This was technically the first time Miles had seen a Machine monster full of futuristic flair in another world.

In a purely Western fantasy-style setting, a mechanical dragon suddenly materialized—its coiling body roaring in synthetic tones, with 2100 Attack Points, Special Summoned without Tribute.

"What is it with people named Kaiser always using Cyber Dragons?"

Miles noticed an incredibly subtle similarity. While "Kaiser" was the royal surname of the Deion family, using Cyber Dragons was exactly what he'd expected.

Maybe it was just the sheer force of Deion's presence the moment they met. After all, anyone who played Cyber Dragons—or Machine monsters in general—tended not to be a pushover.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be an entire popular club dedicated to researching how Cyber Dragons and Machine monsters struggle and survive.

"What, are you scared already? With that strong mental fortitude of yours, even as a first-year, you shouldn't be a weakling!"

Deion drew a second monster card from his hand and flung it forward.

"Don't expect me to go easy on you. My Normal Summon for this turn, in Attack Position—Cyber Dragon Vier!"

The Magic Club President, Shira, muttered under her breath, "You need a reason not to go easy? A few of my club members are already traumatized by you."

[Cyber Dragon Vier] Level 4│LIGHT│Machine│1100 ATK

Slightly smaller than the original Level 5 Cyber Dragon, this specially painted variant appeared alongside it on the field.

"Cyber Dragon Vier's effect: While this card is on the field, all 'Cyber Dragon' monsters gain 500 Attack and Defense—including this one!"

[Cyber Dragon Vier, ATK: 1100 → 1600]

[Cyber Dragon, ATK: 2100 → 2600]

Surging with electricity across the Duel Arena, the normally summoned Vier's Attack matched Elemental HERO Sparkman.

The original Cyber Dragon, meanwhile, had instantly reached 2600 Attack.

Irene was stunned. "A setup like this on the first turn... is this what second-years are like?"

Having grown used to first-year Duels, where one low-level monster gets summoned per turn and they just slug it out, seeing Deion start by Special Summoning a 2600-Attack Cyber Dragon that outclassed even Red-Eyes and Summoned Skull—plus a Vier—Irene's shock was understandable.

"Now this is what I call normal," Miles had already braced himself. "Back then, Kevin got blasted by three Blue-Eyes in a single turn. This? This is mild."

"Battle!"

With Deion's battle phase shout, both Cyber Dragons on the field roared in unison.

"Cyber Dragon, attack the Elemental HERO Sparkman on her field—take this! 'Photon Stream of Destruction'!"

From the Cyber Dragon's mechanical maw surged a stream of brilliant white lightning, instantly shattering Sparkman.

[Irene, LP: 4000 → 3000]

The radiant burst of energy engulfed Irene even after her monster was destroyed.

"As expected, Irene, your body can take a hit. If it were Aisha, she wouldn't even stay standing."

"Was that supposed to be a compliment, Miles? Because it doesn't feel like one."

"Just take it as one."

Even before the blaze of Photon Stream had faded, the second wave arrived.

"Direct attack, Cyber Dragon Vier! 'Photon Claw Strike'!"

Only the first turn, going second, and the Duel already looked one-sided. Other students in the Duelist Clubs around the arena cast sympathetic glances at Irene.

"Poor kid. Getting bullied by Deion like that."

"If I stepped in to rescue her now, you think I'd have a shot with her?"

"Dream on. You'd just get instantly flattened. Besides, would you really interfere in a royal duel?"

"Never mind, forget I said anything."

As sympathy and whispers circled her, Miles raised his hand and flipped his previously set card.

"Heroes don't just sit there and take hits! Trap Card activate: HERO Blast!"

[HERO Blast – Trap Card Effect: Target 1 "Elemental HERO" Normal Monster in your Graveyard; add that target to your hand. Then, destroy 1 face-up monster your opponent controls with ATK less than or equal to that monster's ATK.]

The ground beneath the Duel Arena split open with flashing lightning cracks as Miles activated the Trap.

Then, Sparkman, just sent to the Graveyard seconds earlier, leapt out from the electric fissure with a dramatic surprise attack—smashing an uppercut of justice right into Cyber Dragon Vier.

Miles also recovered [Elemental HERO Sparkman] from the Graveyard, twirling the card between his fingers and flashing it at Deion.

"Vier had 1600 Attack, just like Sparkman. But the term 'less than or equal to' includes the number itself!"

With Vier destroyed, Cyber Dragon's Attack dropped from 2600 back down to its original 2100.

"Hahahahaha, now that was fun. It wouldn't be a real Duel otherwise."

The hero's counterstrike only made Kaiser more thrilled.

"I end my turn. It's your move, Irene Austin!"

"My turn. Draw!"

She glanced over her current hand. Aside from one utterly baffling card, none of the HERO monsters there could get past Cyber Dragon.

Worst of all, she hadn't drawn her key Fusion Spell.

Without it, even if her low-level HEROes lacked the power to fight on their own, their Fusion forms could stand a chance.

"Let me just ask, after that last Duel... you did put Fusion into your Deck, right, Irene?"

A B-rank Fusion Spell Card costs 100 Magic Points, not exactly cheap—but for Irene, it shouldn't be too hard.

"Of course I did! Miles, I wouldn't forget your advice. It's just..."

Her voice faltered.

"It's just that I only have one copy in the Deck, since I couldn't afford the points for more."

According to the rule that repeated synthesis costs more Magic Points, the second [Polymerization] would cost 200 MP—pretty steep.

"That's fine. Going from none to one is already a breakthrough. Now it's all about drawing faster. I Normal Summon in Defense Position—Elemental HERO, Avia—no, no, Bubbleman!"

...

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