"The Set card... it wasn't Cybernetic Revolution?"
As Jaden's turn ended, Bastion stared at the field in surprise.
"Zane's duels always revolve around summoning Cyber End Dragon," Alexis added, equally shocked.
"No, that's not how Zane duels," Atticus, who had once shared life-or-death bonds with Zane, instantly saw through it. "Zane's dueling is logical and calculated. Jaden's Deck is highly aggressive right now, so there's no way Zane would rush to summon Cyber End Dragon."
Atticus smiled. "He brings out a defensive monster first, weathers the storm, stores power, then seizes victory—that's Zane."
As if in answer, Zane drew.
"Normal Summon, Cyber Dragon Herz!"
A small Cyber Dragon appeared, its body wired with mechanical tubes and veins.
[Cyber Dragon Herz] Level 1│LIGHT│Machine│100 ATK
"This card is treated as Cyber Dragon while on the field or in the Graveyard. Then I activate the Spell Card—Machine Duplication! I target one Machine-Type monster with 500 or less ATK to Special Summon up to two cards of the same name from my Deck!"
"Huh?" Chazz said, confused. "Its name right now is—"
"Cyber Dragon!"
Zane raised his voice, "I Special Summon two Cyber Dragons from my Deck!"
The shadow of Cyber Dragon Herz split, then expanded into two fully formed mechanical beasts.
[Cyber Dragon] Level 5│LIGHT│Machine│2100 ATK
"There are three Cyber Dragons on the field!" Avian materialized beside Jaden, nervous. "It's coming, Jaden!"
"Spell Card—Polymerization! I fuse the three Cyber Dragons on my field!"
"Hu-hu-hu-hurrah!"
"Cyber End Dragon!"
The three dragons spiraled together, transforming into a single massive, three-headed mechanical dragon.
[Cyber End Dragon] Level 10│LIGHT│Machine│4000 ATK
"Wah—" Syrus turned breathless.
"I knew it, Zane still summoned Cyber End Dragon."
"But why not use Fusion Gate and save Polymerization?"
"Simple," Hikaru interrupted. "Zane didn't want to banish monsters. He wants to retrieve cards from the Graveyard."
"?"
Their question was soon answered.
"Cyber Dragon Herz's effect: When sent to the Graveyard, I can add one Cyber Dragon from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. I add the last Cyber Dragon from my Deck!"
"Now, battle, Jaden!" Zane grinned. "Cyber End Dragon—Attack!"
"Eternal Evolution Burst!"
The triple-headed dragon charged energy and unleashed a fiery breath that incinerated the glowing HERO.
[Jaden Yuki, LP: 4000 → 3200]
"Now, The Shining's effect! When it's sent to the Graveyard, I can return up to two banished Elemental HERO monsters to my hand. I retrieve Bubbleman and Sparkman!"
"Interesting! Jaden!" Zane laughed. "So you've reassembled new Fusion Materials already?"
"Then, Cyber Barrier Dragon attacks!"
Zzt—!
A refracted beam struck Jaden in the stomach.
[Jaden Yuki, LP: 3200 → 2400]
"Awesome! Zane is amazing as always!" Jaden said excitedly, clutching his "wound."
"Heh—Set one card, end turn." Zane chuckled, setting a card facedown.
Jaden's turn. He drew. Beside him, Bubbleman appeared in spirit form, whispering, "Jaden, leave it to me this time!"
"Bubbleman—alright, let's do this!"
"My turn, draw! I activate my Field Spell, Fusion Gate! I use its effect to fuse Sparkman and Bubbleman from my hand!"
"Oh? Same materials again. What Fusion monster this time?" Zane was intrigued.
"Fusion Materials: one HERO monster and one WATER monster!
"Don't blink, Zane!
"This HERO will send chills down your spine!
"Fusion Summon—Elemental HERO Absolute Zero!"
With Jaden's shout, a cold wind swept across the Duel Field. Alexis instinctively pulled her coat tighter as frost filled the air.
A white-clad hero descended with a flourish, striking a perfect "heroic arrival" pose.
[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero] Level 8│WATER│Warrior│2500 ATK
Hikaru sat upright right away, eyes fixed on the 3D projection.
Seeing Hikaru so serious, his friends realized—this wasn't just any Fusion Monster!
"Elemental HERO Absolute Zero?" Zane smiled faintly. "Looks like you've grown, Jaden. But with only 2500 ATK, it can't match Cyber End Dragon."
"Ah, but Absolute Zero's effect isn't that simple!"
Jaden showed a monster in his hand. "Time to play one of my favorites! I fuse Absolute Zero with Burstinatrix from my hand!"
"Fusion Materials: one Elemental HERO and one FIRE monster!
"I fuse Elemental HERO Absolute Zero and Burstinatrix!"
"?" The crowd was dumbstruck. "Why banish a newly summoned monster?"
"Fusion Summon—a hero born of flames! Elemental HERO Nova Master!"
From the blaze emerged a hero with arms crossed over his chest, who leapt down to Jaden's side.
[Elemental HERO Nova Master] Level 8│FIRE│Warrior│2600 ATK
"Trading a 2500 ATK monster for 2600?"
"Only 100 more ATK. Doesn't help against Cyber End Dragon."
Some students were puzzled.
"Hold up," Hikaru interjected as his friends looked to him. "That card's about to show its true power."
'That card?'
"Now, I activate Absolute Zero's effect, triggered when it leaves the field."
"Oh?"
Jaden raised his hand. The fiery Duel Field suddenly turned icy again, frost spreading.
"Absolute Zero's effect: When it leaves the field, destroy all monsters my opponent controls!!"
"What!!!??"
"Destroy all monsters?"
"Just by leaving the field??"
"That's... whoa—"
The cold engulfed Zane's field. Every monster, including Cyber End Dragon, froze solid and shattered into ice crystals.
"S-So strong..." Chazz stared wide-eyed.
"Just leaving the field means the effect activates? Whether by battle, sent to the Graveyard, or Fusion?" Bastion was taken aback. "How can something be so easy to trigger—"
"Amazing... I knew dueling you for graduation was the right choice." Even as his field was wiped out, Zane looked thrilled. "Fantastic, Jaden."
"Hahaha~" Jaden sheepishly rubbed his lips with a finger.
"Lately, you seemed distracted. I wanted this duel to see what was going on. Now I'm at ease." Zane's smile didn't fade. He looked truly satisfied.
"Now I can leave this academy and face the new world ahead with peace of mind."
Then, unexpectedly, Jaden, who had been so cheerful, froze.
His hand, poised to continue, suddenly stopped.
...
Bonus Chapter @350 $tonks💎