"If this effect sends a Normal Spell Card to the Graveyard, during your next Main Phase, you can activate the effect of that card."
"A luck-based effect, is it? But, how often do you actually have a Normal Spell Card?" Amon said calmly.
"But — isn't our duel right now exactly like this?"
As he spoke, the massive resentment that once surrounded the Forgotten Dimension began to reappear in the air.
Amon looked up at the sky, where a giant door tightly sealed with chains began to slowly descend.
"If my guess is correct, you already have at least 3 to 4 pieces of Exodia in your hand, don't you?" Ed raised his hand, not flipping the top card of his deck, but asking instead.
Amon frowned slightly, looking at the four pieces of Exodia in his hand.
With his understanding and control of his deck, he was confident that his next draw would definitely be that card — the Sealed Exodia.
So, as long as Ed doesn't defeat him in this turn, next turn he'll draw that card and win.
"But... destiny tells me it might not be that way."
"Destiny? I don't believe in destiny."
"I didn't either, but... it's destiny that brings you and me to reunite here." Ed gently placed his finger on the top card of the deck. "I think destiny is also telling me to do something I should do."
"Come, let's confirm this card—"
He swiftly drew out—
Normal Spell Card, Destiny Draw!
"Diamond Dude's effect sends this card to the Graveyard; next turn, directly use the effect of this card!"
Diamond Dude raised his hand, encapsulating a Spell Card within the diamond, then gently hovering it beside Ed.
"Wow... this person's pretty amazing too, huh?"
The newborn Spirits of Mementomictlan watched the two duelists' operations, feeling that none of them fit their impression of "duel" at all.
"Heh." Amon looked at the scene and softly mused again.
Evidently, Ed, like Amon imagined, had extreme abilities just like him, able to ensure that the card they draw is one they can use.
But even so, it doesn't change anything.
Proving he has the same ability doesn't count as something impressive.
Many duelists can predict the course of a duel.
In this world, many duelists can prepare; covering Trap Cards during the appropriate turn and use the exact Trap Cards to defend the next turn's offensive. This isn't a rare ability; for excellent duelists, it is [natural].
A real duelist can control the course of a duel—but!
A duelist's ability might be similar, even identical.
But [cards] are different.
The Sealed Exodia is genuinely the [strongest] monster; gather 5 different Sealed Exodia cards, then you can directly win.
If the Vortex Trooper on the field is destroyed in battle, you can draw a card from your deck.
Which means, as long as the next card is the Sealed Exodia, then even if Ed Phoenix can defeat in one turn, the moment of attack, I'll have [won]!
"A duelist's abilities might be similar, identical, but a duelist's cards are different!" Ed directly faced Amon, his tone firm, "Just like different people facing crisis will react differently.
In this descent into darkness... the choice I make is this!"
He inserted a card into the Spell and Trap Zone: "Polymerization!"
Polymerization!?
Amon's pupils narrowed slightly.
The card symbolizing the greatest [pride] of Duel Academy Main School—polymerization!
The pride of Duel Academy, Duel Academy's Chief, Duel Academy's Number One Chief, GX Tournament Champion, a genius among geniuses, the Absolute Fusion Master...
The card Tenjo Hikari cherished—polymerization!
When Duel Academy is in crisis, when Duel Academy's students are attacked, when Duel Academy's people fall unconscious, only the Fusion Department has steadfastly supported and believed in the school, believed in their minister, believed they can overcome this difficulty.
This is the [foundation] and [hope] that Tenjo Hikari of the Fusion Department brought.
"Polymerization..." Amon gradually understood.
So that's it; Ed Phoenix is also a member of the Fusion Department and likely one of the outstanding newcomers, right?
He looked towards Tenjo Hikari.
Polymerization—
Can gathering everyone's strength win against the unknown entity?
He curiously asked: "Polymerization, is it—planning to use Dystopian People to win in one go?"
Ed glanced at his hand cards.
His hand cards didn't have any cards that could change Dystopian People's attack power to defeat the opponent's monster with direct attack to win.
Therefore—
"No, what I wish to showcase is the brand new card I [created] after understanding destiny!"
"Fusion conditions are..."
"Three Destiny Hero Monsters!"
"I will fuse my hand cards Destiny Hero - Disk Commander, Destiny Hero - Fear Monger, and the Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude on the field!"
Three?
Amon quietly watched his opponent's operation.
Tenjo Hikari's eyes lit up.
It's that one!
[Observation Star]!
"Heroes of destiny, transform into my fate-controlling blade, and annihilate the dark future—"
"Fusion Summon!"
"LV 10."
"Destiny Hero - Dominance!"
The three Destiny Heroes transformed into waves of black energy that swirled wildly in the air, eventually taking the shape of a massive "throne."
Beneath the throne, a dark cloak slowly unfurled, floating with the winds; under it, a mighty full-armored hero had already gently waved its massive, sharp sword, waiting for those who dare to challenge his [destiny].
Destiny Hero - Dominance, LV 10, Dark Attribute, Warrior-Type, Attack Power 2900.
"Attack Power 2900? Higher than Dystopian People?" Amon showed no change in emotion.
After all, until this duel, his [duel] wasn't affected in the slightest.
Ed looked at his opponent, stayed silent for a moment, and pointed at Amon's deck: "Then, let me show you the power of my... [destiny].
Dominance's monster effect."
"This effect can be activated once per turn during your Main Phase. You can check the top 5 cards of either your or your opponent's deck, and replace them in any order."
What!?
Amon had his first emotional ripple.
He was surprised.
Meanwhile, behind him, Aiko had already gasped.
Changing the cards at the top of the deck, doesn't that mean… controlling both parties' future direction, controlling [destiny]?
"I want to see the cards at the top of your deck!"
Ed decisively raised a finger.
"Change destiny!"
Dominance raised his greatsword high, then slashed downward swiftly. Five cards from the top of Amon's deck flew out. After Ed glanced at them, he directly placed one card to the last position.
No need to say—
The Sealed Exodia!
After that, Ed examined the remaining cards' effects carefully, pondered for a moment, and rearranged their sequence according to their danger level.
"It's decided, just like this—"
Dominance swung his greatsword again, and the cards returned; quietly settling back atop Amon's deck.
"Battle, Dominance attacks!"
Dominance extended his left hand, lighting up with a [D] symbol, and soon a smudge of black turbulence burst out, instantly destroying the Vortex Trooper.
"When Dominance battle-destroys a monster, I draw one card," Ed declared.
"...When Vortex Trooper is destroyed in battle, I draw one card."
Both simultaneously drew cards.
Ed glanced at the card silently and tucked it into his hand without a word.
Amon looked at the card in his hand.
Cloudian, huh...
Is it reminding me to maintain my original heart?
He looked up at Ed, and Ed, as Amon's gaze reached him, said: "How about it, as long as Dominance is on the field, you can never reach the destiny of drawing [Exodia]."
"Stubborn…" Amon uttered, yet within his eyes a slight spark and intense heat reignited, "Alright, then let's decidedly determine a winner."
Perhaps everyone's beliefs differ, and ideas diverge.
But—
This is the genuine [language] of the soul ignited by the clash of duelists!