Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"Fusion Summon! My beloved hero!"

"【E·hero Shining Flame Wingman】!"

Chapter 1078 Light is the Bond

Lightning and fire blended, transforming into shimmering silver armor that adorned the winged being, even sharpening the feathers of his wind-riding wings to the point of being razor-sharp. Born from the graveyard by a miraculous light, the hero of light, wind, and fire, [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman], has arrived!

【E·hero Shining Flame Wingman】【8☆/Light】

[Warrior Race/Fusion/Effect]

[2500/2100]

“If we break down [E·hero Flame Wingman] into two fusion materials, will this be another monster like [E·hero Sky Wingman], a fusion of three monsters?” Asuka frowned as she looked at the 8-star [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman]. “But, it only has 2500 attack power. It’s far inferior to [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini-], which has 3700 attack power.”

“No, the miracles that heroes achieved by risking their lives, how could they end at this level?” Jaden raised his Duel Disk and said, “Actually, at the beginning, [E·Hero Shining Flame Winged Knight] was not included in my Fusion Deck, but perhaps it was a coincidence. After dueling with Manjoume, I found that having [E·Hero Shining Flame Winged Knight] would make the duel much easier, so I added him to the deck.”

As Jaden spoke, he suddenly raised his hand above his head, and the [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman] in front of him also raised his right hand, which was equipped with a golden dragon head gauntlet. From his feet, many golden light spots suddenly converged towards his hand.

"Light...?" Asuka looked at the strange phenomenon that had appeared on the field with a puzzled expression, while Jaden looked at the golden specks of light around him and said with a smile.

"The heroes who shine with the light of hope and miracles are the noble and shining dreams that all the heroes who fought and sacrificed for justice in the past, present and future held in their hearts at the end of their struggle. This will will become the light of the bond, passed on to [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman] through [Miracle Fusion], and carried on to the end."

"The first effect of [E·Hero Shining Flame Wingman] is that for every [Elemental HERO] card in my Graveyard, [E·Hero Shining Flame Wingman]'s ATK increases by 300!" Jaden said, clenching his fist. "At this moment, the final battle of the heroes of love and justice begins!"

Among countless points of light, Asuka saw the figures of the heroes Jaden had used in the previous duel: [E·hero Solid Man], [E·hero Flame Man], [E·hero Sky Man], [E·hero Liquid Man], [E·hero Sunrise Man], [E·hero Golden Blade Man], [E·hero Ionizing Claw Man]...

The power of the seven [E·hero] bodies was transformed into a beam of hope that surged into the body of [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman], unleashing unparalleled power!

【E·hero Shining Flame Wingman】【ATK2500→4600】

"His attack power has surpassed that of the legendary Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon?!" Misawa exclaimed in surprise from the stands. "After Tenjouin from the Blue Dorm, Yuki from the Red Dorm has also achieved this!"

Seeing Misawa's shocked expression, Marufuji Sho said smugly as if he were praising himself, "Hmph, that's because you don't know about the duel between my brother and that Manjoume from the same Blue Dorm a long time ago. In that duel, my brother raised his attack power to an even higher level."

Junko and Momoe, standing behind the two, couldn't stand this guy's arrogance and said unhappily, "What's the use if you're not that good?"

"That's right. And no matter how strong the attack power is, it's meaningless if you can't hit. Asuka has [Cyber ​​Angel - Nasatemi-] on her field, which can negate attacks against Ritual Monsters."

"No matter how high the attack power is, it's meaningless if you can't hit." Saying the same thing as Momoe in the stands, Asuka calmly looked at Jaden's [E·hero Shining Flame Winged Knight] after a brief surprise. "Because of the existence of [Cyber ​​Angel - Nasatemi-], you should have known last turn that just fighting is useless against my Ritual Monsters."

Meanwhile, Asuka added in her mind, 'And even if I wanted to destroy [Cyber ​​Angel - Nasatemi-] first to use its effect, it wouldn't work. From the start of the duel, I've been hiding the second effect of [Ritual of the Mechanical Angel] in the Graveyard, which is to destroy [Cyber ​​Angel] in place of the one on the field.'

'The battle began before the duel even started, Jaden. You can't possibly defeat me without a thorough understanding of my deck!'

"Yeah, of course I remember. After all, Asuka, you used her effect to beautifully block my attack, and your current high base score is also thanks to her. She's a powerful monster that left a deep impression."

Upon hearing Asuka's words, Judai smiled and showed a card in his hand. "I already know the strengths and weaknesses of the [E·hero] deck. However, I've always just added my favorite cards to the deck and haven't really known how to make up for this weakness. But with this card, things are different. Tenjouin, you should remember this card too!"

Upon seeing the powerful FIRE monster in Jaden's hand, also a Level 8☆, Asuka's pupils contracted. She remembered that before she and Manjoume received their "entrance gifts" from Principal Hayato, the first person to receive a card from the principal was actually Jaden. The card in his hand was the one Hayato had given her—[Lava Demon]!

"Is this another 'entrance gift' from Principal Hayato, following my [Announcer's Divine Shaman]?"

"Hehe, after all, Asuka, you were able to use the card that Principal Hayato gave you so quickly, I can't fall too far behind. Now is the time for him to make his appearance, and it's more appropriate to use this card to deal with you." Jaden touched his nose and said with a smile, "Besides, compared to characters like 'angels,' heroes should definitely fight against giant monsters."

The card "Lava Demon" traced a spiral in the air before being thrown by Jaden and caught by Asuka: "Release the two monsters on your opponent's field—"Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini- and "Cyber ​​Angel - Nasatemi-, and I will grant you this powerful monster!"

Catching Judai's skillful card throw, Asuka didn't even need to put the card down. A large amount of lava suddenly appeared under the feet of the two [Cyber ​​Angels] on her field, swallowing them into the underground graveyard. In their place appeared a tall lava monster.

【Lava Demon God】【8☆/Flame】

[Demon Race/Effect]

[3000/2500]

The Lava Demon, with its standard second male lead ace stats, stood before Asuka. However, Asuka didn't like this monster that was forcibly placed on her field. She said helplessly, "I released two Ritual Monsters on my field and Special Summoned the Lava Demon. This way, you did break the effect of Cyber ​​Angel - Nasaya - and you can deal 700 more battle damage than attacking Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini -."

“Even during my turn’s preparation phase, I will take 1000 points of effect damage due to the effect of [Lava Demon].” After a pause, Asuka looked at Jaden and said, “But damn it! I have a full 6150 Life Points. You can’t make a Normal Summon the turn you summon [Lava Demon], and you only have [E·hero Tornado] and [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman] on your field with an attack power of only 400. You simply can’t defeat me in one turn.”

"And when it's my turn, your meager 200 base points will be wiped out by any means necessary!"

"【E·Hero Great Tornado】is still affected by the previous 【Broken Wall】 and can't unleash its true power yet. But that's alright, heroes don't fight alone. The power of 【E·Hero Great Tornado】 will be inherited by 【E·Hero Shining Flame Wingman】!"

Jaden played another card from his hand, "Spell Card [Inherited Power] activated! Send one monster I control to the Graveyard, then target one monster I control. The targeted monster's ATK increases by the ATK of the monster sent to the Graveyard until the end of this turn."

"Send [E·Hero Tornado] to the Graveyard, then target [E·Hero Shining Flame Wingman]. Because it leaves the field, the [Inherited Power] grants [E·Hero Shining Flame Wingman] an ATK bonus equal to [E·Hero Tornado]'s original 2800 ATK. Also, because [E·Hero] cards are added to the Graveyard, [E·Hero Shining Flame Wingman] gains an additional 300 ATK!"

Looking at [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman] bathed in the light of hope and miracle, [E·hero Great Tornado] moved its weak fist and raised its hand just like [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman]. Light spots emerged from its body and merged into the body of [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman].

Although he no longer has the ability to fight, he can still help his companions become stronger. These lights are the bond that will continue to pass on love and justice. [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman] will continue to fight with the heroes in the graveyard and with the power of [E·hero Great Tornado]!

This is what is meant by "Let my broken body become raging flames"—"Take the last power of [E·hero Great Tornado], [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman]!"

【E·hero Shining Flame Wingman】【ATK4600→7400→7700】

"7,7700 points!?" Even Marufuji Sho, who was on Jaden's side hoping for his victory, was astonished when he saw Jaden's "last hope"—[E·Hero Shining Flame Wingman]—surpass such a number in attack power. His eyes widened in disbelief, and his glasses almost fell off his nose. "Big Brother's monster's attack power has skyrocketed, surged, and increased dramatically! What on the field can stop him now? What can stop him?!"

"Enter battle phase and attack the [Lava Demon] on the Heavenly Arena, [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman]!"

With a wave of his hand, Judai sent Shining Hero soaring high into the air, gliding on his wings to match the massive monster. 【E·hero Shining Flame Wingman】 raised his right arm, drawing upon the power of countless comrades from the graveyard. All his strength converged in the transmitter on his right arm, and the golden dragon head opened, revealing a shimmering energy ball.

"My hands are burning hot like crimson flames, he shouts for me to grip victory tightly!" Jaden and [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman] move in unison, simultaneously forming the shape of pistols with their palms and aiming at Asuka's [Lava Demon] on the field, "Shining Shot!"

The dragon's open head snapped down again, destroying the energy ball. The surging energy contained within was compressed into a line by the closed dragon head, which shot out instantly, piercing through the body of the [Lava Demon] and striking Asuka behind it!

"Ugh!"

[Tenjouin Asuka: 6150→1450LP]

Although it was just an illusion simulated by a virtual projection system, when the beam of light passed through her body and brought with it the impact of the damage, Asuka still couldn't help but cry out due to the combat damage of up to 4700 points, and took several steps back before she could stand up.

'I almost got defeated. I shouldn't have made that mistake last round. If I had recovered 600 more points of life points then, I wouldn't be in such a sorry state now.' Thinking to herself, Asuka looked at Judai and said defiantly, 'It was just a fatal wound. It doesn't hurt at all. Even now, my life points are still higher than yours!'

But she saw Jaden raise his finger and shake it, saying, "If [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman] only had one effect, it wouldn't be worthy of being called 'Last Hope'. In addition to its ability to increase attack power based on [E·hero] cards in my graveyard, it also inherits the effect of [E·hero Flame Wingman].

"【E·hero Flame Wingman】? I remember its effect is—" Asuka started to say, but then her eyes widened as she recalled Professor Chronos's defeat.

"When a battle-destroying monster from 'E-Hero Shining Flame Wingman' is sent to the Graveyard, it can inflict damage to your opponent equal to the destroyed monster's ATK. The 'Lava Demon' destroyed by 'E-Hero Shining Flame Wingman' has 3000 ATK." Jaden looked at the 'Lava Demon' card still on Asuka's Duel Disk, "Therefore, Tenjouin, you will suffer an additional 3000 damage!"

"Radiant Shattering!"

Descending slowly from the sky, [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman] appeared before Asuka like an angel descending from heaven. However, his purpose was not to protect and redeem her, but to deliver the final blow.

But when he glanced at Asuka, unlike when he used his flames to spray Professor Chronos in E. Hero, he simply threw a punch at Asuka with his unarmed left arm, using the force of the punch to take away her last life point, causing Asuka to accidentally sit on the ground.

【Asuka: 1450LP→0】

"I won! What an interesting duel!"

Jaden laughed and declared victory, while in his deck, Winged Kuriboh peeked out to look at the situation outside, sighing at its inability to participate again: "Kuriri..."

Chapter 1079 Student Teachers

Asuka was knocked to the ground by the punch of [E·hero Shining Flame Wingman], and her mind went blank for a moment.

—I actually lost?

More than failing to meet the principal's targets and gain entry to the old school building, Asuka was more concerned about losing the duel. It wasn't a case like Manjoume's, where the decks didn't match and the outcome was clear from the start; rather, it was a case where she had a significant advantage, yet Jaden still managed to turn the tables and win.

Asuka, who had long harbored a hidden pride, felt a little shaken. She found it difficult to describe her feelings at this moment; it was not frustration or dejection, but rather a subtle emotion.

"I won! What an interesting duel!"

Just then, Asuka heard Jaden's declaration of victory and looked up at him as he stood before her. Jaden smiled broadly and said happily, "What a beautiful duel, Tenjouin."

Hearing Judai's words, Asuka's mood worsened, and she said somewhat irritably, "Are you mocking me, Yuki? Is this what you call 'the winner's composure'? Is my duel so worthless in your eyes? You even have to use sarcasm to ridicule me?"

However, thinking that she was the loser and had no right to demand anything from Judai, Asuka said with some frustration, "Go ahead and laugh at me, I will get my revenge on this humiliation someday—"

"Huh? What are you talking about, Tenjouin?" Judai asked, somewhat puzzled. "I'm just saying it literally. Don't you think this duel is interesting?"

"The clash of ritual and fusion, the battle between elemental heroes and cybernetic angels, the increase and decrease of life points, and the combination of magic traps—this duel is super~ fun and super cool!" Jaden exclaimed excitedly. "Although I won this time, the outcome might be different if we do it again. This makes me even more excited for our next duel with Tenjouin!"

Judai's words startled Asuka. Based on her recent observations of Judai, she belatedly realized that Judai didn't seem to be the type to arrogantly run up to others and mock them after winning.

Although there was a precedent of mentioning in front of Professor Chronos's class that he had been defeated by her, unlike Momoe and Junko, Asuka actually observed that Judai's main purpose at the time seemed to be to divert the attention of others in the class from Marufuji Sho, who was about to collapse, to herself, and to encourage Marufuji Sho to listen to the class seriously again.

In other words, it seems I misunderstood what Judai said?

Somewhat embarrassed, Asuka turned her head away and said, "Luck is also a part of strength, especially for duelists. If you win, you win."

"However, I will not lose in the same way in the next duel."

Upon hearing this, Judai chuckled and extended his hand to Asuka, who was sitting on the ground. This puzzled Asuka further: "What's this?"

“Because we’re friends, it’s only right that we help each other out.” Jaden still held out his hand, gesturing for Asuka to put her hand on his so he could help her get up. “Besides wanting to have more fun duels, I actually have another goal I want to achieve at school, which is to make more friends.”

"A friend?" Asuka smiled as she looked at Jaden's outstretched hand, but didn't take it. Instead, she pushed herself up and said, "I'm not at the point where I need someone to lend me a hand to stand up."

"Eh..."

Seeing that Asuka did not accept his help, Judai was a little disappointed, but then he saw Asuka stand up and look at him with a smile. She reached out and grasped his hand, then moved it slightly and grasped it from bottom to top.

Understanding Asuka's meaning, Jaden also made a fist and touched it with Asuka's fist, then touched it with his fist again, one above the other. They raised their right fists in unison and said, "What an interesting duel!"

In the stands, Junko and Momoe looked at Asuka, who was doing the same thing as Jaden and shouting foolishly, and said in surprise, "This is the first time we've seen Asuka like this."

“She seems like a completely different person from the Asuka we remember.” Hearing Junko’s words, Momoe nodded in agreement, but when they looked at Asuka, they had happy expressions on their faces. “However, Asuka seems very happy. It’s the first time I’ve seen her so relaxed since I met her.”

"Compared to those, it was unsurprisingly the eldest brother who won again in the end." Marufuji Sho said with his hands on his hips, "Once is a coincidence, twice is an accident, but the eldest brother who has defeated three people from the Obelisk-Blue dormitory, including the dormitory head teacher, is indeed an amazing strongman!"

"Three people?" Misawa thought for a moment. "Wasn't it just Professor Chronos from the Blue Dormitory and Tenjouin?"

"And there's that guy named Manjoume, but he was defeated by my older brother yesterday, so he's nothing to worry about," Marufuji Sho said casually, as if it wasn't Judai who defeated Manjoume but him, and he didn't take Manjoume, who was two grades higher than him in the dormitory, seriously at all.

Misawa also recalled that Judai seemed to have casually mentioned "Manjoume was defeated yesterday" when he just finished class. He was organizing his deck at the time and didn't listen carefully. It wasn't until Marufuji Sho brought it up that he realized what Judai meant.

"Did I really miss something so important yesterday? What a pity." Though he said it was a pity, Misawa's gaze remained fixed intently on Jaden. "This makes me even more excited for my duel with Jaden Yuki. After Tenjōin, it'll be my turn—"

"Dululululu~"

Before Misawa could finish speaking, he had just stood up with his deck and duel disk when he heard the school bell ring. Jaden, who was in the duel arena, froze for a moment, then hurriedly ran outside, calling out, "Yabai! It's lunchtime, or you'll miss out on the golden bread!"

"Golden Bread?" Asuka thought for a moment and remembered that it was the grand prize among the "Duel Bread" special food of the Duel Academy store. However, Jaden was only in class for the first time. He didn't remember any of the theoretical knowledge in class, but he remembered what he had for lunch very well.

She got interested too, and watching Jaden race ahead, she laughed and chased after him: "Don't think you can get the Golden Bread so easily, I'm the one who's going to get it!"

"Os! Let's have another match, Tenjouin!"

Watching Judai and Asuka run out of the dueling arena one after the other, with Marufuji Sho following behind, Misawa shook his head helplessly, not very interested in the dueling bread.

Although it was a bit of a pity that I couldn't duel with Jaden, it gave me more time to prepare and adjust my deck. This is the dueling style that Misawa chose to best utilize his strengths - data dueling. It is a deck that relies on calculation and information to complete tactical preparation and strategic deployment, rather than on intuition or luck.

For example, with Naruka's "Cyber ​​Angel," by observing duels, she realized that her opponent relied heavily on the operation of the graveyard, and that if someone used the rare Field Spell Card "Royal Valley of the Sleep," they could easily suppress most of her tactics.