The days go on and on.
And none of them matter.
What lies at the end of this path?
The professor tells me that studying at school will help me in the future.
But...
I don't need a future right now.
What I need right now is...
Luca?
Hiro Ryugasaki?
Morning!
So this is how you get to school, huh?
Well, yeah.
I guess it's worth taking a different route to school once in a while, huh?
Something good happened!
"Something good"?
Let's play Shadowverse!
I'm a little tougher than I used to be!
Are you sure?
Look at the time.
It's that time already?
Crap! I'll be late!
See you later, Luca!
What are you doing here, Kai?
Y-You scared me!
And I'm doing this.
Finding the secret of Luca Yonazuki's strength?
Luca Yonazuki is a master of the Bloodcraft, and the strongest in this area by far.
Ever since he beat me, I've been investigating why he's so good!
Wow!
You're doing something really smart!
Yes. I'm still a genius, if not a genius among geniuses!
What are you doing?
I'm...
Right! I'm going to school!
Kai, why are you so calm?
We've gotta get to school!
Wait, Hiro!
What?
Today's the day our school was founded. We have the day off.
Seriously?
Yeah.
Episode 6 The Reason For Strength
Luca Yonazuki isn't interested in class. Just like me!
Hey!
Is Luca still in school?
It's still morning.
When's school gonna end?
I want to play Shadowverse with him.
He solved that complex problem so easily?
Hit landed!
His physical abilities are impressive as well.
Luca Yonazuki is a master of both the pen and the sword.
Is this the reason for his strength?
Should I master a sport, too?
No. That's not right.
There must be something else he has!
School's over!
Yes!
Where are you going, Hiro?
To battle Luca! Duh?
If I can watch Luca and Hiro battle...
I may learn something!
Come on, Luca!
It's still too early to battle you.
Hey.
I didn't think you'd really come out this way.
My intuition's pretty good, huh?
I graduated from this school, too.
It's pretty rough, right?
The classes are tough.
Do you want something?
Sorry. I should've introduced myself earlier.
Seiya Kibakura.
You beat my little brother, Takuma.
I came to thank you and make a request of you.
What does that mean?
Did I give you the wrong idea?
People get weirdly suspicious of me sometimes.
It's not like that, though.
Takuma was having a rough time until a while ago.
I knew he was a good kid, and I wanted to help him out...
But I couldn't.
And yet, he still changed.
When I kept asking him why, he finally broke down and told me.
It was because he battled a certain person.
You beat Takuma Kibakura.
Yeah! It was close, though.
Is that right?
Yup.
So first, thank you.
And... would you battle me?
I'm very curious about you— the one who changed him.
I'll gladly battle you.
You don't get the chance to fight a pro every day.
But... while it's true I battled Takuma Kibakura,
it wasn't me who changed him.
It's not?
Then who was it?
I couldn't say.
Would you still like to battle?
Why not?
I've got a personal interest in Luca Yonazuki.
A pro player, huh?
There's no need to hold back.
Show me your full power.
Of course. I will.
Battle! Shadowverse!
I go first.
Draw!
I play the spell card, Commence Experiment.
Earth Essence?
Yup. But don't be that worried.
I won't do anything yet.
Now, it's your turn.
"Yet," huh?
My turn.
I play Ambling Wraith.
That's 1 damage to each of us.
How thrilling! The perfect card for Bloodcraft.
Do you like thrills?
I end my turn.
You could say that.
My turn. Draw.
Let's make it more thrilling!
Sammy, Wizard's Apprentice, that's your cue.
Sammy's effect lets both of us draw a card.
That'll only make the battle more fun, right?
I couldn't say.
So cool!
I end my turn.
Draw.
I play Venomous Cobra,
and attack your leader with Ambling Wraith.
I end my turn.
If I don't get to work, you'll just overwhelm me, huh?
You'll show me the power of a pro player, right?
That's some pressure I'm under, huh?
But it does make me want to give you what you're asking for.
Well, now it's my turn.
Grand Gargoyle
First, I attack your leader with Sammy.
And now I'll play what you've been waiting for, Runic Guardian.
I'm sure you know, but I'll show you anyway.
I activate Runic Guardian's Earth Rite ability.
When you play a card with Earth Rite,
if you have an Earth Sigil, you can destroy it to activate its effect.
In the case of Runic Guardian,
its attack and defense both go up 1, and it gets Ward.
Well? I think it's the perfect follower for a time like this.
So it seems.
I end my turn.
I'm excited to see yours.
You're about to get the chance.
My turn. Draw.
Flood Behemoth
I attack your Runic Guardian with Ambling Wraith.
You can't beat my follower with that.
Razory Claw
Razory Claw.
Wow.
I attack your leader with Venomous Cobra.
Ouch!
Earth Rite is a powerful ability.
But can it hit me?
I'm not sure.
But I'm sure it'll be a fun battle.
Runic Guardian
Flood Behemoth
It seems that I have the advantage.
Precious Bloodfangs
A pro player... He's good.
He's a very cautious player.
But...
The time to attack is finally here.
I have 4 Forest Bats on my side.
If I want to attack, now's the time.
I'm worried about that Grand Gargoyle, but...
Let's go.
I play Flood Behemoth.
And evolve it.
And attack the Grand Gargoyle.
Grand Gargolye's Last Words create an Earth Sigil.
Now I attack your leader with the Forest Bats.
And end my turn.
You're strong!
It's hard to believe you're in middle school.
Age has nothing to do with your strength in Shadowverse.
Am I wrong?
That's right.
Now, I draw!
Come forth, Great Magician!
What's this?
Now, Luca... it's showtime.
I evolve Great Magician.
If it works, give me a round of applause.
Three, two...
My Flood Behemoth.
When my Great Magician evolves,
it can destroy an enemy follower with less than 3 defense.
And now...
Earth Rite.
When Great Magician's Earth Rite activates,
you can play the follower it destroyed on your own side.
And if it's evolved, play it in an evolved state.
Did you enjoy my show?
I should've been watching for Earth Rite?
That was my mistake.
An evolved follower can attack on the turn it's played.
Sorry, but my Flood Behemoth will attack your Forest Bat.
Its attack effect activates as well.
It deals 1 damage to every enemy follower.
I end my turn.
Now, Luca, it's your turn.
My turn.
Draw.
I'm at a disadvantage.
How do I turn it around?
Savage Hunt
I guess this is my only chance.
I play Savage Hunt.
I end my turn.
Oh my? That's a rather cautious play, coming from you.
Maybe this is my chance.
Twin Guardians.
It summons two Guardian Golems.
And then...
I end my turn.
Impressive.
If I attack now, you'll go under 10 defense,
and end up in Vengeance mode.
Yes.
But... I won't lose!
To anyone! Not even a pro!
Dark Emperor
I'll defeat anybody!
I play Precious Bloodfangs!
It summons one Forest Bat for every enemy follower.
And then it damages my own leader 1 point for every Bat!
So you went into Vengeance mode by damaging yourself?
Now, the time of Vengeance is upon us.
Dark Emperor!
In Vengeance mode, Dark Emperor can destroy two followers.
Nice.
Pro player...
You were as good as I hoped.
Very strong.
But that's all.
And that's not enough.
I end my turn.
You're pretty harsh.
Strong isn't good enough, huh?
Then who can satisfy you?
Someone who surpasses my expectations, I suppose.
I see.
Is there perhaps someone you're already thinking of?
I play Alchemist's Workshop.
It summons a Guardian Golem on my side.
And an Earth Sigil?
Yes. Which means this.
Golem Protection.
It creates a Guardian Golem, and...
I destroy an Earth Sigil to activate its Earth Rite ability.
It boosts the attack and defense of all Guardian Golems by 2!
I attack your leader with my enhanced Guardian Golem.
For now, I think that's all.
I end my turn.
So you've got 3 followers with Ward and 5 defense?
Earth Rite is a fearsome ability.
Normally, this would be the end.
But that's not the case with you, is it, Luca Yonazuki?
Of course not!
Hungering Horde!
That's 3 damage to one enemy follower!
And 3 damage to any followers that share the same name as the target!
A good spell.
I'm not done yet.
Devour them, Bloodhungry Matriarch!
Bloodhungry Matriarch's effect activates, dealing 2 damage to all enemy followers!
And it damages the enemy leader 1 for every destroyed follower!
I attack your leader with the Forest Bats.
And this is the end.
Dark Emperor!
You're strong!
I hate to say it, but I lost bad today.
Not that I'll be quitting Shadowverse.
Thank you.
Have a nice day, and say "hi" to your rival for me.
And if you like, use that thing in your pocket.
It's not a thank you for what happened with Takuma, but for a fun battle.
Invitation
Hiro, I may have found the perfect place to battle you.
He ain't comin'.
We couldn't find the reason for Luca Yonazuki's strength.
Do you always do weird stuff like this?
It's not weird.
It's intelligence gathering!
Let me see!
No! It's top secret!
Come on! Okay?
No!
Brother, I said you don't need to come every day.
I'm worried.
Shiori, how are you doing?
I'm fine.
What about you? Are you eating right?
Yes.
You can't lie. I'll know.
I can't fool you, huh?
Brother...
I'm thinking of changing hospitals.
Why?
Because...
I know this place can cure your disease.
I'm sure of it.
But...
Don't worry.
I'll get the money somehow.
I'm worried...
Because... you don't smile anymore.
That's not true.
I'll be going.
Get some rest, Shiori.
Okay...
The days go on and on.
And none of them matter.
What lies at the end of this path?
What do I need now?
Shiori, I'm going to win.
I'm going to win, and save you.
Shadowverse Card Showcase!
Today's card is Great Magician!
When it evolves, it makes an enemy follower into your own!
Amazing!
Yes.
If you underestimate it and assume it's a mere magician, you'll get hurt.
Next Time
I need to get to Master Rank by tomorrow if I want to get to the Nationals?
You've gotta do your best, you know?!
I know you can do it, Hiro!
Next time: Aim for Master Rank!
Episode 7 Aim for Master Rank!
Battle! Shadowverse!