Nova said, "I see (monotone)! So Aisha Carlos is the Duelist who fought that massive Wicked God yesterday! (still monotone)"
Once again swept up in Nova's rhythm, the students finally realized what kind of Duelist stood beneath that gentle, protective starlight.
"I knew it—that blocky thing that fell was a Mokey Mokey, right?!"
"Then yesterday too, it was Stardust Dragon that stopped what looked like the end of the world?"
"That means Aisha Carlos and Stardust Dragon are the guardian deities of Fusion Academy."
"The Royal Knight who protected the nation truly lives up to the name!"
"Aisha! Aisha! Aisha!"
The brilliance of Stardust Dragon's protective light was far too recognizable. Unable to hide their glory, Miles and Aisha were once more drowned in the surrounding cheers.
Yet no matter how loud the crowd, it couldn't affect the two Duelists now fully immersed in their fated battle.
"—Victim Sanctuary!!"
By Tributing Stardust Dragon, the activation of [Mirror Force Dragon] was negated and destroyed.
The reason both dragons vanished together was because the negation carried the additional effect of destruction. In the Sanctuary that nullified all destruction, Mirror Force Dragon, the one causing the field wipe, was destroyed.
Yet, even with Mirror Force Dragon and Stardust Dragon both becoming light, their dispersal didn't mean the Battle Phase had ended.
With its target gone, [Number 39: Utopia] could reel back its attack and choose another target.
And Kevin's only remaining monster—
[Red-Eyes Black Dragon, ATK: 2400]
The revived Red-Eyes Black Dragon now stood as Kevin's lone monster, facing down Utopia.
Of course, if even Mirror Force Dragon couldn't block the empowered slash, Red-Eyes stood no chance.
"End this duel with one strike, Utopia!"
The sword, gleaming with the fading starlight, swung down upon Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
Though instead of cleaving the dragon, it struck something odd—a rusty, battered figure wearing an old helmet.
"—Trap Card activate: [Scrap-Iron Scarecrow]!"
It was the Trap Kevin had Set last turn.
[When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Negate the attack. After activation, Set this card face-down again instead of sending it to the Graveyard.]
The scarecrow manifested to block the strike, negating the attack. Its unique trait was that after activation, it reset face-down for endless reuse.
While it couldn't be reactivated in the same turn, [Scrap-Iron Scarecrow] could block one attack per turn endlessly.
"You even saved that Set card… what a nuisance, Kevin."
"Until I truly defeat you, Miles, I'll stand back up no matter how many times it takes!"
Now aware of the scarecrow on Kevin's field, Miles glanced at his three remaining cards in hand.
"So to truly decide this duel… it'll have to be this card. I guess this is fate at the end of the road."
He threw down two cards into his back row, leaving one final card in hand.
"I Set two cards and end my turn! At my End Phase, Stardust Dragon's effect activates!"
[During the End Phase, if this card Tributed itself this turn to activate its effect: Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.]
"Reforge your starlight on my field! Special Summon, Stardust Dragon!"
[Stardust Dragon, ATK: 2500]
"Roooaaar!"
From swirling particles of stardust, Stardust Dragon returned, wings spread wide in pride.
Able to return after nullifying destruction, that was Stardust Dragon's strength.
Rounded up, it meant Stardust Dragon had single-handedly taken down Mirror Force Dragon, born of the Fang of Critias.
"Such a powerful Synchro Monster, Miles. In just half a year, to grow from a pile of junk cards to this… it's nothing short of a Duelist's miracle of growth."
Kevin began his turn, knowing this was his last chance to strike back.
He had to wager everything he'd gained in his Duelist life on this one turn.
Narrowing his eyes, Kevin gathered every image of Miles he had fought in his mind.
Although the real Miles, now wielding Synchro Summons, was stronger than anything he imagined.
Yet in that strength, Kevin saw what couldn't be called a weakness… but was.
"Your weakness, Miles, is that you've become too strong."
"Kevin?"
"On the path of the strong, you've gone too far ahead. So far that the scenery behind you is blurred, forgotten. And within those memories lies the key to deciding this duel's outcome!"
His finger pressed against his Spirit Eyes Deck. This was Kevin's final draw.
"My turn, draw!"
The card he pulled carried the thunderous roar of destiny.
"I Tribute [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] to Tribute Summon [Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning]!"
[Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning] Level 6│DARK│Fiend/Gemini/Effect│2500 ATK / 1200 DEF
[This card is treated as a Normal Monster while on the field or in the Graveyard.]
It was the monster Kevin had Summoned in his second year's Summoning Class.
A Fiend bearing the Red-Eyes name, wrapped in dark thunder. Before its Gemini Effect activated, it counted only as a Normal Monster.
But that was exactly what Kevin needed—a Level 6 Fiend Normal Monster.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card [Dark Factory of Mass Production]!"
"[Dark Factory of Mass Production]?!" Ren exclaimed.
That Spell, most often used by Miles, was rarely seen in anyone else's Deck.
[Target 2 Normal Monsters in your Graveyard; add them to your hand.]
"If not for you, Miles, I'd never have included this card. To gain strength from fighting a rival—that's also part of growing stronger."
Kevin chose Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon from his Graveyard.
The Flare Dragon was incidental. The real aim was retrieving [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]. It was the roar of destiny between rivals.
"—Spell Card activate: [Polymerization]!"
The second [Polymerization] of this duel was hurled skyward.
Though repeating a B-rank Spell doubled its mana cost, for Kevin, one of the top students, an extra 100 credits meant little.
The Fusion glow blossomed in the twilight, evoking déjà vu in Aisha and the High-Level Spirit Research members, Nia and Rovik.
It was just like back then.
"Miles, this is our destined Fusion!" Kevin declared. "I fuse [Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning] on my field with [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] from my hand!"
Half a year ago, in the underground labyrinth of Fusion Academy, Kevin had declared Miles his destined rival, and together they had performed this same Tag Duel Fusion.
Miles had said then: "A fusion of Dragon and Fiend, the embodiment of rival wills. Kevin—this is the destined Fusion Summon!"
That Fusion, born of dragon and fiend, was Miles's creation. And now, Kevin brought it forth himself.
"Bear witness to our destiny! With the endless potential of Red-Eyes, ignite the chaotic thunder of a Fiend! Fusion Summon—[Archfiend Black Skull Dragon]!"
[Archfiend Black Skull Dragon] Level 9│DARK│Dragon/Fusion/Effect│3200 ATK / 2500 DEF
[1 Level 6 Fiend Normal Monster + 1 Red-Eyes Normal Monster]
"Roooaaar!"
The ultimate demon-dragon spread its massive wings, fire and thunder entwined in its body, roaring as it descended.
"This is the monster most suited to end our destined duel, Miles!"
Since then, both had grown far beyond who they were half a year ago. Now they stood as Duelists strong enough to rival anyone across the Spirit Continent.
Pursuing strength, they had kept summoning ever stronger monsters—
Kevin's Meteor Black Comet Dragon, Red-Eyes Alternative, the Legendary Dragons.
Miles's Xyz, Chaos Xyz, Synchro, and Kami.
They had gone so far, they had forgotten why they first set out.
Looking back now, they realized—the monster that would decide this fated duel's victor had been there all along, in their earliest memories.
"This final monster, Miles, is the possibility we created together—and my ultimate trump card!"
The demonic dragon beat its wings, fire within its body surging skyward, staining the twilight with its last, unyielding crimson blaze.
...
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