"Zzz… Mmm? Why do I feel like something's on top of me… Eh?"
"Hehe, good morning A-chan."
Amber Class Dorm, Aaron's room. His alarm clock has not rung yet, so the time was before 6 in the morning. During this time, Aaron suddenly woke up for no reason at all and found the loli principal Sol Kage- No, Kyuubihime lying on top of his sleeping form during that morning where the sun had only risen a bit. That was not the only thing that had shocked him. She was wearing her kimono loosely to the point where he can almost see-
"WAAAA!"
Aaron screamed so loudly that even the dorm shook a little. He got up quickly without caring that Kyuubihime was on top of him and backed away from her till his back touched the wall.
"W-W-W-What are you doing here, Sol Kage-san?!"
"Isn't it obvious? I came to take some of your s- I mean, I came to wake you up.
"Did I just hear something dangerous in the middle of your words?! Anyway, how did you manage to enter my room?"
"Hehe, did you forget about my powers already, A-chan?"
"Eh? Ah, that's right… You can travel between Earth and Cray while bringing your body along with you… If you do that while in Cray to transfer into my room, then that will be easy…"
"No, I didn't go that far, A-chan. I just melt the window so I can go inside."
"You did something like that?! That's property damage, you know?! And who do you think will pay for the melted glass?"
"I've already fixed the window, so you don't have to worry it A-chan. …Probably."
"Probably?! Why did that word suddenly came out at the very end?! Did you really fix the window?"
"I did! Look, you can see for yourself."
As Sol Kage pointed at the direction of the window, Aaron looked towards it. Sure enough, there was no sign of any kind of hole made on the glass. In fact, there was not even a hint of glass that Aaron could see on the window.
"…Fine, I'll get Hiromi-sensei to fix it. Anyway, why did you come here Sol Kage-san? I'm sure it's not just to wake me up or something like that."
"Hehe, I want you to do the usual for me today too."
With a brush in one hand, Sol Kage smiled at the still sleepy Aaron.
"Fine… I'll brush your tails for you."
"Yeah! Thank you, A-chan! Your brushing is always the best."
Just like that, Aaron spent an hour brushing the nine tails coming out from behind Sol Kage while enduring the constant harassment which made him tired both mentally and physically.
"Fuah… So tired."
Phys Ed. on the first period. Other than the Amber Class, there were also the Amethyst and Emerald Class doing the joint Phys Ed.. Furthermore, the second years were also having their Phys Ed. along with the first years, although the place remained as spacious as ever inside the closed air stadium.
"Watch out, Aaron!"
"Eh- Woah?!"
With speed rivaling that of Monaka's Iai technique, Aaron dodged the ball which had been aimed directly at his head. On a side note, the boys were playing dodgeball while the girls were playing volleyball. And the second years and first years were facing off each other.
"Phew, that was close… Woah?!"
Another ball was narrowly dodged by Aaron. And then another one. And then another. And now almost all the second years were aiming the balls at Aaron due to his dodging speed being a threat to them. Unfortunately for them, Aaron had been in many situations dodging all sorts of things mainly knives and Chocolat's bullets when he was hanging out with the Battle Sisters, so his reaction speed was beyond first class.
"I need to fight back too… Here!"
To make things worse for the second years, Aaron also received practice throwing all sorts of things from the Battle Sisters thus his accuracy was deadly accurate. Although he was suffering from lack of sleep, the adrenaline rush was enough for him to last through the game without being disqualified.
"Phew… That was tiring…"
After sitting on the bench while drinking from a bottle of isotonic drink, Aaron let out a sigh as he turned to look upwards. It has already been a month since he arrived at Cardfight Gakuen. In just last month, Aaron managed to meet up with some of the Class Reps and their Vice Class Reps and had cardfights with many people (although he ignored Delta who kept asking to duel him). Presently, he had no loses yet. However, Aaron thought it was just due to luck and because he kept changing decks between fights thus nobody was able to grasp his technique.
"In the end… I can't find a deck that suited me at all. Even though they were all so nice and helped me during the fights… Like I thought, there's only one deck that I feel destined with."
A gloomy expression immediately appeared on Aaron's face as he thought about it. Yes, there was only one deck he felt that he can fight with his all if he used it. The first deck he made during his childhood. Yes, that deck is-
"Kyaa! Airin-chan!"
"! That voice… Did something happen to Airin?"
It did not take long for Aaron to find Airin, who was lying on the floor for some reason with some of her friends around her. As he ran towards there, Aaron saw another group of girl which he did not know approaching them. Although with one glance, he could tell that they were from the Amethyst Class Dorm from the color of their gym uniforms.
"Hey, you did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Hohoho, of course not. Do you think someone like me would do something like precisely aiming for her head while doing a spike?"
"Didn't you just confess that you thought about doing it?!"
"Oh, did I? Well, let's forget about it shall we, my dear juniors?"
The girl with blonde hair in the shape of drills sticking out from behind her head who seemed to be the leader of that Amethyst group laughed in a noble's way of laughing which annoyed the girls from the Amber Class.
"Hey, what's the matter?"
"Ah, Aaron-san! You won't believe what happened just now! This girl here slammed a ball right at Airin's face with a spike! Just look at her now!"
"Awawawa…."
With eyes spinning like a wheel, Airin laid unconscious on the floor.
"I see… Anyway, you all should bring Airin to the infirmary first. She should be fine if it's just a hit on the face using a ball, but just in case…"
"Ah, you're right! Airin, hang in there! We'll bring you to the infirmary right now!"
"Wafu… The world is spinning…"
While saying words that did not make any sense, Airin was carried by the strongest looking among the group as they ran out of the stadium.
"Scrappy-san, you're in charge of the health division of our class right? Could you go and see if you can assist them in anything?"
"Ah, okay Aaron-san."
"Now then… I apologize for the conduct of my classmates just now. However, I think it would have been better if you were to just apologize without laughing like just now."
Aaron tried to speak as politely as possible to the girl who was older than him as to not disrespect her. However, her next words proved that she was someone that does not deserve such a thing.
"Huh? Why should I apologize? I did nothing wrong, right?"
"That's right!"
"Selnia-sama will never do such a thing!"
"Err… The truth is…"
"Kat-chan, do you want to be punished again?"
"Ah, n-no! Selnia-senpai didn't plan to smack the ball right in that girl's face because she felt jealous of her beauty or anything."
"Tch…"
"I see… So you did intend for that spike to hit Airin."
"Kat… You big mouth…"
"Ah! I-I'm sorry, Selnia-senpai!"
The girl who Aaron once saw was chasing Delta started bowing in apology to the blonde-haired girl named Selnia.
"So what if I did it intentionally? It's not like she would die from something at that level."
"Probably. But it's only courtesy that one should apologize after troubling someone else. Didn't your father teach you that, miss noble?"
"You… I'm getting really sick of you trying to tell me what to do… Don't you know who I am?"
"Who knows? However, I do know that you're human, and if you are one then you should go and apologize to Airin."
"…That does it. You've pissed me off already. With the authority of Class Rep given to me, I challenge you to a Punishment Duel!"
The blonde hair pointed her finger at Aaron while declaring that loudly. The whole stadium started making noises of whispering when they heard her.
"…Not you again, Selnia."
"Ah, Senpai. Good morning. Err, are you acquainted to this person?"
"Not really. She always treats me as her rival just because my hair is prettier than hers. Her name is Selnia and she's a Class Rep of Amethyst Class Dorm. Furthermore, she's the daughter of the biggest sponsor of this academy so she's like a big shot here."
"I see. That explains her attitude. So what is a Punishment Duel?"
"It's one of the special authorities of being a Class Rep. When they felt that the person in question is being disrespectful to them, they may challenge him or her to a Punishment Duel where the person in question may not decline. Should the person in question loses, the Class Rep may then proceed to punish the person including the person's exclusion from this school. If they win, well they are forgiven and free to go."
"I see… That's one dangerous authority the Class Reps got. What the hell is that girl thinking…?"
The image of the fox girl laughing in a noble manner floated inside Aaron's mind.
"Well, never mind. That means I just have to win in order to not get expelled right? That sounds interesting."
"Interesting? Have you forgotten who your opponent is? The Class Rep of Amethyst such as me won't be so easily beaten you know?"
"That's right! Selnia-sama has the deck of a legendary clan which only has one kind of it in this world! She'll beat you and punish you for your rudeness!"
"A legendary clan? …Don't tell me, Aqua Force?"
"That's wrong!"
"Well, whatever clan that you are using, I'll beat that deck of yours since my schooling days here is in the line here. Is it okay, Senpai?"
"Do as you wish. I won't be helping you if you lose, okay?"
"Heh… Okay, I the Vice Class Rep of Amber Class Dorm accept the Punishment Duel, Selnia-senpai!"
After changing back into their uniforms, the two returned to the gym with the V-Devices in their hands. Going through the exact same procedure that Aaron had gone through when he fought against Akiye, both of them were now standing in front of the projected mats. Then, after going through the usual procedure, Aaron and Selnia had their hands on their Starting Vanguard.
""STAND UP, (MY) VANGUARD!""
The surroundings shook as the scenery of rocky mountains appeared around Aaron and Selnia. It was a scene all too familiar to everyone, although the other students voiced their awe while witnessing the latest technology of Cardfight Gakuen's VR System from faraway. However, these noises were not heard by the two as their Starting Vanguard appeared beside them in a ring of light.
"Wingal Liberator."
"Wingal Brave."
Like that, two dogs of similar characteristics but different armor color appeared on the field.
"! That's…"
"Hohoho, are you surprised? Of course you are since you wouldn't have seen this clan before. Yes, this is the legendary lost clan which only I possess in this world! And its name is-"
"Royal Paladin, right?"
"Oh? So you know about it? Well, I guess you're not just some idiot monkey who babbles about making people apologize when they do wrong. So how do you feel upon facing a clan that you have never faced before? Are you scared?"
"…Heh, not really. In fact, I'm really happy right now."
"Huh?"
"So there are still Royal Paladin cards that exist in this world… Good, then that means there's a chance that they can be cured… I'll start first then, draw. I ride Little Liberator, Marron and move Wingal Liberator. Turn end." (H:5 D:0)
"My turn. Draw. Heh, let me show you the power of the legendary clan. I ride Marron and move Wingal Brave. Next, I call Barcgal and using its skill, I rest it to superior call Flogal from my Deck. Next I call Knight of Friendship Kay. With a boost from Wingal Brave, Marron attacks your Vanguard! (P:13000) Check the drive trigger. No trigger."
"Damage check. No trigger."
"Next with a boost from Flogal, Kay attacks your Vanguard!" (P:12000)
"Damage check. Get, draw trigger. I give power to Marron and draw one card."
"Turn end. (H:4 D:0) Hohoho, how does it feel to get two damage in one turn? This is the power which I possess. Tremble before my might!"
Selnia started laughing again with her arm raised near her mouth.
"Stand and draw. Well, I can do the same thing too you know. Stand up, avatar of light! I ride Blaster Blade Liberator!"
A blast of light. A torrent of wind. Surrounding Marron who smiled till he was never seen again, the golden-armored cape-wearing Blaster Blade appeared from amidst the chaos.
"! That… Royal Paladin?!"
"Sorry, Blaster Blade. I need some help right now. I hope you don't mind having your old comrades as your opponent."
"Heh, I don't mind at all. It's nice to see some old faces… But why are there still Royal Paladin cards in your world?"
"I have no idea. But now's not the time to think about it. Let's go, Blaster Blade Liberator!"
"Roger. Then I shall clash with them using all my heart."
"Next, I call Barcgal Liberator and Liberator of Royalty, Phallon. With a boost from Barcgal, Blaster Blade Liberator attacks your Vanguard! (P:16000) Drive check, critical trigger! I give power to Phallon and add 1 critical to Blaster Blade Liberator."
"Damage trigger check. First check, second check, no trigger."
"Barcgal's skill. When it boosted Blaster Blade Liberator and the attack hits the Vanguard, I can check the top three cards of my deck, select one card with Liberator in its name and superior call it in Rest. I superior call Liberator of The Round Table, Alfred! Now then, with a boost from Wingal, Phallon attacks Kay. Using his skill, he gains another 3000! (P:22000)
With that, the golden knight struck the silvery knight with his sword, sending him away from the battlefield.
"Turn end." (H:5 D:2)
"Heh, looks like you're not all talk. However, you will never be able to match me! Stand and draw. Let me show you, the power which I Selnia possess! I use Barcgal skill to superior call Future Knight, Llew from my deck. Then, using Llew's skill, I pay the cost of one Counterblast and send Barcgal, Flogal and Llew into the soul. With that, I superior ride Blaster Blade!"
"Blaster Blade… huh?"
"Hmm, how nostalgic to see that old armor again."
"I call Knight of Loyalty Bedivere and Kay. Now then, you'll be taking this damage! With a boost from Wingal Brave, Blaster Blade attacks Blaster Blade Liberator! Drive check, critical trigger! I give power to Bedivere and critical to Blaster Blade."
The two Blaster Blades clashed with such strength that even the air around them shook. The one who broke this deadlock was of course Wingal Brave who jumped over Blaster Blade's back and hit Blaster Blade Liberator with his dagger. Two cards then entered into Aaron's damage zone without revealing any triggers.
"Wingal Brave's skill. I send it to the soul when the attack that it boosted a unit with 'Blaster' in its name successfully hits and put Blaster Blade into my hand. Next with a boost from Kay, Bedivere attacks your Vanguard! With his skill, since I have a 'Blaster' Vanguard, he gets 3000!" (P:24000)
"Damage check, heal trigger! I heal one damage and give the power to Blaster Blade Liberator."
"Hmph, what a lucky person. Well, whatever. I'll let you live for now. Turn end." (H:5 D:3)
"Stand and draw." "Phew, like I thought, Royal Paladins sure are strong right Blaster Blade Liberator?"
"Yes. However, we the Liberators are also strong. Don't forget that, Master."
"I know… Stand and draw. With your steed of winged light, shine through the battlefield, My Vanguard! I ride Solitary Liberator, Gancelot!"
Blaster Blade Liberator raised his sword up into the air, calling forth a pillar of light in which Gancelot emerged with his trusted Pegasus.
"I move Alfred to the front and call Liberator, Flare Mane Stallion! Here I go! With a boost from Barcgal, Gancelot attacks Blaster Blade. Using his skill, he gains another 2000!"(P:20000)
"No guard."
"Twin Drive. First check, critical trigger. I give power to Phallon and critical to Gancelot. Second check, draw trigger. I give power to Phallon and draw one card."
"Hah!"
Gancelot launched a fierce strike at Blaster Blade, dealing more damage than usual.
"Damage check, first check, second check, no trigger."
"To continue, with a boost from Wingal Liberator, Phallon attacks your Vanguard!" (P:27000)
"Damage check, heh. Draw trigger. I give power to Blaster Blade and I draw one card."
"Wingal Liberator's skill. I move him into the soul and superior call Blaster Blade Liberator from the soul into the rear-guard circle! Stand again, avatar of hope! Blaster Blade Liberator!Then using his skill, I retire Bedivere!"
With only one stab to the ground, Blaster Blade Liberator blasted Bedivere into pieces of light.
"Now then, it's your turn now Alfred! With a boost from Flare Mane, he attacks Blaster Blade! Using Flare Mane's skill, I soulblast one card to give another 5000 to Alfred!" (P:22000)
"I guard with Epona." (S:10000)
24000 against 22000. Alfred's attack only managed to pass through the beetle riding Epona without being able to damage Blaster Blade.
"Turn end." (H:7 D:4)
"I see… So that's why Akiye chose you as her Vice Class Rep. However, you're still a century too early to think of beating me! Stand and draw. Heh, let me show you, the power to combine two opposite powers which only I Selnia have."
With a confident smile, Selnia raised the card which she just drew high into the air.
"Light and darkness, hope and despair, two opposite sides be one and slash through my opponent! I ride Majesty Lord Blaster!"
All of a sudden, pillar of light and darkness appeared and entwined with each other. Then with a slash through the middle, a grey armored knight with flames coming out from his helmet emerged.
"Majesty Lord Blaster huh? That's a face I've never seen for a long time now. Oh, wait. I did see him sparing with both Blaster Blade Liberator and Blaster Dark Revenger before this. That was absolutely the most amazing duel ever."
"I call Blaster Blade, Toypugal and Blaster Dark. Using Blaster Blade's skill, I retire your Blaster Blade Liberator! First, Blaster Blade attacks Phallon!" (P:9000)
"I guard with Gallatin" (S:5000)
"Next, with a boost from Kay, Blaster Dark attacks Alfred! (P:16000)
"Liberator of Hope, Epona! Guard that attack!" (S:10000)
"Heh, now for the main event. With a boost from Toypugal, Majesty Lord Blaster attacks your Vanguard! Using his skill, I put Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark into the soul to give him 10000 power! Not only that, he gets an additional 2000 and 1 critical for having Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark inside his soul! You'll be taking this damage, Gancelot!" (P:28000)
"Sorry, but I don't have the intention of losing! I perfect guard with Halo Liberator, Mark!"
In the middle of his charge, Majesty Lord Blaster was blocked by the shield made of light from the blue-haired knight, Mark.
"Perfect guard?! Tch, twin drive. First check, heal trigger! I heal one damage and give power to Majesty Lord Blaster. Second check, another heal trigger! I heal one more and give power to Majesty Lord Blaster."
However, no matter how much strength he got from the triggers, Majesty Lord Blaster was unable to cut through Mark's shield.
"Turn end. (H:4 D:3) Good, with this I only need to block one or two attacks on my Vanguard. Then I can finish him off next turn."
"Stand and draw."
"Hey, why don't you just give up? You have no chance of winning against me even if you manage to Break Ride."
"Sorry, but I have no intention of giving up this duel. I'm planning to win."
"…Well, whatever. Even if I lose while using this trash deck, it won't hurt my reputation one bit."
When Aaron heard what Selnia said, he was so shocked that his eyes widened.
"…Just now, what did you say?"
"Hmm? Oh, right. You must have thought that this is my strongest deck, right? Unfortunately for you, my main deck is Pale Moon. I'm only using this deck because my father told me to in order to raise the family name. After all, seeing the legendary clan being used will surely attract other people's attention."
"…So you're not using that deck because you like it?"
"Of course not! I'm the Class Rep of the Amethyst Class. Why should I like using decks other than my Pale Moon? Well, since my father told me to I have no choice… However, if I were told to ditch this weak deck by my father I would do it without any hesitation at all."
"…Shut up…"
"Do you know why this clan is called a legendary clan? It's not because they are the strongest clan in Vanguard. No, it's because there are only a few of them in this world, In other words, this clan is so weak in the past that everyone eventually forgot about them! That's the only reason this clan became a legendary clan!"
"Shut up…"
"Well, even if I'm using this deck, I can still compensate using my own strength. Hehehe, this deck should be thankful because someone as strong as me is using them even though they are just trash."
"SHUT UP!"
Aaron shouted so loudly that even the whole stadium could feel the anger behind it. Akiye, who was watching the match from the sides, was stunned by this current turn of events. This was because she had never seen Aaron gotten angry before.
"Huh? What's with you all of a sudden?"
"You dare… You dare to mock them… The Royal Paladins…"
"It's my deck, so I have the right to say whatever I want about them."
"Even though they did nothing wrong… Even though they've trained themselves to protect Cray and Earth from the Void… You dare to call those brave knights trash…"
Memories jogged through as he revisited the past in his mind, stopping for a while on a scene where a smile was given to Aaron. The most beautiful smile he had ever seen in his life during his childhood. The smile of a certain blue-eyed brown-haired knight elf wearing flower embroidery on her hair.
"I won't…"
"Don't worry. We'll definitely protect you. I promise."
"I won't let you mock those girls!"
This time, even Selnia paused for a moment as she felt disturbed by Aaron's word.
"You… Is your head okay? Did you get your head hit before this? Well, whether or not your head is normal, I'll still be fighting you."
"I won't forgive you… I definitely… WON'T FORGIVE YOU!"
With that roar, everything around them started to change. The VR scenery of rocky mountains disappeared and was replaced with a dark space filled with stars all around. Even the projected mat they were using changed color as it slowly turned red. However, those were not the only things that changed.
"I'll make you pay for this…"
Dark red aura surrounded his whole body. A faint glow of rainbow-colored spiral appeared in his eyes. But the most obvious change in Aaron was that his usual calm posture suddenly turned into something else as he was releasing some sort of outerworldly pressure.
[REVERSE MODE, ACTIVATE]
"I'LL DEFINITELY MAKE YOU SUFFER, SELNIA-SENPAI! FINAL TURN!"
Aaron proceeded to grab one card from his hand. It was another copy of Gancelot which he just drew from his deck. However with his hand filled with the dark red aura, a change was seen on the card as Aaron raised it high.
"With those black wings of your corrupted steed and the blade of light corrupted with the blood of the many, glide through the battlefield and bring despair towards all those who dare to block thy path! CROSS BREAK RIDE, MY VANGUARD! Cursed Liberator, Gancelot "Я"!"
A huge pillar of dark red aura slammed itself into the unsuspecting Gancelot, giving him tremendous power as his heart slowly corrupt due to the intense dark energy. When he appeared, everything about Gancelot changed. The armor, the look on his eyes, even his trusted Pegasus, all of them had changed greatly into the dark side as if their whole selves have been reversed.
"W-What is that unit? Cross Break Ride? I never heard of such a thing!"
Selnia was definitely shocked by this. Even though the sudden change in Aaron was shocking enough, the sudden appearance of an unknown unit with black rings around his arms and legs, the Pegasus' neck and behind him left an even more impact to her heart.
"T-This is…"
Even Akiye was speechless by this as she continued to watch the match unfold.
"Break Ride skill. I give Gancelot "Я" 10000 power and then I give Alfred, Flare Mane and Phallon 5000 power. Next, I call Marron."
Then suddenly, a wicked smile appeared on Aaron's face.
"I'll let you taste true pain and despair that the Royal Paladins themselves have experienced with their bodies, Senpai. Gancelot "Я", LIMIT BREAK! I set my target on Barcgal Liberator and Marron… Lock!"
Black rings of light suddenly surrounded Barcgal and Marron, trapping them inside a sphere of darkness while their cards were flipped face down with faint signs of black sparks flowing in them.
"Lock? What is that? And why are your units flipped face down?"
"Gancelot "Я" gets another 3000 power, 1 critical, and a new skill. Now then, let's see if you can handle this Senpai… Phallon attacks your Vanguard." (P:17000)
"No guard."
While thinking that she should let the first attack hit her, Selnia watched as Phallon headed towards Majesty Lord Blaster with his sword ready. However, there was one thing that she had not expected. Something which came the moment Phallon slash hit Majesty Lord Blaster on the chest.
"Argh?!"
Pain travelled through her body, the feeling of a sword slash on her chest could be felt by Selnia.
"W-What is this?"
"Does it hurt, Senpai? It hurts right? That's what the ones from the clan you mock feel everyday as they fought bravely with the Cardfighters. Now to continue, with a boost from Flare Mane plus a soulblast, Alfred attacks your Vanguard again." (P:32000)
"Guh?! You've got to be kidding me… I'm also feeling the pain when my Vanguard gets hit?!"
"Of course. After all, this is a Punishment Duel, right Senpai?"
Two cards went into her damage zone without revealing any triggers. Aaron who was looking at Selnia was smiling in a demonic yet satisfied way even more than what Akiye usually does.
"Now tell me, what happens if you get the sixth damage, huh Senpai?"
"! Don't tell me…?!"
"Hehehe… Now then, it's finally your turn. Gancelot "Я", attack Majesty Lord Blaster!"
The mad knight which was once Gancelot rushed towards Majesty Lord Blaster with its Pegasus flying at high speed.
"Guh… I won't let you hit me! I perfect guard with Flash Shield Iseult!"
With a shield made up of light, a white-haired girl appeared and blocked Gancelot "Я"'s charge. Although the force was so strong that even she felt her shield cracking and her body filled with pain, Iseult managed to guard against the attack.
"Twin drive. First check, second check, critical trigger. All effects to my Vanguard."
As Gancelot "Я" returned back to his position, Selnia was already gasping for air due to the pain she felt earlier.
"It's over…huh?"
"Hehehe, don't be so sure, Senpai. What you did just now was actually part of my plan."
"E-Eh?"
"Let me show you, the new skill that Gancelot "Я" received upon activating his Limit Break. Alfred, Flame Mane, Phallon, for the sake of victory please lend all of your strength, even your body and soul to the cursed Liberator. I retire these three units and counterblast two cards from my Damage Zone. With this, Gancelot "Я" stands again."
"W-What?!"
Seeing the mad knight prepared himself to attack again, Selnia received another shock for the day.
"This is the power of Gancelot "Я". At the end of the battle that this unit attacks the Vanguard, if the attack does not hit, I can pay the cost just now to stand him back. That's not all, by the way. During your next Guard Step, you may not use any card with the same Grade as the one you used on the previous Guard Step."
"Wha- T-Then that means, I can't use anymore Grade 1 to guard anymore, which means… I can't use a perfect guard?"
"Hehehe, neat isn't it? The isolated Liberator adapts to his surroundings and learns from his mistakes. He will never fall from the same trick by the enemy twice. This is the power of this mad knight who fights in solitude without assistance from his allies. Liberating Exceleed!"
Selnia looked at the cards in her hand. There was another Iseult there and a Yggdrasil Maiden, Elaine. However, because of Gancelot "Я"'s skill, she cannot use Iseult to guard anymore. In other words…
"I… cannot guard…"
"Hehehe… Now then, to wrap this up… Gancelot "Я"! Attack Majesty Lord Blaster once again! Twin drive, first check, second check, no trigger."
Even without any triggers, Gancelot "Я" with power 31000 and 3 criticals reached at the place where Majesty Lord Blaster stood and slashed down with all his might. Due to the triple critical, the damage received cannot be compared by the ones earlier.
"ARGHHHH! It hurts… It hurts!"
The sixth damage also revealed no trigger, resulting in the loss of Selnia as Majesty Lord Blaster disappeared into nothingness.
"Ugu… ugu…"
"It's my win, Senpai. Due to this being a Punishment Duel, I shall deliver a fitting punishment to you. Don't worry, I have no intention of making you join this side. Only I should bear this curse alone. However, I still want you to feel the pain of the Royal Paladins that you mock. That is why…"
Raising his palm and aiming it towards Selnia, Aaron gave an evil smirk.
"Take your punishment, Selnia-senpai!"
Aiming his eyes towards Selnia, Aaron inflicted an illusion towards her. An illusion which was filled with malice and pain at every corner.
"No… NO!"
Unable to stand the illusion, Selnia finally broke down in tears as she knelt on her knees and clutched her head with her hands. Indeed, anyone who could still be sane while seeing the illusion would definitely be one crazy person.
"Hahaha… AHAHAHAHA!"
As he laughed evilly while watching Selnia suffer, the area around them disappeared as the scenery of the stadium started to return due to the VR System shutting down. A moment before it completely vanished however, the dark red aura enveloping Aaron disappeared along with the glowing of his eyes. Then the next thing that he knew, Aaron collapsed to the ground.