No duels once again this chapter, but a familiar face gets a moment in the spotlight and Tanion learns more of the world around him. Enjoy!
Chapter 5 – A Duel of Strength
Despite struggling to adjust to the different times, Tanion awoke at 8 AM after getting a few hours sleep the night before. On the desk next to his bed lay a Coalition outfit, one that had been hand-picked to fit his body shape and size. Although it was slightly concerning to him that they had found clothing that fit him so well, he also knew that given the amount of people in the castle, there were bound to be people of very similar build to him.
Led once again by Teleor and Draven, Tanion followed the duo to the training yard, a wide open area that was already filled with people and Duel Monsters alike by the time he arrived. He was instructed to meet with Jorann, who was overlooking operations from a balcony above the yard. As they approached, Teleor and Draven dismissed themselves, and Jorann beckoned Tanion over while looking at an electronic screen of some sort.
"Once again, you've arrived late," Jorann said. "Elise had said that you weren't exactly one for punctuality."
"I was never given a report time," Tanion reminded him. "I came straight from breakfast to here."
"If you claim to be a Synchro user, then you must act like one," Jorann said coldly. "In order to master our abilities we must train harder than Fusion users and everyone else. Synchro Summoning is the hardest summoning method to master, as it requires one to be in tune with their desires and themselves. Are you?"
"I've Synchro Summoned many times already using your duel disks," Tanion said, raising the one on his left arm. "I think I got this."
Jorann shook his head. "I don't know why I thought you would understand my words," he said roughly, his focus not leaving the screen. "Report to Anskar below. He will be your instructor for today. He's near the fountain bearing the red scarf."
"As you wish," Tanion said.
Still unable to comprehend why Jorann had seemed to have taken an instant dislike to him, Tanion made his way down into the courtyard, walking past the trainees at work. I'm walking among Duel Monsters, he thought as he looked at them in awe. If only this technology could exist back home. That would be incredible.
"You are Anskar, I take it?" Tanion asked as he approached the fountain in the middle of the yard.
"And you must be the Synchro user, Tanion," the scarfed man said. "My name is indeed Anskar. I will be your instructor for today. Now, do you know what a Duel of Strength entails?"
Tanion shook his head. "I was challenged to one yesterday by Jorann, but Felirae stopped it from happening."
Anskar's eyes widened. "Be glad that you didn't," he said, before recovering. "Look at your duel disk, Tanion. Can you see the Duel Energy within?"
"I can," he said, watching the Energy move with a certain fluidity within it's compartment.
"In this purified form, Duel Energy can regenerate almost indefinitely," Anskar said. "In normal duels and Turbo Duels alike, this Energy is what summons and sustains your monsters, as well as the spells and traps that accompany them. However, in a Duel of Strength, the duel disk itself is not used during the summoning of monsters."
"What do you mean?"
"Look around the yard, Tanion," Anskar said. "No one you see here is locked into a duel. Their monsters are being sustained by the duelist's own Duel Energy, something that is less pure and weaker than the Energy within your duel disks. And because the monsters are being summoned outside of a duel, the damage they inflict is real."
"And that's how you fight," Tanion realised. "That's why that city looked like a mess when I arrived, because Duels of Strength had been fought there."
"The level of your monster indicates how much Duel Energy is needed in order to summon your monster," Anskar continued. "However, the monster's actual strength is directly connected to the duelist's life energy. Even if you can summon a high level monster, if your life energy is weak, then it is possible for a lower level monster to take it out if that monster's controller has a stronger life energy. Now Tanion, I want you to find a Level 1 monster in your deck and summon it. Don't turn on your disk, just place him on the disk and call him out."
"Okay," Tanion said. "Jester Knight, I summon you. Come forth!"
His monster appeared before him, and Tanion suddenly felt something being wretched from his body. He staggered somewhat, and his breathing became heavy, but he was able to stay standing and after a few moments the hole he felt in himself seemed to disappear.
"Very good," Anskar commented. "I've had people pass out from doing what you've done."
"What just happened?" Tanion asked. "It felt as if something had been torn from me."
"That was your Duel Energy being used to summon Jester," Anskar answered. "You'll notice that it has replenished itself, but the higher the monster level, the more Duel Energy will be taken, and the longer it'll take to return. Additionally, if you keep summoning monsters, your maximum energy will reduce from the sustained effort, so you can't just keep summoning monsters once your Energy has returned."
"What about my 'Life Energy', as you called it?" Tanion asked. "How come I don't feel any different if my Jester is directly connected to my life?"
"That only comes into effect when your monster is in battle," Anskar said. "Unless it is being attacked, your monster is considered static, and therefore your life is unaffected. However, in battle, your monster can take more hits and deal out more damage depending on how strong you are. If it is destroyed, well, you'll know."
"I don't get it," Tanion said. "If a monster's strength is linked to how strong I am, then why summon higher level monsters at all? Wouldn't summoning a bunch of low level monsters be better since it takes less Duel Energy to do so?"
"The higher the level of the monster, the stronger they are at a base level," Anskar answered. "For example, a Level 1 monster cannot defeat a Level 4 monster even when the Level 4 is only at it's weakest, simply because it's base form is too strong. You will also not be able to summon a monster if you cannot reach that base strength level. So if you can summon a Level 6 with just above base strength, then you will most likely be unable to summon a Level 7, even if you have the Duel Energy to do so."
"How do you know what the strength of your monster is then?" Tanion asked.
"Allow me to show you."
Anskar took out a device similar to the one Jorann had been holding earlier and turned it on. Tanion watched as Anskar held it up to Jester Knight and it seemed to be scanning his monster. Tanion guessed that this was how they gauged how strong a duelist was before sending them out into the field.
"Incredible..." Anskar said breathlessly as he read the screen. "Are you sure you've never summoned a monster outside of a duel before, Tanion?"
"Positive."
"Amazing," he said, almost unable to believe what his screen was saying. "Against a base Level 3, your Jester Knight would win a direct battle. It'd be severely damaged, but the fact that it would win..."
"I'm assuming that's good since you said a Level 1 can't beat a Level 4," Tanion noted.
"It's been a long time since we've had these readings from a new trainee such as yourself," Anskar informed him. "With training and time, you could become one of our most powerful soldiers."
"I'm here because my Duel Energy is supposedly very strong," Tanion told him. "I guess it makes sense that the strength of my life and my monsters would be high as well."
"Uh, now, if you want to remove Jester from the field, simply take his card off of the disk," Anskar said, seemingly distracted by the results. "I normally don't ask this of fresh recruits, but I want you to try summoning a Level 4. Can you do that for me?"
"I can try," Tanion said. "Come forth, Lancer Knight!"
Once again, Tanion felt his Duel Energy being ripped from his body as Lancer Knight appeared by his side, and although he could feel that it had taken far more of his energy to do so, his breathing was noticeably lighter, and although it made him feel slightly light-headed, he didn't stagger like he had with the Jester.
"Incredible..." Anskar said admirably. "You seem to have taken to this very fast, Tanion. The more you summon your monsters outside of battle, the more used to it you will become, but you've done very well for summoning a Level 4 on just your second try..."
"How strong is he?" Tanion asked.
"The gap between monsters grows larger as the levels go up," Anskar said as his device examined Lancer Knight. "The strongest Level 4 is on par with a medium Level 6, and the strongest Level 6 can only just beat a base Level 8."
"What about the higher levels?" Tanion asked.
"Above Level 8 there is less information available to us," Anskar said, his device still at work. "There is recordings on strong Level 8's winning over Level 9's, but they fall far short of a Level 10 monster. Even the strongest Level 9 monster we've seen could only just beat a Level 10. We've only ever battled one Level 11, and we don't believe it possible for a Level 10 to get close to the base strength of the monster."
"And Level 12?"
"I'm not sure we want to know how strong they are," Anskar said. "Anyway, your Lancer Knight is indeed very strong. It falls just short of a Level 6 in strength, which is quite astounding for just your second summoning."
"You think you are strong?"
The voice called from across the yard, one that Tanion instantly knew came from Jorann. The other trainees stopped and watched as the other Synchro user walked silently through the crowd, a duel disk now attached to his arm.
"You wanted to find out what a Duel of Strength was, boy," Jorann said. "I think it's time you find out."
"But Anskar already said – "
"Numbers only tell you so much," Jorann cut in. "A Duel of Strength is a clash of souls. No machine can truly define the power at work in one. If you truly want to know how strong you are, then face me!"
The trainees had cleared the yard, their monsters' gone and they were waiting almost eagerly on the side to see the clash between the only two Synchro users in the castle. Word had spread thick and fast of Tanion's nature, and many people eyed him with curiosity and interest. It was not something Tanion was used to.
"Jorann, this is highly unorthodox," Anskar said from behind Tanion. "He's only summoned twice. He isn't ready for a proper Duel of Strength yet."
"Your machine reckons he is strong, right?" Jorann commented, Tanion suspecting that he had been getting the readings from Anskar's device on his. "If so, then let him prove it."
"Felirae will hear of this," Anskar warned him.
"He won't touch me," Jorann said. "Now appear before us, Luster Dragon #2!"
The dragon appeared, and Jorann seemed completely unaffected by calling the monster forward. It's a Level 6 and he doesn't seemed fazed, Tanion thought. Just how strong is this guy?
"I won't back down from you or your monster, Jorann," Tanion said defiantly. "I summon to the field a Level 6 monster of my own, Vampiric Knight!"
His felt his very soul being torn open as his monster appeared before him, but he wasn't going to allow Jorann the pleasure of seeing him struggle where he had had no problems. Unfortunately, summoning forth such a strong monster meant that he has unable to stop himself from staggering under the toll the summon had taken, and he could hear Jorann laugh as he did so.
"As impressive as summoning a Level 6 is, you still fall leagues short of me, boy," Jorann yelled. "Just because you beat one of the Grand Order's servants in a duel doesn't mean your the best. You need to learn our place, and realise just how far you have to go before I even consider giving you some respect. Luster Dragon #2, tear that pathetic Knight apart!"
Tanion willed his Vampiric Knight into battle, and the two clashed in the air, sword meeting claw as Luster Dragon whirled around and breathed fire over his Knight. Tanion cluthced at his chest as he felt the pain his monster was feeling, it's armour having melted from the blast. Roaring,the dragon swooped in and tore Vampiric Knight in half, but not before it's blade stuck deep into the beast's chest. Falling to one knee, Tanion could feel his senses giving out at the toll of losing his monster, but after a few moments he breathing began to ease somewhat, even though the pain was lessening at a far slower rate.
"It's hard, isn't it?" Jorann grumbled. "This isn't some precious little play time duel, Tanion. This is life or death, and you live or die by your monsters and your connection to them. If you want them to protect you, then you have to protect them!"
"You mean like you are looking after your dragon?" Tanion quipped between breaths. "He's looking a bit worse for wear."
"He could fight your Vampiric Knight again and still win," Jorann proclaimed. "Now show me what you've got, Tanion. Show me that your connection to your monsters is strong enough to brave a real battle. Show me that they trust you and protect you!"
His phrasing is so weird, Tanion thought. It's so different to what Anskar was saying earlier, that the Duel Monsters are simply your servants, your tools in a battle. Is Jorann trying to tell me that they are more than that? The monsters summoned in a Duel of Strength are directly connected to you. Is he trying to suggest there's more to that?
"Only one way to find out," Tanion whispered to himself, before getting back on his feet. "I think I understand what you're trying to tell me, Jorann. I'm summoning the monster I have the strongest connection to. Come to my side, Level 8! Royal Knight!"
Tanion placed the Synchro card on his disk, and he felt his Duel Energy being taken away, except this time he felt no pain as it left his body. It was almost as if Royal Knight was protecting him from that pain, and as the shining white armour of the Knight appeared beside him, Tanion's life energy almost felt renewed from his presence even though his Duel Energy was severely depleted.
"A Level 8," Anskar whispered behind him. "Only our Elite members have been able to call monsters this strong..."
"Royal Knight is the monster I have the strongest connection to, Jorann," Tanion said. "I use him the most and he has always helped me to win clutch matches, and this is no exception. Royal Knight, destroy his Luster Dragon #2 with your Sacred Blade!"
Almost seeming to nod, Royal Knight unsheathed his mighty blade and charged and the dragon. Blocking a breath attack with his shield, all it took was one swipe from the blade to bring down the dragon. Much to Tanion's shock, however, Jorann seemed completely unaffected by it's destruction.
"You adapt to the pain," Jorann said, noticing the look on Tanion's face. "I don't even feel it any more, and especially for a monster I have no connection with!"
"Wait, are you saying that you don't use that dragon?" Tanion asked, surprised.
"I would never run such a card as a Synchro user, it would have no place in my deck," Jorann said. "This next card is exactly the same, as now I'm going to show you just how far you have to go. Appear before us now, the legendary dragon of destruction, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
Tanion watched in awe as the dragon descended from the heavens, its brilliant glow bathing the training yard in a white glow that radiated with power and beauty.
"I have never summoned this dragon before, boy," Jorann told him. "Yet your connection with Royal Knight is the strongest one in your deck. Now watch as it is destroyed! Blue-Eyes! Burst Stream of Destruction!"
Tanion looked on as white lightning burst from the legendary dragon's mouth and slammed into Royal Knight's shield with the force of a freight train. Tanion clutched once again at his chest as his monster was pushed backwards, the unending blast cracking the shield that had deflected Luster Dragon #2's attack easily.
"A Duel of Strength isn't just about how strong you are!" Jorann shouted above the sound of Blue-Eyes' constant attack. "It's about your faith in your cards, and your belief that they will be able to beat whatever stands in your way. You do not have that belief, but I know that my monster can beat yours because I have faith and believe that it can! Now finish this, Blue-Eyes!"
Tanion could do nothing as the legendary dragon seemed to double its effort, and finally it's overwhelming strength burst through Royal Knight's shield and drove him into the ground. It feel to one knee, the attack breaking away bits of armour and forcing it further and further into the ground. Then it simply gave up, knowing it was beat, and disappeared in a flash of white. Tanion felt his breath being sucked out of him as he did so, and he fell backwards on the edge of consciousness, and was fortunately caught by Anskar.
As the other trainees silently watched onward, Tanion's vision returned to him as Jorann approached from where he had been standing. Without saying a word, Jorann stood there as Tanion breathed heavily, sweat covering his entire body from the damage losing Royal Knight had done to him.
"Consider yourself lucky that I didn't use my own deck," Jorann said ominously. "If you want to be a Synchro user, your trust in all of your monsters must be absolute, but I can see from this that you are no Synchro user. If you were, your Royal Knight, the one you said you trusted the most, would have beaten Blue-Eyes."
"Jorann, just what did you think that would accomplish?" Anskar exclaimed. "You nearly killed him!"
"I'm hoping the words he said were true," Jorann replied, his voice unchanging. "If so, then there might be some hope for him after all."
At this, he turned on a heel and went back the way he came, ordering the trainees to get back to work. They did, and just as quickly as he had become the centre of attention, Tanion became ignored as the trainees got back to their duties, and the world moved on around him.