https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-4-Duelists-Are-Forbidden-From-Fighting-Off-the-Stage/12555029/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-6-Talk-After-Winning-a-Championship/12555031/
Chapter 5: Joyous Duel
Chapter 5: Joyous Duel
You Xuan began to discover the joy of dueling in this alternate world. However, he soon realized that happiness in the world seemed to be conserved. Just as he started to enjoy himself, his fellow disciples at the gym seemed to lose interest in dueling.
Within just three days, no one was willing to play cards with him anymore. You Xuan could only look up and sigh.
Now, he began to understand why Yugi had mentioned that he had no friends before meeting Pharaoh. It seemed that those from the underworld didn't deserve friends.
Later, the incident even caught the attention of the gym leader.
The owner of the dojo was called Takeshita Kagemaru, and it was said that he had been one of the top 32 players in the small town's dueling tournament during his younger days. Gym Leader Takeshita had heard that one of his apprentices had been making tremendous strides in dueling lately, defeating his proud disciple, the senior disciple, and causing the other apprentices to become reclusive in just three days, to the point where no one was willing to challenge him anymore. Upon hearing this, Gym Leader Takeshita felt that he had to step in.
He immediately gathered all the apprentices and first praised You Xuan for his hard work and rapid improvement. Then, he criticized the other apprentices for their negative attitudes.
"It's unacceptable to shy away from challenges," the gym leader chided. "Dueling with strong opponents is meant to help you grow. It's a good thing when your opponent is strong. Otherwise, you'll end up only bullying weaker players, and what good will that do?"
The apprentices kept their heads down, not daring to utter a word.
"Never mind," Gym Leader Takeshita waved his hand dismissively and smiled at You Xuan, gesturing for him to come forward. "If they're not willing to duel, then I'll take on the challenge myself and see how much you've improved. It'll be a good opportunity to give you some pointers on your deck."
Finally, You Xuan had found someone willing to duel, and he still had several deck adjustments and strategies he wanted to test, so he readily accepted.
Alright, today's duel was with his master.
The master was very handsome, and he displayed the demeanor of a true gentleman by immediately offering the first turn to You Xuan. You Xuan politely accepted the advantage of going first.
He started by paying 1000 LP and activating the magic card "Arrest." This familiar opening move caused the other apprentices, who had suffered from it in the past three days, to shudder involuntarily, almost triggering PTSD.
The effect of "Arrest" was then activated.
You Xuan took a quick glance at his master's hand and zeroed in on the "Monster Reborn," discarding it without hesitation. He then normal summoned "Green Gear," whose effect allowed him to search for a "Red Gear" from his deck when successfully summoned. You Xuan proceeded to set three cards in the back row and ended his turn with a flourish.
It was now the master's turn. He played "Iron Knight - Gearfried," a four-star monster with an attack of 1800, which was quite impressive. However, it was of little use as the Iron Knight was immediately sent to the graveyard by You Xuan's trap card "Pitfall," which destroyed monsters with an attack of 1000 or more when they were summoned.
["Pitfall" - Destroy an opponent's monster with 1000 or more ATK when it is summoned.]
But the master lived up to his title; he remained unfazed and continued to play skillfully. Although he had lost his normal summon for this turn, he activated the effect of "Titan, the Stone Spirit" in his hand, which allowed him to special summon it by banishing a Rock-Type monster from the graveyard. He banished the Iron Knight and special summoned Titan to the field.
Master Takeshita then attacked the Green Gear with Titan, but You Xuan snapped his fingers, and a crimson trap card, "Red Pitfall," was revealed.
"I activate Nobleman's Solemn Oath!"
[Nobleman's Solemn Oath - When your opponent declares an attack, destroy all their attack position monsters.]
Master Takeshita: "..."
Having fallen into two traps in a row, the master could only sigh and pass his turn.
You Xuan's turn came around again, and after drawing a card, he played "Trick Goblin," paying 1000 LP to force his opponent to discard two cards.
Master Takeshita hung his head as he watched his hand shrink to a single card, reflecting on the cruel twists of fate. Meanwhile, You Xuan summoned the "Red Gear" he had searched for last turn, and its effect allowed him to search for a "Yellow Gear" from his deck when it was successfully summoned.
【Seal of the Ages】
【Trap/Effect: Skip your opponent's next draw phase during their turn.】
Unbelievable as it may seem, this otherworldly, overpowered card also belonged to none other than Duel King Yugi Mutou. Back in the day, during the Duelist Kingdom arc, Yami Yugi had used this very card against the fake card peddler, Gurusu, who was using a powerful Dark Magician Exodia deck.
Vaporizing his opponent's hand and then skipping their draw phase with this card was a brutal combo. Master Takeuchi looked at his own empty field, as pristine as a blank sheet, and then at the two eager gears on the opponent's field, and he couldn't help but seriously contemplate the feasibility of a physical duel.
". . ."
A minute later.
With his LP reduced to zero, the Gym Leader walked down from the dueling arena, looked up at the sky, and took a deep breath.
He began to question his life choices and why he had decided to duel with such an otherworldly deck.
The apprentice spectators wore mournful expressions.
Even the master had fallen!
Before this duel, they had all harbored some expectations. Everyone felt that while they were powerless against this oppressive deck and experienced a sense of frustration, being unable to play their cards effectively, it was mostly due to their own lack of skill. If a true expert were to face this deck, the outcome would surely be different.
However, reality struck hard. Their master had stepped up, duked it out, and thrown in the towel just like the rest of them.
The process was almost identical to each of their duels against You Xuan over the past few days!
It was a blow to their worldview, shattering their perception of the dueling world. They felt endless gloom about the future of the entire dueling world and shared a similar thought—
"How could the invincible master lose to a socially-challenged, revenge-seeking duelist? Why am I having such a nightmare?"
You Xuan's strategy for this test was quite simple—a combination of the early traditional Beatdown and hand destruction.
Old-time players of Yu-Gi-Oh! knew that in the days when monster effects weren't as powerful as they are today and when deck mechanics and combos weren't nearly as extravagant, powerful magic and trap cards held a much more significant position in mainstream decks.
The Red, Green, and Yellow Gears had effects that allowed them to search for each other when summoned, replenishing the hand and preventing a shortage of monsters. Meanwhile, the powerful Red Pitfall and magic cards continuously broke through the opponent's resources, widening the gap between the two players, ultimately leading to an insurmountable lead.
You Xuan humbly asked for advice, "Master, what do you think of my deck? Do you have any pointers for me?"
Gym Leader Takeuchi snapped out of his life contemplation at the sound of You Xuan's voice and gave him a meaningful look. It was strange; this young man was quite handsome and sunny, but ever since their duel, the mere sight of his face made the gym leader's heart skip a beat.
Pointers? Hmph, what could I possibly teach you?
You're so incredible that it should be you teaching me.
To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that he felt a little embarrassed about losing face, he would have genuinely considered asking You Xuan for guidance.
He wanted to learn from You Xuan, especially how to duel in a way that brought such despair to his opponents.
"I have nothing more to teach you," Gym Leader Takeuchi sighed and said helplessly.
"Oh, right, Master, I have another request," You Xuan said.
"What is it?"
"I want to take the entrance exam for the Duel Academy. I was wondering if I could apply for a scholarship from the Gym," You Xuan said.
(End of Chapter)
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