"Kuriboh, huh? I've been meaning to say, that's a really fun Deck you've got, Little Ai."
Seeing the familiar Kuriboh, the Headmaster actually looked pleased. After all, she was just the stand-in for the Legendary Dragons—of course, she'd want this Duel to be as entertaining as possible.
"Without that, Dueling wouldn't be fun! Second direct attack—Mirror Force Dragon—Radiant Cannon Burst!"
This time, the Legendary Dragon didn't counterattack but instead launched its own burst of power. The dazzling light from its mirrored body fired straight toward Irene's empty field.
"I'll block this one, Miles—Trap Card [Counter Gate], activate!"
[Activate when your opponent declares a direct attack. Negate that attack, then draw 1 card. If it's a Monster, you can Normal Summon it in face-up Attack Position.]
The gate burst open and absorbed the incoming beam.
It looked spontaneous, but the coordination between Miles and Irene was no accident.
Miles had used Kuriboh to block the first strike. If [Counter Gate] blocked the second and successfully drew a Monster, they could keep it on the field.
Aisha suddenly realized, "Why are you two so perfectly in sync?! I'm feeling seriously left out over here!"
"According to [Counter Gate]'s effect... draw!"
Irene drew with a flick of her finger, the card flashing with electric brilliance.
"Then, in Attack Position—everyone's favorite, [Elemental HERO Sparkman]!"
[Elemental HERO Sparkman] Level 4│LIGHT│Warrior│ATK: 1600
Bursting through the mirrored light, Sparkman entered with flare and electricity, striking a pose. Just a humble Hero, yet fearless before the Legendary Dragon.
"Nice timing and synergy—you two work really well together."
The Headmaster was technically their opponent, but it was obvious she was rooting for them to win this trial.
"That ends my second turn."
With two Legendary Dragons on the field, the Headmaster placed her cards down.
Setting cards? Completely unnecessary.
Mirror Force Dragon, empowered by [Mirror Force], was already a trap strong enough to outclass everything.
Its effect protected even the newly summoned [Amulet Dragon].
Attack either one or target them with effects, and [Mirror Force Dragon]'s board wipe would trigger.
And Amulet Dragon might have its own tricks.
"It's a 2v1 Duel, but just facing these two dragons is brutal."
Watching silently, Kevin felt the oppressive power of the Legendary Dragons. However, what occupied his thoughts even more was the name "Miles."
Irene had now called him that twice. And for reasons he couldn't explain, every time she said it, Kevin felt his Duelist soul stir.
'That name... who are you?!'
Turn passed. In the final round of the cycle, it was Miles' move. Everyone could see it—his field was a mess before he even started.
Yet Miles smiled confidently.
With Aisha's cute face, he grinned with unmistakable pride.
"The Legendary Dragons can awaken the latent power within cards… Impressive. But if you only use those Dragons, I'll clear this whole trial without losing a single LP!"
Finding a breakthrough after just one turn, Miles's confidence surprised even the Headmaster.
"No wonder the Pharaoh chose you. You really are different. I think I understand now how Blue-Eyes lost to you. Alright, let's see your strategy against the Legendary Dragons."
"Heh. The key is this card—our fusion, Irene and I!"
"Y-You and me… f-fusion... Wh-What are you even saying?!"
Despite her flustered words, the spark in Irene's eyes and the smile she couldn't hide said everything.
Aisha shouted, "HUH?!! Mr. Miles, I didn't expect you to be this kind of person! You scoundrel!"
"What are you two even imagining?! I activate the Spell Card—[Polymerization]!"
See? Women really do mess with card timing.
He was just trying to play a Spell and suddenly got labeled a scumbag.
"I fuse the Normal Monster [Boo Koo] in my hand with the humble Sparkman—Roar with the soul of ancient tremors! Fusion Summon—[First of the Dragons]!"
[First of the Dragons] Level 9│DARK│Dragon / Fusion / Effect│ATK: 2700 / DEF: 2000
Materials: 2 Normal Monsters
Using Sparkman on Irene's field and his own hand card, Miles Fusion Summoned.
The humble dragons fused into one, carrying both Duelists' souls, creating a third dragon on the field.
"And here's one more card—Ren left behind this HERO power!"
After summoning First of the Dragons, Miles flipped one of Irene's face-down Spells from the previous turn.
"Now burn with righteous fury! Spell Card activate—[H - Heated Heart]!"
[H - Heated Heart – Spell Card Effect: Target 1 face-up monster you control; it gains 500 ATK until the end of this turn. If it attacks a Defense Position monster this turn, inflict piercing battle damage.]
Though part of the HERO archetype, it didn't require a HERO target.
[First of the Dragons, ATK: 2700 → 3200]
With the spell cast, the mountain-sized First of the Dragons bathed in flame, its ATK surging past both Legendary Dragons.
"With Ren and my will combined—shatter Mirror Force Dragon—Ancient Blaze Dragon Breath!!"
He declared the attack. The fiery breath shot toward the mirrored dragon.
"When it becomes the attack target, Mirror Force Dragon activates its effect—destroy all your opponent's cards!"
But Miles and Irene only had one card: First of the Dragons.
Irene gasped, "Wait! That works?! You can beat it that way? Miles, that's amazing!"
As the mirror-triggered red light swept the field again, Miles's dragon powered through.
"Roar—!"
Through the destruction beams, the flaming giant charged ahead and crashed into the dragon of light.
"Too bad! Not even a Legendary Dragon can withstand this hit!"
Through flame and fury, Miles declared:
"First of the Dragons is unaffected and cannot be destroyed by Effect Monsters!"
Absolute resistance to effects!
Among all the cards in their Decks, only this one could power through Mirror Force Dragon.
The shimmering mirrored dragon shattered from the clash. The first Legendary Dragon fell.
This was Miles's trump card—the only path to victory if the opponent relied solely on Legendary Dragons.
Because they were all Effect Monsters, and First of the Dragons would endure them all!
...
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