Yugioh [734-737] (Patreon)

Chapter 734: The Inheritance

"Why."

The D dropped to his knees like a classic Conan pose, and the cards in his Duel Disk spilled everywhere with a clatter—almost as if scattering your deck on a loss were some kind of curse.

"I even summoned Plasma," he muttered to himself. "I even sold my soul—why? How can I still not win!?"

"So even like this, I'm still not the strongest?"

"Am I—Wrrrrrrrry!"

His expression twisted; he screamed in pain.

The Plasma card fell to the floor, and from its lower edge poured a vast white light. That light writhed through the air, morphing into a monstrous form that brandished razor claws, a dragon-headed component as a weapon grafted to its arm, and slowly unfurled bone wings behind it—a dim, feral echo of Plasma.

It flailed and howled, mad and ravenous, as if it hated the world and thirsted to devour everything.

Aster looked at the Plasma he had chased his whole life, stared at that terrifying demon—a shape that seemed cursed—and for no reason felt fear… and sorrow.

"So this is Father's life's work—the last card he left behind," Aster murmured. "This kind of monster…"

"No, Aster."

Kira's voice rang out. Aster glanced at him, puzzled.

Kira walked up beside him and patted his shoulder.

"That isn't the card your father left. It's just a cuckoo stealing the nest—a monster that usurped his power. But don't worry, it's a paper tiger—formidable on the outside, hollow within."

The Plasma formed by the Light of Destruction roared in fury. It raised its dragon head, and a cloud of blood mist took shape as a flying dragon head, roaring as it lunged at Kira.

But Kira didn't react at all; he didn't even blink.

A sword light flashed.

The Black Luster Soldier drew his blade. The aura of chaos howled as it cleaved the blood-red, surging dragon head to pieces—then, without losing momentum, it cut straight through to Plasma.

Plasma roared but still couldn't stop its body from being sliced in two. The sundered form quickly unraveled, reverting into white light. The light briefly congealed into a hideous giant face, like a resentful demon bellowing one last time, then dissipated completely.

When the white light faded, The D's eyes went dull as well, as if his soul had been sucked out. He toppled over, motionless.

"I-Is it over?"

Aster was still a little dazed.

But he had truly felt the power of that strike. He'd never seen such formidable spirit power—or no, not just the extraordinary power of a spirit. Even during the duel, the Black Luster Soldier had displayed exceptional strength.

Like the first Duel King's ace, Dark Magician—on its face just a normal, mortal card, yet the related spells, traps, endless new forms and "re-skins" all testified to the monster's potential.

And the Black Luster Soldier—at least from Aster's perspective—had shown only part of its abilities in that duel, yet was already at the apex of current Duel Monster standards.

So this is the power of the Duel King's ace?

Aster drifted only for a moment, then reeled his thoughts back in. He didn't have time for this right now.

Kira stepped forward and picked up the fallen Plasma.

Aster's heart clenched.

In that duel, he had clearly seen it: his father's soul sealed within Plasma.

An illusion?

But his father had unmistakably spoken to him, revealing information about the Light of Destruction. If that was an illusion, it was far too real.

So now that the evil power had been cut down by the Black Luster Soldier, what about Father?
Did he die?

Aster knew in his heart that his father had actually died years ago. What remained within Plasma was an unfreed spirit. Yet even so—

Kira walked toward him.

Kira reached out—and handed him the card.

Aster froze.

"I believe this is yours," Kira said. "Your father's most important card, and your father's… soul? I think so."

Aster blinked twice.

After a moment, his pupils contracted; his eyes widened despite himself.

"Y-You mean he's still…?"

Kira looked puzzled. "Didn't you just see him and speak with him? Of course, his soul is still in this card. It's bound for now, but I have the world's top laboratory, backed by both KaibaCorp and the Industrial Illusion. We can support it scientifically and supernaturally.

I think it's not impossible to release Mr. Phoenix from this card's curse."

Aster's eyes went wide.

Ten years ago, the moment his father died, his time stopped—stalled in darkness. Over the years, the search for truth and revenge had been his greatest goal, but even that ultimate purpose lay in darkness.

This might be the first time in ten years he'd seen hope.

But the hope was too beautiful, too dreamlike; he didn't dare believe. It felt like a shimmering bubble—if he reached out, it would pop.

Can I really believe?
Could I truly see Father again outside a dream?

"Of course, I can't be sure how hard this will be. I only think it's possible—and worth trying."

Kira paused, glanced at The D collapsed on the ground.

"Also, I think that guy only used the tip of Plasma's power. There are greater secrets and potential hidden in this card. Plenty to develop and excavate—this is the most precious legacy your father left the world, and it merits our care and development."

At that, Aster's expression dimmed a little.

"Father's most precious… legacy?"

"What is it?"

"No, it's nothing. It's just…"

Aster hesitated.

"It's just that this card's birth not only took Father's life—it's brought curses and disaster ever since. Who knows how many people have suffered because of it…"

"That was the Light of Destruction," Kira cut him off.

"The card's spirit is innocent—or rather, also a victim. Are you really going to pin the crimes of a mad force from the cosmos on your father's legacy, his final life's work?

Or will you use this card from now on to do the right thing—to prove the card isn't wrong, only the evil men who scheme to misuse it?"

Aster's gaze flickered; waves crashed in his heart.

"Right now, my lab has an opening—a perfect chance—and we're missing a key person. So the question is—"

Kira once more held Plasma out to Aster.

"Will you come?"

Aster drew a deep breath.

He knew he had decided.

Chapter 735: Duel Physics

"I see, so Plasma has been taken as well."

Mello, as always in a white suit, sank into his comfy armchair. His cane leaned nearby; his deck lay on the side table.

A subordinate in the Society of Light's white uniform reported beside him.

"Yes, the intel is confirmed. Duel King Fujiki Kira intercepted the world champion The D on his cruise ship.

They dueled, but it seems The D lost again, and that card was taken…"

"I see."

Mello took an unhurried sip of coffee.

"Well, he may be a champion, but his opponent is the Duel King. It's only natural."

He paused, eyes narrowing.

"Duel King Fujiki Kira… an increasingly intriguing man."

Behind him, the Society member hesitated, then blurted, "But, sir… Plasma is an important sample—the first card in this world to make contact with the Light's power.

Now that it's in the Duel King's hands, isn't that—?"

"It's fine," Mello said coolly. "It's only a vessel. A good vessel, yes, but a vessel nonetheless. If it's taken, let him have it. It doesn't matter.

More than that, the duel itself interests me."

He flicked his fingers; white light condensed into a projected display in front of him, replaying Kira's clash with The D.

Mello stared straight at the Black Luster Soldier on-screen, looking ever more fascinated.

"The legendary strongest warrior—indeed a very interesting spirit. And no doubt this still isn't the Duel King's full strength."

He propped his chin, pondering.

"No, rather, it's unclear how much of his power he's shown at all. Has any opponent even made him serious yet?"

The Society member behind him asked, puzzled, "Is he that strong?"

"Of course. Don't underestimate this world's duelists. And this one is the man at its peak—he has more than you can imagine."

Mello paused, then shifted topics.

"What about the Doctor?"

"Oh." The member checked a file. "He's scheduled to land on Duel Academy Island tomorrow. He's fully one of ours now."

"Good."

Mello lazily lifted his coffee again and smiled.

"A man this world hails as possessing the strongest duel logic, a ten-time consecutive winner of the Nobel award-winning German physicist. If it's his duel, it should be worth watching."

"Absolutely," the member nodded. "He's not easy to recruit. Even with the Society's resources, it's hard to bring someone like him out.

If he takes the field, he'll surely take down the Duel King—"

"Take down?"

Mello gave the subordinate a sidelong glance, then chuckled.

"Don't be foolish."

The member froze.

Mello said, "I only hope that old man can at least last a bit longer—so I can see how many more tricks the Duel King has."

Member: "…"

…

Kira had long planned to secure Plasma—but not for himself. He wanted the card, but he also wanted Aster.

Just as he recruited Kaiser to join the lab for Cyber Dragon research, Aster Phoenix is the world's sole wielder of Destiny HERO. The deck was designed by his father specifically for him; it's uniquely his. From a destiny-force perspective, no one is better suited to lead Destiny HERO development.

Plasma is very strong in this environment, but Kira is more interested in Plasma as a printed card than the original anime version.

The anime Plasma has its virtues, but most of its abilities require the spell "D – Force" to unlock—kind of a trap.

Even if you use the destiny-skill Plasma and D – Force together forever, D – Force still has the side effect of preventing you from drawing while it sits on top of your deck. Not drawing is… pretty rough.

And even with such a hefty downside, the anime D – Force isn't stronger than the printed one. Anime D – Force merely makes Plasma unaffected by effects that "target," but non-targeting effects still hit.

Meaning if the opponent plays Dark Hole, Plasma still gets destroyed—and even if it's destroyed, D – Force stays on top of your deck, and you still can't draw. That's basically a self-funeral.

All told, Kira prefers the version he knows: the printed Plasma.

So, for a printed-card development track, handing the original to Aster and bringing him into the lab is the best move.

He arranged for Aster to join, and Kira also synced with KaibaCorp to schedule experts for joint work. Plasma would undergo both potential excavation and a project to free the soul imprisoned within.

The next day, with everything arranged, Kira packed up and left the lab for the classroom—
To attend class.

Together with Misawa and Alexis, also coming from the lab.

Yes, even the Duel King attends class.

No one forces him, and he doesn't go to everything—only courses he finds interesting or helpful.

Unfortunately, after Professor Lyman vanished, the alchemy class turned shallow. The replacement teacher was a by-the-book type. Kira lost interest after half a lecture and never returned.

A shame: alchemy had been the course he felt he gained the most from. He'd found it closely related to Duel Monsters and dark powers; much of his knowledge and technique came from Lyman.

He knew the professor was in the cat, but it wasn't as convenient to consult as before.

Kira entered the classroom, then halted, frowning slightly.

Empty—no one there.

Did he go to the wrong room?
"Strange," Alexis looked around, puzzled. "Wrong classroom?"

Misawa stepped into the hall, checked the room number and the schedule—no, correct.

He confirmed the time—it was class time.

"I never get the time wrong," Misawa frowned. "Did everyone decide to cut together?"

Or—

A voice echoed in the classroom.

"I have taught countless students in my life, but frankly, it's the first time I've had a student as distinguished as the Duel King."

Kira looked over. A short, white-haired old man had appeared in the room at some point, wearing a lab coat and a slightly silly pair of glasses.

The little old man pushed up his frames and smiled.

"Let me test how well you've grasped Duel Physics."

Chapter 736: The Genius Doctor

Misawa Daichi was the first to cry out, "Doctor!?"

The other two looked at him in surprise.

"You know him?"

"You don't?"

Misawa stared back at them, agog.

"This is the towering figure of Duel Physics—famous for his quantum duel theory, Dr. Eisenstein!"

Kira: "?"

The name "Eisenstein" was odd enough—what's a quantum duel theory?

But when Misawa said it, it did ring a bell.

There was a doctor like this in GX, and as the name suggests, he's basically a parody of a certain famous figure. He even debuted with a tongue-out photo—homage plastered on his face.

In the anime, he was recruited by the whitewashed Prince Ojin under Sartorius's brainwashing to defeat Jaden in a duel and seize the Satellite SORA activation key.

Of course, results speak: he proved logic and calculation crumble before godly topdecks. Jaden beat him easily, once again defending the honor of the Topdeck Faction.

"Oh? A student who recognizes me—very good."

Dr. Eisenstein looked at Misawa, nodding with satisfaction, a "teachable lad" expression on his face.

"Of course, Doctor, you're my idol!" Misawa beamed. "I've read every one of your papers—especially your Grand Unified Duel Theory—magnificent!"

Meeting a fan, the Doctor was gratified. He nodded: "You're a promising kid. If there's a chance, I can personally tutor you. But today, I have other business."

He squinted at Kira.

"Young Duel King, care to try this old man's Duel physics?"

Duel physics—
Kira found the phrase odd; it conjured images of cardplay involving body checks and movement inputs.

Misawa, moments ago a fervent fan, looked conflicted at the prospect of a duel with Kira. "Huh? Doctor, you're dueling Kira?"

Dr. Eisenstein smiled at his little fan. "What? Worried for your classmate?"

Misawa shook his head. "No, I'm worried you'll get beaten by Kira and quit dueling forever and stop doing research…"

Dr. Eisenstein: "…"

Even his fan said that. The old man felt his face darken and harrumphed. "The Duel King's title is grand, but I don't walk among laymen nor compete for rankings. If you think that makes defeating me a foregone conclusion—you may be surprised."

"A quick question."

Kira stepped onto the platform, eyeing the old man's blindingly white getup.

"Let me guess—are you here on behalf of the Society of Light?"

"The Society's theories are interesting—their understanding of people and dueling, of the universe, aligns with my unified theory…" Dr. Eisenstein said. "But dueling you is something I've wanted to do anyway. Who I'm doing it for doesn't matter.

As the Duel King, you won't refuse, will you?"

"Of course not."

Kira smiled and unfolded his Duel Disk.

"I'd like to experience, firsthand, the famed Dr. Eisenstein's duel theory."

"Duel!" x2
[Kira, LP 4000]

[Eisenstein, LP 4000]

"Then I'll go first. Draw!" Dr. Eisenstein said. "I activate the Field Spell: Relativity Field!" (Anime Card)

The card slotted in; the surroundings shifted. The classroom became a dark starry sky—like the vast cosmos.

"Relativity Field?" Alexis frowned. "Never heard of it…"

"Heh, naturally. It's my own research result—you won't see it elsewhere."

Dr. Eisenstein explained with a smile.

"In this field, whenever either player's Life Points are reduced, every monster on the field at that moment must suffer a decrease in ATK equal to the LP lost, and remains decreased until it leaves the field."

"Tying LP damage to monster power," Alexis said.

"Then I set a monster in face-down defense and end my turn."

"The legendary master of duel physics," Misawa said, full of anticipation. "I bet his dueling has some special twist."

"Then it's my turn. Draw."

Kira drew and immediately revealed a card.

"I activate the Spell, Reasoning. My opponent declares any level from 1 to 12; I reveal cards from the top of my deck until I reveal a monster that can be Normal Summoned.

If that monster's Level matches the declared level, all revealed cards go to the Graveyard. If not, that monster is Special Summoned."

"Declare a level?" Dr. Eisenstein smiled. "From a probability standpoint, Level 4 is most likely. I declare Level 4."

Kira flipped six cards; the seventh was a monster he could summon.

"A monster that can be Normal Summoned: Machina Fortress," Kira said. "It's Level 7, different from your declaration.

Therefore, Machina Fortress is Special Summoned."

[Machina Fortress, ATK 2500]

"Oh? Starting strong, I see."

Dr. Eisenstein narrowed his eyes.

"Then at this moment, I discard Singularity Fiend and another Spell from my hand to activate its effect.

When your opponent Special Summons a monster, discard this card with a Spell from your hand: negate that Special Summon and destroy it." (Anime Card)
In the anime, he used this to negate and destroy Jaden's Flame Wingman Fusion Summon.

"Singularity Fiend's effect—destroy Machina Fortress!"

A red demon's phantom flashed on Kira's field, cackling mockingly. It spread its arms; a blood-red vortex opened in space. The freshly arrived Fortress was sucked in and burst apart with a boom.

"Impressive," Kira nodded, genuinely impressed.

This wasn't sarcasm. The Doctor's deck is full of Anime Cards—his duel-physics research results, his exclusives.

Whatever else, this hand-trap that stops Special Summons during the opponent's turn is strong. It reminded Kira of a later archetype—Sky Strikers—negating a Special Summon while stocking Spells in the GY would be great.

"Then I activate the Spell, Take Over 5, sending the top five cards of my deck to the Graveyard."

Kira milled five. Dr. Eisenstein frowned, sensing something off.

Over ten cards to the GY on turn one?

Chapter 737: The Draw Paradox

Kira dumped five, but his turn continued.

"Even though Machina Fortress's Summon failed, it also has a self-revive effect," Kira said. "Discard Machine-Type monsters whose total Levels equal 8 or more from hand; revive Machina Fortress from the GY."

He flashed a card in hand.

"I discard the Level 8 Machina Megaform from my hand to revive Fortress!"

A heavy rumble; gears ground, treads slammed down, and the massive cannon locked on.

[Machina Fortress, ATK 2500]

"Fortress, attack the face-down monster."

The heavy cannon fired and blew open the set card.

[Skelengel, DEF 400]

"When Skelengel is flipped, I draw a card from my deck."

Dr. Eisenstein drew.

Kira: "My turn ends."

Eisenstein: "My turn—draw."

He glanced at Kira with a mischievous smile.

"I activate this from my hand—

—Continuous Spell: Schrödinger's Cat!" (Anime Card)

Kira raised a brow.

Another strange one.

A cat in a white suit appeared, hat perched on its twitching tail, posing like an elegant magician.

"Whenever I draw cards outside my Draw Phase, after confirming the cards, I can choose to return them to the deck and shuffle.

If I use this effect to return and shuffle, I then draw the same number of cards. But if I use this effect to draw, I can't use Schrödinger's Cat to draw again that turn."

Misawa nodded. "So it increases the odds of finding what you need."

"I activate Pot of Greed to draw two."

The Doctor drew two and peered at them.

"Hm… I'll use Schrödinger's Cat to return these to the deck and draw two again."

He redrew and smiled.

"Now I'll summon this guy. Normal Summon Laplace the Fiend Mathematician!"

Though "mathematician," he looked like a goat-skulled demon.

[Laplace the Fiend Mathematician, ATK 1000]

"Then I set two backrow. Next, I activate the Spell, Dimensionhole!"

Dr. Eisenstein continued.

"Dimensionhole targets one of my monsters and banishes it until my next Standby Phase. While it's banished, the Monster Zone remains unusable.

I banish Laplace the Fiend Mathematician!"

A massive wormhole yawed open in the cosmos, as if to swallow starlight. Laplace was dragged in and vanished.

"Banishing your own monster?" Alexis asked.

"Heh, smart girl. But Laplace has a special talent," the Doctor said. "When Laplace leaves the field, for each card on the field, he deals 300 damage to the opponent!"

Misawa nodded. "So you purposely set backrow before Dimensionhole—"

"Now I have a Field Spell, the Continuous Spell Schrödinger's Cat, and two set cards. You have Machina Fortress. That's five cards total.

So, 1500 damage!"

The departed demon appeared half-transparent, chanting. Numbers and formulas flooded the air, surrounding Kira and piercing through him.

The power of knowledge.jpg.

[Kira, LP 4000 → 2500]

"And the Relativity Field activates," Eisenstein said. "Since you took damage, every monster on your field must suffer an ATK drop equal to the damage dealt, until it leaves the field.

Machina Fortress loses 1500 ATK."

[Machina Fortress, ATK 2500 → 1000]

"I see—attacking the duelist also attacks the monster!" Misawa said. "So this is Dr. Eisenstein's duel style."

"My turn ends."

Kira: "My turn—draw."

Before he could, the Doctor cut in: "Wait! During your Draw Phase, a trap activates!
Continuous Trap: Draw Paradox!"

A set card flipped up.

"As long as this card remains, neither player can draw during their own Draw Phase," Dr. Eisenstein said. "Instead, each player may draw one card during the opponent's Draw Phase.

So now, during your Draw Phase, I draw."

Misawa: "?"

Alexis: "?"

What kind of card is this?
Kira frowned slightly.

"I see. The master of duel physics lives up to his name."

Printing a card this busted does take a master.

Swapping both players' draw timing to the opponent's turn. On the surface it looks fair, but your opponent controls the timing, easily maintaining card advantage and even using it to pseudo-Seal your crucial draw. And it's a trap—you can tribute or destroy it before your own Draw Phase comes.

And since it makes the "normal draw" an "effect draw," you open up even more ways to negate drawing. Draw one on their turn, then negate your draw on your turn; the card advantage gap might already be lethal.

In the anime world, no one cares about "game balance." Duelists who can wield them are the strong.

Judging from Singularity Fiend and Draw Paradox, the Doctor's customs are potent. If he made all these, his reputation may not be empty.

"Then I activate the grave effect of Take Over 5," Kira said. "During my Standby Phase, I banish this card from my GY and a copy from my deck to draw one."

Kira drew.

"Hm. So you managed to draw even under Draw Paradox," Eisenstein frowned, displeased his draw lock didn't fully land.

"Then I'll add this—
Trap: Thunder of Ruler!"

The other set card flipped.

"This Trap can only be activated during the Standby Phase. This turn, your Battle Phase is skipped!"