Rex Raptor's Roar

A group of staff members cleared out a space, while a few others hurriedly called the president.

They had no idea how it happened, but somehow the duel had just begun.

At first, the plan was to have another duelist from the company duel Hikaru, and as long as the result wasn't too outrageous, the matter would be settled.

Still, Rex Raptor was a different story!

Even if he wasn't particularly outstanding among the legendary duelists, he was still a "legendary duelist" in every sense. Back when their company first started developing, Rex Raptor was practically "invincible."

Even when facing duelists with decks specifically tailored against him, Rex could still usually pull off a win.

Simply put, as long as the opponent wasn't cheating, Rex was solid.

So, having a student suddenly duel someone like him? That was ridiculous!

"Bunch of worrywarts," Rex Raptor muttered, half-slouching with hands in his pockets, looking bored. "A real duelist, from the moment they become a duelist, has no age difference. If you're strong enough, even a beginner can beat a veteran."

A compelling point.

After all, Rex had once been taught that very lesson by the almost-complete novice Joey Wheeler during Duelist Kingdom, through a coin toss and some dice.

"Kid, you go first." He pulled his hands out of his pockets, shot a glance at the staff, then looked at Hikaru.

"Oh-ho, this legendary duelist is pretty confident, huh?" Tierra appeared beside Hikaru with a grin, eager to chime in and critique as the duel played out.

After so much time studying dueling, Tierra understood very well: going first was a definite advantage.

And yet Rex Raptor had given up the first move instead of rushing to take it like members of the Fusion Army from Duel Academy usually did. That meant he either underestimated Hikaru or had great confidence in himself.

She was clearly trying to imply that Rex was looking down on Hikaru.

Just stirring the pot.

Hikaru didn't reply to her and instead promptly revealed a monster, "I Normal Summon Ancient Gear Hunting Hound!"

"Arff!"

The mechanical hound appeared on the field, growling.

[Ancient Gear Hunting Hound] Level 3│EARTH│Machine│1000 ATK

"When this card is Normal Summoned, it inflicts 600 points of damage to the opponent."

The hound howled again, causing Rex Raptor to wince slightly.

[Rex Raptor, LP: 4000 → 3400]

"A Monster Card, huh?" Rex stared at the creature, pondering. "So that monster..."

"Exactly! Just as you thought. Once per turn, during my Main Phase, I can use Ancient Gear Hunting Hound's effect to Fusion Summon an Ancient Gear Fusion Monster using monsters from my hand or field as materials!"

"The Fusion requirement is two Ancient Gear monsters!

I fuse the on-field Ancient Gear Hunting Hound with Ancient Gear Knight from my hand to Fusion Summon—"

"Roaring with fury—Ancient Gear Howitzer!"

The cannon-laden machine descended thunderously from the sky.

[Ancient Gear Howitzer] Level 8│EARTH│Machine│1800 DEF

"Its effect—once per turn, during my Main Phase, it inflicts 1000 damage to the opponent!"

The Howitzer raised its barrel, gathered energy, and blasted Rex Raptor.

He raised an arm to shield himself from the energy surge, unfazed.

From that aura alone, he really did deserve the title of "legendary duelist."

[Rex Raptor, LP: 3400 → 2400]

"That ends my turn."

"No way, not only did he summon a Fusion Monster, but he dealt 1600 damage to Mr. Rex? That's more than a regular monster's direct attack!"

"Incredible! At this rate, if that monster activates its effect three times, he wins!"

As the duel escalated, some regular employees uninvolved in today's tour also gathered around, shouting in awe.

"Heh." Hearing their chatter, Rex Raptor actually smiled.

Maybe to him, only when dueling on the field and fighting tooth and nail did life not feel so pathetic.

"Not a bad first turn. You dealt damage and set up a shield, but if you think that's enough for an easy win, think again." Rex said casually as he drew a card.

"My turn."

"I activate the Normal Spell, Graceful Charity."

'Whoa—a banned card!'

Hikaru raised an eyebrow.

Compared to Pot of Greed, drawing two cards, Graceful Charity drew three and discarded two. At first glance, the hand size stayed the same, while in reality, it enabled major deck-thinning and Graveyard setup.

Even in this world, Hikaru had only seen it in Professor Crowler's deck, truly a super rare card.

"Draw three, discard two—I discard Two-Headed King Rex and Super Conductor Tyranno."

"Next, I Normal Summon Armored Lizard."

A classic monster appeared on his field.

[Armored Lizard] Level 4│EARTH│Reptile│1500 ATK

"A Normal Monster with only 1500 Attack?"

"Yeah, that Attack can't even pierce defense!"

"Why, though?"

Rex chuckled, glancing at his hand. "A duel needs setup, climax, and twist. That's what makes it exciting, that's what gets the crowd going, that's how more people fall in love with it."

"I activate the Spell Card, Ultra Evolution Pill!"

"Tribute 1 Reptile from my field to Special Summon a Dinosaur from my hand!"

"I Special Summon Super-Ancient Dinobeast from my hand!"

A massive dinosaur with silver-blue fur, tiny wings, and laser breath roared onto the field.

[Super-Ancient Dinobeast] Level 8│EARTH│Dinosaur│2700 ATK

"!!"

"Whoa! He just summoned a monster with 2700 Attack!"

"Then again, why not keep the Super Conductor Tyranno from earlier? It has higher Attack, right?"

"I'm not done yet! I activate Monster Reborn!" Rex ignored the crowd's gasps as he played another Spell Card. "Revive Super Conductor Tyranno from my Graveyard!"

"Fight for me, my dinosaurs!"

Lightning flashed as a massive mechanical T-Rex covered in armor descended.

[Super Conductor Tyranno] Level 8│LIGHT│Dinosaur│3300 ATK

"And it's not over. Super-Ancient Dinobeast's effect activates! While it's on the field, if I Special Summon a Dinosaur from the Graveyard, I draw a card!"

"Draw—Heh heh heh..." He glanced at the card and tucked it into his hand. "Battle Phase!"