Alicia stared, stunned, as her ace monster was destroyed once again. Neos's voice echoed through the air.
"Little girl, can you really defeat me?"
Alicia lifted her head, biting her lip. "Of course I can! I Set one card and end my turn!"
"Is that so? From what I can see, you don't seem to have that strength yet," Neos said coldly, showing no mercy—even in front of Yuui.
In truth, it was because of Yuui that Neos pushed her this hard.
"My turn. Draw!"
He glanced at the card he drew and declared, "I activate the Spell Card Convert Contact! I can activate this card when I control no monsters. I send one 'Neo-Spacian' card each from my hand and Deck to the Graveyard, then draw two cards. I send Neo-Spacian Glow Moss from my hand and Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab from my Deck to the Graveyard—then I draw two cards!"
"Neo-Spacian? What's that?" Instructor Claire murmured, frowning. As a researcher, her knowledge of Duel Monster species and archetypes far surpassed that of ninety percent of people in this world. Yet she was certain she had never heard of anything called a "Neo-Spacian."
Alicia, however, instantly grew tense. Yuui had once told her stories about Neos—bedtime tales of the hero from Neo Space. Neos was a unique Elemental HERO from the far reaches of the cosmos, and unlike other HEROes, he had a team of special companions known as the Neo-Spacians. With their power, Neos could evolve into forms of even greater strength.
Unfortunately, Alicia couldn't remember the details—because she'd fallen asleep halfway through that story.
Now she desperately wished she could go back and shake her past self awake to listen properly.
Neos sent his three cards to the Graveyard and drew two new ones. Then he declared, "I Normal Summon Neo Space Connector!"
A soft golden light appeared, forming into a small, youthful version of Neos.
[Neo Space Connector, ATK: 800]
"I activate Neo Space Connector's effect! When this card is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one 'Neo-Spacian' monster or one 'Elemental HERO Neos' from my hand or Deck in Defense Position. I choose to Special Summon Elemental HERO Neos from my Deck—come forth once more, my avatar!"
As he raised his hand, the Neo Space Connector released a radiant beam of golden energy that shot into the heavens. A moment later, in a dazzling burst of light, Neos descended once again in a heroic pose.
[Elemental HERO Neos, DEF: 2000]
"Defense Position, huh? That's... fine," Alicia muttered in relief—but Neos's next words froze her.
"I'm not done. I activate Neo Space Connector's other effect! By tributing this card, I can target one 'Neo-Spacian' or 'Elemental HERO Neos' in my Graveyard and Special Summon it in Defense Position! I choose Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab!"
As Neo Space Connector dissolved into flame, a dark, beetle-like figure emerged from the blaze—a confident grin on his face.
[Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab, ATK: 500]
The Flare Scarab bowed deeply toward Yuui. "My king, after thousands of years, I never imagined that in this moving reunion... we would stand as your opponents."
Yuui's expression didn't change. He simply answered, "Then fight with all your might. My partner will not disappoint you."
"King..." Claire blinked in confusion, glancing between Yuui and the newly arrived Spirit. Was this boy actually some kind of ruler among them? He didn't look powerful… though he was certainly handsome.
"Yes, my king!" Flare Scarab replied solemnly.
Neos's cold voice cut through the air again. "Flare Scarab's effect activates! Its Attack increases by 400 for each Spell and Trap Card on your field. You have one—so its Attack rises by 400!"
Flare Scarab flexed, his fists igniting as crimson energy flared across his body, wrapping him in a fiery aura.
[Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab, ATK: 500 → 900]
"900 Attack? That's nothing to be afraid of," Alicia said—abruptly, Neos's next words made both her and Claire's eyes widen.
"Next, I return my Elemental HERO Neos and Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab to the Deck—Contact Fusion!"
A seven-colored nebula swirled open in the sky as Neos and Flare Scarab soared upward, vanishing into its radiant depths.
"Burning courage forged in flame—descend! Blazing hero, Elemental HERO Flare Neos!"
From the heart of the nebula erupted a storm of red fire. A tall, black-and-red armored figure descended amidst the flames, its molten lines glowing like magma. Though it bore the fierce form of a beetle, the divine aura of Neos still emanated from within.
[Elemental HERO Flare Neos, ATK: 2500]
...
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