Tenjo Hikari should have realized this long ago.
The Mathematician, as a scholar of the Magical Scientist Fusion Research Institute, is naturally expected to use a Magical Scientist Deck.
He himself had gained quite a few Fusion Monsters from the puzzles of the Magical Scientist, including several Dark Flare Knights. When the Magical Scientist's friends or employees leave, it would be strange not to give them something for "self-defense."
After everyone realized the frightening nature of the Mathematician's strategy, no one regarded him as merely a crowd-stirrer or someone trying to hold back. They understood that, from any perspective, this duel was far from mere "play."
What kind of kind grandpa is this!?
This is a terrifying old geezer!
"Good! Really impressive!" The Empress burst into laughter, "Really impressive, Mitsuzawa Daichi! The teammates and opponents you've chosen for me are excellent!!"
The Empress was finally somewhat satisfied.
Now this is intense and full of passion!
The Mathematician chuckled twice again, took two cards from his hand, and placed them in the set zone.
"Set two cards, end turn."
While speaking, he added, "During the end phase of the Mirage Knight's combat turn, it returns to the deck."
The Mirage Knight's body gradually became illusory, dissipating, and soon disappeared like a bubble.
"Then, the effect of the Fusion Recycling Plant allows me to return a Fusion Material used this turn to my hand in either player's turn." Tenjo Hikari pulled a card from the graveyard, "Of course, it's still the Shaddoll Squamata."
The Empress looked at Tenjo Hikari's hand cards.
Unconsciously, there are so many again!
She furrowed her brow.
Endurance battles seem unfavorable for them!
"Good! Finally, it's my turn again!" Gloria was filled with energy and high spirits.
In the past two turns, not only did Tenjo Hikari deal damage and recover resources, he also restricted the offense of the opponent's cards without missing a single point, making her very excited, eager to show off and compare herself with Tenjo Hikari.
After all, she still had Fusion Material on the field, and at worst, she could perform another Polymerization for the Empress to attack the dangerous Magical Scientist, which would inflict plenty of damage.
If she could draw a useful card this turn to solve the Empress, that would be even better!
"My turn, draw a card!"
She drew a card, glanced at it, and her eyes lit up.
Perfect!
The cards she drew exactly resolved this situation!
"At this moment, I'm going to activate a Trap Card."
Unexpectedly, once Gloria finished drawing, the Mathematician straightforwardly revealed a set card.
"Trap Card, Mind Crush!"
Wow...
Tenjo Hikari raised an eyebrow.
This old man is crafty.
"Mind Crush involves guessing a card in the opponent's hand and destroying cards in their hand," Mitsuzawa Daichi explained.
Actually, he didn't need to explain, the students present basically recognized this card.
After all, this card is quite famous.
However—
The problem is that normally, very few people succeed in activating this card's effect.
After all, guessing the opponent's hand cards is quite challenging.
But today is different.
A card in Gloria's hand is one everyone knows!
"Spell Card, Polymerization."
Gloria looked at her hand cards, face solemn, yet she had no choice but to reveal one and send it to the graveyard.
"Huh? This doesn't seem meaningful, does it?" A student wondered.
"Why?"
"Because, you see—there's a Field Spell Card on the field used by Tenjo Hikari, the Fusion Recycling Plant, so Lady Gloria only needs to discard one card to return the Polymerization from the graveyard to her hand."
"Uh, is that so?"
Gloria furrowed her brow.
The reason was simple: it's a hand card issue.
The card she drew that could counter the opponent's Empress was just one, the Trap Card "Curtain of Light."
This is a special Trap Card.
It activates when a card targeting a monster on the field with "Amazoness" in its name is activated, targeting the monster card to return it to the hand, and from the hand, Special Summoning another monster.
Yes, it's an Amazoness card that affects the entire field!
She could use a Quick-Play Spell Card from her hand, select the opponent's Amazoness Empress, then chain with this Trap Card to return the Empress and Special Summon one monster from her hand, earning an extra special summon for free, and solving the Empress.
But the problem is, the card has two major restrictions.
First, a card that can select the opponent's card as a target must exist; second, a Monster Card must be in the hand!
Her hand cards are, Rush, Amazoness Swords Woman, Curtain of Light.
Any of these three discarded to retrieve Polymerization would ruin the entire chain!
Now she's stuck.
However...
She glanced towards her set card.
Her previously set Monster Reborn, Tenjo Hikari neither used nor discarded, so it remained in her hand.
She could choose to Special Summon an Amazoness War Chief from the Empress's graveyard.
Because her deck is also an Amazoness Deck, using its effect, she could search for an Amazoness Spell·Trap Card or directly set a Polymerization.
Yet the issue is.
She looked at her deck.
[Polymerization] isn't enough.
She hadn't put three Polymerization cards in because she updated the deck with Mage and other cards that could assist, which saved space for the other cards.
Likewise, reviving Tenjo Hikari's dinosaur card was useless.
What to do?
She bit her lip slightly, hesitating.
"Gloria."
While she was contemplating, she suddenly heard a voice.
She lifted her head to look at Tenjo Hikari.
Why was this guy actively talking to her!?
She thought Tenjo Hikari truly decided to play them against each other because of the faction issue.
"We are a tag duel." Tenjo Hikari sighed, gently lifting his chin, speaking to Gloria, "As a regular duelist who pursues fusion, I despise the Fusion Army.
But you are not one of those that have actually committed unforgivable evil."
Gloria furrowed her brow, locking eyes with Tenjo Hikari, as the surrounding Fusion Army members also cooled their thoughts.
The Empress curiously watched this scene.
Invasion?
Conflict?
Humans indeed have many interesting matters.
Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Tenjo Hikari raised his right hand, forming a fist: "Hence, you are not necessarily someone I completely reject or refuse to cooperate with—because fusion encompasses everything!"
Gloria's eyes widened.
Grace gently covered her mouth in surprise.
"Everyone present, including Spirits, if you still have doubts in your hearts, then I state once again.
Fusion is the noblest summoning method in the world!"
"Wow..."
"What audacity..."
"Hikari, does Hikari truly not care about what others say?"
The actions of the Fusion Army have placed great public pressure on fusion users.
Though this atmosphere will eventually fade, during this tumultuous period, Tenjo Hikari still dares to express this surrounded by so many.
One can only say that Tenjo Hikari doesn't care about others at all!
"This isn't an excuse, reason, or slogan, but what I truly believe!
Therefore—"
Tenjo Hikari turned back, gazing intently at his opponents: "No matter what happens, I won't change."
"You don't need to doubt me either."
Gloria clenched her right hand into a fist, the glove crackling from her strength.
Figured it out?
But it doesn't matter anymore!
"Interesting, interesting indeed, Tenjo Hikari—certainly, indeed only fighting alongside someone like you makes my heart race!"
What faction, what Fusion Army or non-Fusion Army, invasion or non-invasion.
The sisters don't care about these matters at all!
"Alright, then Tenjo Hikari—let me use your strength!"