The duel field shifted at high speed. Because of the Continuous Trap Macro Cosmos activated by Banner, the entire area around the Red Dorm transformed into the view of a vast, star-filled outer space.
And Okita J—caught in the effect of Grand Convergence and struck by an explosion strong enough to rival a supernova—couldn't even return to the Graveyard this time. She was banished outright.
"So you sealed off the Graveyard, huh? I didn't think you had something like that up your sleeve, Banner."
Hoshino actually sounded impressed. She never expected this quiet, unremarkable Red Dorm professor to duel with such an unassuming yet dangerous style.
"Mama mia… so Banner actually can duel. I thought he was just some distant relative the Principal hired to fill a position…"
Even Crowler was shaken. Regardless of Banner's real strength, activating Macro Cosmos like that was undeniably impactful. If this supposedly insignificant professor was hiding power greater than his own, then he—a full professor—would lose face completely.
"And after activating Macro Cosmos, I can Special Summon Helios – The Primordial Sun in Attack Position."
Pushing up his glasses with one hand, Banner drew the card from his Duel Disk. His expression remained as calm and gentle as always.
[Helios – The Primordial Sun★★★★ (Level 4) | LIGHT | Pyro/Effect | ATK ? / DEF ?]
Within the dark cosmic scenery, the Primordial Sun glowed faintly.
As the monster materialized on Banner's field—its long, slender body wrapped in white bandages and its head a radiant miniature sun—the spectators murmured.
Dark Magician Girl gasped excitedly.
"What an unbelievable figure! Who knew even the sun could look this sexy?!"
Mana, however, furrowed her brows.
"This monster… is bad news…"
"Bad news? What do you mean? You know its effect?"
"I don't know its effect," Mana shook her head. "I mean it's going to hit Hoshino right where she's weak."
And sure enough—just as Mana predicted—Hoshino's expression immediately darkened the moment she saw the monster.
The last time she felt this conflicted was when Kaiba flaunted the sexy, imposing build of Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon right in front of her…
"(＃`Д´)ﾉ Losing to a Blue-Eyes is one thing—but why is even a sun more curvy than me?!"
"U-Um… that's the part you're focusing on, nya?"
Startled by her pressure, Banner hurried to continue explaining.
"Helios – The Primordial Sun's ATK increases by 100 for each monster in the banished zone."
[Helios – The Primordial Sun ATK: 0 → 300]
"That… doesn't sound very strong," Jaden muttered.
Right now, only two Okitas and one Lancelot were banished. With just 300 ATK, Helios didn't seem threatening at all.
Continuing the duel, Hoshino drew a monster card and slapped it onto her Duel Disk.
"Banner, using Macro Cosmos with Grand Convergence to blow up the field—that I didn't expect. But honestly? You detonated way too early. I still haven't used my Normal Summon this turn!"
But Banner had clearly considered that. If he hadn't activated Macro Cosmos immediately, Okita J's effect would've destroyed his backrow instead, making the situation even worse.
"This turn, I Normal Summon in Attack Position—Magical Girl – Illya!"
Floating in cosmic space, the petite grade-school Illya finally allowed Hoshino to regain a bit of confidence after the emotional damage inflicted by Helios' figure.
[Magical Girl – Illya★★★★ (Level 4) | LIGHT | Spellcaster/Effect | ATK 1000 / DEF 1000]
"When Magical Girl – Illya is successfully summoned, I add the Quick-Play Spell Phantasm Summon to my hand!"
Fetching the card from her Duel Disk, Hoshino immediately activated it. Under the stellar glow of the cosmic arena, fusion starlight shimmered.
"—Go! Phantasm Fusion Summon! Magical Girl – Hercules Illya!"
Using Phantasm Summon, she banished Illya on the field and fused her with a single material to call forth her destructive, highly resistant Herculean form.
[Magical Girl – Hercules Illya★★★★★★★★ (Level 8) | EARTH | Warrior/Fusion/Effect | ATK 2800 / DEF 1000]
"As expected, Illya, this straightforward, powerful form suits you best."
"== Master, that's really rude! I'm still growing, okay? I'll get bigger!"
Wielding a stone axe larger than her entire body, Hercules Illya declared confidently.
Mana nodded approvingly.
"That baseless, overflowing confidence—that's definitely a Grand-Class cosplay Illya. Even in a convention full of cosplayers, she'd shine!"
"I also activate the effect of the banished Magical Girl – Illya! Since she was used as Fusion Material and banished, I can Special Summon her back to the field!"
[Magical Girl – Illya — Special Summoned]
"You're not escaping this beatdown, Daitokuji!"
Entering the Battle Phase, Hoshino commanded both magical girls floating in space to strike.
"First—Hercules Illya, attack!"
"OHHHH! Such an unreasonable, overpowered physique—SMASH HER COMPLETELY!"
Swinging her gigantic stone axe—and somehow generating gale-force winds in the vacuum of space—Hercules Illya obliterated the 300-ATK Helios – The Primordial Sun in a single devastating blow.
[Helios – The Primordial Sun — Destroyed]
[Banner LP: 4000 → 1500]
"And next—Magical Girl – Illya's direct attack!"
Matching Hercules' momentum, the original Illya refused to be outdone. She hurled Ruby like a throwing weapon straight at Daitokuji's head.
[Banner LP: 1500 → 500]
"Oww! How could you do this to me, nya!"
By only the second turn, his Life Points had plummeted into triple digits. Banner clutched his aching head.
"I set one card and end my turn!"
[Hoshino's field: 1 Hand Card | 1 Set Card]
Jaden sighed.
"As expected, Professor Banner still can't beat Sensei… I actually thought he had a chance for a moment…"
Akasha bonked him on the head with her plastic "Sword of Victory."
"Are you saying you wanted Hoshino-nee to lose? You're getting bold for a mere Jaden."
"Honestly… does anyone in this world actually exist who can beat the Headmistress?"
Minazuki, watching from the side, nodded thoughtfully.
"It's not like I'm trying to jinx anything… but after all these years, Headmistress Hoshino is still the strongest duelist in the academy."