"My turn, draw!"
The shop owner's voice remained full of vigor, showing not the least bit of uncertainty despite his Life Point disadvantage. As he looked at the card he had just drawn, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"Little miss, the duel is only just beginning! I Normal Summon—[Volcanic Rocket]!"
With a burst of mechanical rumbling, a missile-shaped monster with a peculiar design appeared on the field.
"I activate its first effect: when this card is Normal Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned, you can add 1 'Blaze Accelerator' card from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand."
Here it comes: the classic search. If he gets that cannon capable of blowing up the entire field, the situation will instantly reverse.
However, Rikka was prepared.
"Not a chance!"
She pointed at the card she had just set in her back row, her voice as sharp as a command.
"I chain! C2, activate Trap Card—[Starry Knight Blast]!"
A Trap Card burning with golden flames flipped open, illuminating half the field.
"You can only activate 1 card with this name per turn. Its effect: when your opponent activates a Spell, Trap, or monster effect, you can return 1 Level 7 LIGHT Dragon monster you control to the hand; negate that effect, and if you do, destroy it!"
"Come back! [Starry Night, Starry Dragon]!"
At her call, the majestic white dragon turned into a streak of light. Instead of attacking, it flew straight back into Rikka's hand.
"And as the cost, your [Volcanic Rocket]'s effect is negated! And destroyed!"
Boom!
Before the mechanical missile could even transmit its search signal, a golden divine flame descended from above, burning it into scrap metal.
"Wha… what? It negates and destroys? And it even works on all three types, monster, Spell, and Trap?!"
A collective gasp rose from the surrounding diners.
In an environment where everyone was still playing Normal Monsters clashing head-on or simply competing with raw Attack power, this kind of all-purpose disruption that could shut down an opponent's play from any angle was practically cheating.
"There's actually a play like this…"
Someone couldn't help but marvel. "So this is what they call… skill?"
However, just when everyone thought the shop owner's offense had been dismantled, the plump man suddenly laughed.
"Impressive! Truly impressive!"
Looking at his now-empty Monster Zone, he showed no frustration. Instead, he burst into laughter as if his scheme had succeeded.
"What a pity, little miss.
"Experience wins out! That Rocket just now… was only to bait out your move!"
The shop owner slammed the last card in his hand onto the Duel Disk.
"I activate directly from my hand—[Blaze Accelerator]!!!"
So he already had it in hand! That search earlier was just a smokescreen, meant to trick Rikka into returning her only monster on the field!
Now, Rikka only had Rayel on the field. As long as this cannon resolves, for a Volcanic Deck, dealing 3500 damage is easy.
"It's over, she got tricked!" someone cried out.
At that critical moment, Rikka suddenly crossed her arms. That imitation of Chairman Kaiba's signature arrogant laugh appeared again; though her soft, cute voice made it lack any real intimidation, the confidence behind it was absolutely genuine.
"What?!" The shop owner's smile froze on his face.
"Look at your feet! The second effect of the Continuous Spell Card [Starry Knight Ceremony] in my back row activates!"
Rikka swung her arm sharply, that air of total control making even Raku raise an eyebrow.
"If your opponent activates a card or effect: Special Summon 1 Level 7 LIGHT Dragon monster from your hand!!!"
"No way?!"
Someone among the onlookers immediately objected, "That's a Continuous Spell, right? Spell Cards can't be activated during the opponent's turn, can they? It's not a Quick-Play Spell!"
"Hmph, amateur."
Rikka let out a snort, her ahoge swaying smugly.
"This is a Trigger Effect! As long as the trigger condition, 'if your opponent activates an effect', is met, even a Continuous Spell can be activated in a Chain during the opponent's turn!"
"What?!" Seemed like the person was evidently unfamiliar with such advanced rule interactions and was left stunned.
"And the one I'm Special Summoning is the very card I just returned to my hand with [Starry Knight Blast]—"
Rikka raised the card she had just retrieved, starlight gathering once more.
"Descend once more, my soul—[Starry Night, Starry Dragon]!!!"
Light burst forth.
The white dragon that had just left the field reappeared as if it had never gone, descending upon the battlefield with even more dazzling brilliance.
That regained presence felt even more oppressive than before.
"And [Starry Night, Starry Dragon]'s first effect activates again!"
Rikka's finger pointed straight at the shop owner's still-warm Spell Card.
"When this card is Normal or Special Summoned from the hand, target 1 card on the field; destroy it!!!"
"I destroy your [Blaze Accelerator]! As a Continuous Spell, once it's destroyed and leaves the field, its effects no longer apply!"
"Roar!!!"
The white dragon roared once more, unleashing another devastating blast of starlight.
Boom!!!
The cannon that had just been set up, not even having the chance to fire a single shot, was blown into countless particles of light before the shop owner's despairing eyes.
This time, there was truly nothing left.
A complete loss of resources.
"Hah…"
The shop owner let out a long breath, looking at the proud white dragon standing in the starlight, and at the girl who, though panting, had bright eyes.
After a brief silence, he suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"I've lost! And I accept it wholeheartedly!"
He placed his chubby hand on his Deck; the sign of surrender.
"Alright, little miss! Your table is on the house today! Eat whatever you want, order whatever you like!"
As the virtual projections faded, the restaurant lights came back on, and the lively atmosphere unique to a hotpot restaurant returned.
"A Duelist as strong as you is just what we need! Not only are your plays spectacular, your understanding of the rules is impeccable! You should definitely eat more and replenish yourself!"
"Yayyy!!!"
Rikka cheered, the cold and aloof persona she had been imitating breaking apart.
Although the continuous high-intensity summons and chains had drained her Soul Power, leaving her somewhat exhausted, the moment she heard the words "eat whatever you want," her foodie instincts surged back.
"I want an extra order of shrimp paste! And tripe! And that most expensive marbled beef!"
She flopped back into her seat, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Raku, her expression that of someone seeking praise; without a trace of the duel queen from moments ago.
"So, big brother? Was I awesome or what?"
Raku looked at her and couldn't help but smile, handing her the menu.
"Awesome. Quite awesome."
He meant it. This kind of mind game that made use of the rules was what made dueling truly fascinating.
"Eat more. Recharge your brain. You must've burned quite a few brain cells explaining all that just now."
"That's not it! That's just common knowledge! You get it or not?!"
...
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