Syrus Truesdale had never seen Elemental HERO Stratos before.
So when Aster summoned a Fusion Monster with the same ATK as Flame Wingman, he relaxed a little.
Elemental HEROes, huh?
Now that's a deck he was very familiar with.
He glanced at his face-down.
It was Magic Cylinder—the classic trap that negated a monster's attack and rebounded the damage to the opponent.
With that on the field…
"Normal Summon: Elemental HERO Stratos."
Aster declared, holding up the card.
"Come on, Stratos!"
FWOOOSH—
A burst of wind swept across the field as a version of Stratos, different from the one Jaden remembered, appeared with a flourish.
Elemental HERO Stratos – Level 4, WIND, Warrior-Type, ATK 1800.
"Crap. It really is Stratos. Syrus is in danger now."
"Monster effect: When Stratos is Normal or Special Summoned, I can activate one of two effects. One—add a HERO monster from my Deck to my hand. Two—destroy Spell/Trap Cards on the field, up to the number of other HERO monsters I control."
"Wha—?!"
"He's targeting Syrus's set card!"
A violent gust of wind blew through the field, lifting Syrus's trap and revealing it:
Magic Cylinder.
Aster blinked.
Of course. He telegraphed that one from a mile away. That posture, that stance—he was clearly waiting for me to attack.
"That's… That's a powerful monster," Bastion muttered, blinking as the effect settled in.
Even if Stratos wasn't in general circulation, his utility was obvious.
Free HERO search?
Backrow pop option?
And it has 1800 ATK?
Insane.
"Battle. Phoenix Enforcer attacks Truckroid!"
Phoenix Enforcer leapt, crushing Syrus's defensive monster into fragments.
"Then Stratos attacks directly!"
Wind howled as Stratos charged forward, lifting Syrus off his feet and making his hair stand on end.
Syrus LP: 4000 → 2200
"You okay, senpai?" Aster asked casually, waving a hand.
"A-Ahaha! I'm good! Totally good!"
Syrus coughed, laughed, brushed himself off. Playing it cool—trying to, anyway.
Aster raised an eyebrow.
Then casually Set a card.
"I Set one and end my turn."
"Ahem!" Syrus straightened his robe and placed his hand on his Deck with exaggerated bravado.
"Don't get cocky, freshman! A true duelist can overcome anything!"
"Mmh… not a bad mentality," Aster nodded.
But… it needs to be proven.
"This is bad…"
Jaden was already shaking his head.
"Syrus still doesn't get it."
"Worse—he's pushing harder than he should," Bastion added grimly.
Syrus drew.
Logically, the better move here would've been to summon Submarineroid, use its effect to deal damage directly, then switch to defense and wait for an opportunity.
But…
No way I'm backing down in front of a freshman!
"Heh heh heh! You ready to witness the full power of the Combination Club!?"
"Spell Card: Vehicroid Connection Zone!"
A giant three-way intersection appeared on the field as three Vehicroids raced into view from different directions.
"This is the special Fusion Spell for Vehicroids! I fuse monsters from my hand or field listed on a Fusion Monster, and the summoned monster can't be destroyed by card effects and its effects can't be negated!"
"I fuse Steamroid, Drillroid, and Submarineroid!"
"Fusion Summon—Super Vehicroid - Stealth Union!"
The three machines merged in a flurry of gears and steel.
A colossal drill burst from the ground, fully formed.
Super Vehicroid – Stealth Union, Level 8, EARTH, Machine-Type, ATK 3000.
"Whoa! That thing's got the same attack as Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
Jaden cried out.
"Yeah, but…"
Chazz frowned.
"Too bad he didn't hear our talk earlier. Phoenix Enforcer can't be destroyed by battle."
Bastion nodded.
"Still… can't blame him. Syrus probably didn't realize his opponent is a pro duelist. Assuming you're more experienced is… understandable. I guess."
Everyone could already guess how this would end.
There was no way around it—Syrus was just too outmatched.
"Battle! Stealth Union attacks Phoenix Enforcer!"
Syrus shouted, exhilarated.
Aster peeked at his set card.
...Eh.
Not worth using.
BOOM
Aster LP: 4000 → 3100
Smoke cleared.
Phoenix Enforcer stood firm.
"Huh?! Why didn't it get destroyed—!?"
"Phoenix Enforcer's effect. It can't be destroyed by battle."
"Ah!"
...
Aster sighed inwardly.
This is kind of a waste of time.
"If you've got nothing else, I'll take my turn."
"Draw."
He glanced at the card.
Sparkman.
"Alright. Fusion again. I fuse Phoenix Enforcer on the field with Sparkman in my hand."
"That combo—!"
Jaden's eyes lit up.
"Come on!"
Aster pointed forward.
"Fusion Summon—Elemental HERO Shining Phoenix Enforcer!"
Lightning struck as armor gathered on Phoenix Enforcer's body, transforming him into a blazing, radiant warrior.
Shining Phoenix Enforcer, Level 8, FIRE, Warrior-Type, ATK 2500.
"Wait—doesn't this guy have the same effect as Shining Flare Wingman?"
Syrus paled.
"Correct. Shining Phoenix Enforcer gains 300 ATK for every Elemental HERO in my Graveyard."
"Oh no!!"
He didn't even have to count—Syrus knew this thing had way more than 3000.
"Waaaaugh—!"
Two attacks.
Two HEROes.
Game over.
Syrus collapsed dramatically beneath the projected explosion.
Aster exhaled.
"Syrus! You okay!?"
Jaden ran over.
"Big brooooooo…"
Syrus whimpered.
He never expected to lose to a freshman.
"Not your fault," Jaden reassured him.
"Your opponent was Aster Phoenix."
"Aster… Phoenix?"
Syrus turned to the well-dressed duelist.
Aster, unfazed, adjusted his clothes without a hint of shame or guilt.
No "oops."
No "sorry for going all out."
"Chazz, Hikaru… you guys said Aster Phoenix, right?"
Huh?
What?
Aster's hand froze mid-pack.
…what?
The one I was dueling wasn't Hikaru Amagi ?!