"Polymerization is the most noble summoning method?"
"I've heard that slogan—"
"Isn't that the Fusion Army?"
"Huh!?"
The audience had various reactions to Tenjo Hikari's declaration.
Some recalled Tenjo Hikari's outstanding performance in the X Dimension and S Dimension, while others were concerned about the Fusion Army.
Overall, there were no boos from the nearby audience.
After all, the audience here were either students or spirits.
Still, even so, most people hearing this slogan didn't doubt Tenjo Hikari.
The reason is simple: they were far removed from the Fusion Army and the invasion war. Students feared Tenjo Hikari and doubted him because there were Fusion Army members at their schools, and they knew what kind of people they were, hence their doubt.
At the beginning at the Critical Point, they were quite skeptical or hostile towards Tenjo Hikari.
However, it was precisely because of this proximity that they quickly understood, amidst repeated duels and the invasion of the Dark World, that Tenjo Hikari was definitely not in league with the Fusion Army.
In contrast, ordinary people who were further away from students and duelists couldn't change their perspective so quickly.
However, Tenjo Hikari didn't mind.
He just routinely drew his hand card.
Looking at the cards in hand, Tenjo Hikari gently stroked his chin.
He pondered for a short while and then activated his card: "Spell Card, Polymerization."
Tenjo Hikari's first duel appearance was with a classic, well-known Spell Card—
Polymerization!
One of the most famous Spell Cards in this world, one of the most common, and one of those most promoted in the past year.
Because of this card, people from this dimension didn't feel particularly awkward when communicating with the other two dimensions. Many people realized their dreams thanks to this card.
However—
Precisely because of this card, and because of 'Polymerization,' and the Fusion Army's invasion behavior, this world had been cast into a shadow these past few months. Countless duelists changed, and many ordinary duelists gave up their beloved cards.
It was the beginning and the foundation.
"I will fuse Elemental Hero Avian and Elemental Hero Burstinatrix from my hand!"
Avian and Burstinatrix?
The audience watching the duel became immediately intrigued.
These two cards are very famous—although their stats are quite average, as part of the popular hero's common deck, they have high recognition. The Fire Wingman resulting from their fusion is also very popular in this dimension.
"Burstinatrix and Avian, this must be to fuse Flame Wingman!" Judai, watching the duel, jumped up excitedly and shouted to the nearby Kenzan and Shou.
These two had been with Judai during these times without participating in the finals; now, watching together, they too got interested when they saw this card.
"No, bro, maybe it's Phoenixman—" Kenzan joked.
"No way, absolutely not! At least Inferno Wing!"
"No, no, bro, this is standard Polymerization!" Shou wiped some sweat from his forehead.
Meanwhile, in the high tower of the Light Society, Ed and the Saiou siblings, also watching the live broadcast, said similar things, with Ed being quite certain that fusing these two monsters in the first round was better for Phoenixman—at least Phoenixman cannot be destroyed by battle!
"Surely it's not Great Tornado or Nova Master?"
The two hero duelists thought at the same time in their hearts.
"As expected of Tenjo Hikari, even when people outside are so hostile to Polymerization, you still dare to use it as usual—so, what will you fuse?" Chen Lue became interested upon seeing Tenjo Hikari use that card, "As far as I know, Avian and Burstinatrix have several different fusion outcomes, right?
So, are you going to..."
"Ha..." Tenjo Hikari suddenly slowly raised his right hand, extending two fingers, "The fusion conditions are two Warrior-Type monsters with different attributes!"
What?
Chen Lue was slightly stunned.
"Two Warrior-Type monsters with different attributes!?"
"Not a hero—"
Similar exclamations arose around the world.
Neither Dragon People nor Phoenix—
"Fusion Summon, the Steel Warrior wielding a mighty axe—"
"LV 8, Gilti-Gearfried the Magical Steel Knight!"
Accompanied by Tenjo Hikari's call, a heavily armored figure with a blue cape gently landed in front of Tenjo Hikari. It was masked, its true appearance unclear, but the axe in its hand already declared its power!
Gilti-Gearfried the Magical Steel Knight, Light Attribute, LV 8, Warrior-Type, ATK 2700.
"Wow!?"
"A different Fusion Monster? I've never seen this before!"
"I thought those two monsters could only fuse into Flame Wingman."
Though they had seen a lot of unfamiliar things, the audience became even more enthusiastic when Tenjo Hikari presented something new again.
This tournament was just so novel and extraordinary!
"Oh, oh, oh, oh!" Judai jumped up excitedly when he saw it, "Avian, you can even fuse into this. Why didn't you ever tell me—"
Avian started to sweat.
If you ask it, it wouldn't know either?
Looking at the card in hand, Tenjo Hikari smiled slightly. This card was one of the numerous Light Attribute Fusion Monsters gifted by the Wave of Light, useful in this world no matter the fusion conditions, basic attributes, or effects, so Tenjo Hikari quite liked it.
"Magical Knight...is that the evolution of the five-star Fusion Monster Giltia the D. Knight? I didn't expect this, besides Flame Swordsman, you also used this." As a duelist able to compete, Chen Lue naturally wasn't ignorant of these things.
Both the Magical Knight and Flame Swordsman were cards used by the legendary duelist Jonouchi Katsuya, still with fame.
"Even with the same Fusion Material, there can be different fusion results. That's Polymerization," Tenjo Hikari said softly, simultaneously placing a card face-down on the field: "Set a card, end turn."
"Truly a duelist dedicated to the extreme of Fusion, Tenjo Hikari." Chen Lue nodded gently, reflecting, "To face you as an opponent in the first round is really a great thing."
?
Chen Lue drew a card.
Looking at the card, he couldn't help narrowing his eyes.
"Fusion is a diverse tactic; yet some people, without integrating even our things, rush to learn from other dimensions, some even maligning or criticizing our own stuff.
What the Fusion Army did doesn't matter; what's laughable is a duelist changing their understanding of a summoning method just because of public opinion."
"As your opponent, I can entirely not worry about social or public opinion, which is so good."
He raised a card, and a strange light suddenly descended in front of him, then with a swish, it lit up, illuminating the Monster Zone.
This effect?
Tenjo Hikari raised his eyebrows.
"Discard Vision Hero Poisoner from my hand, Special Summon, Vision Hero Faris!"
Faris!
Along with Chen Lue's declaration, the light projected a phantom, a pink hero debuting in the darkness!
Vision Hero Faris, LV 5, Dark Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 1600.
Vision Hero!