Watching the pink river dolphin, Yuui once again confirmed a few things, then waved his hand and declared, "Then continuing with Grandmerge's effect, I tribute it to Special Summon from my Extra Deck, ignoring Summoning conditions! Appear now—Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman!!"
On the field, Grandmerge let out a thunderous roar before transforming into a blinding pillar of light. From within that dazzling radiance, a hero clad in silver armor spread a pair of high-tech wings—the hero representing 'Light' descended!
[Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman] Level 8│LIGHT│Warrior│2500 ATK
"Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman's effect! This card gains 300 Attack for each Elemental HERO in my Graveyard. In my Graveyard right now, there are three—Burstinatrix, Sparkman, and Grandmerge—so Shining Flare Wingman's Attack increases by 900! Hero's Light!!"
Shining Flare Wingman spread his wings, soft light enveloping his body as the silhouettes of the three heroes merged into him. His aura surged higher and higher.
[Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman, ATK: 2500 → 3400]
"3400 Attack! It shot up that high in an instant!"
"Shining Flare Wingman!! Wait… when did the Class Rep even get this card!?"
"Uh… actually, in terms of rarity, Grandmerge is rarer than Shining Flare Wingman… still, Shining Flare Wingman is stronger!"
"As expected, Class Rep's amazing!"
"He should be able to win now, right!?"
"No way. Monsters Special Summoned by Grandmerge's effect can't attack monsters with lower Levels than themselves!"
"Huh!? Then why summon Shining Flare Wingman at all!?"
The students of Class E murmured among themselves, and Alicia heard them too. Only now did she realize… monsters Special Summoned by Elemental HERO Grandmerge's effect couldn't attack monsters with lower Levels than themselves.
She turned to Yuui, seeking an answer.
Yuui noticed her gaze and smiled softly. "No particular reason. If I had to say why, it's because Shining Flare Wingman's Attack is higher."
Alicia: "Higher Attack?"
"Exactly." Yuui narrowed his eyes toward the two monsters across the field. "After all, among the heroes in our Extra Deck, aside from Shining Flare Wingman and Great Tornado, none can match that Fire Lion. And the ones summoned by Grandmerge—Shining Flare Wingman and Great Tornado—can't attack lower-Level monsters. What's more, Great Tornado, since it wasn't Fusion Summoned properly, can't even use its effect to halve the opponent's Attack and Defense.
"So in that case, I might as well summon the stronger one as a wall to keep my opponent from making any sudden moves. Besides, don't forget… although a monster summoned by Grandmerge can't attack lower-Level monsters, nothing says it can't attack directly."
Hearing Yuui's reasoning, Alicia thought for a moment, then nodded… he did make sense.
After all, summoning another Fusion HERO wouldn't achieve a one-hit kill anyway, and it might even risk a counterattack. Better to bring out something stronger to make the opponent hesitate. And if that powerful monster got destroyed, that was fine too—there were only so many ways to deal with high-Attack monsters, and taking out one option early was worth it.
Seeing that Alicia understood his thinking, Yuui looked toward Lily on the other side and said calmly, "Monsters Special Summoned by Grandmerge's effect can't attack monsters with lower Levels, so I end my turn."
"Hmph. Show-off." Lily scoffed at Yuui's move, then raised her hand. "My turn! Draw!"
Glancing at the drawn card, Lily arched an eyebrow, then immediately waved her hand. "Battle Phase! I'll have Ritual Beast Ulti-Apelio attack your Elemental HERO Stratos! Holy Flame!!"
"Roar!!"
The blazing Fire Lion let out a deafening roar as the girl on its back—Lara—swung her staff, imbuing the sacred beast with a strengthening spell. Crimson energy wrapped around the lion, its heat growing ever more intense; the ground beneath began to melt under the pressure.
In the next moment, Apelio opened its jaws, unleashing a searing fireball that streaked across the ground, leaving a black trail before crashing straight into Stratos.
"Boom!!"
The explosion's flames were blistering; even Yuui took a few steps back to keep Alicia's hair from getting singed.
[Yuui, LP: 4000 → 3200]
"Then I Set one card and end my turn!"
"My turn! Draw!" Yuui glanced at his drawn card, his eyes lighting up. He slid it into his Duel Disk and called out, "I activate the Spell Card Hero's Legacy! When there are two or more Level 4 or higher HERO monsters in my Graveyard, I draw three cards!"
Drawing three new cards, Yuui's lips curved upward as he looked at one of them. "You can't wait to join the fight, huh? Fine. Now's the perfect time for you to appear! I Normal Summon Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier!"
[Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier] Level 4│WATER│Warrior│1400 ATK
Crystal blue water surged up from the ground, forming the shape of a valiant hero—Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier entered the field!
"Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier's effect activates! When this card is Summoned, I can target one Level 4 or lower HERO monster in my Graveyard except itself, and Special Summon it! I choose to Special Summon Elemental HERO Stratos from my Graveyard!"
The hum of turbine blades echoed as the wind-armored hero answered his comrade's call.
[Elemental HERO Stratos] Level 4│WIND│Warrior│1800 ATK
"Elemental HERO Stratos's effect activates! When it's Summoned or Special Summoned, I can add one HERO monster from my Deck to my hand!"
"Ugh, that annoying effect again!" Lily couldn't help but groan in irritation at Stratos's ability—abruptly, then Yuui's next words caught her off guard.
"In addition, Elemental HERO Stratos can destroy a number of Spell or Trap Cards on the field up to the number of other HERO monsters I control!" Yuui pointed forward. "Right now, besides Stratos, I have two other HEROes on my field, so I can destroy up to two Spell or Trap Cards! I'll destroy your Set card! Go, Stratos—Purifying Storm!!"
...
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