It's that human's turn now.
The Empress looked at Tenjo Hikari.
"Oh, oh, oh, it's Hikari's turn!"
"It's Tenjo Hikari's turn!"
The Empress noticed that whether it was the regular students or those who seemed to be his adversaries, they all seemed quite excited when they realized Tenjo Hikari's turn had arrived.
This human, does he have such high prestige among the human warriors?
Tenjo Hikari had already looked over his hand cards several times, and naturally, he had already thought about what to do now.
"When there are monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck on the opponent's field, the true power of this card will be unleashed—
Activate the Spell Card, Shaddoll Fusion!"
"Ah! Starting with Shaddoll Fusion!"
"Beautiful!"
"Hohoho... it's Shaddoll Fusion." The Mathematician, who had been watching, gently stroked his beard and said to the Empress beside him, "Tenjo Hikari is a Fusion specialist who only uses Fusion, a very famous duelist in the human world."
Only uses Fusion?
The Empress raised an eyebrow, half in disbelief.
"Shaddoll Fusion can send Fusion Material from the deck to the Graveyard to perform a Divine Shaddoll Fusion Summon."
"Oh? Deck Fusion, is it?" The Empress nodded, "That is indeed very formidable."
Tenjo Hikari opened his deck and picked out two cards, showing them: "I send Shaddoll Squamata and the Light Attribute Kaiki the Unity Star from the deck to the Graveyard for a Light Attribute Divine Shaddoll Fusion!"
Tenjo Hikari raised his hands, palms together, saying: "Darklords and ancient giants, messengers of gods and central controllers—unite all into one!
Link all life!
Fallen Giant!"
Tenjo Hikari swung his hands down.
"Level 8!"
"El Shaddoll Construct!"
From the base of Tenjo Hikari, countless purple lines emerged around him, gathering on his head, intertwining madly, and ultimately forming a giant purple ring, like an angel's halo.
The ring ascended into the sky, emanating resplendent yet bizarre light, illuminating all around.
Under the light, a grand giant slowly revealed its true appearance!
El Shaddoll Construct, Level 8, Light Attribute, Fairy-Type, Attack Power 2800.
"Oh?! A Light Attribute Shaddoll?" Gloria got excited seeing this card, "Interesting!"
"Activate the effects of Shaddoll Squamata and El Shaddoll Construct. When Shaddoll Squamata is sent to the Graveyard by effect, you can send one Shaddoll card from the deck to the Graveyard; when El Shaddoll Construct is successfully Special Summoned, you can also send one Shaddoll card from the deck to the Graveyard."
Tenjo Hikari opened his deck and selected two cards: "Shaddoll Core and El Shaddoll Fusion."
The Empress watched Tenjo Hikari's actions, slightly puzzled.
The surrounding students were even more bewildered.
"Ha, Shaddoll Core has the effect of retrieving a Shaddoll Spell or Trap Card when sent to the Graveyard!" Mitsuzawa Daichi explained.
So that's it!
Everyone realized.
"I'll add El Shaddoll Fusion from the Graveyard to my hand." Tenjo Hikari added the Quick-Play Spell Card to his hand, bringing his hand count to 6.
"Interesting, using only one Fusion Spell Card to summon a high-level monster, and even adding an extra card to the hand... but, your Attack Power is also 2800!"
"El Shaddoll Construct does not conduct battles when combating Special Summoned monsters; it directly destroys the opponent's monster!!" Serena waved her hands, cheering for her master's ace summon.
The Empress was stunned.
So powerful?
"Huh?" Someone, hearing Serena's words, couldn't help but wonder, "El Shaddoll Construct directly destroys Special Summoned monsters without battling, the Empress on the field won't be destroyed by battle or effect... What happens when they fight?"
That is indeed a good question.
How does one pierce the shield with the spear? What's the verdict?
"It proceeds to the normal battle phase and then, with equal Attack Power, El Shaddoll Construct will be destroyed by the Empress." Mitsuzawa Daichi, hearing the inquiry, promptly explained.
It's a normal rule operation, relatively simple.
"Wasn't that a waste of a summon?" Someone was confused.
He looked at his friend, who appeared equally puzzled.
Can't understand it.
Not understanding simply means not having figured it out.
In a tag duel, it's not a solo battle, Tenjo Hikari must consider the long-term future and his next turn opponent, the Mathematician.
"It's a pity, Tenjo Hikari, you don't have an Earth Attribute Shaddoll." Tierra, who had been through real battles during this period, had gained a better understanding of dueling, and saw Tenjo Hikari's current predicament.
Tenjo Hikari nodded lightly at her words.
If he had "Sheckinaga," the Empress would be easy to deal with. He could choose Shaddoll Schism, then perform an Earth Attribute fusion to deal with the Empress. Now, seeing Tenjo Hikari choose the more 'long-term' strategy with El Shaddoll Fusion, Tierra realized his thinking.
Not possible now.
"So, a change in strategy is needed?" Tierra raised a finger, asking Tenjo Hikari.
"That's right." Tenjo Hikari nodded.
Tierra is indeed much stronger than before.
Facing the Amazoness Deck, being anxious is of no use.
Just look at the nearby Gloria, ace being dealt with but not losing any cards or Life Points.
A shift in strategy and a long battle is required.
"Normal Summon, Horned Saurus."
"Gah~~"
A pterosaur fluttered its wings, flying to Tenjo Hikari's shoulder.
Horned Saurus, Level 4, Wind Attribute, Dinosaur-Type, Attack Power 1400.
"During the main phase, its effect can be activated, allowing you to add 1 'Polymerization' from the Deck to your hand."
"Ha, everyone uses this method to get Polymerization," Gloria laughed heartily.
Tenjo Hikari didn't respond to her and activated the acquired Polymerization: "Activate Spell Card, Polymerization, to fuse the Kaitoptera on the field with the Curse of Dragon in my hand."
"Fusion conditions are Kaitoptera and a Dinosaur-Type or Dragon-Type monster!"
"Appear—LV 6, Horned Saurus!"
A blue fluorescent light shone on the robust winged dragon, its skin turned dark, and its body became even more robust.
Horned Saurus, LV 6, Dark Attribute, Dinosaur-Type, Attack Power 2000.
"What card is that?"
"Eh, I haven't seen Tenjo Hikari use it before."
"Fool, it's from 'Battle! Duel of the Legendary Duelists 2! Insector Haga Strikes!', used by Tenjo Hikari, the ace card of Dinosaur Lyuzaki! You don't even recognize that?" A Fusion Army member overheard his comrades muttering and couldn't help but speak.
Upon his words, the surrounding Fusion Army members immediately changed their expressions, looking at him in shock.
Realizing what he had just said, the person hurriedly coughed, trying to cover up the embarrassment.
"Hehehe, it looks like everyone really likes Tenjo Hikari," Grace chuckled lightly, not minding.
The Fusion Army soldier coughed once and explained: "During the turn Horned Saurus is Special Summoned, it can attack directly."
"I see, if you can't destroy the monsters, then solve the person? Now that's a wise move."
"It's not that simple—the effect of Horned Saurus activates!" Tenjo Hikari raised his hand, pointing at the sky, "When this card is successfully Fusion Summoned, I can directly place 1 Field Spell Card from the Deck or Graveyard face-up in my field zone!"
"Huh?"
"Eh——"
Is the range this wide!
Any field works?!
"Field Spell Card, Fusion Recycling Plant."
Ding—ding—clang clang!
Rubbles and garbage piles, countless small intelligent planes began flying across the field.
Fusion Recycling Plant!
"It's the Recycling Plant," Gloria nodded softly at the sight of the card.
As this card appeared, Tenjo Hikari's intentions became somewhat predictable for her.
"Fusion Recycling Plant's effect, once per turn, discard a hand card, add 1 Polymerization from the Deck or Graveyard to your hand, I'll discard a hand card to add a Fusion Substitute from my Deck to my hand."
"Then, battle, Horned Saurus attacks directly—"
The winged dragon leapt into the air, bypassing the Empress, and with a surprised expression on her face, slammed its wing on her throne.
Empress & Mathematician, LP: 8000→6000.
"Just some petty tricks…" The Empress said coldly.
But it must be said, bypassing the Guardians to make direct attacks on the core is an unmistakably clear strategy when unable to destroy the front line.
She had to reassess Tenjo Hikari.
A Fusion Duelist known for Full Fusion?
If it's only this, can one truly call it 'Fusion' merely by being 'strong'?
"Set a card, turn end, now the effect of Fusion Recycling Plant activates." Tenjo Hikari lightly tapped his Duel Disk, an autonomous drone flew out and began patrolling the countless fusion debris.
"At the end of your turn, Fusion Recycling Plant can recover 1 Fusion Material Monster used for Fusion Summon from the Graveyard."
Tenjo Hikari turned over the Graveyard, selecting a card from it: "I choose, Shaddoll Squamata."
A small plane struggled to fly the tall lizard to Tenjo Hikari's hand, whereupon it transformed into a card and floated into his hand.
"Heh—then, I'll activate Continuous Trap Card!"
Seeing this, the Empress flipped open a Set Card: "Amazoness Curse Mirror!"
The Empress crossed her arms, revealing a confident and manic smile: "This card can be activated at the end of the turn in which you take battle damage. As long as this card exists in the Spell & Trap Zone, once per turn, the battle damage received is zero!"
A trap card of the same type as Secret Hot Spring.
"Oh no, with this card in play, even direct attack tactics won't work!"
"So troublesome!"
"Worthy of a Ten-star Special Duelist, remarkable."
Some students were surprised.
Yet other classmates thought differently.
"No worries, Hikari dealt damage this turn, there are other ways to counter next turn!"
"Yes, Tenjo Hikari always has his methods!"
"Believe in Fusion, as long as Tenjo Hikari is here—"
"Hey, you dummies! Do you need a beating?" Gloria heard the Fusion Army students shout this and couldn't help herself, turning around and yelling.
But even she had to admit, Tenjo Hikari's moves this turn were indeed impressive.
He fortified the defenses, dealt damage, and created an environment for sustained combat—not to mention, Tenjo Hikari hadn't used the card she had set!
She couldn't help but clench her fists.
Another card she set was Monster Reborn! Tenjo Hikari actually didn't use it!
What does it mean, could it be hostility, so he doesn't want to cooperate with me at all!?
She looked at Tenjo Hikari, only to see Hikari calmly gazing across the field, watching the Mathematician.
Tch—
She snapped back.
Focus on the Duel!
Internally, she kept on pondering.
No way, the Tenjo Hikari she knew was the one who fuses everything. Wouldn't be like this!
Then… why exactly?