"Cyber End Dragon with 4000 Attack Points—the strongest Cyber Dragon! Even in a skyscraper setting, it's more than enough to crush the heroes!"

In the Hero City under the night sky, a titanic mechanical monster clashed against its heroic defenders. Their final struggle filled the climax of this Duel with both narrative drama and fantastical spectacle.

Even though its aesthetic clashed with the Western fantasy style of this world, one couldn't deny that, in another sense, it was a perfect embodiment of masculine romance.

"Hahahahahaha! I haven't had such an exciting and delightful Duel in forever! Irene Austin, you're the best opponent I've ever faced!"

"That's quite the compliment, senpai."

Irene & Aisha both had the same thought, 'Seriously, what a sinful man. Sigh!'

Deion stepped forward again, each pace drawing him closer as he declared entry into the Battle Phase, commanding the massive Cyber End Dragon that could tear the Hero City apart.

"Too bad, Irene Austin. A satisfying Duel can't last forever. It's time to settle this!"

The three enormous mechanical dragon heads lifted in proud succession, each gathering radiant flames of digital evolution in their maws. In that instant, the Hero City beneath the night sky lit up like a noonday apocalypse.

"Strike down, Sparkman and surpass that speed—Eternal Evolution Burst!"

The triple-headed Eternal Evolution Burst blasted across the entire Hero City. Skyscrapers in its path collapsed and vaporized.

But just as the eternal flames were about to engulf Sparkman, Flame Wingman soared into the blast's path, a symbol of the bond between heroes.

"—Trap Card Activate: Staunch Defender!"

[Can only be activated when your opponent declares an attack. Target 1 face-up monster you control. This turn, your opponent can only attack the selected monster and must use all face-up Attack Position monsters to do so.]

"Because of Staunch Defender's effect, this turn you can only attack my [Elemental HERO Flame Wingman]!"

[Flame Wingman, ATK: 2100 → 3100]

"Does it matter? You're down to just 200 Life Points, Irene Austin. No matter which monster you use to block the Eternal Evolution Burst, the result is still defeat!"

"The lingering light shall become my chance to turn the tide!"

As the Duel pressed forward, Irene held on to fight back to the final moment. When [Metamorphosis] activated, Miles' mind finally began to uncover the truth behind the mysterious template card.

'If it's that card, I can win!'

'Though first—I have to survive!'

"Now I activate my second Trap Card—[Elemental Recharge]!"

[Elemental Recharge Trap Card Effect: Gain 1000 Life Points for each face-up "Elemental HERO" monster you control.]

"With Sparkman and Flame Wingman both on my field, I regain 2000 Life Points! I'm taking this Eternal Evolution Burst head-on!"

Flame Wingman largely blocked the overwhelming triple-blast, yet the sheer brute force still launched Irene backward.

[Irene, LP: 200 → 2200 → 1300]

Hurled across the battlefield, Miles managed to regain a sizable chunk of Life Points through his last-second Recharge.

"You're tough, Irene Austin! With a will like that, it really is a shame you don't command Cyber Dragons. I've never seen anyone out-struggle me like this!"

Deion praised in his own rough way.

"Cyber Dragons? I think I'm better suited to heroes."

"Oh?"

Irene muttered, "Miles..."

Bracing against his knees, Miles stood tall again, wiping the ash from his pale cheeks and forcing a confident smile.

"Only those who want to become heroes are given a HERO Deck. Isn't that the coolest thing ever?"

"!!!"

To the others, it sounded like he was bragging; however, Irene knew… Miles was complimenting her.

Her dream of becoming a hero who protected others—this man understood it better than anyone.

"Y-you're amazing too, Miles!"

"Too early for that, Irene. Tell me that after I win this Duel."

"Okay!"

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Deion laughed heartily, ending the Battle Phase.

"Guess I misspoke, Irene Austin. You're right. Only Duelists who trust in their Decks can show this level of resolve and power. Cyber Dragons and HEROes—let's decide once and for all which is cooler!"

Moving into Main Phase 2, Deion placed a card horizontally in the Monster Zone.

"I summon in Defense Position—[Proto-Cyber Dragon]!"

[Proto-Cyber Dragon] Level 3│LIGHT│Machine│1100 ATK

[As long as this card remains face-up on the field, its name is treated as "Cyber Dragon".]

Though inferior in level, size, and attributes, Proto-Cyber Dragon could be used as a Cyber Dragon while on the field. Deion cautiously summoned it in Defense Position.

"I set one card face-down. Turn end!"

Miles placed his fingertips on the top of his Spirit Eyes Deck.

"This is the final turn. Victory or defeat—comes down to this draw! My turn, draw!"

A similar yet distinct radiant draw, wrapped in golden light, responded to the unknown card still in his hand.

Miles had drawn both of the template cards.

If what President Shira said is true—that only through Dueling can one awaken the unknown cards—

Then, without question, this is the moment of awakening!

Born from the banned card [Metamorphosis], forged by the combined soul of Irene's HERO and Miles himself—the truth of the unknown card was beginning to reveal itself.

The golden light enveloping the card gradually faded, but the shining hue remained etched onto the card face, becoming a part of it.

Irene: "Miles, what are those two cards?"

"They're the awakened, evolved form of our hopes—new forms of the Mutated HERO!"

Exactly as the card that appeared in Miles' mind the previous turn, the "light" that remained would become the key to reversing everything.

"—Quick-Play Spell [Mask Change], activate!"

[Target 1 "HERO" monster you control; send it to the Graveyard, and Special Summon 1 "Masked HERO" monster with the same Attribute from your Extra Deck.]

"I'll use [Elemental HERO Sparkman] for a Mask Change—transforming into a LIGHT-Attribute Masked HERO!"

...

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