"Mudballman, transform from the mightiest shield into the mightiest spear!!"
As Yuui's voice rang out, the Spell Card Shield & Sword activated, and in that instant, the world itself seemed to turn upside down.
Mudballman's smooth, rounded clay body began to harden and shift, sprouting layers of unbreakable stone armor. Blades gleaming with cold light formed around its fists.
[Elemental HERO Mudballman, ATK: 1900 → 3000 | DEF: 3000 → 1900]
Yet, the Spell's effect didn't just affect Mudballman—Lily's monsters were caught in it as well.
The once-cute, dolphin-like Pettlephin grew covered in razor-sharp scales, and its once-small teeth transformed into rows of deadly fangs. The golden-haired girl riding atop it—Winda—changed too. Her already-cold expression now radiated murderous intent, and the blue gem atop her staff turned pitch black.
[Ritual Beast Ulti-Pettlephin, DEF: 2800 → 200 | ATK: 200 → 2800]
The only one seemingly unaffected was Ritual Beast Tamer Winda, who now looked on in worry toward the transformed Winda and her beast.
[Ritual Beast Tamer Winda, DEF: 1800 → 1600 | ATK: 1600 → 1800]
Seeing the state of her field, Lily's face darkened. She hadn't expected Yuui to use Shield & Sword. Even though her monsters were all in Defense Position, meaning Yuui couldn't deal her any battle damage, she still didn't want to see her limited number of ace monsters destroyed.
She wavered… should she send Ulti-Pettlephin back to the Extra Deck and resummon her banished materials?
Abruptly, before she could decide, Yuui slammed another card onto his Duel Disk. "Next, I activate the Spell Card H - Heated Heart! I target one face-up monster I control—it gains 500 Attack until the end of this turn, and if it attacks a Defense Position monster this turn, it inflicts piercing battle damage! I target Elemental HERO Mudballman, boosting its Attack by 500 and granting it piercing power!!"
[Elemental HERO Mudballman, ATK: 3000 → 3500]
A crimson flame engulfed the rocky hero, its aura flaring higher.
Seeing that, Lily knew she was out of time. A 3500-Attack Mudballman with piercing damage could obliterate Ulti-Pettlephin and wipe out her Life Points in one strike.
She quickly raised her hand. "Now, I activate Ulti-Pettlephin's effect! During either player's turn, I can return this card to the Extra Deck to target one of my banished Ritual Beast Tamers and one Spiritual Beast, and Special Summon them in Defense Position! I return Ulti-Pettlephin to the Extra Deck and Special Summon Ritual Beast Tamer Lara and Spiritual Beast Pettlephin in Defense Position!"
Streams of blue water wrapped around the mutated Ulti-Pettlephin before it split apart, reforming its components back onto the field.
[Ritual Beast Tamer Lara, DEF 2000]
[Ritual Beast Pettlephin, DEF 2000]
"Your Shield & Sword only swapped the Attack and Defense of monsters that were on the field when it activated," Lily said confidently. "The monsters I just summoned aren't affected! Even if your Mudballman can deal piercing damage, it still can't defeat me. Next turn, I'll finish this!"
Yuui smiled. "Who told you there's going to be a next turn?"
"Huh?" Lily blinked, confused—until she saw Yuui reveal his final card.
"I activate the Spell Card Stop Defense! I target one Defense Position monster you control and change it to face-up Attack Position. I target your Spiritual Beast Pettlephin!"
[Spiritual Beast Pettlephin, DEF: 2000 → ATK: 0]
Lily's expression turned pale. Watching her dolphin forced into Attack Position, she realized she had been dancing in Yuui's palm the entire time. No matter how she resisted, the ending was inevitable.
The helplessness was unbearable… for someone as proud as Lily, it was pure humiliation.
Yuui's calm voice broke the silence. "You're strong, but come back once your Ritual Beasts are truly united—then we'll duel again."
"You—!!"
"Battle Phase!" Yuui raised his hand. "Mudballman, attack Spiritual Beast Pettlephin! Blazing Boulder Fist!!"
The volcanic giant strode forward, its flaming fists crashing down upon the pink dolphin. In front of Class B's stunned eyes—and Class E's excited ones—the fiery blow struck home.
BOOM!!
The explosion and shockwave engulfed the arena. Pettlephin was vaporized in an instant, and with its Attack reduced to zero, Lily took the full brunt of the 3500 damage.
[Lily, LP: 3200 → 0]
"Ahhh!!!"
The girl was blown backward by the blast, screaming as she was hurled through the air—until Professor Richards rushed forward, catching her mid-flight and shielding her from the remaining shockwave.
And so, the impromptu duel between Class B and Class E ended… with Class E's victory.
Yuui glanced at his classmates' excited faces, then looked toward the unconscious Lily being tended to by her peers. "Don't worry, Alicia," he murmured softly. "One day, your dream will come true."
Alicia: "It's fine. As long as I'm with you, Yuui-san, I can wait as long as it takes."
...
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