"I... I haven't made any progress?"
Gloria muttered these words softly after a long while.
This—
This is impossible.
Half a year ago, to fuse Empress, she had to use three cards through Polymerization, but now she can achieve it with just Princess, saving the cost of an extra card. Moreover, this turn, she can use the effect of Amazoness Secret Arts to fuse an Extra Deck Monster, accomplishing what Tenjo Hikari could do back then.
Yes!
Now she's learned how to use cards from her Extra Deck as Fusion Material, an ability once only mastered by Tenjo Hikari!
How could she possibly be standing still!?
But—
But with her personality, she couldn't possibly say anything like that. She absolutely couldn't say these words to refute Tenjo Hikari.
"Gloria, we've teamed up for a Duel once. You're not as bad as those in the Fusion Army, so I'm happy to be friends with you." Tenjo Hikari raised his hand gently in front of him, like chanting, "Fusing with everyone possible is my Fusion.
Even if it's someone core to the Fusion Army, as long as they haven't done anything truly evil and as long as change is possible, I choose to fuse with them."
"Gloria, when we last teamed up, perhaps because it was a team Duel, I didn't feel it as directly. But in these past few days, after seeing you lose to Manjome and watching you in the Resurrection Race, I'm sure now—you just aren't suited for solo Duels."
"Ugh..." Despite her hard work to change, what Tenjo Hikari said was something she couldn't refute, which is why she's been pushing herself so hard lately.
Gloria herself had slowly realized it too.
Without Grace, her Duels had not gone smoothly.
As professional Tag Duelists, their performance in a solo match was quite mediocre.
Even those who performed average against Tenjo Hikari were extremely troublesome for her, and she didn't doubt for a second that against Jim, she'd lose the Duel instantly.
"Since our Duel, I've noticed you trying to communicate with others, even reaching out to students in the Integration Department." Tenjo Hikari tapped his forehead lightly, "But when at the Amazoness Camp, you didn't care about others, did you?"
Grace bit her lower lip gently.
Tenjo Hikari hit the nail on the head again.
As for her sister, she just blindly mimicked Tenjo Hikari's fusion and Duel style.
"So, what are you really thinking?" Even Tenjo Hikari didn't know.
He could only infer certain issues from visible elements but couldn't understand a person's heart without a Duel.
"Damn... My turn!" Gloria, caught in her thoughts, blushed a little, perhaps due to the over-exhaustion from long training, leading to possible fever or sickness, her body also felt warm.
Now that she thinks about it, it seems to be the case.
If she merely wanted to Duel Tenjo Hikari, she could simply find him directly, right?
There's always time to find Tenjo Hikari, no need to make excuses or seek opportunities in matches.
Gloria drew a card and glanced at it.
Tsk—
Amazoness Archer!
She looked at the other cards in her hand.
"In that case, I'll activate this card—activate the Spell Card, Card Destruction!"
"Players with cards in their hands discard all those cards. Then, each draws that many cards."
She tossed Amazoness Archer to the Graveyard.
Tenjo Hikari raised an eyebrow and sent his hand cards to the Graveyard too.
Gloria then drew three new cards from her Deck.
Now things are completely different from before!
Although she still hasn't figured out the vague emotions in her heart, since Tenjo Hikari mentioned it, she might as well abandon them!
"Good—" She set down a card as soon as she drew it, "When there are no Monsters or only 'Amazoness' Monsters on my field, activate this card. Special Summon it!
Amazoness War Chief!"
"Hah—long time no see, Tenjo Hikari!"
The War Chief was brought out by the Tyler Sisters?
Amazoness War Chief, LV 5, Earth Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 1900.
"When this card is Summoned·Special Summoned, activate it. Set 1 'Amazoness' Spell or Trap Card or 'Polymerization' from your Deck on your field.
I set Polymerization on my field. Then—I banish Amazoness Secret Arts from the Graveyard, activate its effect. This turn, I can use one Monster in my Extra Deck as Fusion Material when Fusion Summoning an Amazoness Monster!"
"Fusion Conditions are, an Amazoness Fusion Monster and an Amazoness Monster!"
"Lion ruling over beasts, in the presence of the Empress, show your loyalty—"
"I fuse Amazoness Pet Liger with the Amazoness War Chief on the field!"
"Fusion Summon, LV 10, Amazoness Augusta!"
Stronger than the Empress, the woman wielding a large sword brandished her weapon, raising her cloak, and descended to the ground.
Amazoness Augusta, LV 10, Earth Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 3200.
It seems not to have a Spirit, just a card granted by the Female Emperor to the Tyler Sisters.
"Wow—beautiful, Gloria." Grace clasped her hands gently beside her cheeks, "Accomplished what Gem-Knight Dispersion does!"