Chapter 85 – Kaibaman!?

Bonus Chapter

[Ding!]

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[Analysing prototype card... Complete.]

[Evaluating prototype card... Complete.]

[Congratulations.]

[The prototype card "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" is compatible.]

[Connecting to the Spirit World...]

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Alexander quietly watched the final line, then waited while thinking, 'Based on previous experience, the negotiation with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon Duel Spirit should begin shortly and from the impression it gives me... It will surely test me. I have to be ready'

The System's final message remained floating in front of Alexander, who stared at it for a few seconds as he waited for his first contact with the Duel Spirit of Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

After everything he had experienced with the other Duel Spirits, Alexander had a fairly good idea of what was about to happen, or at least, he thought he did.

A faint distortion suddenly appeared in the air in front of him, and Alexander's eyes immediately focused on it.

It was the usual portal that connects to the Spirit World.

It quickly expanded until it was roughly the size of an average person.

Alexander took a breath and prepared for what came next, as he had expected something like this.

Usually, the Duel Spirit would manifest itself on the other side first, then there would be some sort of interaction before it agreed to be connected to the cards, or Alexander was dragged into the Spirit World for some kind of test or attack depending on the Duel Spirit.

At least, that was how things had happened during his previous negotiations.

He expected to see the silhouette of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon through the portal, but instead a powerful force suddenly grabbed him, making him exclaim, "What—?!"

Alexander barely had time to react before his spirit was violently pulled forward.

The sensation was strangely familiar, as he had experienced this before, several times, actually. So although he was surprised, he wasn't exactly shocked.

What was different this time was that the Blue-Eyes White Dragon hadn't even shown itself.

There hadn't been a warning, no introduction, no opportunity to prepare himself.

He had simply been grabbed and pulled through, and just like that Alexander's surroundings disappeared.

For a moment, there was nothing but a strange sensation of movement, then his feet touched solid ground.

Alexander immediately looked around, and his eyes widened as he exclaimed in wonder, "Wow..."

He was standing inside an enormous cave, but calling it merely a cave felt like an insult, as the place was massive.

Its ceiling was so high that Alexander could barely make out its limits, while enormous crystalline formations emerged from the ground and walls.

But that wasn't what truly caught his attention; it was the air that was saturated with Spirit Energy. It was everywhere to the point that Alexander could almost feel it pressing against his skin.

The density was vastly greater than anything he had experienced during his previous visits to the Spirit World.

It was almost overwhelming, yet somehow, the place was also breathtakingly beautiful.

The crystals reflected the faint light that permeated the cave, creating countless shimmering points across the walls.

Alexander stood there for several seconds simply taking everything in, then he felt it, a gaze.

His attention immediately shifted toward the centre of the cavern, and there it was.

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

The Duel Spirit was lying in the middle of the enormous cave, its body resting majestically against the ground.

Its appearance was every bit as magnificent as Alexander remembered, yet seeing the creature itself made the image he had once created seem almost painfully inadequate.

Blue-Eyes White Dragon possessed a long, powerful body covered in overlapping scales that shifted between brilliant white, silver, and the faintest shades of icy blue beneath the cavern's light. Its serpentine neck rose from its massive torso in a graceful curve before narrowing into an angular, draconic head. A pair of sharp, elongated horns swept backwards from its crown, accompanied by smaller spines that ran along the back of its skull and continued down its neck. Its muzzle was long and pronounced, ending in a formidable set of jaws lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth.

Its four limbs were thick and powerfully built, each ending in enormous claws that rested against the cavern floor. Even while lying motionless, there was an unmistakable strength in its physique, the muscles beneath its scales giving the impression of immense power held in perfect restraint. Behind its body lay its enormous wings, folded against its sides. Their broad, angular frames were partially concealed beneath the creature's body, but even at rest they were large enough to dwarf anything Alexander could have imagined from the card's artwork.

A long, tapering tail extended from its hindquarters, curling across the crystalline ground before disappearing into the shadows behind it. Along its spine, rows of jagged protrusions followed the natural curve of its body, giving its otherwise elegant form a distinctly ferocious edge.

But it was the creature's eyes that seemed to bring everything else to life.

They were a brilliant, piercing blue, almost luminous against the pale scales of its face. They possessed none of the emptiness of an animal's gaze. There was intelligence within them. The sheer intensity of those eyes made it difficult to think of the creature as merely a dragon.

The Spirit Energy permeating the cavern seemed to gather around its body, drifting across its scales like an invisible current. Wherever the crystalline light touched it, Blue-Eyes seemed to shimmer with an ethereal radiance, its white scales reflecting shades of silver and blue until the enormous dragon appeared almost carved from living ice and starlight.

The sheer presence of the creature was overwhelming to the point that Alexander's breath caught for a moment.

Alexander felt a mixture of excitement and tension as this was the Duel Spirit of Blue-Eyes White Dragon, one of the most iconic monsters in Yu-Gi-Oh!/Duel Monsters.

And now it was looking directly at him.

Alexander swallowed before straightening his posture, as he had no intention of making a bad first impression.

He took a few careful steps forward and called out, "Blue-Eyes White Dragon."

The dragon's gaze remained fixed on him.

Alexander stopped a respectful distance away and said, "My name is Alexander Jones."

He offered a polite bow and added, "It is an honour to meet you."

For a moment, nothing happened, but Alexander waited patiently.

Then a voice suddenly rang out, saying, "So this is the kid who dares to covet the immense power of Blue-Eyes White Dragon?"

Alexander froze while his eyes widened.

That voice.

Arrogant. Sharp. And carrying an absolute certainty that immediately reminded him of someone.

Alexander slowly looked toward the source and saw that a new figure was standing in front of Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

At the same time, the enormous dragon rose from its resting position.

Alexander stared for a moment before exclaiming, "No freaking way..."

The figure was familiar, far too familiar.

He stood tall and broad-shouldered, his athletic physique giving him the appearance of a seasoned warrior. His attire consisted of a long white sleeveless coat featuring shoulder pads and a raised studded collar, with black sleeves from his shirt coming out from under. It had extra belts in pairs strapped around his upper arms and shins, and a golden pendant hung around his neck. Blue accents and armoured elements completed the ensemble, giving him an unmistakable presence.

His face couldn't be seen, as it was covered by a helmet modelled on a Blue-Eyes White Dragon, yet it was framed by long brown hair swept backwards in distinctive strands.

Despite his human appearance, however, there was something unmistakably supernatural about him. Spirit Energy surrounded his body in a subtle yet powerful aura, making it clear that this was not merely a man but a true Duel Spirit, Kaibaman.

Alexander's mind went blank for a moment because of all the possible Duel Spirits he could have encountered here; this was probably one of the last ones he had expected.

Kaibaman was a card, more specifically, a card originally created by Seto Kaiba as a rather blatant homage to himself, and now the card had its own Duel Spirit.

Alexander stared at him, then he looked toward Blue-Eyes White Dragon standing behind it, then back toward Kaibaman before he muttered, "Did I jinx myself...? Why the fuck—"

Kaibaman narrowed his eyes and said, "Oi... Watch your tongue!"

Hearing that, Alexander smiled wryly while thinking, 'Yep. That sounds just like Kaiba in my memories...'

At the same time, Alexander couldn't help but wonder if Seto Kaiba had somehow managed to imprint so much of his personality onto the card that the resulting Duel Spirit had essentially become a supernatural copy of himself and if that was the case, was this guy actually here to protect his Blue-Eyes wife?

The thought was so absurd that Alexander almost laughed out loud.

Almost, because Kaibaman's expression made it very clear that he wasn't joking, even more so when he said, "You have come here seeking the power of Blue-Eyes White Dragon."

Kaibaman raised one hand, "Then I shall show you whether you are worthy of it."

Alexander blinked, "Wait, you're challenging me?"

"Hahaha! Of course." Kaibaman's expression became even more arrogant, "I will show you the true power of Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

Alexander looked toward the dragon, but Blue-Eyes White Dragon remained silent, with its eyes still fixed on him.

Alexander sighed internally while thinking, 'Haa... I have been expecting a negotiation, but instead, I have apparently walked into a trial by duel. Oh well... At least this is familiar territory.'

Then an excited grin appeared on his face as he said, "If that's what it takes to gain your recognition... I'll do it!"

Alexander extended his hand, and his deck materialised in it while Kaibaman did the same.

The Spirit Energy surrounding them suddenly began to move.

The dense energy gathered between the two Duelists, spreading across the ground until a complete Duel Field formed as the Spirit World itself was creating the field.

Alexander calmly took a quick look, but he was already used to such a sight.

Kaibaman let go of his deck, which floated beside him, and announced, "Let us begin."

Alexander nodded and also let go of his deck, which floated beside him. With a smile on his face, he said, "Alright. It's time to duel!"

Both Duelists drew their opening hands as five cards flew out from the top of their decks and landed in their hands.

Kaibaman took his position, and Alexander did the same as the Duel began.

[Kaibaman — 4000 LP]

[Alexander — 4000 LP]

Kaibaman then announced, "I'll go first!"

He looked at his cards, then at Alexander and without wasting any time, he placed one card onto the field while announcing, "I set one monster."

At the same time, the face-down card flew out of his hand and enlarged itself before landing on his side of the field.

Kaibaman then placed another card behind it as he said, "I also set one card in the back row and end my turn. That will be all for now."

Alexander raised an eyebrow and thought, 'Kaibaman/Kaiba starting defensively? Highly unlikely... So, he is truly testing me...'

Then he announced, "My turn."

Alexander drew a card and looked at his hand before his expression twitched slightly, 'Shit... Not exactly the opening hand I was hoping for. Still, there isn't much I can do about it. And at least I didn't brink.'

He selected one card and threw it toward the field while saying, "I'll set one monster."

The card enlarged itself and landed face-down on his side of the field.

Alexander then picked up another card in his hand but quickly reconsidered it, 'No. It's way too soon. Best not waste too many resources too soon. With my current cards, I can easily survive the next turn even if he pulls out a Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon...'

Reaching that conclusion, Alexander announced, "I end my turn."

Kaibaman's eyes narrowed before he drew a card and said, "My turn."

A confident smile appeared on his face, "Now..."

He launched another card toward the field while announcing, "I Normal Summon Kaiser Sea Horse in Attack Position!"

The card glowed briefly before it transformed into a large, armoured sea horse-like knight. Its body was covered in blue and purple plating, while a pair of curved horns protruded from its head as it landed on the field, its cold, pinkish eyes fixed upon Alexander.

[Kaiser Sea Horse — 1700 ATK / 1650 DEF]

Alexander studied the monster, 'Kaiser Sea Horse... A fairly strong monster and aggressive for this stage of the Duel. But more importantly, one that can be used to Tribute Summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon, as it can be treated as 2 Tributes...'

Kaibaman wasn't finished as he reached toward his previously set monster and commanded, "Reveal yourself! Shining Angel!"

The face-down card flipped face-up before it glowed and transformed into a winged angelic monster.

[Shining Angel — 1400 ATK / 800 DEF]

Alexander narrowed his eyes, watching the two monsters standing in front of him, 'One with 1700 ATK and the other with 1400. Neither is particularly overwhelming on its own, but for sure, this is more aggressive than the previous turn.'

Kaibaman pointed toward Alexander's face-down monster and ordered, "Kaiser Sea Horse, attack that face-down card!"

The armoured knight moved forward while Alexander's set card flipped face-up, glowed and transformed into a creepy tomato.

[Mystic Tomato — 1400 ATK / 1100 DEF]

The attack struck Alexander's monster, destroying it into motes of light that gathered together to reform the card before it flew toward Alexander's Graveyard, yet the faint phantom image of the destroyed monster remained.

Seeing that, Alexander smiled faintly and said, "Too bad. That triggered Mystic Tomato's effect that allows me to Special Summon 1 DARK monster with 1500 or less ATK from my Deck in Attack Position. And I choose Mystic Tomato."

In response to that, the phantom image dove into Alexander's deck and pulled out a card from it that then flew toward the field, glowed brightly and the next moment a second Mystic Tomato appeared on Alexander's field in Attack Position.

[Mystic Tomato — 1400 ATK / 1100 DEF]

Kaibaman didn't look impressed as he commanded, "Shining Angel. Attack!"

The second monster immediately attacked, and this time both monsters were destroyed, and both left behind a phantom image, as they both had a similar effect; the only difference was that Shining Angel targeted Light monsters.

Both Alexander and Kaibaman didn't hesitate and called another copy of the same monsters, making the phantom images dive into their deck and pull out the declared card that flew onto the field, transforming into the monsters.

[Mystic Tomato — 1400 ATK / 1100 DEF]

[Shining Angel — 1400 ATK / 800 DEF]

Kaibaman smiled and declared, "Shining Angel, attack again!"

The angel and the tomato clashed again, and once more they destroyed each other, leaving behind their phantom images, but while Kaibaman called out the same card once again, this time Alexander selected a different monster, "I choose Befomet."

Just like before, the phantom images dove into their deck and pulled out the declared card that flew onto the field, transforming into the monsters.

[Shining Angel — 1400 ATK / 800 DEF]

Then the monster called out by Alexander appeared on the field; it was a four-armed, winged demonic figure with a wild, spiky mane and curved, goat-like horns.

[Befomet — 1400 ATK / 1800 DEF]

Kaibaman stared at the newly summoned monster, then he gave a short, arrogant laugh, "Hahaha! You have defended yourself well."

He folded his arms, "But do you truly believe that hiding behind defensive monsters will allow you to win?"

At this point, Kaibaman shouted, "Fool! It isn't over yet! Shining Angel, attack Berfomet!"

Once again, the angel flew up in the air before diving toward the four-armed demon who roared in defiance, and then the two clashed, destroying one another, but this time only the angel left behind a phantom image while Berfomet's motes reformed into a card that flew toward the Graveyard.

At this point, Kaibaman announced, "I activate Shining Angel's effect one last time and Special Summon myself from the deck!"

Just like the previous times, Shining Angel's phantom image dove into his deck and pulled out a card that flew into the field and transformed into an exact copy of Kaibaman.

[Kaibaman - 200 ATK / 700 DEF]

Kaibaman then didn't hesitate to declare, "I now attack you directly!"

The Kaibaman on the field quickly closed in and punched Alexander, making him grunt in pain as he felt the feedback, which luckily was much lighter than that of a true Shadow Game.

[Alexander - 3800 LP]

After that, Kaibaman grinned and said, "Huahahaha! I end my Battle Phase, but my turn isn't over yet, as I now activate my effect, which allows me to tribute myself to Special Summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand!"

Then he dramatically flung his arm forward, launching a card toward the field and yelled, "Appear, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

The card shone brightly before transforming into the imposing figure of Blue-Eyes White Dragon that let out a noble roar while unleashing immense pressure.

[Blue-Eyes White Dragon - 3000 ATK / 2500 DEF]

Alexander looked toward Blue-Eyes White Dragon before tightening his grip slightly while thinking, 'Here it is... This is the legendary aggressive Kaiba-Style! How terrifying... and exciting!'

At the same time, Alexander felt the Blue-Eyes White Dragon Duel Spirit's gaze on him intensify as it was gauging and evaluating his every action now that he was facing its counterpart.

Despite the grim situation, Alexander's smile grew even bigger as he was more fired up than ever while he thought, 'So this is your test... Fine. If Kaibaman and Blue-Eyes want to see what I'm capable of... I'll show them.'