The preparation phase ends, and the turn officially enters Ed Phoenix's phase.
The air is thick with the scent of blood, spreading around the field. Even students with low Spirit Adaptability, those who've only been at the school for less than a year, can feel the terrifying Spirit Power now.
"That's what they say..." As the game progresses to this point, many students begin to express their judgments on the situation, "Ed Phoenix only has one card in his Hand Card. Even if he can increase ATK and defeat the Flame Swordsman, the Mirage Swordsman in the Graveyard can be revived."
"Indeed, trying to turn the tables with one card is hardly simple."
Several people express skepticism towards Ed.
"Hmph, laughable opinions."
Ed doesn't even glance at them.
"I Summon in Attack Position, Destiny Hero - Doom Lord."
Doom Lord is like a demon nobleman, a Warrior with massive claws adorning both hands, calmly gazing into the distance.
Destiny Hero - Doom Lord, LV 3, Dark Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 600.
"A true duelist never lacks cards." After unleashing his venomous remark, Ed draws two cards from the top of his Deck, reviews them, then opens the Graveyard, "I activate the Monster Effect of Celestial in the Graveyard. If I have 0 cards in my Hand Card, banish it along with one Destiny Hero from the Graveyard, and draw two cards!
I banish Destiny Hero – Celestial and Destiny Hero - Dystopia from the Graveyard, and draw two cards!"
Banish Dystopia?
Tenjo Hikari ponders.
Tenjo Hikari himself doesn't particularly like Dystopia as a card—after all, it is Ed's Ace Card in "Yu-Gi-Oh! A5", a reinforcement for the Destiny Heroes. It was quite useful at that time. But because Ed in A5 was downright abstract, he didn't have much affection for this card.
Yet the Ed of this world is obviously his true self, and Dystopia is clearly a card he favors as his Ace.
Banish this card...
In the sky, the pendulum of time suddenly begins to swing: "Next is the effect from the previous turn by Diamond Dude! The effect of Pot of Greed sent to the Graveyard will activate in the future, that is—now.
Thus, I draw two cards."
Since it's a past activated effect, no means can stop it.
Ed draws another two cards.
In this way, he effortlessly draws four cards in a single turn!
"It's so easy to replenish his Hand Card."
"From 0 to 4, this is way too exaggerated."
Ed glances at his four cards, contemplating strategy.
Even possessed by Wave of Light, a duelist like him won't easily change his mindset—unless fully consumed, utterly insane.
But before that, he remains the best professional duelist in the world.
"Then, deal with that pesky Mirage Swordsman that can keep reviving—"
"When Doom Lord exists on the field in Attack Position, once per turn, it can send a Monster from the opponent's field 2 turns into the future!"
"To the future you go, Flame Swordsman—"
Doom Lord jumps high, then dashes to Flame Swordsman's side. As Flame Swordsman turns defensively, Doom Lord pierces its neck with a claw, and its figure fades, leaving this world.
In simple terms, this excludes a Monster from Tenjo Hikari's field, returning it to the field during Ed's preparation phase two turns later.
Tenjo Hikari watches Flame Swordsman's figure dissipate, frowning gently but not hastily.
"The turn Doom Lord's effect is activated, no battle can occur." Ed raises his right hand, pointing to the sky, "However, Monster effects can still be addressed.
I activate the Monster Effect of Absolute Zero.
Discard a card from the Hand Card, send one Destiny Hero Monster from the Hand Card·Deck to the Graveyard, and increase ATK of all Destiny Hero Monsters on the field until the turn ends by 200 points per Destiny Hero Monster in the Graveyard."
He raises a card in his Hand Card: "I discard Destiny Hero - Drawhand from my Hand Card, sending Destiny Hero - Denier from the Deck to the Graveyard. Increase ATK of all Destiny Heroes on the field by 800 until the turn ends."
But obviously, raising ATK isn't significant for him.
"In the Graveyard, Destiny Hero - Denier's Monster Effect. If this card exists in the Graveyard, and there is a Destiny Hero Monster excluding Destiny Hero - Denier on your field or in your Graveyard, you can activate it. Special Summon this card.
This effect…can only be used once per Duel."
"Come forth, Destiny Hero - Denier!"
The sound of gentle chains resonates, and a hero wielding chains rotates them as it appears on the field.
Destiny Hero - Denier, LV 3, Dark Attribute, Warrior-Type, DEF 600.
Denier…?
Tenjo Hikari watches the Monster.
"Denier's Monster Effect activates when this card is Summoned·Special Summoned. Select one Destiny Hero Monster that is banished, in your Deck, or Graveyard, and place it at the top of the Deck."
"My choice is…the sleeping Destiny Hero - Plasma in the Deck!"
Accompanied by Ed's voice, the massive blood-red figure behind him appears, as if its power has dyed the entire world red.
"Placing your future on this card means also that your future is fixed. Ed."
"At this point, it doesn't matter." Ed coldly sets a card on the field, saying, "Set one card and end the turn. At this time, the ATK of my Monsters on the field will revert to their original values. Your turn, Director."
"Then—my turn!" Tenjo Hikari draws a card immediately.
Scatter Fusion…
Tenjo Hikari narrows his eyes.
"At this moment, Destiny Hero – Drawhand's effect activates. When this card is sent to the Graveyard, it activates at the next preparation phase, Special Summon this card. Then Drawhand's effect, if this card is Special Summoned successfully by a Hero effect, both players draw one card."
Destiny Hero - Drawhand, LV 4, Dark Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 1600.
Both draw one card.
Ed's card is naturally…Plasma.
And Tenjo Hikari's card is Dragon's Mirror.
"Activate Continuous Spell Card, Scatter Fusion—" Tenjo Hikari looks at Dragon's Mirror, remaining silent for a while, then activates the Polymerization he just drew.
"It's a Continuous Spell Card that can directly fuse from the Deck—I won't let you have a chance to use such a card, Director!" Ed exclaims loudly, "Open Set Card, Quick-Play Spell Card, Mystical Space Typhoon! Destroy one Spell·Trap Card on the field—destroy Scatter Fusion!"
On Tenjo Hikari's field, the diamond just laid down is blown away by the storm before it has a chance to resonate with other gemstones.
It seems this Duel will have nothing to do with gemstones.
"This is the guidance of destiny, Director—I drew a card in the last turn that just so happens to destroy your counter. Everything is determined by Destiny!" Ed says coldly.
"Then I'll go straight into the Battle Phase!" Tenjo Hikari points towards his opponent, "Destiny? In that case, change this Destiny of losing your Life Points—"
"Dark Flare Knight attacks Doom Lord!"
Ed supports himself with his hand in front, the Black Flame swings its red Longsword, piercing him, then the Flaming Longsword pierces Ed's body, causing him to groan in pain.
Ed LP, 4000→2400.
"Eh?" Someone is puzzled.
"Strange, why not use Absolute Zero's effect to increase ATK so Life Points lost would be lesser."
The reason is simple.
Ed wants to preserve the cards in his hand!
Tenjo Hikari lightly furrows his brows, his thoughts are seen through by Ed, or rather, Ed's "Power of Destiny" is so overwhelming that he is thwarted everywhere.
However…
Tenjo Hikari looks at two Set Cards beside him.
If everything is as Ed's Destiny suggests, these two cards are bound to make a difference!