As Lily's cool voice rang out, a blazing column of fire burst forth from the fusion vortex, accompanied by a roar so fierce it could chill the hearts of the fainthearted.
"ROAR!!!"
The lion's cry echoed through the sky. From within the inferno leapt a mighty lion wreathed in flames, and astride its back stood a golden-haired girl—elegant, fearless, and radiant in her power.
Upon closer look, it was none other than the once-drowsy girl—Lara!
A Tamer who rides alongside her Spiritual Beast, the two growing as one—that is the legendary tribe known as the Ritual Beasts. This is… Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio!
[Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio] Level 6│FIRE│Pyro│2600 ATK / 400 DEF
As Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio descended, the students of Class B wore proud smiles, while those of Class E were left stunned by the way Lily had performed the Fusion Summon.
"Wait, did I see that right? She didn't even use Polymerization when she fused!"
"Yeah! How can she Fusion Summon without using Polymerization? Does that even count as a Fusion Summon?"
"I think it does. I've heard there are some Fusion Monsters that don't need Polymerization to be summoned. Like our grade supervisor's Gladiator Beast Deck… it's the same way! You just combine the materials directly on the field."
"That's so cool! A Fusion without Polymerization… it's awesome!!"
Listening to their chatter, Professor White nodded. Whatever Richards might be scheming, at least this duel was giving his students a chance to witness another form of Fusion Summoning. That alone was a valuable lesson.
As for the outcome—he had no doubt. Watching Alicia's back, he thought to himself, 'This opponent might finally make you get serious for once. After all, it's been a long time since you've had to go all out.'
On the field, Yuui's lips curved into a smile.
The reason he had taken control of this duel himself was precisely because this opponent seemed strong.
A Ritual Beast Deck was no pushover—it had once been a top-tier archetype. And in this world, where real Spirits existed and countless draw engines thrived, the Ritual Beast Deck's power could easily surpass what it had been in his past life.
He wondered how far this Lily Hilt could push its potential.
Moments later, Lily drew another card and slid it into her Duel Disk. "Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Emergency Teleport! I Special Summon 1 Level 3 or lower Psychic monster from my hand or Deck, but it's banished during the End Phase. I choose to Special Summon from my Deck, in Defense Position—Ritual Beast Tamer Elder!"
A strong wind swept across the field, thunder rumbling faintly. When it subsided, an elderly man with white hair appeared, clutching a magic tome and a staff tipped with a lightning crystal.
[Ritual Beast Tamer Elder] 200 ATK / 1000 DEF
"Next, I activate the Spell Card Psi-Impulse! By tributing 1 Psychic monster I control, all cards in my opponent's hand are shuffled into the Deck, and then they draw 3 cards. I tribute my Ritual Beast Tamer Elder and make you return all your cards to your Deck, then draw three new ones!"
Yuui raised an eyebrow, muttering under his breath, "A Psychic Spell Card, huh? Smart synergy… but not the best way to use it. She must not have drawn her Thunder Eagle yet. If that's the case, her Deck's power is going to dip quite a bit."
Alicia: "−ヘー…Yuui-san, we're losing two cards and you're just analyzing strategy!?
Yuui: "Two cards? That's nothing."
He calmly shuffled his hand back into his Deck and drew three new cards.
Watching his composed expression, Lily felt as though he were mocking her.
Scowling, she declared, "Then I activate the Spell Card Pot of Greed to draw two cards! Next, I play Double Summon, allowing me an additional Normal Summon this turn. I Normal Summon from my hand—Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda!"
A fresh gust of turquoise wind swept across the field, heralding the arrival of a green-haired girl. Her long hair was tied high, her eyes bright emerald, her face pure and sweet like a spring breeze.
[Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda] 1600 ATK / 1800 DEF
Yuui smirked slightly. "Winda, huh? And she's even a Spirit too. Figures."
Alicia: "(▼ヘ▼#) So this is your type of girl, huh, Yuui-san?"
Yuui winced. "What!? That's not… now's not the time for that!"
Alicia: "Then why were you staring so long!?"
Yuui: "…You're impossible."
Before Yuui could argue further, Lily slammed her last card into her Duel Disk. "I Set one card and end my turn! It's your move—and stop spacing out already!"
Her words echoed across the Duel Plaza, sharp and fierce. The spectators could clearly feel her irritation, though none of Class E had any idea why she was so angry.
Yuui: "See? You've already made her mad."
Alicia: "That's your fault!"
Yuui: "Fine, fine… it's my fault. But now, let me duel properly."
Alicia: "…Got it."
After calming Alicia down, Yuui refocused on the field, ignoring the stares around him. He drew his next card.
[Yuui, LP: 4000]
"My turn! Draw!" He took one glance at the card and smirked. "I activate the Spell Card E - Emergency Call! I add 1 Elemental HERO monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Elemental HERO Stratos! Then, I Normal Summon Elemental HERO Stratos!"
[Elemental HERO Stratos] Level 4│WIND│Warrior│1800 ATK / 300 DEF
Alicia: "Huh? Stratos's Attack just dropped!?"
Lily: "My Continuous Spell, Ritual Beast Inheritance! The first effect lowers your monsters' Attack by 200 for each different Ritual Beast monster I control! I currently control two, so your monster loses 400 Attack!"
[Elemental HERO Stratos, ATK: 1800 → 1400]
Alicia: "That Continuous Spell is such a pain!"
Yuui: "It's fine. A small drop like that doesn't matter."
Yuui said, "Now I activate Elemental HERO Stratos's effect! When this card is Summoned, I can add 1 HERO monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Elemental HERO Sparkman!"
Drawing his chosen card, Yuui continued, "Next, I activate Polymerization! I fuse the Elemental HERO Sparkman and Elemental HERO Burstinatrix in my hand! Fusion Summon! Gather, heroes of flame and thunder—become the light that shatters the dark! Fusion Summon, Elemental HERO Grandmerge!"
[Elemental HERO Grandmerge] 0 ATK / 0 DEF
Light and fire merged within the darkness, a burning meteor trailing sparks as it descended. Born from the combined might of four elemental forces, a hero with limitless potential descended—Elemental HERO Grandmerge!
[Elemental HERO Grandmerge, ATK: 0 → 2100]
Lily frowned, 'A powerful monster…'
Alicia: "Oh no, its Attack is only 1800 now! It can only defeat that Winda girl!"
[Elemental HERO Grandmerge, ATK: 2100 → 1800]
Yuui: "Hmph. If possible, I'd rather not destroy her."
Alicia glared at him. "So you do like that type after all!!"
Yuui: "Sigh… Actions will speak louder than words."
He slid his final card into his Duel Disk. "I activate the Spell Card R - Righteous Justice! For each Elemental HERO card I control, I can destroy that many Spell or Trap Cards on the field. I have two HERO monsters, so I destroy your Continuous Spell and your Set card!"
Yuui's Stratos and Grandmerge fired twin blasts toward Lily's backrow.
Lily: "In response, I activate my Trap Card, Psychic Rejuvenation! I gain 1000 Life Points for each face-up Psychic monster I control! I have one, so I recover 1000 Life Points!"
[Lily, LP: 4000 → 5000]
Two explosions followed as both of Lily's backrow cards were obliterated. With Ritual Beast Inheritance gone, Yuui's HEROes regained their full strength.
[Elemental HERO Grandmerge, ATK: 1800 → 2100]
[Elemental HERO Stratos, ATK: 1400 → 1800]
"Now, Battle Phase!" Yuui shouted. "Grandmerge attacks Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda! Lightning Burst!"
Grandmerge raised his arm-mounted blaster, firing a golden bolt of lightning.
"Ahhh!!"
The bolt struck true, engulfing Winda in a burst of light.
Yuui: "Grandmerge's effect activates! When it destroys a monster by battle, I can tribute it to Special Summon 1 Elemental HERO Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, ignoring its Summoning conditions!
"I Special Summon the hero who cuts through despair and lights the path forward—Fusion Summon! Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman!"
Lily: "Before that—Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda's effect activates! When this card is destroyed by an opponent's effect or battle: I can Special Summon 1 Ritual Beast monster from my Extra or Main Deck, ignoring Summoning conditions! I Special Summon Spiritual Beast Pettlephin!"
Gentle waves surged upward as a pale pink dolphin adorned with mystical ornaments emerged from the water.
[Spiritual Beast Pettlephin] Level 4│WIND│Aqua│0 ATK / 2000 DEF
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]