"I'll take the first turn!"
Tenjo Hikari wanted to seize the first turn, but as the opponent of a Professional Duelist, the opponent's hand speed was clearly above his own. Before he could shout, the opponent had already drawn a card.
Seeing this, Tenjo Hikari didn't mind too much.
Having played cards in this world for so long, his opinion on who goes first or second wasn't as strong.
After all, duels in this world are different from OCG.
Fusion Army's Professional Duelist, Max LP: 4000.
Duel Academy Fusion Department, Tenjo Hikari LP: 4000.
"What will a duel of a Professional Duelist be like?" Mitsuzawa Daichi felt a cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
"This time it's not a joke; the Professional Duelist on the other side is definitely serious!"
Judai and his group were well aware of the style of the Integration Department and expected that the Professional Duelist from the Fusion Department wouldn't be like Ed, who casually played without setting any cards.
Ed quietly watched the duel, not leaving early as originally planned.
Although this was a duel without a "bet," it was essentially just a sparring match for him, the "visiting new student," to watch, but he understood the situation better than the surrounding students.
Professional Duelists and ordinary Duelists are different.
This isn't about "strength," because if we really talk about strength, no Professional Duelist would dare challenge Kaiba Seto.
The difference lies in mentality.
The profession of a Professional Duelist is "Duelist," while ordinary Duelists have other identities beyond just being a Duelist. At first glance, the former seems purer, but in fact, it's the opposite.
Professional Duelists are the less pure party because... their ultimate goal is always just one thing, and that is... money.
Even though he became a Professional Duelist not for money, but to travel the world using his identity as a Professional Duelist to find the murderer of his father, he still understands very well that Professional Duelists are never "pure."
"My turn—" At this moment, Max had already drawn a card, looking at the card in his hand, and the corners of his mouth kept curving upward.
"I Normal Summon, Alien Warrior."
Accompanied by a strange hissing sound, a humanoid creature rubbing its claws appeared on the field.
Alien Warrior, LV 4, Earth Attribute, Reptile-Type, ATK 1800.
"Reptile-Type? That's a rare type." Mitsuzawa said in surprise when he saw this card.
"Indeed, it's rare to see someone using a Reptile-Type Deck." Manjome also nodded frequently.
"Then, I set two cards and end my turn!"
Max's first turn was very simple, so much so that the surrounding spectators hadn't even reacted before his turn ended.
"What? It's over already?" A student from the Fusion Army asked in confusion.
"Quiet." The blonde girl placed her hands on her hips, smiling, and said, "The duel has just begun; the good part is yet to come."
"That's right." The silver-haired sister followed up.
After hearing what they said, the Fusion Army student showed a bit of embarrassment, but still didn't refute.
The sisters were students of the United States Branch, named the "Tyler Sisters," and were very outstanding members of the Fusion Army over there. Although the Fusion Department there was newly established, under their management, it had already gained a considerable reputation. Compared to the Integration Department, which had suffered for the past year, they were qualified to interrupt the Integration Department, and besides, the teachers even said they would transfer to this school next year, so naturally, they had the upper hand in status, and the Integration Department could only remain silent.
The elder sister's name was Gloria Tyler, and the younger sister was Grace Tyler. The sister was blonde, looking more serious, while the younger sister appeared gentler. Their attire was almost identical, except Gloria wore a long-sleeved white top, and Grace wore a sleeveless white top; Gloria had white over-elbow gloves, Grace wore black long gloves; Gloria wore black high-heeled boots and white trousers, while Grace had a pale purple skirt over her white leggings.
From their attire alone, it's evident that these two are distinct from ordinary "Fusion Army" members; they are more like "elites."
Even the Professional Duelist "leading" the team this time was not a core member but brought them to visit the main Academy.
Of course, to be precise... to observe Tenjo Hikari.
"My turn." Tenjo Hikari drew a card, then immediately revealed the card in his hand, "I activate the Spell Card, Instant Fusion, paying 1000 LP..."
Tenjo Hikari LP: 4000→3000.
"Naive!" At this moment, Max sneered and suddenly activated a Trap Card, "Continuous Trap, Non-Fusion Area!"
Tenjo Hikari arched an eyebrow.
"As long as this card is on the field, neither player can conduct Fusion Summoning!" Max's smirk widened beneath his mask as he mercilessly activated the Trap Card.
"That's too underhanded!" Shou was the first to exclaim upon seeing the card, "Using this kind of card against Tenjo-san who loves Fusion!"
"Hey! Captain, it affects both sides, we can't Fusion either!" A student from the Fusion Army brightened and quickly cheered upon seeing the card.
"This..." Marufuji Shou was speechless.
"It seems the Professional Duelist has prepared a strategy specifically against Hikari." Mitsuzawa Daichi frowned deeply.
He was also the type to prepare specific countermeasures against different students, but now that he's specializing in the Chemicritter Deck, such cards aren't really considered anymore.
"Darn, if Fusion Summoning is prohibited..." Judai looked worryingly at Tenjo Hikari, "Hikari's Deck..."
Tenjo Hikari's eyebrow twitched.
"Haha, so what now, Tenjo Hikari?" Tierra appeared beside Tenjo Hikari, "Want to use my card?"
She chuckled, conjuring a small demon that flew next to Tenjo Hikari.
Ed saw her and realized, so it was Tenjo Hikari who was the Spirit Duelist he saw when he landed on the island.
Destiny, huh...
"Like I'd use that card." Tenjo Hikari casually retorted, "Besides, one Satan won't help, right?"
He coughed, raising his voice: "Then, I'll set a Monster, set a back row card, and end my turn."
"Not so fast!" Seeing Tenjo Hikari about to end his turn, Max activated his Set Card again, "Quick-Play Spell Card, Mystical Space Typhoon! This card can destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field!
I'll destroy your Set Card!"
Tenjo Hikari raised an eyebrow, seeing his Set Trap Card reveal itself.
"It's Flame Swordsdance!" Marufuji Shou exclaimed.
"But that card's not much use, is it?" Kagurazaka frowned.
"Haha, my turn, draw, battle—Alien Warrior attacks the Set Card!"
"Naive!" Tenjo Hikari suddenly shouted, "Activate the effect of Flame Swordsdance from the Graveyard, during the opponent's battle phase, you can banish it, tribute one face-down Defense Position Monster you control, and Special Summon a 'Flame Swordsman' or a monster mentioned in its card name from your Deck or Extra Deck!"
"Eh?" Marufuji Shou tilted his head, "But isn't there only Dark Flare Knight? But Fusion..."
"Wrong!" Tenjo Hikari yelled.
"This is not Fusion Summoning, but Special Summoning a Fusion Monster!"
"Come forth, it's been a while! Dark Flare Knight!"
Black flames blazed fiercely, with a mixture of golden flames, a familiar yet long-unseen figure stood, swinging its blade in front of Tenjo Hikari!
Dark Flare Knight, LV 6, Dark Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 2200!
"He... he bypassed the Non-Fusion Area's restriction to Special Summon a Fusion Monster?!" Gloria exclaimed in shock.
Her sister Grace couldn't help but show a joyful smile as well: "How interesting, so Fusion Monsters can be summoned like this?"
Max's face showed a hint of embarrassment, his earlier confidence now backfiring, making him look like a wooden post. After a while, he coughed a few times to cover his embarrassment.
"Battle rewind, I won't continue attacking."
"Well done, Hikari!" Manjome cheered for Tenjo Hikari.
"So strong, as expected from Hikari, even with Fusion sealed, he can still summon a Fusion Monster!"
Tenjo Hikari's mouth curved upwards, glancing at Ed, then said, "Fusion has no limits! Let me demonstrate that!
The mere Non-Fusion Area can't seal Fusion!"