Heroic Spirit Deck in Yu-Gi-Oh!

"Even with your Heroic Spirit cards sealed, you can still pull off such impressive plays. Truly remarkable, Hoshino! But now, I'll..."

After Malefic Rainbow Dragon was destroyed, Paradox flipped over a set card from his first turn.

"I activate the Trap Card [Malefic Tune]!"

[Malefic Tune Trap Card Effect: If a face-up "Malefic" monster(s) you control is destroyed by battle or an opponent's card effect: Draw 2 cards.]

"Since my Malefic Rainbow Dragon was destroyed, I'll draw 2 cards from my deck." Despite losing his only monster, Paradox maintained his composure, calmly replenishing his hand to five cards.

Hoshino-Sensei furrowed her brow. Something Paradox had just said caught her attention. "Sealed? I had my suspicions before, but now I'm certain—it was your doing, wasn't it?"

Paradox smirked, his tone icy. "The title of Heroic Spirit strikes fear even in my time. If I didn't take precautions to deal with the future you, I probably wouldn't have even had the chance to travel through time."

Hoshino looked startled, her eyes wide. "The future me? You mean... a future even further ahead from now? By then, won't I already be an old hag?!"

While Hoshino reacted with incredulous surprise, Hoshino-Sensei remained calm, her voice resolute. "I don't care what happens to me in the future. What matters now is defeating you—here and now!"

"I'll set two cards and end my turn!"

[Hoshino's: 3 Hand Cards | 4 Set Cards, Continuous Spell [Phantasmal Summoning (Install)]

"It's my turn," Paradox declared. He didn't draw during his Draw Phase. Instead, he activated the effect of his Field Spell Malefic World.

[Malefic World Field Spell Effect: During your Draw Phase, you can add 1 random "Malefic" Monster Card from your Deck to your hand instead of conducting a normal draw.]

"I replace my normal draw to add [Malefic Cyber End Dragon] from my deck to my hand." The duel disk's automatic search system ejected the card Paradox needed.

Witnessing the system for the first time, Hoshino-Sensei couldn't hide her amazement. "An auto-search duel disk? That's so cool! I wonder when we'll get to use those!"

"You won't live long enough to find out," Paradox retorted coldly. "I activate the effect of [Malefic Cyber End Dragon], which I just added to my hand!"

[Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned by sending 1 "Cyber End Dragon" from your Extra Deck to the Graveyard.] (Anime Effect)

Hoshino narrowed her eyes. "Wait a second! I recall Malefic monsters needing the original monster to be banished to summon them. Why is it being sent to the graveyard instead?"

Paradox chuckled, his confidence unwavering. "That's the difference between the imitators and the true wielder of Malefic power. What Byakuya used was but a fragment of my Malefic World's will. I wield the genuine article, imbued with unparalleled strength!"

As he spoke, a colossal, three-headed black-and-white dragon materialized, dominating the battlefield.

[Malefic Cyber End Dragon★★★★★★★★★★ (Level 10)][DARK][Machine/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 2800]

[Effect: When this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict Piercing Battle Damage to your opponent.]

The sheer oppressive aura of Paradox's version of Malefic Cyber End Dragon was leagues above Byakuya's.

"And now, I activate the effect of [Malefic Stardust Dragon] from my hand!"

[Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned by sending 1 "Stardust Dragon" from your Extra Deck to your Graveyard.] (Anime Effect)

From a void filled with shimmering black stardust, a sleek and elegant dragon emerged, its glowing body radiating ominous power.

[Malefic Stardust Dragon★★★★★★★★ (Level 8)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]

"Sensei, have you seen this monster before?" Hoshino whispered.

Hoshino-Sensei shook her head. She was familiar with countless monsters through her life, including the Malefic Rainbow Dragon and Malefic Cyber End Dragon, which Paradox had summoned earlier, both of which had ties to Jesse Anderson and Zane Truesdale. But the Stardust Dragon before her was entirely new. "No. This one's unfamiliar to me. It must be a monster from the future."

"We'll need to be extra cautious," she added, her tone grave.

Paradox raised his hand, signaling his next move. "Battle Phase! Attack, Malefic Stardust Dragon! Obliterate the enemy and send them to the farthest reaches of the galaxy!"

Dark particles rained down as Malefic Stardust Dragon unleashed a devastating attack on Magical Girl – Cu Chulainn Illya.

"Hoshino! It's no longer the turn Illya was summoned—her immunity to destruction is gone!"

The blast consumed Illya, her petite frame disappearing within the attack's impact.

[Hoshino's LP 4000 → 3500]

[Magical Girl – Cú Chulainn Illya – Destroyed]

Hoshino-Sensei solemnly sent Illya's card to the graveyard but smiled faintly. "Even so, Illya's effect activates upon destruction."

Before fading, Illya hurled her crimson spear with incredible force, striking Malefic Stardust Dragon and sending it to the graveyard alongside her.

[Malefic Stardust Dragon – Destroyed]

Despite her resolve, Hoshino-Sensei bit her lip. "I managed to destroy the Malefic Stardust Dragon, but with Illya gone and the Malefic Cyber End Dragon still on the field..."

"What a dangerous situation, Master~"

However, as the dark particles of the attack faded, the petite form of Illya, now back in her school uniform, stood defiantly on the battlefield.

"Huh?! Illya's?" Hoshino-Sensei turned to her younger self, astonished.

Hoshino grinned smugly, flipping over a face-down card. "Of course, Sensei! I made sure to protect her with [Hero Returns]!"

[Hero Returns Trap Card Effect: When a "Heroic Spirit" monster you control is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can target 1 "Heroic Spirit" monster in your GY; Special Summon that target.]

"When Cú Chulainn Illya was destroyed, I activated this to Special Summon Magical Girl – Illya from my graveyard!"

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

"Nice job, Chiyuki-chan! Even in the past, I was already so reliable!" Hoshino-Sensei praised enthusiastically. As long as Illya was on the field, her deck held infinite possibilities.

"Ehehe, being praised by myself makes me so happy!" Hoshino scratched the back of her head, grinning sheepishly, before continuing her move.

"Since Magical Girl – Illya was Special Summoned to my field in Defense Position, I can activate her effect to add 1 [Phantasmal Summoning (Install)] from my deck to my hand!"

Paradox chuckled, his tone condescending. "The teamwork between the two of you is amusing, but against Malefic Cyber End Dragon, all your moves are nothing more than cannon fodder!"

The three-headed mechanical dragon, brimming with energy, locked its deadly sights on Illya, the seemingly defenseless girl standing on Hoshino's field.

Illya's face turned pale as panic overtook her. "E-Eh?! If that kind of attack hits me directly, it's going to hurt like crazy! Masters, do something!"

The Malefic Cyber End Dragon showed no mercy. Empowered by Illya's panic, the mechanical dragon charged up its devastating attack.

"Attack, Malefic Cyber End Dragon! Turn her to ash in the sparks of sin!" Paradox commanded triumphantly.

The dragon roared as it unleashed a powerful triple beam of energy directly at Illya.

"——Malefic Termination Flash!!"

"Don't worry, Illya. Since I summoned you, I'll protect you!" Hoshino declared confidently, flipping over one of her set cards.

"I activate the Trap Card [Poster Girl]! This card lets me Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from my deck in Defense Position. It also increases the summoned monster's DEF by 500 while substituting itself as the attack target!"

Hoshino quickly searched her deck and selected a suitable defensive Heroic Spirit to shield Illya.

"Special Summon in Defense Position—[Heroic Spirit – Artoria Pendragon Lily]!"

Amid the fiery destruction, a glowing path of blooming flowers revealed the steadfast figure of a young knight-in-training. Her chosen sword gleamed as she stood protectively in front of Illya.

[Heroic Spirit – Artoria Pendragon Lily★★★★ (Level 4)][LIGHT][Dragon/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1000 → 1500]

"Upon her summoning, Saber Lily's effect activates. I can add 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from my deck to my hand! I'll add [Heroic Spirit – Von Hohenheim Paracelsus]!"

Illya blinked at Lily's slender form shielding her from the dragon's deadly attack. "I'm sorry, Saber Lily... I'm too weak. If only my base stats included 4000 ATK, you wouldn't have to sacrifice yourself."

Lily turned to Illya with a soft smile, her youthful determination shining through. "It's okay. Even though I'm just a trainee knight, if I can shield you from this attack, it will greatly increase the odds of our Master winning this duel."

With a radiant smile, she added, "Because you're an SSR card with infinite potential!"

Their heartfelt exchange in the face of danger was brimming with trust and courage, the intertwining of their resolve making the moment all the more poignant.

Paradox's laughter cut through the tension. "You've miscalculated, Hoshino! Malefic Cyber End Dragon inflicts piercing damage to Defense Position monsters. That means you'll still take 2500 points of damage!"

Hoshino gasped. "Piercing damage?! That's not the effect it had when I dueled Byakuya!"

Paradox sneered. "What you fought before was nothing but a diluted version of the Malefic archetype. What I wield is the true power of the Malefic World!"

Hoshino clenched her fists, frustrated by this unexpected twist. She cast an apologetic glance at Hoshino-Sensei, knowing the situation looked dire.

If this attack landed, their Life Points would be reduced to just 1000.

Hoshino-Sensei, however, placed a reassuring hand on her younger self's shoulder. "You've done well, Chiyuki-chan. Every move you make creates new possibilities, even if the odds seem overwhelming!"

"New possibilities?" Hoshino echoed, confused.

"Leave the rest to me!" Hoshino-Sensei declared, flipping over her own set card. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Flash Fusion]!"

[Flash Fusion Quick-Play Spell Effect: Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters you control as Fusion Material. Destroy it during the End Phase.]

"By fusing Saber Lily and Magical Girl – Illya on the field, it's time for a counterattack!"

The radiant light of Fusion enveloped both Lily and Illya. As their forms merged, Ruby chimed in mischievously, "Class Card Saber, Install—Artoria Pendragon Lily!!"

"The possibilities within a young girl's heart are limitless! Arise—Fusion Summon [Magical Girl – Artoria Lily Illya]!"

The new card hit the Duel Disk with a forceful slam. The dazzling brilliance of the chosen sword illuminated the battlefield as the magical girl's transformed form emerged with regal elegance.

[Magical Girl – Artoria Lily Illya★★★★★★★★ (Level 8)][LIGHT][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 1000]

[Magical Girl – Illya + Heroic Spirit – Artoria Pendragon Lily]

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

Paradox laughed derisively. "After all that effort, you summoned something with only 2500 ATK? Pathetic!"

Hoshino-Sensei's gaze hardened. "What defines a powerful monster, Paradox? High ATK? Invincibility? Pure strength?" Her voice rang with conviction. "A truly powerful monster is one that turns the tide of battle and brings victory!"

Illya raised her sword high, its golden light intensifying. "Sacred sword, grant me the strength to carve a path toward hope and the future!"

[①: When this card is Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Magical Girl" monster from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand.]

"I add [Magical Girl – Miyu] to my hand and activate her special effect!"

[Effect: Discard this card. Target 1 "Heroic Spirit" Fusion Monster on the field; return it to the Extra Deck. Then, Special Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit" Fusion Monster with a different name from the returned monster, using at least 1 of the same Fusion Materials.]

"Using Miyu's effect, I return [Magical Girl – Artoria Lily Illya] to the Extra Deck and summon [Magical Girl – Artoria Illya] in her place!"

As the knight trainee's form evolved into the King of Knights, Illya's new transformation radiated unmatched brilliance. The battlefield was hers to claim.

(*****)

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