"...aw man."

Mitsuba's confidence had been shattered when he saw Zyriot approach him.

"They're sending out Zyriot-san first?!"

Sakigamiya was the first to react to his unexpected appearance.

"Well, we've lost." Yamaguchi snorted.

"Have some faith in him. Mitsuba-san can do it!" Akari exclaimed.

"He's fighting the leader of D Class, you honestly think he's gonna win?"

"Of course I do. He's our classmate, we should be supporting him."

"You're a dumbass."

"What'd you call me?!"

"You two, let's not fight over this. Akari-san has a point, even if the chances of Mitsuba-san winning are slim, we should be supporting him anyways. There's always a chance he could turn things around."

Matsushita intervened in the argument between Yamaguchi and Akari. Personally, my opinion leaned closer to Yamaguchi's one. While I wanted Mitsuba to win like everyone else, being realistic, his chances of beating Zyriot was slim. There was a reason why I specifically trained Akihiro in beating him, after all.

Still, I hadn't anticipated Zyriot being the one D Class would send out first. They must've had complete confidence that he'd win, regardless of the opponent, if they were willing to send out someone so vital to their class this early on. However, this opened up a chance for us to swing things in our favour. If Mitsuba could clutch this win, we'd gain an overwhelming advantage by knocking out D Class's leader first thing in the war.

"Ichinose-san, could you do me a favour?"

I turned to the small group of B Class students who were watching with serious and intent eyes.

"What is it, Takanori-kun?"

"Could you give Mitsuba-san some words of encouragement?"

"Sure thing!"

Since we were keeping hidden that I was going to be commander, I asked Ichinose to psych Mitsuba up before his fight in my steed. Though, I had another reason to ask her to do it instead of me... and that was because Ichinose was a girl. Above anything else, Mitsuba loved girls, especially bijins like Ichinose. Her pep talk would be more effective than mine any day of the week.

Ichinose stepped onto the platform Chabashira-sensei was standing on and used her visor to communicate with Mitsuba.

"Hello, Mitsuba-kun?"

"E-eh? Ichinose-chan, is that you?!"

We could hear Mitsuba talk excitedly through the screens.

"Yep, nya ha ha!"

"What are you doing, calling me now?! The fight's gonna start any second now and we'll be cut off!"

"Then I'll make it quick! Mitsuba-kun, I wanted to tell you that I believe in you! Not just me, but everyone else as well! We all believe that you can win in a fight against Zyriot-kun! It doesn't matter if he's the strongest or if he's a representative! He's still a student, like me and you! So raise your head high and show everyone what you're made of!"

"Ichinose-chan..."

Mitsuba's sweating face hardened with resolve when he received those passionate words from Ichinose. It seemed to have worked, as Mitsuba bravely faced Zyriot with a scowl on his usually smiling face.

I stepped onto the platform and opened a communication line with Mitsuba like how Ichinose did moments earlier. It was embarrassing, but it was the only way I knew how to rouse his spirit.

"Mitsuba-san..."

I took a deep breath and shot my clenched fist into the air.

"Glory... glory to the loser faction!"

"Glory to the loser faction!"

As I cried out that rally, an echo of everyone else in the Takanori group chanting it followed. Mitsuba smirked, pumping his fist into the air as well.

"Glory to the loser faction, bitches!!"

I stepped off the platform, ignoring the strange and mocking looks coming from the Matsushita group. Katsumi grinned, slapping me in the back as a reward for my efforts.

"That's quite a chant you've got there."

Zyriot finally spoke up, making contact with Mitsuba.

"Yeah, but it's pretty cool, right?"

"If that's your thing, I won't judge. I like camaraderie between fellows more than anything else."

"Heh, you're as cool as the rumours say. Let's do this, Zyriot-san!"

"Good luck, have fun."

Zyriot, who had no strong feelings either way about this fight, left Mitsuba with that simple greeting. Just from watching them exchange words, you could see the contrast between their personality types. Mitsuba was all fired up while Zyriot stayed calm and collected.

"Stand up, Vanguard!"

"Machining Worker Ant!"

"Lizard Soldier, Conroe!"

The system determined who would be going first randomly.

"First Turn: Zyriot Feirbuster."

Unfortunately, Zyriot was chosen. If Mitsuba had the first turn, then that would've increased his chance of winning by a huge margin. As it stands now though, Zyriot might've been saved by this small but significant difference.

"Stand and draw. I ride Mutant Gentleman, High Class Moth from my Ride Deck!"

Already, Zyriot took advantage of the Ride Deck to secure High Class Moth into his soul. Moth was one of Megacolony's best cards, as it was regarded as a grade 3 in both deck and soul. Any effects that needed to soulblast a grade 3 could be paid for with Moth, meaning that skills that should've been locked to turn 4 could now be done on turn 3.

"I draw from Ant and end my turn."

Zyriot:
Hand: 6
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

Mitsuba:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I ride Heatshot Dragon from my Ride Deck and draw a card from Conroe! Since I went second, I also get a Quick Shield, but I'll discard it to draw a card with Heatshot's on ride skill!"

Smartly, Mitsuba traded in his pseudo-card for an actual card thanks to Heatshot.

"Heatshot attacks! (8000)"

"No guard!"

"Drive check! (Calamity Tower Wyvern)"

"Damage check! (Machining Ornamental)"

"Turn end!"

Zyriot:
Hand: 6
Damage: 1
OXO
OOO

Mitsuba:
Hand: 8
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw. I ride Machining Scatter Horn from my Ride Deck! His skill, I look at the top six cards of my deck and add one non-grade 2 Machining to my hand. I add Meteorbullet and put Hornet into soul!"

I noticed a minor discrepancy when Zyriot activated Scatter Horn's skill, so I decided to ask about it.

"Chabashira-sensei. Scatter Horn's skill activates when it's placed from hand, yet Zyriot-san still used it despite placing it from Ride Deck. Isn't that an illegal play?"

"When you're riding from the Ride Deck, it's treated as riding from hand. That's why on place abilities that have the "from hand" restriction, like Scatter Horn, will activate regardless."

"I see. Thanks."

So the Ride Deck was also flexible that way. It really is an amazing feature, huh?

"Scatter Horn attacks! (9000)"

"No guard!"

"Drive check! (Machining Black Saturn)"

"Damage check! (Flame of Searing Heat, Gibil)"

"Turn end."

Zyriot:
Hand: 7
Damage: 1
OXO
OOO

Mitsuba:
Hand: 8
Damage: 1
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! With an iron hammer and a fire so strong that it can melt glass, I'll craft a brand new weapon on this anvil known as "Kagero"! The greatest predators lay hidden until it's time to strike! I ride Prowling Dragon, Striken from my Ride Deck!"

There it is. That was the card I gave Mitsuba on the day he realised the true worth of low rarity cards. Striken, who was only a R.

"I call Igniroad Dragon! His skill, check top seven, and add a "The X" to my hand! Igniroad, attack! (10000)"

"No guard! (Shelter Beetle) Critical, all to vanguard. (9000 > 19000)"

Mitsuba smiled scummily.

"Turn end!"

"Huh? Aren't you going to attack with the vanguard?"

Zyriot was bewildered.

"I'd love to, but I can't. Striken can't attack as the vanguard!"

Mitsuba began cackling. Even though this was technically a disadvantage for him, Zyriot was now wary of the fact that Striken had this limitation. In his mind, he must've began thinking of what other powerful skill Striken had that warranted such a restriction.

Zyriot:
Hand: 7
Damage: 2
OXO
OOO

Mitsuba:
Hand: 8
Damage: 1
XXO
OOO

"Stand and draw. A raging storm of gas gathers in the centre of the dusty planet, kicking up sand and ice to form seven rings of mass destruction! I ride, Machining Black Saturn!"

For some reason, Zyriot didn't ride from his Ride Deck. Instead, he chose to ride from his hand normally. What unit was he hiding from us?

"Imaginary Gift: Protect I! I call Meteorbullet and Cybister to rear-guard. Meteorbullet's skill, I rest Cybister and he gets +10k! (12000 > 22000) Cybister's skill, when he's rested, I can look at the top three cards of my deck and call a Machining to rear-guard. I call another Meteorbullet! His skill, I rest my other Meteorbullet to give him +10k! (12000 > 22000)"

Zyriot's visor began glowing dark green.

"I activate my skill, Machine Duplication! I can call a grade 1 or less rear-guard from my soul as rest! I call, Machining Hornet!"

Surprisingly, Zyriot activated his skill this early on in the game. It was a basic call from soul in the style of Machining, but it filled another circle for no cost. With four rear-guards, he'd just need one more to give everything "Boost" with Meteorbullet's skill.

And I could already guess which unit he'd be calling down to fulfil it.

"Descend, Queen of Machining! I call, Machining Ornamental! Her skill, I rest all other rear-guards and give them +5k! (22000 > 27000) (22000 > 27000) (8000 > 13000) (8000 > 13000) Black Saturn's skill! I counterblast and soulblast to stand all of my rear-guards and give them +5k! (27000 > 32000) (27000 > 32000) (13000 > 18000) (12000 > 17000) (13000 > 18000) Then, your vanguard loses drive -1 and my vanguard gets drive +1! (12000/2d > 3d)"

Reducing Mitsuba's drive checks when he was on grade 2 didn't matter, as he'd regain them by riding next turn. What did matter was Black Saturn gaining a drive and distributing power to everybody. Through the trifecta of Saturn-Ornamental-Meteorbullet, Zyriot had made two 40k+ columns on turn 3. Since he also ran twelve critical, there was a high chance he'd pull multiple in his triple drive.

"Boosted by Ornamental, Black Saturn attacks! (12000 > 29000/3d) Red Ring of Death!"

"Jannat and Gibil guards! (9000 > 39000 > 49000) Two to pass!"

"Triple Drive!!! (Mutant Gentleman, High Class Moth, Jewel Flasher) Critical trigger!"

Zyriot had two choices. He could either give everything to vanguard and hope he'd pull another trigger in his third check to make the attack hit, or he could play it safe and give it to his rear-guard.

"I'll give all to Meteorbullet. (32000 > 42000/1 > 2) Third check! (Machining Cybister)"

Zyriot had made the right call giving it all to his rear-guard. Mitsuba would probably have no choice but to take the remaining three damage to the face. However, since he was at one damage, it would be fine. He could use the excess counterblast to his advantage next turn anyways.

"Boosted by Cybister, Meteorbullet attacks! (32000 > 50000)"

"No guard! (Torridcannon Dragon)"

"Boosted by Hornet, Meteorbullet attacks! (42000 > 60000/2)"

"No guard! (Angry Horn Dragon, Embodiment of Spear, Tahr)"

Unfortunately, two of Mitsuba's twelve critical triggers hit the damage zone on Zyriot's last attack, rendering them completely useless.

"Turn end."

Zyriot:
Hand: 8
Damage: 2
XXX
XXX

Mitsuba:
Hand: 6
Damage: 4
XXO
OOO

OST: Rise Up Your Flag

"Stand and draw! From these burnt and marred hands comes a creation so hot and fierce, not even God can grab hold of it! Made in magma and forged from lava, the supreme heavenly dragon's unrivalled flames will blaze a path forward into the future, straight into the burning sun! I ride my avatar, Dragonic Overlord "The X"!"

"Imaginary Gift: Force II! To the vanguard circle! (13000/1 > 2) Striken's skill! When rode upon, I counterblast to draw a card and give my vanguard +5k and a critical! (13000 > 17000/2 > 3) Witness this! The power of Striken X!"

This was the answer Mitsuba had come to on his own. He had created a combo between a high rarity card and a low rarity card that bridged the two eras of not only his deck, but also himself, together.

"Three critical...?"

Even Zyriot couldn't hide his surprise at Mitsuba's ingenious combo. The Matsushita group and B Class students were also stunned by it. There was a smug sense of superiority leaking from Takanori group, as we already knew about this beforehand.

"It's about to get even more hot in here! Skill, activate!"

Mitsuba's visor began glowing hot red.

"Blazing Forge! I get an Imaginary Gift: Force I until end of turn! To the vanguard circle! (17000 > 27000/3)"

Like a true blacksmith, Mitsuba created a Gift from thin air with his powerful skill. Now that he had both Force I and II on The X, it would become extremely difficult for Zyriot to guard three consecutive attacks of that pressure.

"The X's skill! I soulblast, search my deck for Dragonic Overlord the End, and put into my soul! The X gains all of The End's names and abilities until end of turn! I call two Calamity Tower Dragon! Their skills, I soulblast one for each and retire both of them to give my vanguard +15k twice! (27000 > 42000 > 57000/3) I call Heatshot Dragon, Torridcannon Dragon, Flame of Searing Heat, Gibil, and Purple Gem Carbuncle to rear-guard! Torridcannon's skill, I counterblast and botdeck a normal unit to retire Cybister and draw a card if I have four or less cards in hand! The X's skill, whenever a card effect would count the number of cards in my hand, it's regarded as zero, so I draw!"

The X's skill meant that he could activate all his effects without worrying about the condition of whether or not his hand was small enough to proc them.

"Boosted by Gibil, Torridcannon attacks! (10000 > 18000)"

"Moth guards! (22000)"

"Gibil's skill, since I have four or less cards in hand, I put him into soul to give my vanguard +5k! (57000 > 62000/3) Boosted by Heatshot, The X attacks! (62000 > 70000/3) Igniroad's skill, if I have four or less cards in hand, he gets +5k whenever my vanguard attacks! (10000 > 15000) Launch him into the pits of the volcano, Hammer of Hephaestus!"

Terrifyingly, Mitsuba had managed to raise The X's power to a staggering 70k. Zyriot would have no choice but to perfect guard every attack coming his way, or else he'd risk losing his entire hand in trying to hard guard this attack.

"No guard."

To everyone's surprise, Zyriot took a risk and decided to take the first incoming attack from The X, despite it being a deadly three critical. If Mitsuba pulled even one critical in his drive check, the attack would be lethal.

"I can end it here... come on deck, work with me for once! Twin Drive!!"

Mitsuba desperately grasped for a trigger in this moment. If he could get it, then Zyriot would be knocked out and he'd be revered as the hero who defeated D Class's fearsome leader.

"First check! (Purple Gem Carbuncle)"

Nothing.

"Second check...! Please! (Igniroad Dragon)"

Nothing. Zyriot had been able to safely take his attack, at the cost of being pushed to five damage and the brink of death.

"Damn it!"

While Mitsuba screamed in frustration, Zyriot breathed a sigh of relief. In that situation, he looked genuinely stressed. There was a high chance he could've been taken out, but Lady Luck smiled down on him once more, and mercifully let him live.

"Damage checks! (Machining Spark Hercules, Scissor-shot Mutant, Bombscissor) Critical, all to vanguard. (12000 > 22000) (Machining Scatter Horn)"

Even though it was three checks, Zyriot only managed to pull one damage trigger. Guarding the remaining attacks would continue to be a difficult task for him.

"The X's skill gained from The End! I discard three cards from my hand to restand the vanguard with +10k and drive -1! (62000 > 72000/2d > 1d) Heatshot's skill, he stands as well! Purple Gem's skill, since my vanguard stood, she gets +15k until end of turn! (5000 > 20000)"

Mitsuba had fully embraced the usage of low rarity cards now. Both Gibil and Carbuncle were common cards, yet their impact on this turn was huge. Gibil's +5k was enough to tip The X over to 70k when boosted by Heatshot, and Carbuncle had become a 20k booster for Igniroad, who would only grow stronger the more times The X attacked.

"Boosted by Heatshot, The X attacks for the second time! (72000 > 80000/3/1d) Igniroad gets +5k! (15000 > 20000) Launch him into the pits of the volcano, Hammer of Hephaestus!!"

"Perfect guard with Protect I!"

As expected, Zyriot nullified this attack.

"Drive check! (Demonic Dragon Mage, Rakshasa)"

Seeing that critical now made Mitsuba bite down on his bottom lip in torment. He was literally one card away from ending Zyriot in that last Twin Drive. Still, he pressed forward, the reckless flame of rage consuming his body.

"Critical trigger! All effects to The X! (72000 > 82000/3 > 4/1d) The X's skill gained from The End! I counterblast and soulblast to stand the vanguard with drive -1! However, since you're on grade 3, The X's drive can't become zero or less, so it stays at one drive! Heatshot stands as well!"

Mitsuba took a deep breath and roared out like a dragon.

"I swear to God that I'll defeat you, Zyriot-san you bastard! Boosted by Heatshot, The X attacks for the third time! (82000 > 90000/4/1d) Igniroad gets +5k! (20000 > 25000)"

From the ashes and smoke, a beacon of light emerged. A tower of spiralling, molten hot flames seethed viciously like a tornado, ripping apart the sky and dyeing it gold.

"LAUNCH HIM INTO THE PITS OF THE VOLCANO!"

The source of that blinding light was from Dragonic Overlord "The X", who raised his golden sword high into the sky. Collecting every last bit of heat energy inside that sparking blade, The X began glowing gold as well, becoming even brighter than the sun.

"HAMMER OF—"

No... it was more correct to say The X had become the sun itself. A supernova of hot plasma heated to incandescence by nuclear fusion reactions happening in its core. He had become one with the God of blacksmiths and fire itself—

"HEPHAESTUS!"

The X released it all in that moment. Swinging his sword down like a hammer, Black Saturn was squashed by the sun. The flames of victory danced momentarily, before dissipating completely.

The confident smile on Mitsuba's face vanished. Zyriot was breathing heavily, a drop of sweat falling from his cheek.

"Two Bombscissor and a Ranpli guards... (22000 > 52000 > 82000 > 102000) No pass!"

That single damage trigger he got earlier had saved Zyriot by the skin of his teeth. So this was the bet Zyriot made when he took three damage, huh? He intentionally dug for a damage trigger to make it easier to hard guard this attack later, and it paid off.

"H-how... w-wha...?"

"I heard from Rikuto-san and the others that you used Overlord. As such, I focused my mulligan on getting as many defensive cards as possible in preparation for this turn."

Zyriot revealed to Mitsuba how he anticipated for this. This was only possible thanks to the Ride Deck, as it allowed Zyriot to get away with a starting hand filled with triggers. That was probably why he also used his skill that early, since he didn't have anything else to call from hand except Ornamental. It was like he had complete mastery over the Ride Deck already.

Mitsuba's spirits had been crushed seeing how Zyriot managed to tank his three biggest attacks through a combination of preparation, luck, and a calculated risk. Zyriot really was a terrifying opponent. Even if his deck wasn't amazing, his understanding of the fundamentals was incredible. That was the biggest difference that separated him from Mitsuba.

Mitsuba had a deck chock full of good cards, but his understanding of the basics were lacking compared to Zyriot. As a result, Zyriot could see things Mitsuba couldn't, which is why he managed to survive the blitz of attacks. If the technically skilled Zyriot piloted Mitsuba's explosively strong deck, there was no doubt in my mind that he'd be unstoppable.

"D-drive check... (Torridcannon Dragon) Nothing... b-boosted by Carbuncle... Igniroad attacks... (25000 > 45000)"

"Bombscissor guards! (52000)"

Surprising us once more, Zyriot revealed that he had three critical sentinels in his hand this entire time to stop Mitsuba dead in his tracks. In other words, he knew that was guaranteed to survive Mitsuba's turn from the very start. That would also explain why his triple drive only managed to check one trigger back then, because at least four of them were in his hand.

"T-turn end... oh, my Force I disappears..."

Unfortunately, the Fighter's Skill only lasted until end of turn. Mitsuba went all in and put everything he had on the line to finish Zyriot off as quick as possible. Instead, it backfired on him, and now he was on the back end of this fight.

Zyriot:
Hand: 1
Damage: 5
XXX
OXX

Mitsuba:
Hand: 3
Damage: 4
XXX
XXO

"Stand and draw. You've played extremely well so far. I'm honestly impressed. However, I'm afraid it's going to end here, Mitsuba-san."

Zyriot's normally friendly eyes turned solemn.

"Final Turn."

A wave of fear washed over Mitsuba as Zyriot announced that.

"A triple pincer hold forged from the toughest metal. A deadly spark-show that shows the supremacy of science and nature. I ride my avatar, Machining Spark Hercules!"

So this is what Zyriot had been hiding from us this entire time... it was his avatar, Spark Hercules. A bad feeling welled up in my gut when he rode it.

"Imaginary Gift: Protect I! I use both Meteorbullet's skill to rest Hornet and Ornamental to give them 10k! (12000 > 22000) (12000 > 22000) Spark Hercules' skill, I put Hornet into soul to give him +5k for each of your rested units! You have five, so +25k! (12000 > 37000) I call, Machining Stag Beetle! His skill, I call Black Saturn from my soul as rest! Spark Hercules' other skill! I counterblast two to stand all of my rear-guards and give them +5k! (22000 > 27000) (22000 > 27000) (12000 > 17000) (12000 > 17000) (12000 > 17000) Then, all of your units get -5k until the end of your next turn!"

"All my units?!"

"Yes. That also includes the vanguard. Show them your mighty strength Spark Hercules, with the Cerberus Grip!"

"N-no way...! (1000 > 5000) (13000 > 8000) (10000 > 5000) (5000 > 0) (8000 > 3000)"

Mitsuba's situation was growing worse by the minute. Not only did he have to guard Zyriot's high-powered attacks with only three cards in hand, but now his vanguard had shrunk to an 8k base. With three huge attacks lined up to take him down, Mitsuba could only afford to take one. Zyriot's victory was practically secured here.

"Boosted by Ornamental, Hercules attacks! (37000 > 54000) Electrocute him, Toxin Spear!"

"No guard..."

"Twin Drive!! (Machining Ornamental, Machining Cybister)"

Luckily, Zyriot didn't hit any critical triggers, giving Mitsuba the faintest hope of living. If he could pull a damage trigger here, he might be safe.

"Damage check...! (Purple Gem Carbuncle)"

Unfortunately, that didn't come to pass. Mitsuba had no other choice but to stop the other two attacks flying his way. If he could, then he'd win, as Zyriot declared Final Turn. Anyone who fails to kill their enemy on a Final Turn automatically loses.

"Boosted by Stag Beetle, Meteorbullet attacks! (27000 > 44000)"

"Rakshasa, Purple Gem, and Torridcannon guard! Igniroad and Torridcannon intercept! (8000 > 23000 > 33000 > 37000 > 43000 > 47000)"

Mitsuba exhausted all his guarding options to stop that single attack, but Zyriot still had one more swing. Everything now banked on whether or not he could get a sixth damage heal.

"Boosted by Black Saturn, Meteorbullet attacks! (27000 > 44000)"

"N-no guard... Gacha gods, don't fail me now!"

Mitsuba closed his eyes and flipped the top card of his deck over with gritted teeth. Opening his eyes to take a look at what he pulled, his jaw hung open and his shoulders slumped in hopelessness.

"D-damage check... (Dragonic Overlord "The X")"

The card that fell into his damage zone was his avatar. The last thing he wanted to see right now.

Mitsuba dropped to his knees, hitting the ground in frustration.

"God damn it!"

He screamed, crying out as a red flashing warning came up on our visors.

"Mitsuba Jun is dead."

Everyone in the war preparation room fell silent. For the first time in our lives, we saw the usually goofy and happy-go-lucky Mitsuba actually get truly upset and angry over failing to do something. Usually, he'd brush it off as no big deal, but right now, it looked like this fight had meant the world to him.

Everyone could see just how much Mitsuba cared for this war. He tried his hardest to win, but failed when it mattered the most. I understood that feeling. That bitter taste of defeat wouldn't leave his mouth, no matter how much he screamed out in agony. Everyone had something they were passionate about, and this was Mitsuba's passion. Vanguard.

Zyriot bowed respectfully and extended his hand.

"Good game."

Mitsuba, who was submerged in anguish and despair, slapped Zyriot's hand away. Even though it was a rude gesture, Zyriot didn't take it the wrong way. He recognised the frustration eating away at Mitsuba's heart and let him be.

Zyriot walked away, returning to the D Class war preparation room. A few moments later, Mitsuba silently trudged back inside our war preparation room, refusing to utter a single word after that traumatic defeat.

No one knew how to approach him. We'd never seen Mitsuba truly depressed before. If only Yukimura were here... he'd know what to do, as Mitsuba's closest friend.

However, in this chaotic and frantic war, we had no time to wallow on or reflect on someone else's defeat. Right now, we had to hurry and board the buses outside the school entrance so we could be driven to the real battleground of the war, Higashi Mall.

That was when the real fight would begin.