Let's play cards! In a fantasy world of swords and magic

Locking in the final 100 life points.

With the "Last Turn" buff in play, there was no doubt that You Ling needed the most crucial card in Ilin's Hero deck—a card that could unleash the true form of a hero and create a miracle.

The Spell Card [Polymerization].

For the Elemental Heroes, who were practically synonymous with Fusion Summoning, as long as [Polymerization] was in hand, there was still hope to turn the tide in this desperate situation.

A 3000 ATK [Demon's Manifestation], on par with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon?

It seemed like the opponent had no idea that the Hero deck contained a monster famously known as the "3000 Killer."

"Tch, you managed to survive, huh? But you've already got one foot in hell, little darling~"

Unaware that Ilin's soul had been swapped, Meigen continued to duel with her usual seductive flair.

With her alluring figure subtly revealed under the black robe, You Ling could only think one thing:

Woman, get the hell away from me!

"My turn ends."

"It's our turn now. Time to hit them with something big, Lin!"

Placing Ilin's fingers on the deck of her Spirit Eye, You Ling prepared to draw. If this draw was [Polymerization], it would be an absolute game-changer.

"H-how are we supposed to… hit them with something big?"

Despite being as sharp as Ilin, she had no idea what You Ling was planning.

"Of course, by drawing [Polymerization]. You play Heroes, don't you know this?"

"Polymerization? But I don't have that card in my deck."

"You're joking, right?"

"I'm not joking."

"…"

How the hell do you play Heroes without [Polymerization]?!

You Ling's blood pressure spiked.

He thought Aisha Carlos's weak monster deck was already headache-inducing enough.

But who would've thought that Ilin, who usually seemed so capable and intelligent, had a deck build that was even more baffling?

Thinking back, during Fusion Academy's practical tests, Ilin had indeed never used [Polymerization].

Her victories were mostly achieved through low-level Heroes supported by Spell and Trap cards.

And yet, thanks to her insane dice luck, her win rate wasn't even that bad.

So, it was a fake Hero deck after all.

"What, do Heroes really need Fusion that much?"

Ilin, ever the curious student, couldn't help but ask.

"Do you eat with chopsticks?"

"No."

"Then I have nothing to say to you."

"But [Polymerization] is a B-grade spell card! It's really expensive!"

"For Heroes, it's not expensive."

It was like the well-fed didn't understand the hunger of the starving. Here she was, holding a Hero deck, yet complaining about the cost of a B-grade 100-point spell like [Polymerization].

If it were up to You Ling, even if it meant doubling the fatigue from repeated crafting, he'd at least include two copies of [Polymerization] in the deck.

And it wasn't just Ilin. Even in Fusion Academy, most first-year students gave up on Fusion spells due to their high cost.

When even the basic summoning method required spell points as a barrier to entry, it was no wonder Fusion Academy's overall combat power lagged behind the other two academies in the Holy Land of Spirits.

"If Fusion is that important," Ilin suggested, "then let's win this duel and take [Polymerization] through the Shadow Game!"

"Huh?"

Keyword detected.

Since You Ling and Aisha had arrived just as Ilin was about to take a direct attack, they hadn't realized that the towering [Demon's Manifestation] on Meigen's field was a Fusion Monster.

"Wait, did the opponent use Fusion?"

"Of course! How else would that Fusion Monster have appeared?"

"I see. So that's what you're waiting for!"

With this crucial piece of information, You Ling glanced at the remaining cards in his hand, and the path to victory instantly became clear.

"Then let me teach you how to play Heroes properly, Lin! Watch and learn!"

Slamming a card onto the field, You Ling activated a Spell Card for the first time in this world.

"—Field Spell Card [Skyscraper], activate!"

A C-grade Field Spell exclusive to Heroes, similar to Continuous Spell Cards, it would remain on the field once activated.

The difference was that Field Spell Cards would also alter the surrounding environment.

Towering skyscrapers rose from the ground, transforming the Shadow Game into a hero's city under the night sky.

At first, You Ling felt that this modern urban-themed Field Spell seemed out of place in a world of swords and magic.

But then he remembered that Duel Monsters also included Machine-Type and Cyberse-Type monsters with futuristic designs, so the issue didn't seem worth worrying about.

After all, even though the Elven Continent was a world of swords and magic, its level of development wasn't low—it just followed a different technological path.

"Heroes have a stage that belongs only to them!"

"Oh?"

Surrounded by towering skyscrapers, Meigen remained unfazed.

As a barrier master, if she were intimidated by a Field Spell Card, what kind of duelist would she be?

"Activating a Field Spell Card with no monsters on the field? Heh, just trying to bluff, are we?"

"As for monsters, we'll use this one!—Spell Card [The Warrior Returning Alive], activate!"

[The Warrior Returning Alive Spell Card Effect: Target 1 Warrior-Type monster in your Graveyard; add that target to your hand.]

"I'll retrieve the Warrior-Type monster [Elemental Hero Burstinatrix] from my Graveyard to my hand!"

Ilin: "It's no use, You Ling. Even if [Skyscraper] can boost an Elemental Hero's ATK by 1000 during battle, [Demon's Manifestation] still has 3000 ATK."

To defeat [Demon's Manifestation] using [Skyscraper], they'd need a Hero with at least 2000 ATK.

"I'm sorry, but my deck doesn't have any Heroes with that much ATK."

The strongest Hero in Ilin's deck, [Elemental Hero Heat], had 1900 ATK and could only be Special Summoned using the effect of [Blossom].

"A monster with over 2000 ATK? Of course, there is one. I told you to watch and learn. Now, I'll show you the true way to fight as a Hero!"

"The true way to fight as a Hero?"

Even though You Ling was controlling her body, Ilin couldn't help but feel that he looked incredibly cool delivering that line.

In her soul state, Ilin's heart raced once again, fluttering like a startled deer.

"Let's use this card to complete the final piece of the victory puzzle. Spell Card, activate!"

Slamming the card he had drawn this turn onto the field, You Ling unleashed a unique wave of magical energy under the night sky, surrounded by skyscrapers.

That energy pointed directly at Meigen's Graveyard.

"[Double Spell], activate!"

[Double Spell Effect: Select 1 Spell Card in your opponent's Graveyard and activate it.]

Like [Card Exchange], this was a cheap D-grade Spell Card with a similar effect.

While [Card Exchange] stole a card from the opponent's hand, [Double Spell] stole one from their Graveyard.

"Hand it over."

You Ling pointed dramatically at Meigen, declaring:

"You've got it in your Graveyard, don't you? The Spell Card [Polymerization]!"

To be continued...