The instant Johannes finished revealing his hand, Yusaku flicked his wrist. A card's frame cut a cold silver arc under the arena lights as he held it up in midair.
"I activate Mathmech Circular! By sending 1 other 'Mathmech' monster from my Deck to the GY, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!"
"I send Mathmech Nabla from my Deck to the GY— Special Summon Mathmech Circular!"
A blinding silver-white pillar erupted from the Deck case. Inside it, dense clanks of interlocking gears rang out as a compact mech-like monster took shape, its heavy footsteps thudding onto the Duel Disk's field module.
Mathmech Circular
Level 4 / Cyberse / Effect
ATK 1500
The moment Circular planted itself on the field, Yusaku's voice didn't slow at all.
"Next, I activate Primathmech Alembertian's other effect! By Tributing 1 monster I control, I can Special Summon a Level 4 'Mathmech' monster from my hand or GY!"
"I Tribute Primathmech Alembertian itself— and Special Summon Mathmech Nabla from my GY!"
Alembertian dissolved into countless firefly-like motes of light, scattering into the air. Almost in the same breath, another machine streaked in and landed. Unlike Circular's bright silver, this one wore pale-gray armor, with a dim ring of light circling its eye.
Mathmech Nabla
Level 4 / Cyberse / Tuner / Effect
ATK 1000
"At this moment!"
Yusaku's voice shot upward.
"I activate Mathmech Circular's triggered effect! While this card is in the Monster Zone, if a 'Mathmech' monster is Normal or Special Summoned to my field, I can add 1 'Mathmech' Spell/Trap from my Deck to my hand!"
"I just Special Summoned Mathmech Nabla, so the condition is met— I add the Spell Mathmech Equation from my Deck to my hand!"
The newly added card tightened in his grip as Yusaku raised his arm high.
"Now, I Xyz Summon! I overlay my Level 4 Mathmech Nabla and Level 4 Mathmech Circular!"
"Xyz Summon— Rank 4— Utopic Sage!"
In an instant, the two mech monsters became twin streaks of light that shot skyward, weaving into a massive golden vortex above the Duel Disk. Metal-on-metal thunder and the hum of surging energy shook the air.
Then, a figure burst out— a warrior clad in cold metallic armor, a silver staff in hand, golden radiance coiling around him like a divine mantle.
Utopic Sage
Rank 4 / Warrior / Xyz / Effect
ATK 2000
Johannes stared as the entire "visual style" on the field flipped again, his expression twisting into disbelief.
Just a second ago it was all Mathmech— and now a Utopia-line monster had jumped out of nowhere?
He couldn't help letting out a short, mocking laugh. "You're really stuffing your Deck with monsters nobody can search consistently. Aren't you afraid you'll brick when it matters?"
Yusaku's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Brick? That word doesn't exist in my Duel dictionary. A deck built with everything I've got— a bond that resonates with my soul— how could it ever brick? If you can't even command your own deck, then your bond with the Duelist… and with the King of Games… just isn't enough."
He lifted his eyes to Johannes. "Ever heard this?"
"Everything a Duelist does… is inevitable."
Johannes: "?"
Before Johannes could process it, Yusaku's voice rang out again.
"Because I performed another Xyz Summon, my Continuous Spell Galaxy Wave activates again— take 500 damage!"
A burst of blinding gold erupted from the Spell at the edge of Yusaku's Duel Disk. A condensed beam ripped through the air like a volley of arrows and slammed into Johannes's side of the field.
Johannes: 7500 → 7000
"Now I activate Utopic Sage's effect!"
Yusaku's voice rolled across the arena like thunder.
"By detaching 2 materials from this card, I can Special Summon 1 'ZW—' monster or 1 'ZS—' monster from my Deck! After this effect resolves, until the end of the turn, the only monsters I can Special Summon from the Extra Deck are Xyz Monsters!"
"I detach 2 materials— and Special Summon ZS – Ascended Sage from my Deck!"
Utopic Sage (Materials 2 → 0)
A pale-gold glow lit inside the Deck case. A smaller armored warrior landed on the field, its patterns flowing with a soft yet unyielding sheen.
ZS – Ascended Sage
Level 4 / Warrior / Effect
ATK 900
The moment the Summon completed, Yusaku flicked his finger and revealed the card in his palm.
"I activate the Spell— Mathmech Equation! I target 1 'Mathmech' monster in my GY, Special Summon it, and that monster gains 1000 ATK until the end of the turn!"
He chopped his arm down.
"I target Mathmech Circular in my GY— Special Summon!"
Mathmech Circular
ATK 1500 → 2500
As Circular hit the field, Yusaku's voice surged again.
"Next, I overlay the Mathmech Circular on my field with the ZS – Ascended Sage I just used as material—!"
"Xyz Summon— Rank 4— Number 39: Utopia Double!"
Number 39: Utopia Double
Rank 4 / Warrior / Xyz / Effect
ATK 0
"Another Xyz Summon— Galaxy Wave activates again! Take 500 damage!"
The golden beam tore through the air a second time. Johannes grunted, his Life Points dropping again.
Johannes: 7000 → 6500
"I activate ZS – Ascended Sage's effect!" Yusaku pressed forward without mercy. "If this card is used as Xyz Material for an Xyz Summon, I can add 1 'Rank-Up-Magic' Normal Spell from my Deck to my hand!"
"I add Rank-Up-Magic Argent Chaos Force from my Deck to my hand!"
A dark-gold sheen flashed across the newly obtained Spell. Yusaku immediately played it, his voice rising sharply.
"I activate Rank-Up-Magic Argent Chaos Force!"
"I target 1 Rank 5 or higher Xyz Monster I control— then Special Summon from my Extra Deck 1 'CNumber' or 'CXyz' monster that is 1 Rank higher, by overlaying it on top of the targeted monster. This is treated as an Xyz Summon!"
His fingertip snapped toward the massive machine radiating pressure on his field.
"I target my Rank 10 Gigantic 'Champion' Sargas— and Special Summon a Chaos Xyz Monster that's 1 Rank higher!"
"Chaos Xyz Evolution— descend… CXyz Gimmick Puppet Fanatix Machinix!"
The instant he declared it, Gigantic 'Champion' Sargas became a blazing column of light and shot into the sky, merging with the golden vortex that expanded across the arena.
Inside it, countless gears seemed to grind and spin in a frenzy— the screech of metal and the boom of power colliding shook the stands hard enough to make ears ring.
Then a knightly figure descended slowly from the vortex, clad in deep, muted-black armor. A black cape snapped in an unseen gale. His helmet hid his face, revealing only a strand of red hair whipping in the air, while dark-gold aura licked around him like a fire that swallowed light.
CXyz Gimmick Puppet Fanatix Machinix
Rank 9 / Machine / Xyz / Effect
ATK 3100
Gimmick Puppet?
Johannes watched the field "switch genres" yet again—and at this point, he was numb. He couldn't even be bothered to count how many different archetypes Yusaku had already cycled through. Everything in front of him felt absurd.
The crowd was numb too.
From Mathmech to Utopia, and now to Gimmick Puppet— Yusaku's deck didn't look like a deck anymore.
It looked like three separate decks smashed together.
And the craziest part was that this pile of monsters that had no business connecting… connected flawlessly anyway.
"Doesn't this kind of deck brick?" someone murmured, completely baffled.
But in the player section, eyes were shining. The discussion exploded even louder.
"Gimmick Puppet can grind LP down hard… You think Yusaku-senpai's going for that monster?"
A few people immediately leaned in.
"It actually makes sense. That would explain why senpai sent Solemn Judgment back instead of Dark Ruler No More. If he really brings that out, the opponent won't even get a chance to activate anything!"
"But that win condition is ridiculous. Can he really pull it off?"
Kazetaro grinned with total confidence.
"If it was anyone else, it'd be impossible. But this is Yusaku-senpai. Forget summoning that monster— even if he whips out a Tearlaments card next, I'd believe it."
"…"
On the field, Yusaku raised a finger.
"Since I performed another Xyz Summon, Galaxy Wave activates again— take 500 damage!"
A third golden beam punched through the air. Johannes's LP dropped again.
Johannes: 6500 → 6000
"Now, Number 39: Utopia Double's effect!"
Yusaku's voice snapped like a blade.
"During either player's turn, I can detach 1 material from this card— then add 1 Double or Nothing! from my Deck to my hand!"
"After that, I can Special Summon from my Extra Deck 1 'Utopia' Xyz Monster, except this card, by overlaying it on top of this card. This is treated as an Xyz Summon! The monster Summoned by this effect has its ATK doubled, and it cannot attack directly!"
"I activate it— detach 1 material!"
Number 39: Utopia Double (Materials 2 → 1)
"I add Double or Nothing! to my hand— and then, overlay Summon!"
The instant he spoke, Yusaku's coat flared as if caught by a sudden storm, the hem snapping wildly.
The golden vortex above the field swelled violently, its diameter surging several times over. Lightning-like arcs danced inside it, and the roar of rushing energy shook the very air, as if space itself were trembling.
Number 39: Utopia Double became a streak of light and shot into the vortex.
Immediately after, a colossal beam— wide enough to blot out the sky— crashed down behind Yusaku.
Blue arcs crackled inside it like raging thunder dragons, and the violent wind it created whipped his hair and coat into a frenzy.
"Shatter the memories carved into my soul— become a newborn star, and turn into lightning that pierces destiny!"
Yusaku's voice tore through the thunder, carrying sacred, overwhelming authority that rang into every corner of the arena.
"Descend— Number 99: Utopia Dragonar!"
The vortex spun faster and faster, blue and gold light interweaving and flooding the stadium.
Then, a massive futuristic mech emerged from the beam— silver-white and deep-blue armor plating layered across its body, intricate patterns flowing like a galaxy.
Number 99: Utopia Dragonar
Rank 12 / Warrior / Xyz / Effect
ATK 3000 → 6000
"Six thousand…?!" Johannes's pupils shrank. The numbness on his face cracked into raw shock.
When he registered the Rank, he actually sucked in a breath, instinctively stepping back, his voice trembling with disbelief.
"Rank 12… a Rank 12 Xyz Monster— you just summoned it that easily?!"
Yusaku glanced at him, tone flat.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Didn't I explain Utopia Double's effect clearly enough? It overlays a different 'Utopia' Xyz from the Extra Deck and treats it as an Xyz Summon. Treated as an Xyz Summon— meaning this Rank 12 monster is properly Summoned."
Johannes: "?"
"Because I performed another Xyz Summon, Galaxy Wave activates— and I also chain the effect of Rank-Up-Magic Argent Chaos Force in my GY!"
Yusaku's voice continued as he drew the card from his graveyard.
"First, Rank-Up-Magic Argent Chaos Force in the GY: if a Rank 5 or higher Xyz Monster is Special Summoned to my field, I can activate this effect to add this card back to my hand. I just summoned the Rank 12 Number 99: Utopia Dragonar, so the condition is met— this card returns to my hand!"
The dark-gold Spell rose from the graveyard and settled into Yusaku's palm. He didn't pause.
"Now Galaxy Wave resolves— take 500 damage!"
Johannes: 6000 → 5500
(End of Chapter)
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