"No need to thank me… so now, be buried in the bottomless abyss."
Raku's previously gentle expression instantly faded, replaced by a smile.
"Eh?!!"
The bit of emotion Phila had just felt caught in her throat. Her eyes widened, her face filled with shock.
"Being able to understand the meaning of the undead; that was lesson one. You got full marks."
Raku crossed his arms. That smile slowly twisted again, a hint of malicious playfulness returning to his exaggerated expression.
"Now it's lesson two! For a Duelist, victory is just as important."
He raised a finger and shook it.
"Of course, as your instructor, I'll go easy on you. But now that you've resolved yourself, it's time for me to actually play Yu-Gi-Oh!. One thing is one thing; teaching is teaching, and victory is another matter entirely, Phila!"
"At the end of your turn–" Raku suddenly swung his arm back, "I activate my set cards! Eldlixir of Scarlet Sanguine, and Eldlixir of White Destiny! Chain-1 Scarlet, Chain-2 White!"
Two pillars of light pierced through the marble floor of the castle–one red, one white–intertwining into an overwhelming pressure.
"Eldlixir of White Destiny's first effect: I Special Summon 1 Zombie monster from my hand or Graveyard. If I do not control an 'Eldlich' monster, I can only Special Summon 'Eldlich' monsters with this effect. After this card resolves, I cannot Special Summon monsters except Zombies until the end of the turn."
Raku pointed at the white pillar of light.
"I Special Summon Eldlich the Golden Lord that was just sent to the Graveyard by your King of the Skull Servants!"
The shattered gold reassembled in an instant. The magnificent lich king returned from hell once more, landing firmly on Raku's field.
"Next, Scarlet Sanguine's first effect! I Special Summon 1 Zombie monster from my Deck or Graveyard. Same restrictions as White Destiny."
A card popped out from the Duel Disk.
"From my Deck, I Special Summon a second Eldlich the Golden Lord!"
A second massive golden body formed within the red pillar of light. The two Eldlich stood side by side, their cold masks gazing down at the white-haired girl.
"Then it's my turn–draw!"
Raku drew a card sharply, wasting no time as he pointed forward.
"Next, Vampire Fraulein switches to Attack Position."
The Fraulein who had been crouched in defense stood upright, elegantly resting her lace parasol on her shoulder.
"Battle Phase! Eldlich, attack her Uni-Zombie!"
The first Eldlich strode forward, its heavy fist crashing down without mercy. The singing zombie was instantly swallowed by golden light.
"2500 Attack versus 1300 Attack… take that 1200 damage!"
Bang!
The shockwave forced Phila to stagger back half a step.
[Phila, LP: 1500 → 300]
"Next, Vampire Fraulein attacks."
Raku stood between the two Eldlich, his gaze sharp.
"Brace yourself! Vampire Fraulein attacks Moissa Wight directly! 600 minus 300–300 damage left, just enough to bring your Life Points to zero!"
Hearing the command, Fraulein turned her head and glanced at Raku.
Then, holding her parasol, she walked gracefully toward Phila's field.
The skeletal knight in purple armor raised its shield, trying to stand in front of Phila.
However–
Fraulein walked up to it and, without even using her parasol, simply extended her lace-gloved hand and pushed the knight aside with visible disdain.
The pushed-aside skeleton knight offered no resistance. It even shrugged its bony shoulders in a strangely human manner, then collapsed onto the ground, turning into a cloud of violet mist and entering the Graveyard.
This wasn't a battle at all.
Vampire Fraulein continued forward until she stood directly in front of Phila.
Phila looked at the sister so close before her–the spirit she had relied on all this time. She tightly shut her eyes, preparing to endure the decisive blow.
Fraulein raised her hand, clenching it into a fist.
In the next moment, that pale fist came down.
There was no expected pain, no impact of being struck away.
That fist simply landed lightly, with a hint of complaint, against Phila's cheek.
And–
In the instant Phila opened her eyes in shock, Vampire Fraulein spread her arms and pulled the trembling white-haired girl tightly into an embrace.
[Phila, LP: 300 → 0]
The harsh sound of Life Points dropping to zero echoed through the castle.
Albeit Phila could no longer hear it.
She buried her head in the layered folds of Fraulein's Gothic dress, tears streaming uncontrollably.
This time, not out of fear, nor weakness.
She raised both arms and tightly hugged the spirit before her.
"I'm sorry…"
With tears flowing, Phila revealed a happy smile within the embrace.
"I finally understand what you wanted… I'm sorry…"
It took Phila several minutes to recover from the cold yet gentle embrace. She wiped the tears from her face.
"Mr. Wandering Spirit, please teach me what it means to have a Duelist's iron will and steel-like resilience! I want to become that kind of Duelist… to properly protect my companions."
Phila bowed solemnly, her silver twin tails falling in front of her chest.
"Of course. But my training will be a bit harsh."
Raku forced his facial muscles to stay composed. The collar of his coat hid the curve of a smile he could barely suppress.
"I'll do my best. No matter what kind of training it is, I can accept it."
The girl's resolve was so moving that even the Skeleton King beside them wiped away tears that didn't exist.
...
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