Heroic Spirit Deck in Yu-Gi-Oh!

Duel Academy, Indoor Duel Arena—

"Eh? Professor Crowler and Professor Hoshino are dueling? At a time like this, why?" Alexis Rhodes, the Academy's goddess, asked, her voice tinged with surprise. A full night of battling the "beast wave" had left her looking tired, though her poise and natural elegance remained undiminished.

Standing nearby with arms crossed, Chazz Princeton tried to appear nonchalant, though his curiosity was evident. "They probably got into another argument. But honestly, having the energy to duel now is impressive in itself."

"Want to watch?" Alexis asked, offering a faint smile. Despite the dust and scuffs on her Obelisk Blue uniform, her presence was as radiant as ever.

Chazz quickly turned his face away, hiding the faint pink creeping into his cheeks. "Sure, why not? Not like we've got anything better to do."

Following the previous night's monster rampage, classes had been suspended, and most students were recovering in their dorms. The few who had gathered in the arena were either curious or too restless to stay away.

Adjusting her sleek black glasses, Hoshino stood confidently on one side of the arena, her gaze fixed on Crowler. "Let's not drag this out. Make it quick, Professor Crowler."

"Ah, I'm-a ready when-a you are, Signora Hoshino!" Crowler replied, his usual flamboyance matched only by his determination. He activated his duel disk, an unusual chest-mounted design that he insisted was "elegant" but which no student had ever willingly accepted as a reward.

"Curse it all! Today's the day I reclaim my dignity as-a professor!" he vowed silently, gripping his opening hand with resolve.

"I'll take da first move! Draw!" Crowler's exaggerated accent was as colorful as ever. "I activate da Field Spell [Geartown]!"

As the card materialized, the arena transformed into a sprawling cityscape of towering gears grinding in unison, the mechanical hum filling the air.

"Next, I'll set these two cards and activate da Spell Card—" Crowler paused dramatically as the storm-like effect began swirling around the field.

"—[Heavy Storm]!"

[Heavy Storm Spell Card Effect: Destroy all Spell and Trap Cards on the field.]

Gasps echoed through the few gathered spectators.

"Wait, what's he doing?" a Slifer Red student asked, scratching his head. "He just destroyed his own cards. Is he giving up already?"

Another chimed in, "Yeah, I heard Professor Hoshino is crazy strong. Maybe he knows it's hopeless?"

Leaning against the railing, Chazz smirked. "Rookies. You've never seen Crowler duel, have you?"

The two red-uniformed students shook their heads.

Chazz gestured toward the field. "Just watch. This is classic Crowler."

From beneath the crumbling Geartown, the sound of grinding metal intensified as a colossal mechanical dragon tore through the ground. Its steam-powered joints hissed, and its glowing eyes radiated menace.

"[Geartown]'s effect activates! When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one 'Ancient Gear' monster from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard!"

Crowler pointed dramatically at the newly summoned behemoth. "From my Deck, I Special Summon [Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon]!"

[Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon★★★★★★★★ (Level 8)][EARTH][Machine/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2000]

[If this card attacks, your opponent cannot activate any Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step.]

The towering Gadjiltron Dragon loomed over the battlefield, its weathered metal frame and glowing red core exuding raw power.

"Not bad," Alexis remarked, her tired eyes gleaming with interest. "Summoning such a powerful monster on the first turn is impressive."

But Crowler wasn't done. "And that's not all! Da two set cards I destroyed were Trap Cards—[Statue of the Wicked]!"

[Statue of the Wicked (Trap Card Effect): If this Set card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, Special Summon 1 "Wicked Token" (Fiend/DARK/Level 4/ATK 1000/DEF 1000).]

"Since-a two Statues of-a the Wicked were destroyed, I can-a summon two Wicked Tokens!"

[Wicked Token: ATK 1000 (x2)]

"And now, I tribute my two Wicked Tokens to Tribute Summon—[Ancient Gear Golem]!"

As the two tokens disintegrated into light, a second mechanical titan appeared beside the Gadjiltron Dragon.

[Ancient Gear Golem★★★★★★★★ (Level 8)][EARTH][Machine/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 3000]

Crowler field was now dominated by two massive Ancient Gear monsters, their combined attack power a staggering 6000.

"Wow! Professor Crowler summoned two Ancient Gear ace monsters in his first turn!" Alexis exclaimed, her admiration clear.

Chazz smirked knowingly. "Sure, it's a strong start, but Alexis, you and I both know it'll take more than this to beat Hoshino."

Crowler, however, was brimming with confidence. With such a perfect opening hand, he couldn't imagine losing. 'And to protect my monsters, I'll set one last card. My ace-in-the-hole, Magic Cylinder! Mamma mia, there's no way I'll lose!'

He ended his turn with a flourish, his confidence radiating across the field.

[Crowler: 0 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]

Hoshino adjusted her glasses, her calm expression unchanged. "Not bad, Professor Crowler. It seems you've finally decided to take this duel seriously."

Every time Crowler lost to her, he would claim he wasn't taking the duel seriously. Of course, no one ever believed him.

Crowler puffed up, pointing dramatically at her. "You better believe it! Today, I'm gonna teach you some-a respect, Signora Hoshino!"

Unmoved by his theatrics, Hoshino drew her card with deliberate grace. "Then let's dazzle the crowd with a little magic. Prepare to see your precious monsters reduced to scrap."

She raised her duel disk. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell—[Daily Life at the Beyond]!"

Watching Hoshino's latest move, Chazz whistled, a mix of amazement and mischief in his tone. "Oh, here it comes! Professor Crowler is in trouble now~"

[Daily Life at the Beyond Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: If you control no monsters: You can Special Summon 1 "Magical Girl - Illya" from your Deck or Banished zone.]

"Summoning the radiant star of miracles! Calling forth the magical girl of love and justice! Special Summon—[Magical Girl - Illya]!"

As the card materialized, a colorful meteor streaked across Hoshino's field. From the radiant burst emerged a girl clad in a school uniform, wielding a ruby staff that glimmered under the arena's lights.

[Magical Girl - Illya★★★★ (Level 4)][LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]

The moment she appeared, Illya's cheeks flushed a faint pink. "Master, didn't I tell you a hundred times to stop using that embarrassing summoning chant? 'Love and justice magical girl'—ugh, it's just too much…"

Before Illya could finish her complaint, her staff, Ruby, chimed in with a cheerful yet mischievous tone. "What's wrong with that? Love and justice are essential magical girl themes! Honestly, Hoshino gets it—bet they've watched a ton of magical girl anime~"

For context: Ruby is a talking wand with an adorable voice but a highly questionable personality.

Of course, Hoshino, sharing Ruby's eccentric humor, seized the chance to tease Illya. "Exactly! Magical girls fighting for love and justice are the absolute best. In short—magical girls are just the best!"

Illya gave her Master a skeptical side-eye and muttered, "Master, I think you just said something that could get you arrested…"

Having had her fun, Hoshino pressed on. "Upon Special Summon, I activate Illya's effect! When this card is summoned, I can add one [Phantasmal Summoning (Install)] from my Deck to my hand!"

As the Duel Disk smoothly ejected the key card into her hand, Hoshino wasted no time continuing her turn.

"And now, I'll Normal Summon [Magical Girl - Miyu]!"

[Magical Girl - Miyu★★★★ (Level 4)][LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]

A black-haired girl clad in a similar school uniform appeared beside Illya, holding a sapphire wand. She glanced up at Hoshino with calm, intelligent eyes. "Fighting again today, Master? After all the battles last night, you're really dedicated."

Meanwhile, Illya pouted, her voice dropping to a grumble. "Why doesn't Miyu have an embarrassing summoning chant? Master is so unfair…"

"Stop grumbling, Illya," Hoshino said with a teasing smile. "It's time to battle!"

"…Got it, Master!"

With a playful yet resolute tone, Illya drew a card from the white thigh strap beneath her uniform as Hoshino activated another card from her hand.

"I activate [Polymerization]! I'll fuse [Magical Girl - Illya] on the field with [Heroic Spirit – Fuuma Kotarou] from my hand!"

At the same time, Illya deftly swiped her transformation card past Ruby's glowing tip. Her body shimmered with radiant light as her voice echoed through the arena.

"Class Card Assassin, Install, Fuuma Kotarou!!"

"—Fusion Summon! [Magical Girl – Fuuma Kotarou Illya]!"

[Magical Girl – Fuuma Kotarou Illya★★★★★★★★ (Level 8)][DARK] [Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 1000]

[Fusion Materials: Magical Girl - Illya + Heroic Spirit - Fuuma Kotarou]

[This card is also treated as a [Heroic Spirit] card.]

Illya now stood transformed, her outfit replaced by sleek ninja attire. Her hair was tied up, and she wielded a kunai in one hand, her pose exuding both charm and competence.

Hoshino pointed dramatically at Crowler's two towering mechanical monsters. "I activate the special effect of [Fuuma Kotarou Illya]! When this card is Fusion Summoned, all monsters your opponent controls lose 800 ATK! Go, Illya!"

"On it, Master!" Illya leapt high into the air, hurling kunai etched with explosive seals toward the Ancient Gear monsters.

"Sabotage! Take a little rest, will ya?"

The seals detonated with precision, forcing the mechanical behemoths to stagger under the assault.

[Ancient Gear Golem ATK 3000 → 2200]

[Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon ATK 3000 → 2200]

With a satisfied smirk, Hoshino played her next move. "Now, I Special Summon a [Fuuma Token] to my field!"

Landing gracefully, Illya formed a hand sign. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" In a puff of smoke, a clone resembling Illya appeared beside her.

[Fuuma Token★★ DARK][Warrior/Token][ATK 500/DEF 500]

"Hmm, it's kind of weak…" Illya remarked, scratching her head awkwardly.

Watching from the stands, Alexis couldn't help but chuckle. "Professor Hoshino is amazing. She always finds ways to make Illya cosplay something new."

Chazz, however, narrowed his eyes. "Even with reduced ATK, Crowler's monsters still have the upper hand."

Adjusting her glasses with a confident glint, Hoshino smirked. "Don't think I didn't notice. That set card of yours—it's Magic Cylinder, isn't it?"

"M-Mamma mia! She guessed it!" Crowler stammered, his voice cracking slightly.

"Doesn't matter if you confirm it or not," Hoshino said. "This turn, I'm sealing that card! I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Phantasmal Summoning (Install)]!"

[Phantasmal Summoning (Install) Quick-Play Spell Effect: When a "Magical Girl" Fusion Monster is Fusion Summoned: You can use only 1 listed material from your field to Fusion Summon another Fusion Monster.]

"Using [Phantasmal Summoning], I'll banish [Magical Girl - Miyu] from my field to summon another Fusion Monster that lists Miyu as material! Let's go, Miyu!"

Miyu nodded, her serene demeanor unwavering. "Of course, Master. Let me fight alongside Illya in this battle!"

Slamming the new card into her Duel Disk, Hoshino initiated the transformation. Miyu was engulfed in a dazzling light as her voice rang out.

"Class Card Rider, Install, Medusa!"

"—Fusion Summon! [Magical Girl - Medusa Miyu]!"

Miyu emerged atop a magnificent white Pegasus, her chain weapon gleaming as it wrapped gracefully around her hand. Her majestic aura lit up the battlefield, her presence both regal and commanding.

(*****)

If you'd like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!