The event was held at the Headquarters of Industrial Illusions. The spacious and bright hall was filled with leaders and researchers in the field, seated in neat rows. At the center stood a large podium, and the multimedia screen displayed the theme and schedule of the Student Council.
Since entering the venue, Asuka Tenjoin had already taken three deep breaths, her chest rising and falling quickly.
"Don't be nervous," Yugen Do said.
"I'm not nervous!" Asuka Tenjoin hurried to defend herself. "I'm just thinking about what to say later."
Yugen smiled and said nothing more.
It was only natural to feel tense. No matter how strong willed they were, Asuka Tenjoin and Daichi Misawa were still first year students, suddenly pulled into a gathering of top level figures to give a report. Anyone would feel pressure in that situation.
"Wait, is that Yako Tenma?" Daichi Misawa whispered.
Following his gaze, they saw Yako Tenma seated at the end of the conference table, someone Yugen had met not long ago.
"That's Yako Tenma?" Asuka Tenjoin said in surprise. "I heard he's the new leader of Industrial Illusions, and he's also a Legendary Duelist. He even dueled the first Duel King."
"That's right," Yugen nodded. "I dueled him too."
Both of his companions stared at him in shock.
"You? With someone at that level?"
"I'm ashamed," Yugen Do said calmly. "I won by just a slight margin. Pure luck."
Their expressions became even more exaggerated.
"Seriously?" Daichi Misawa could not help asking.
He had always known that Yugen was not ordinary, but to defeat a Duelist of that rank...
While they were speaking, a woman walked over quickly.
She wore a well tailored dark blue suit, elegant yet formal. Sunlight from the window fell across her long hair, giving it a faint golden sheen.
"Excuse me, are you Asuka Tenjoin and Yugen Fujiki?" she asked directly.
"Yes," Yugen Do replied. "May I ask...?"
"I apologize for the interruption. I'm Misaki Takahashi."
"The chief of the electronic research association?" Asuka Tenjoin said in surprise.
She was a major figure in the field.
"Yes. I've read your paper on Cyber Angel, and to be honest, it was quite shocking," Takahashi said with a smile. "If the developments mentioned in the paper have truly been completed, then what you've done is revolutionary. The word genius would not be enough."
"Thank you..." Asuka Tenjoin glanced at Yugen. "But most of the ideas were proposed by Yugen."
Takahashi's gaze moved between them, still smiling.
"I had not planned to attend the Student Council today. But after reading your paper, I changed my mind. Because I have a small request."
She revealed her Duel Disk.
"You brought the new Cyber Angel Deck with you, correct?"
Asuka Tenjoin nodded. "Yes."
"In that case," Takahashi said, raising the Duel Disk, "would you use it to Duel me?"
"Eh?" Asuka Tenjoin blinked.
I'm dueling the chief?
"Duel!" x2
Asuka Tenjoin, Life Points 4000. Misaki Takahashi, Life Points 4000.
There was still some time before the Student Council meeting began. Hearing that a Duel was about to start, experts from different fields gathered around to watch.
"Hmm? That one is from Cyber Angel?" "That's Misaki Takahashi, Association Chief, the top authority in the field," someone quickly recognized her. "Her opponent looks like a young girl. Does anyone know her?" "I heard she's a freshman from Duel Academy." "What? Seriously?"
The gold medal commentator Daichi Misawa had already taken his place, standing beside Yugen. He looked at the field with concern.
"Her opponent is a recognized authority, and she uses the same type of Deck as Asuka Tenjoin. Do you think she'll be fine?" "Being an expert just means strong research results. It does not necessarily mean she's unbeatable in a Duel. Besides, even in terms of research, we are not behind anymore," Yugen said with a smile. "I guess that's true..." "It's fine. Just watch." Yugen patted Daichi Misawa on the shoulder. "There's no problem."
"Well then, little sister, you can go first."
Misaki Takahashi showed the bearing of a veteran and generously gave up the first move.
Asuka Tenjoin nodded without hesitation. "My Turn! Draw!"
After her Draw, she quickly reviewed her hand, recalling the new lines of play developed after the digital reinforcement. She also thought of the adjustments she had made to her Deck under Yugen's advice.
"First, this Spell Card 'Terraforming'!" Asuka Tenjoin declared. "I add a Field Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I add 'Blessed Church-Ritual Cathedral'!"
Misaki Takahashi gave a slight nod. This Field was also a card previously developed by their Electronic Research Association, capable of searching key components from the Deck.
"Now I activate the Field Spell!"
As Asuka Tenjoin inserted the Card into her Duel Disk, the surroundings shifted. A grand cathedral rose from the ground, sunlight shining through stained glass and casting colored patterns across the floor as roses drifted down. An ornate altar stood at the center with a bible and a cross upon it.
"'Blessed Church-Ritual Cathedral' lets me discard one Spell Card to add either a Ritual Spell or a LIGHT Ritual Monster from my Deck to my hand."
She sent one card from her hand to the Graveyard and searched her Deck.
"I add 'Cyber Angel Benten' to my hand! Then I activate a Spell Card! 'Preparation of Rites'! I add a Level 7 or lower Ritual Monster from my Deck to my hand, then return a Ritual Spell from my Graveyard to my hand.
I add the Level 5 'Cyber Angel Nasha' to my hand, and return the discarded Ritual Spell 'Machine Angel Ritual'!"
"Nasha?" Misaki Takahashi looked surprised.
There is such a Cyber Angel? How have I never heard of it?
"Oh, we only completed this new card yesterday, so it might not be in the paper yet," Asuka Tenjoin said as she revealed the Ritual Monster. "Please give me your guidance during this Duel, Association Chief."
Misaki Takahashi stared at her. "You... in just a few days, you completed a brand new card never seen before?"
Even the other experts watching near the Student Council were shocked and looked at the students from Duel Academy with disbelief. A new card unknown even to the Electronic Research Association Association Chief.
"Interesting. Truly interesting." Misaki Takahashi's eyes shone with anticipation. "Let me see this new digital power."
"Of course."
Asuka Tenjoin raised her hand. "I activate the Ritual Spell 'Machine Angel Ritual' from my hand! I tribute monsters from my hand or field whose total Levels equal or exceed the Ritual monster, and Perform a Ritual Summon a Cyber Angel monster!
I tribute the Level 6 'Cyber Angel Benten'!"
She lifted her arm high.
"Angel of light who holds hidden healing power, descend with your beautiful form and bring sacred restoration! Come forth!
'Cyber Angel Nasha'!"
Cyber Angel Benten dissolved into flames upon the altar, holy light bursting outward. A red cloak fluttered as a golden helmet with four eyes opened at once. The four armed angel descended.
'Cyber Angel Nasha', ATK 1000.
"So this is the new Cyber Angel." Seeing a new angel after years of stalled research, Misaki Takahashi felt genuine excitement.
"But her ATK is only 1000," she pointed out. "'Cyber Angel Benten' has 1600 ATK. Why use it as tribute?"
Asuka Tenjoin smiled. "'Cyber Angel Benten' has a new effect. When used as tribute, I can add a LIGHT Fairy monster from my Deck to my hand. So I add this card."
She searched again and revealed a Ritual Monster.
"I add 'Cyber Angel Idaten' to my hand."
"I see. 'Cyber Angel Benten's true value appears when used as tribute," Misaki Takahashi nodded.
"Next, 'Cyber Angel Nasha' Effect Activation! Once Per Turn, I target one face up monster I control. I gain Life Points equal to half that monster's ATK.
I choose 'Cyber Angel Nasha' itself and gain 500 Life Points!"
Asuka Tenjoin: 4000 to 4500.
"A recovery effect," Misaki Takahashi said thoughtfully. "A defensive type Cyber Angel. That's rare."
Asuka Tenjoin simply smiled. Nasha's abilities were far more than that, but she said nothing.
"My Turn! end."
"Then, my turn. Draw." Misaki Takahashi responded. "I activate a Spell Card! 'Graceful Charity'. I draw three cards, then discard two."