Koyori's P.O.V
As the class went on, I was spacing out during Mr. Guerrero 's lecture.
"I'm sure everyone is familiar with the concept of transformation, no? In modern terms, the world is commonly used to display significant change. This can imply to both an individual and or an object. The idea of transformation has been central to many myths and legends, such as the tale of Hermaphroditus in Ovid's "Metamorphoses", where physical and existential change encapsulates deeper truths about identity and the human condition. Now then, Koyori…"
I suddenly snapped back after my name was called.
"Are you familiar with any particular transformation throughout history? If so, can you give us an example?" Mr. Guerrero asked.
I need to come up with an answer. Let's see, transformation… Honestly, I think evolution can be considered a transformation. But if we're talking about historical transformation then…
"Reincarnation," I answered.
"Ah, yes. Reincarnation. That's a very good choice." Mr. Guerrero seems to like my answer. "According to Hinduism, reincarnation or samsara is the belief that the soul undergoes a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The nature of each rebirth is determined by karma. Now why karma of all things has to do with the process of rebirth you ask? Well, let's say you do good things today but have done bad things in the past. Those actions become how you will live your second life. The more good things you do the better life you will have in your second life, but the more bad things you do you will most likely have a difficult time in your second life."
Looks like I made a good choice!
"While reincarnation is not considered a type of transformation by modern beliefs, the idea itself is very much not so different from self-transformation. The more you change about yourself, the better your life will be in the future."
"The more you change about yourself, the better your life will be in the future." It's simple and I'm sure everyone can use that advice to improve themselves. I think I understand more about how to value my life.
Later during lunch break.
As I walked out of the classroom, someone approached me and called out my name.
"Koyori! Do you have a moment?" it was Aleit.
"Do you need something, Aleit?" I asked, stepping aside from the door.
"Are you free next Sunday? Me and Toshiro are planning to visit someone at the hospital."
"Did someone get into an accident?" I immediately asked again.
"Well, you see… this person is actually the fourth member of the Cardfight Club. Weeks ago before you joined, he got into an accident and almost got hit by a truck. His name is Kazuya Hiyoto. He is a first-year like me, Toshiro, and Akira."
Kazuya Hiyoto? Now if I remember correctly, I did notice a name on the club's cleaning schedule referring to this person. I hope the guy is okay.
"So, are you free, Koyori?" Aleit asked again.
"I don't really have plans on Sunday. So sure, I can come along with you and Toshiro."
"Wunderbar!" Aleit suddenly expresses her gratitude in German.
"Oh, I forgot to bring this up yesterday after I joined the Cardfight Club." I pulled out my phone. "Mr. Guerrero told me to join the Cardfight Club group chat. He said you were the admin, so can you put me in?"
"Sure! I can do that for you." Aleit pulled out her phone.
Aleit put me into the group chat.
"I'll contact you on Sunday when we are going—I'll see you after class."
"You too."
Me and Aleit walked the opposite way.
Third P.O.V
We see Koyori make her way to the cafeteria. As she runs along the school hallways, she passes by a boy with blonde hair holding a tablet in his hand.
"Huh?" The boy saw Koyori running off toward the cafeteria, wondering why she was in a rush. "Wasn't that girl…"
Time Skip to after school.
Koyori P.O.V
School went by as time passed quickly. As I locked up the club room door after cleaning the club room, I made my way to the faculty office to put the key in the key cabinet. Once I was done, I exited the school building and stood in front of the school gates.
"Tonight is going to happen here. I need to prepare myself for this."
The Blood Throne. A once-in-lifetime event. This is all so sudden, but yet, I'm very excited for this tournament. There are going to be a lot of different opponents that I have to face. Judging from my card stamp, there are going to be thirteen other participants, plus me, making it fourteen
I immediately ran back home to prepare myself for tonight.
Time Skip to at home…
I had dinner with everyone. Once I was done, I ran straight to my room to get everything that I needed.
"Alright, time to head out." I didn't make any changes to my deck, but I did have to come up with an excuse to leave the house. I really couldn't come up with any other excuse besides that it is an important Club business.
Nonetheless, I was able to get out of the house without making it much more complicated for Aunt Miki to be worried about me.
I rush my way to school, on foot.
Later at school…
"Here I am." I made it to school. "Now how am I supposed to get inside?"
The school is locked up tight. How am I supposed to participate in the Blood Throne if I can't go through the front gates-
"Lady Akiyurei, I presume?"
"Waah!" I was startled when I heard someone call out my name. I turned around and met face-to-face with a man dressed in a butler's outfit. The man has long black hair and purple eyes. He looks elegant and well-manner
"Forgive me for startling you," he apologized with a slight bow. "My name is Masaomi Yaegaki. Pleased to meet you, Lady Akiyurei."
"Oh! Nice to meet you too, Mr. Masaomi." I returned the greeting with a light bow.
"Are you here for the Blood Throne?" he asked.
"Um… Yes! I am! I'm supposed to meet someone inside the school building but I don't know how to get in."
"Fear not, Lady Akiyurei," Mr. Masaomi reassured. "I will show you where you need to be. Please, follow my lead."
Following Mr. Masaomi's instructions, I walked behind him as he led me along the school walls.
Later inside.
We managed to enter the school through a hole in the wall behind the building. As I stepped through, I realized we were standing in front of the gymnasium.
"Right this way," Mr. Masaomi said, gesturing toward the gymnasium doors.
I followed him inside. The gymnasium was dimly lit, with only a few spotlights illuminating the center of the room. In the middle, I saw someone standing in front of a fight table, someone I didn't expect to meet.
"¡Hola! ¡Koyori!"
"M-Mr. Guerrero? What are you doing here?!" Why is he here?! Wait, don't tell me—he is my opponent? The Supreme Emperor of Greed?!
"Well, I'm here to participate in the Blood Throne," Mr. Guerrero answered. "You know, I don't really like seeing my students out of their houses this late. But I'll give you a free pass on this one because you need to be here."
I felt like that was a threat just now from Mr. Guerrero's dead serious tone of voice. Mr. Guerrero is scary for a teacher.
I made my way toward the fight table and stood on the opposite side.
"Why did you participate in the Blood Throne, Mr. Guerrero?" I asked.
Mr. Guerrero smiled at my question, "Good question."
"Maybe I'm just here to seek something that is beyond the truth."
"Something that is beyond the truth?" What is that supposed to mean?
Third P.O.V
"Supreme Emperor of Greed! Supreme Empress of Lust! It's time for the Blood Throne to begin!" Masaomi announces. "Now may the best Supreme Blood reach the top of the Overlord's throne."
The two cardfigter set their starting vanguard face down and placed their decks on the fight table before drawing their starting hand. After both cardfighters perform their mulligan, Koyori and Mr. Guerrero place their hands on their starting vanguards.
"Let's do this battle for real this time." Mr. Guerrero said.
"Stand up…"
"…End/ Fin…"
"…Vanguard!"
Once the two cardfighters flip their starting vanguards over, the first match of the Blood Throne begins.
"Diabolic Regalia of Independence, Lilith!(5000)" Koyori declares.
"In-training Security Cub, Juell!(5000)" Mr. Guerrero declares.
(Match Start: Koyori's turn)
"My turn. I draw. I skip my ride and activate Diabolic Regalia of Independence, Lilith's skill." Koyori returned her entire hand cards back into her deck and rode Virus Celestial, Lilith(8000) from her deck. "Since I ride this way, I draw two. With that, I end my turn."
(End Turn)
Koyori: Hand 2, Damage 0, Soul 1
Mr. Guerrero: Hand 5, Damage 0, Soul 0
(Mr. Guerrero's turn)
"My turn. I draw. I ride Rookie Security Officer, Fianza(8000). I move Juell to the back"
Moving to his main phase, Mr. Guerrero calls Taping Cat(8000) to the top right.
(Battle Phase)
"Tapping cat attacks your vanguard!" Mr. Guerrero swings with his rearguard.
(8000 VS 8000)
"No guard. Damage check." Koyori's damage check reveals a critical trigger.
(Virus Celestial, Lilith: 8000 + 10,000)
"With a boost from Juell, Fianza attacks your vanguard."
(13,000 VS 18,000)
"No guard!"
"Drive check—No trigger!"
The attack didn't hit, so Mr. Guerrero ended his turn.
(End Turn)
Koyori: Hand 2, Damage 1, Soul 1
Mr. Guerrero: Hand 5, Damage 0, Soul 0
(Koyori's turn)
"Draw." Koyori looks at the card she drew and immediately puts it into the damage zone as a cost. "Virus Celestial, Lilith's skill, I superior ride Scar Claw Lilith(9000) from my deck."
Koyori draws two cards after shuffling her deck.
"I call Blue Wave Fallen Soldier, Lilith(8000) to the top right. Using its skill, I soulcharge one." Koyori grabs the top card of her deck and puts it into soul. "Serpent of Desire, Lilith's skill, I can give my vanguard +10k power for the turn."
(Scar Claw Lilith: 9000 + 10,000)
(Battle Phase)
"Blue Wave Fallen Soldier, Lilith attacks your vanguard."
(8000 VS 8000)
"I don't guard. Damage check." Mr. Guerrero's damage check reveals a draw trigger. "Power to Taping Cat and I draw one."
(Taping Cat: 8000 + 10,000)
"Scar Claw Lilith attacks your vanguard."
(19,000 VS 8000)
"I don't guard that as well."
"Drive check." Koyori's drive check reveals a grade three.
"Damage check." Mr. Guerrero's damage check reveals a grade one.
"I end my turn."
(End Turn)
Koyori: Hand 4, Damage 2, Soul 3
Mr. Guerrero: Hand 6, Damage 2, Soul 0
(Mr. Guerrero's turn)
"To think our very first match would lead up to this very moment. I guess no matter what fate has in store for me, there is always some adversary that will stand before me." Mr. Guerrero draws his card for the turn. "And that adversary just so happens to be one of my students."
"Mr. Guerrero… I'd like to ask you something."
"Hmm?"
Koyori felt hesitant but she needed to confirm something that had been bugging her for a while. "When I first proposed to help the Cardfight Club, d-do you… really trust me?"
Mr. Guerrero put on a reassuring smile before responding, "Of course I do."
Koyori gasped in surprise upon hearing Mr. Guerrero's answer.
"The moment you challenged me, I already knew that you were serious about what you said. All I needed from you was proof."
"Proof?" Koyori asked, tilting her head.
"To show one's determination, one must demonstrate their dedication to what they are after. It's simple yet powerful. Your willingness to step up and face me was the proof I needed."
Mr. Guerrero skips his ride phase and moves to his main phase. He calls Coiling Duckbill(7000) to the bottom right and activates its skill to give Taping Cat a skill.
"I play the normal order, "Red Curtain"." Mr. Guerrero puts the order into soul and gives Taping Cat a skill. "Every time a card is milled from my deck, Taping Cat gains +3000 power. And I call Besom Ringtail(8000) to the top left."
(Battle Phase)
"Pay attention: No matter what obstacles lie ahead, there is more than one way to reach your destination. Even when a free opportunity presents itself, obstacles may still block your path."
Koyori was speechless at everything Mr. Guerrero had just said.
"With a boost from Juell, Fianza attacks your vanguard." Mr. Guerrero swings with his vanguard first. "Since I did not ride this turn, I can activate Fianza's skill."
"By putting a grade 2 card from my hand into the soul, I can superior ride School Hunter, Leo-pald(12,000) from my deck!"
After riding Leo-pald from the deck, Mr. Guerrero shuffles his deck before placing it back down.
"For this battle, the attack switches from Fianza to Leo-pald. Also, because I ride this way, I don't get an imaginary gift. Now I use Leo-pald's skill."
Mr. Guerrero mills the top card of his deck. The milled card was a blitz order called "Rhapsody Extinguish".
"Well that's too bad for me—However, if "Rhapsodyy Extinguish" is milled from my deck, I can soulcharge one and add this blitz order to my hand. Using Juell's skill, I can give +4000 power to Taping cat."
(Taping Cat: 8000 + 7000)
(17,000 VS 9000)
"N-No guard!"
"Twin drive." Mr. Guerrero's drive checks were a front and a grade two.
(Besom Ringtail: 8000 + 10,000)
(Leo-pald: 12,000 + 10,000)
(Taping Cat: 15,000 + 10,000)
"Damage check…" Koyori's damage check reveals a grade three.
"Besom Ringtail attacks your vanguard. Using its skill, I can mill the top card of my deck." the milled card was a trigger unit. "Since the milled card is a trigger unit, I retire one of your rearguards and give itself 5000 power. And since a card is milled from my deck, add 3000 power to Taping Cat."
(Besom Ringtail: 18,000 + 5000)
(Taping Cat: 25,000 + 3000)
(23,000 VS 9000)
"No guard." Koyori's damage check reveals a critical trigger. "Seal Dragon Dancer, Lilith's skill, I draw one!"
(Scar Claw Lilith: 9000 + 10,000)
"With a boost from Coiling Duckbill, Taping Cat attacks your vanguard."
(35,000 VS 19,000)
"Thanks to that draw, I guard with Seal Dragon Dancer, Lilith!" Koyori slams her guardian into the guardian circle.
(35,000 VS 49,000)
"I end my turn. Due to Juell's skill, Taping Cat retires. With Juell, Coiling Duckbill, and Taping Cat's skills, I can now draw three cards." Mr. Guerrero paid a Soulblast and drew three cards, bringing his hand to nine cards.
"Now, let's see if you can finish me off like you did before," he said with a confident smile.
(End Turn)
Koyori: Hand 4, Damage 4, Soul 3
Mr. Guerrero: Hand 9, Damage 2, Soul 3
(Koyori's turn)
Koyori felt the pressure getting to her; she could feel her hand shaking.
"Mr. Guerrero is not holding back," Koyori thought. "I can tell he is not like before; he almost feels like a different person. Who exactly is he?"
"My turn!" Koyori snapped back and draw her card for the turn.
"Pull it together, Koyori! Focus on the match and pay no attention to anything else. But still…" Koyori glanced at Mr. Guerrero and felt a sinister aura emanating from him. "There is something off about Mr. Guerrero. It almost feels as if he is not human."
"Scar Claw Lilith's skill! By paying the cost, I can superior ride Lucifall from my deck!" Koyori puts a card from her hand into the soul and grabs her deck.
"Embrace the mist of the unknown cell. Now walk the same path as your creator and become the Supreme Empress of Lust! Blood ride!" Koyori pulls out the card from her deck and slams it down on the vanguard circle.
The scene transitions to Cray as we see Scar Claw Lilith suddenly grunting and holding her face. She then begins to scratch at her face with her claws before finally ripping it off, causing her eyes to bleed black blood. She screams in agony, releasing an immense energy pulse that envelops her entire body.
Scar Claw Lilith disappears, and standing in her place is Lucifall, sitting on her throne with her legs crossed. Lucifall rises from her throne and transforms it into a sword.
"Shadow of Lilith, "Qarinah" Lucifall! (13,000)."
Returning to the real world.
"Since my opponent's vanguard is grade 3, I add Serpent of Desire, Lilith to my hand." after shuffling her deck, Koyori put the revealed card into her hand.
"I call Fallen Witch Doctor of the Seven Seas, Lilith(9000) to the top right. Using its skill, I can call a grade 1 or lower card from my drop," Koyori calls Blue Wave Fallen Soldier, Lilith to the bottom right.
After soulcharging a card, Koyori activates Lucifall's ACT skill. By putting a card from her drop on the bottom of her deck, she puts a card from her damage zone into the soul, reducing her damage to three.
"Since my opponent's vanguard is grade 3 or greater, I can look at the top five cards of my deck and call up to two cards with Lilith in their card names." Koyori grabs the top five cards of her deck and looks through them.
Koyori calls Despicable Mutant, Lilith(9000) to the top left and Blood Chouchou, Lilith(8000) to the bottom left. Koyori activities Despicable Mutant, Lilith's skill to put a Cradle marker on Mr. Guerrero's Besom Ringtail.
(Battle Phase)
"Witch Doctor of the Seven Seas, Lilith attacks Besom Ringtail. Lucifall's skill, my opponent chooses a card from their drop, and vanishes it."
Mr. Guerrero flips a card in his drop. The attack then continues.
(9000 VS 8000)
"No guard." Mr. Guerrero retires the attacked unit. Once Besom Ringtail hits drop, Koyori grabs her deck and looks for a grade one to add to her hand. Koyori adds Virus Celestial, Lilith to her hand.
"With a boost from Blood Chouchou, Lilith, Despicable Mutant, Lilith attacks your vanguard. Using Lucifall's skill, my opponent vanishes a card in their drop."
(17,000 VS 12,000)
Mr. Guerrero vanishes a card in his drop and lets the attack hit, "Damage check—No trigger."
"Blood Chouchou, Lilith's skill. I put Despicable Mutant, Lilith on the bottom oh my deck to draw one. Then, I can call one card from my hand. In this case, I call Virus Celestial, Lilith to the top left!"
Koyori uses Virus Celestial, Lilith's skill to swap a card from her hand with a crit sentinel in her damage zone.
"Lucifall attacks the vanguard!" Koyori swings with her vanguard. "Skill activates! By soulblasting four cards with different card names, I return Witch Doctor of the Seven Seas, Lilith and Blood Chouchou, Lilith to the bottom of my deck. Now thanks to this, I can put all cards from my damage zone on the bottom of my deck."
After Koyori puts all of the cards in her damage zone on the bottom of her deck, she deals her vanguard three times and gives her vanguard 2 drive. Koyori's damage checks were a heal trigger and two grade twos.
(Virus Celestial, Lilith: 8000 + 10,000)
(13,000 VS 12,000)
In response to the attack, Mr. Guerrero discards a heal trigger from his hand and grabs the top card of his G zone. "Generation Guard! Omniscience Dragon, Al-mi'raj! Skill activates!" Mr. Guerrero paid a soulblast and call two cards from his hand.
The two cards that were called were Private Security Agent, Theodore(9000) to the top right and Monoculus Tiger(8000) to the bottom left.
"On top of that, I guard!" Mr. Guerrero drops two cards with a combined shield power of 15k.
(13,000 VS 42,000)
"Quadruple drive!" Koyori's drive checks reveal: a grade two, a grade one, a critical, and a front.
(Virus Celestial, Lilith: 18,000 + 20,000/ Critical +1)
(Lucifall: 13,000 + 10,000)
"At the end of the battle, I call Diabolic Regalia of Independence, Lilith to the top right."
(Diabolic Regalia of Independence, Lilith: 5000 + 15,000)
"Mr Guerrero only has four cards in his hand. This should be enough to finish him off now." Koyori thought as she glanced at Mr. Guerrero's hand. "I'll finish him now."
"Diabolic Regalia of Independence, Lilith attacks your vanguard!" Koyori swings for 28k.
(28,000 VS 12,000)
"¡Caíste en mi trampa!" Mr. Guerrero declares.
"Huh-!?"
"When my vanguard with Leo-pald in its card name is attacked, I can activate this card from hand." Mr. Guerrero took out a card from his hand and revealed it to Koyori.
"Rise up to the challenge and entertain the crowd as the Supreme Emperor of Greed! Blood ride! Outlaw School Enforcer, Cheetador!(12,000)" Guerrero slams the card onto the vanguard, causing the scene to flash before Koyori's eyes.
As the scene transitions to Cray, we see a humanoid figure defending an attack from Diabolic Regalia of Independence, Lilith with its bare hands.
Cheetador stands as a male beastman wearing a cheetah mask. His outfit is a hybrid of an officer's uniform and a matador's suit, featuring a red shoulder cape attached from the left shoulder to the left sleeve.
Diabolic Regalia of Independence, Lilith was caught off guard by Cheetador's sudden appearance.
Returning to the real world.
"Cheetador's skill, I mill three cards from the top of my deck. For each card type milled, I activate a specific effect," Mr. Guerrero explains.
Mr. Guerrero grabs the top three cards of his deck and reveals: Theodore (blood unit), "Red Curtain" (order card), and Eikthlaera (trigger unit).
"First of all, I can choose one of your rearguards and reduce its critical by 1 until the end of the turn." Mr. Guerrero points his finger at Diabolic Regalia of Independence, Lilith.
(Diabolic Regalia of Independence, Lilith: 20,000/ Critical -1)
"Next, my opponent vanishes one of their rearguards along with a card in their drop."
"Arg-!" Koyori vanishes Blue Wave Fallen Soldier, Lilith and a card in her drop.
"And I'm not done just yet! When Theodore is milled from the deck, I draw one. And when "Red Curtain" is milled from the deck, I can vanish one of your rearguards! So farewell, Virus Celestial, Lilith!"
Koyori's attack was shut down thanks to Cheetador's intervention. Even though Diabolic Regalia of Independence, Lilith's attack hits, it has zero critical, meaning it deals no damage to Cheetador.
"This is the power of the Supreme Emperor of Greed…" with no other attackers present, Koyori has no other choice but to end her turn by shoving Diabolic Regalia of Independence, Lilith into the soul. "I end my turn."
(End Turn)
Koyori: Hand 8, Damage 3, Soul 4, Vanished Card: 2
Mr. Guerrero: Hand 4, Damage 3, Soul 3, Vanished Card: 0
(Mr. Guerrero's turn.)
"My turn. Stand and draw. At the beginning of my ride phase, Cheetador retires and from my soul, I ride School Hunter, Leo-pald!"
Mr. Guerrero gets an imaginary gift: Accel I. Mr. Guerrero places the gift on the top left and activates his vanguard's on-placed skill. Mr. Guerrero milled Fianza (blood unit) from his deck. However, due to Fianza's ability, it can also be treated as a normal and trigger unit when its milled from the deck.
Mr. Guerrero grabs the top four cards of his deck and calls two cards from it. He calls Curious Pony(4000) to the top left and Sky-eye Scouter, Felio(9000) to the Accel circle. After shuffling the deck, Mr. Guerrero activates Juell's skill to give Curious Pony +4k power.
(Curious Pony: 4000 + 4000)
Mr. Guerrero discards Fianza from his hand as the cost for Blood Stride. He grabs the top card of his G zone and places it on the vanguard circle.
"Blood Stride! Supreme Emperor of Greed, Cheetador El'Dominio."
As the scene transitions to Cray, we see Cheetador El'Dominio standing with his arms crossed, looking down at Lucifall with a cocky smirk.
"You're no match for me," Cheetador El'Dominio taunts.
Returning to the real world.
"El'Dominio's skill activates!" Mr. Guerrero puts the Cheetador in his drop into the soul and flips over a face down G unit. "I can look at the top five cards of my deck, I choose three cards from among them and put them on the top of my deck, while putting the rest on the bottom of my deck."
Mr. Guerrero takes a peek at his top five cards, selects three to place on the top of his deck, and shoves the other two to the bottom.
"Let's start the investigation!" Mr. Guerrero declares, cracking his fingers.
The atmosphere grows tense as Mr. Guerrero prepares to make his next move, his eyes gleaming with determination. Koyori instinctively backs away from his intense glare.
"It's there again!" Koyori mumbles to herself.
(Battle Phase)
"With a boost from Monoculus Tiger, Curious Pony attacks your vanguard."
(16,000 VS 13,000)
"No guard. Damage check." Koyori's damage check reveals a grade one.
"With a boost from Juell, Cheetador El'Dominio attacks the vanguard." Mr. Guerrero activates Curious Pony's skill to give his vanguard +10k power as well as a draw one.
(42,000 VS 13,000)
"He's going to check a trigger!" Koyori recalls that the top two cards on Mr. Guerrero's deck must be some sort of trigger. "Generation Guard!"
Koyori discards a heal trigger from her hand and grabs the top card of her G zone. "Silver Thorn Beast Master, Ophis Lilith! Skill activates!" Koyori puts a card from her hand to soulcharge one. Thanks to this, Silver Thorn Beast Master, Ophis Lilith gains +15k shield for the battle.
"On top of that, I guard!" Koyori drops a card with 15k shield.
(42,000 VS 58,000)
"Triple drive! First check…" Mr. Guerrero's first drive check reveals a stand trigger. "I got a stand trigger! Monoculus Tiger stands, add +5000 power."
(Monoculus Tiger: 8000 + 5000)
"Second check, no trigger. Third check—I got a heal trigger! Power to Monoculus Tiger."
(Monoculus Tiger: 13,000 + 10,000)
"Felio attacks your vanguard. Skill activates!" Mr. Guerrero glanced at the top card of his deck before putting it back on the top.
(29,000 VS 13,000)
"No guard! Damage check…" Koyori flips over the top card of her deck and reveals no trigger. She places the revealed card into her damage zone, bringing her to five damage.
"Just one more attack…"
"With a boost from Coiling Duckbill, Theodore attacks your vanguard. Skill activates! I mill the top card of my deck." Mr. Guerrero mills Security Scout of Tight Corridors, Jaegar. "Blood unit! I can choose a card from my hand and call it to the rearguard circle!"
"You can't…" Koyori is screwed.
"From my hand, I call Leo-pald to the top left. And on top of that, when Jaegar is milled from the deck, I can call it to the Accel circle!"
(Leo-pald: 12,000 + 10,000)
(16,000 VS 13,000)
"I guard!"
The moment Koyori drops her guardian, the scene transitions to Cray, where we see Lucifall being pushed into a corner.
Lucifall grips her sword tightly and lunges forward at Cheetador El'Dominio. Anticipating the attack, Cheetador El'Dominio deftly evades and shouts "¡Olé!" as he swings his red cape, gracefully dodging the blow.
Lucifall tries to follow up with a counterattack but is too slow.
Shing!
Lucifall's sword swing is intercepted by Leo-pald's scissor blades. Leo-pald pushes Lucifall back, exploiting her blind spot to slash her stomach with its scissor blades.
Slash!
"Arg-!?" Lucifall jumps back, covering her wound with her right hand.
"Ya no puedes escapar de tu pecado~"
The moment Lucifall hears these words, Cheetador El'Dominio is already standing behind her, facing away, holding his "Espada Bastón de Minotauro".
"Rhapsody Extinguish!" Cheetador El'Dominio swiftly turns around and delivers the final blow with his sword.
Stab!
"Gah-!"
Lucifall is struck from behind by "Espada Bastón de Minotauro." She is immobilized as her body, and even her heart, is pierced by the deadly sword strike. Cheetador El'Dominio pulls out his sword, causing Lucifall to collapse onto her knees before dissolving into purple glitter.
Returning to the real world, we see Koyori at six damage. Her sixth card was Lucifall, no trigger!
"The winner is… The Supreme Emperor of Greed!" Masaomi declared.
(Match Ended)
The match concludes with Mr. Guerrero as the victor. As the two Cardfighters scoop up their decks, Masaomi stamps Koyori's and Mr. Guerrero's cards with a "Lose" and "Win" stamp respectively.
Koyori's P.O.V
"Here you go, Lady Akiyurei."
"Thank you…" I reply, taking my card from Mr. Masaomi after it has been stamped.
As I look down at my card, a wave of disappointment washes over me. I couldn't secure a victory in my first match in the Blood Throne.
"I'm sorry, Koyori." Mr. Guerrero approaches me and suddenly apologizes. "I think I went a little too far back there. I didn't mean to put you in such a pinch. I hope you don't hate me after this…"
I look up at him, surprised by his sincerity. "It's okay, Mr. Guerrero. You don't have to worry about me. You were going all out. It can't be helped."
But to be honest, I was more afraid of you, teach. Every second you made your move, it felt like you were using that sinister aura to gain an advantage. It worked, alright—I'm surprised I didn't lose my composure during the match.
"I guess I shouldn't underestimate a former cop and their cardfighting abilities," I remark jokingly.
Mr. Guerrero chuckles, a relieved expression on his face. "I suppose not. Just remember, Koyori, each match is a learning experience. You'll get better with each one."
I nod, his words of encouragement lightening my mood. "Thanks, Mr. Guerrero. I'll keep that in mind."
Later, outside of the school…
It was already late, so Mr. Guerrero offered to give me a ride home on his bike. As we drove, I couldn't stop thinking about the sinister aura he had displayed during our match. He doesn't seem to show it now when he's not being serious, but I'm sure that Mr. Guerrero isn't a bad person.
At home…
"I'm terribly sorry, Mrs. Hyoudou, for keeping Koyori out this late," Mr. Guerrero apologized to my aunt as soon as we arrived.
Aunt Miki smiled warmly. "No need to apologize, Mr. Guerrero. I'm just glad she's safe. Thank you for bringing her home. I hope my niece hasn't caused any trouble at school."
Mr. Guerrero shook his head and replied, "Not at all. Koyori has been a great student and a promising one at that. She still has a long way to go, but I'm sure she can achieve something far greater in time. Besides, I'm just a teacher doing my best to ensure all my students succeed in their future."
"You're very supportive of your students, Mr. Guerrero," Uncle Gorou remarked.
"I'm just doing my job, Mr. Hyoudou," Mr. Guerrero responded. "It's my responsibility to help my students achieve their dreams."
Aunt Miki and Uncle Gorou exchanged appreciative glances. "Well, we're grateful for the dedication you show," Aunt Miki said. "It's clear that you care deeply about your students' success."
Mr. Guerrero nodded. "Thank you. I believe in their potential, and I'm committed to helping them realize it."
"Well, I better get going now. I'll see you tomorrow at school, Koyori."
"Goodnight, Mr. Guerrero," I replied as I watched him leave the living room.
A minute later…
After Mr. Guerrero left, I went back to my room and changed into my pajamas before throwing my exhausted body onto the bed.
"What a loss! Mr. Guerrero is one "killer" cop."
He is both a "good cop" and a "bad cop," no question about it. There's no use in complaining about the loss; it was a tough match, and I was clearly outmatched.
I reached for Lucifall from my desk and held the card up in front of my face as I lay on my bed, still reflecting on Mr. Guerrero's words.
"That's the name of the first woman created by God and Adam's first partner before Eve. She embodied what every feminist aspires to be: a powerful woman and a strong individual with a desire for freedom. Although modern feminists claim they want to be independent and be treated equally to men, they often don't take action to improve themselves and instead just talk about it as if they mean it."
I let out a sigh and set the card down before turning off the light.
Meanwhile…
Third P.O.V
Moving away from Koyori's room, we see Mr. Guerrero exiting his apartment elevator with takeout in his hand. He made his way to a door marked "B - 68."
Mr. Guerrero stood in front of the door and pressed the bell. The sound echoed softly in the hallway as he waited. A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a woman in her late forties wearing a loose shirt and pant.
The woman yawns and scratches her head. "Ahh… Oh, it's you, Marco. Do you need someone…? You kinda ruin my sleep just now?"
"Sorry about that, Cleria," Mr. Guerrero apologizes. "I'm here to deliver your dinner. Here you go."
Mr. Guerrero hands over the takeout to Cleria, who accepts it with a tired but grateful smile.
"Thanks…"
"So about what we discussed, are you sure you want to participate in the Blood Throne as a Supreme Empress?" Mr. Guerrero asks.
Cleria sighs at his question. "How many times do I need to tell you? I won't back off from the offer. Besides, I'd much rather take the title of Supreme Empress rather than be one of the Four Great Satans—You know that as well, don't you... Marco Guerrero Ose?"
Mr. Guerrero smirks at Cleria's question, causing a silhouette of Cheetador to flash behind him as his eyes glint behind his glasses.
"I know, I know. I won't stop you from getting what you want, Supreme Empress of Gluttony."
(The End)
(RedJoker Vanguard card lore: Outlaw School Enforcer, Cheetador)
"A mysterious beastman who appeared after the Link Joker invasion had ended. Despite being part of the Supreme Blood, he possesses an unwavering sense of justice that displays his status as a security officer and a well-trained fighter. While coming from an unknown background, he was hired as the head of the security group under a new group name called O.S.E., "Outlaw School Enforcer." According to one theory, Leo-pald and Cheetador are said to be the same person, and it is said that whether this is true or not, the students of Great Nature view him as a hero."