The third 'Mystic Tomato' was eliminated just as quickly. Yugen did not panic.
"Again, I take no damage. And this time, I Special Summon 'Apprentice Magician' in Attack Position."
The small Spellcaster appeared with only 400 ATK.
"Fifth attack. Break Strike 'Apprentice Magician'!"
'Apprentice Magician' was destroyed on the spot. The damage was nullified once more by 'Spirit Barrier'.
"When 'Apprentice Magician' is destroyed by battle, I can Set a Level 2 or lower Spellcaster-Type monster from my Deck. I Set another 'Apprentice Magician'."
Murmurs spread through the onlookers. The chain of last effects seemed endless.
"Sixth attack!"
The Set 'Apprentice Magician' was destroyed. As expected, another monster emerged.
"Seventh attack," Yako Tenma continued.
The newly Summoned Unit 03 was destroyed as well, and its effect activated in turn. Yugen calmly searched his Deck again and Set the Level 1 'Magician of Faith' to the field.
"Eighth attack!"
The final strike of the sequence wiped out 'Magician of Faith'. At last, the eight consecutive attacks came to an end.
"When 'Magician of Faith' is flipped, I can add a Spell Card from my Graveyard to my hand," Yugen said. "I retrieve 'Dark Hole'."
Several Card Professors tensed. Retrieving 'Dark Hole' meant the threat of a full field wipe on the next turn.
The pressure shifted back toward Yako Tenma.
"My attacks are not over," Yako Tenma said. "Your field is finally empty. 'Twin-Headed Behemoth', attack directly!"
The two headed monster charged across the now open field toward Yugen.
Just before the strike landed, a golden light flashed from his hand. A small, furry creature leapt out with a soft cry and threw itself in front of the attack.
"By discarding 'Kuriboh', the battle damage becomes 0," Yako Tenma said quietly.
He narrowed his eyes. "But 'Twin-Headed Behemoth' can attack twice per turn. Second attack!"
The second strike finally broke through the defenses and hit Yugen directly. He staggered back two steps from the impact.
Yugen LP 4000 to 2300.
The surrounding Card Professors let out slow breaths. After ten consecutive attacks in a single turn, damage had finally gone through.
"I Set one card and end my turn," Yako Tenma declared.
"My Turn! Draw."
Immediately, Yako Tenma flipped his Set card. "Trap Card 'Tyrant's Temper'! This card can only be activated during the opponent's Standby Phase. You cannot enter the Battle Phase this turn." (ANIME EFFECT)
Outside the field, Tiramuku nodded. "That seals off the counterattack as much as possible. Being forced to rely on this shows how much pressure he is under."
"Indeed," another professor murmured. This Duel had already surpassed their level entirely.
"I activate Spell Card 'Pot of Greed'. Draw two cards," Yugen said. He then revealed the card he had just retrieved. "Spell Card 'Dark Hole'. Destroy all monsters on the field!"
The swirling vortex reappeared, swallowing everything in its path. 'Beast Machine King - Barbaros Ur' and 'Twin-Headed Behemoth' were torn apart and erased in seconds.
The field was cleared instantly.
"I Set one monster and end my turn," Yugen said.
"That was close," one professor whispered. "If not for 'Tyrant's Temper', after 'Dark Hole' he might have been finished this turn."
The others said nothing, but each of them reached the same conclusion. If either of these Duelists were replaced by them, the Duel would have ended long ago.
"My Turn! Draw."
Yako Tenma slapped the drawn card onto the Duel Disk without hesitation.
"Summon 'Spear Dragon'!"
Despite its name, the monster that appeared was a Dragon. With green wings spread wide and a spiral lance in its hand, it glared fiercely at the face down monster on Yugen's field.
'Spear Dragon', ATK 1800.
"'Spear Dragon' can inflict piercing damage when attacking a Defense Position monster," Yako Tenma said. "'Spear Dragon', attack!"
The dragon beat its wings and thrust its lance forward.
"But I have the Continuous Trap 'Spirit Barrier' on the field. As long as I control a monster, I take no battle damage, even from piercing effects," Yugen replied calmly.
"And the monster you attacked is this."
The face down card flipped up, revealing a grinning 'Morphing Jar #2'.
"'Morphing Jar #2'!" Yugen Do exclaimed. "When this card is flipped, both players discard their entire hands, then each draws five cards from their Deck."
Although its Flip Effect had become too slow for the current environment, 'Morphing Jar #2' had once been a powerful forbidden card and a classic comeback tool in competitive play.
Like 'Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys', this card had come from the farewell gift left by Shin Doma Three Swordsmen Shell. Though Shell was gone, his will lived on through his Deck, passed down to others who would continue dueling.
"According to the effect of 'Morphing Jar #2'," Yugen said as he drew in one smooth motion, "Draw from my Deck."
Yako Tenma refilled his hand as well and narrowed his eyes slightly at the new cards.
"I Set two cards. End turn."
"Then it's My Turn!."
Yugen drew and paused for a brief moment before smiling faintly.
"As expected of Maximillion Pegasus. You're impressive. It looks like I can't hold back anymore."
The members of Card Professors were startled.
So everything up to now had not been his full strength?
"Oh?" Yako Tenma showed interest. "You were still holding back?"
"Not exactly."
Yugen smiled and slowly pulled a card from his hand.
"But it's time."
He raised his right arm, and a black vortex like a gateway to the Underworld opened across his Front Row. One beam of light and one of darkness shot upward, twisting together before merging.
"I banish the LIGHT-attribute 'Magician of Faith' and the DARK-attribute 'Apprentice Magician' from my Graveyard!
The souls of light and darkness are offered to the Field of Chaos to call forth the strongest Legendary Warrior! Genesis of Heaven and Earth!
Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, Summon!"
Within the swirling chaos, darkness and void intertwined. At the center of that storm, a brilliant light burst forth like a rising sun.
The darkness was split apart by blades of light and shadow. Armor gleaming with a mysterious radiance, the warrior stepped forward as if riding a storm.
Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, ATK 3000.
"Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning?"
Many of the onlookers could not hide their shock.
That Legendary Warrior was in the hands of a mere student?
Mokuba Kaiba nodded with satisfaction. "Oh, looks like he can handle the power of Chaos quite well."
If his brother saw this, he would surely be pleased.
"Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, attack 'Spear Dragon'! Twin Cleaving Strike!" Yugen commanded.
Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning swung its blade, and arcs of light and darkness tore across the field.
This strike would deal 1200 battle damage. Yako Tenma had only 1000 Life Points remaining. The outcome would be decided here.
"Then I activate the effect of the Continuous Trap 'Ultimate Offering'," Yako Tenma declared. "I pay 500 Life Points to conduct a Normal Summon.
I pay 500 Life Points, Tribute 'Spear Dragon,' and Summon 'Curse of Dragon' in Defense Position!"
Yako Tenma, LP 1000 to 500.
'Curse of Dragon', DEF 1500.
"I see. Using that method to block and avoid the damage," Yugen said in understanding.
The effect of 'Ultimate Offering' could only be activated during his own Main Phase or during the opponent's Battle Phase. On the previous turn, after resolving 'Morphing Jar #2' during the Battle Phase, Yako Tenma had not been able to immediately use it. Otherwise, he would have Summoned more monsters to continue attacking.
On the other hand, if he had pushed further attacks last turn, his Life Points would have dropped to 500. In that case, he would not have been able to meet the activation condition for 'Ultimate Offering' this turn.
The sword fell. 'Curse of Dragon' was split in two by Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning and exploded into a Rift of light before fading away.
"Effect of Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning," Yugen Do said. "When it destroys an opponent's monster by battle, it can make a second attack." (ANIME EFFECT)
The members of Card Professors watched with tense expressions.