortal beings' and vanished into a phantom as they approached, leaving only the Archfiend carrying Tenjo Hikari to prevent him from falling, watching over him.
Compared to the somewhat reserved Tenjo Hikari, Tenjouin Fubuki was completely unconcerned, like a kid leader playing various extreme activities with the Spirits. Relying on his handsome appearance, excellent singing voice, and superb performance skills, he let some Spirits have a blast.
People and Spirits played until the sun went down. Only then did Tenjo Hikari lie down on the body of the Striker Dragon, looking up as he sought cards from his Deck.
Thunder Dragon Colossus!
This is quite a powerful card!
Not only is its entry method simple and easy, but also its stats and effects are quite delightful!
With 2600 ATK, it surpasses protagonist-level cards like Captain Crystal, Dark Magician, Elemental Hero Neos, Stardust Dragon, and Utopia. Moreover, if this card is destroyed by battle or effect, you can banish a Thunder-Type Monster from the Graveyard to replace its destruction!
These are just the 'free' effects; its most powerful effect, its renowned effect is—while this card remains in the Monster zone, opponents can't add cards from their Deck to their Hand Card except by drawing cards!
This effect is enough to make many Decks frown. Added with the 'El Shaddoll Winda' that Tenjo Hikari obtained with great difficulty, even in the environment before Tenjo Hikari traveled, it would have the ability to compete.
Many Decks, upon seeing these two cards standing on the opponent's field, probably curse the opponent.
One blocks Special Summoning, the other restricts searching. Just these two cards on the field can make even a Deck full of board-clearing cards like Tenpai Dragon shake their heads if luck isn't on their side.
However—
That was in the world before Tenjo Hikari traveled.
No matter what kind of card, before considering its power, one must first think about one issue, which is 'environment.'
For Tenjo Hikari's world, the effects of these two cards are considered 'extremely annoying,' but in this world, they can only be called 'quite strong.'
Just like in the TCG environment, many cards that wreak havoc in OCG don't exist, not because those cards aren't strong, but because certain cards in TCG 'don't exist,' like Maxx "C."
While OCG still releases various curious Birds to divide the 'six roots' of Maxx "C," TCG has long given an answer—straight up banning!
Similarly, it is because TCG doesn't have Maxx "C" that in the TCG environment, the components of explosive Decks are severely suppressed, and thus the strategy and thoughts differ completely from OCG.
For example, the Dragon Fist Deck that Tenjo Hikari likes, in the OCG environment, through the collaboration of the two wings—Guardragon and Striker Dragon—to build a bigger field, is a common tactic, while TCG is completely different. They often directly use Low-Level Monsters to Link Summon Guardragon Pisty to the Extra Monster zone and start beating.
Different environments give a card different value. In this environment, where everyone relies on Hand Card drawing with cards like Pot of Greed and Graceful Charity instead of 'searching,' the lock effect of Thunder Dragon Colossus might not be that useful.
Similarly, the strong lock effect of Midrash, in this world, only plays a few times. Many looking at this Monster with only 2200 ATK start thinking how to destroy it by battle, not bothering to Special Summon Monsters multiple times.
But—
Different from Midrash.
Thunder Dragon Colossus not only has high ATK, but its 'resistance' is also quite good, so even if its lock effect isn't strong, it's extremely delightful news for Tenjo Hikari!
Because it's a truly powerful universal Polymerization Terminal Monster which can be Special Summoned almost anytime as long as more Thunder-Type Monsters are collected, even with just Thunder Dragon. It's so handy!
While pondering, Tenjo Hikari suddenly heard a crackling sound from the card in his hand. Then, the pattern on the card started to flicker.
He was startled, quickly getting up, looking over to see the Thunder Dragon Colossus curled up, with electric light starting to contract, gradually forming a thunderball.
"No need to be nervous, human warrior." Seeing Tenjo Hikari holding the card, a majestic voice came to his ears. He looked up to see the Striker Dragon communicating with him through thunder, "The little source is interested in Polymerization, transforming into a new Thunder Dragon under your catalytic power. Even close to Evolution, a complete transformation into a new Spirit still requires time.
Its evolved small stature is proof."
Tenjo Hikari lightly nodded.
"Human, you are... an Alchemist, aren't you?" It pondered for a while, asking.
Tenjo Hikari nodded again, "I'm just a studying Alchemist."
"Indeed, your powerful Alchemy influenced the little source, making its spirit resonate with yours, evolving into a new Thunder Dragon."
It looked at the sleeping Thunder Dragon Colossus, then slowly withdrew its gaze, "Then, human. I entrust the little source—no, Thunder Dragon Colossus to you."
As it spoke, it lightly raised its dragon head, emitting a faint electric light, turning Thunder Dragon Colossus back into a card, placing it in Tenjo Hikari's hand. It slowly withdrew its head, and with its movements, the heavens seemed to shake violently—it's about to {rise}!
"It still has some insight." Tierra suddenly appeared next to Tenjo Hikari, controlling the Archfiend, and glanced at the card in his hand, telling him, "A duel generates powerful energy. This energy might dissipate into the world, perhaps becoming real energy, or possibly emotional, becoming someone's sustenance.
This Spirit is very curious about everything, attracted at this exact timing by your high Polymerization enthusiasm, influenced by your Alchemy, producing new impulses—this might be your first pure Spirit acquired without relying on that card, quite commemorative."
Indeed!
After hearing her summary, Tenjo Hikari carefully wiped the dust off the card.
Purely, relying on his passion and the strength of a Duelist, he befriends and merges with new friends!
Riding the Archfiend, he felt the sky's wind again, glancing sideways to see a small Armored Bird beside Tenjouin Fubuki, playing merrily with him, and couldn't help but smile.
He carefully put away the Thunder Dragon Colossus card.
Though a young Spirit that just decided its path, it symbolizes the future of 'Polymerization.'
Gathering more partners and strength, connecting more with people's minds or sharing ideas, this is his new understanding of Polymerization.