The next day, Kuroyukihime invited Haruyuki to the school lounge. Ready to get down to business, she pulled out an XSB cable to Direct Connect.

"This is just like that time… the day I first became a Burst Linker."

After plugging the cable to her Neurolinker, Kuroyukihime began thought speaking in a calm and clear voice:

"Haruyuki-kun, first allow me to express my gratitude. For this past year, you've helped to mend the wounds in my heart, giving me a hope that I never would've thought possible. And now… it's my turn to repay you."

"That's right…"

"Then, shall we begin? I'll use a point this time, as I'm the one challenging you."

"Y-Yes! Please do so…"

Never losing her calmness and her charming smile, Kuroyukihime closed her eyes and spoke the words that would send her soul out of her body:

"Burst Link."

After getting a duel request from Kuroyukihime, Haruyuki accelerated to the Twilight stage, the stage where they had their first heart to heart.

But instead of the obsidian bladed avatar of Black Lotus he was accustomed to, he instead saw the black swallowtail butterfly avatar that Kuroyukihime usually used for the school network, her hands resting on the tip of her parasol as usual.

"Things have changed a lot since then, huh?"

Just like that time, the sunlight reflected perfectly on her, giving her a glimmering look that Haruyuki could only compare to what Silver Crow himself had. In response to his earlier question, Kuroyukihime replied with her usual silky voice:

"Yes, they have. Back then, you were still just a fledgling Burst Linker learning how to fight for the first time after losing in a spectacular way."

"Why'd you have to bring it up like that… wait, are you really gonna use that avatar for our battle?"

"Mmm, that's right.", Kuroyukihime replied with a grin. "I wanted to face you just as I did back then. I haven't told you this before, but I created this butterfly avatar to be similar to that of a regular Duel Avatar, in order to guide the process of creating a new image of myself."

"A new… image…"

"Well, I kinda failed at it before you came, but then I thought… maybe, if I follow your example…"

For some reason, Haruyuki felt like he understood. That image of Kuroyukihime's butterfly avatar… that was what helped him to obtain his wings as Silver Crow, back when he was lying on the ground, hopeless after taking Cyan Pile's crushing attack.

This person he loved and respected the most… Kuroyukihime was going to fight him in that magnificently beautiful butterfly avatar that she created ever since coming to Umesato. Complete with her parasol that had a sword hidden inside, and her wings, Haruyuki felt like he was looking at a reflection of himself. He did not think she was mocking him, but rather it was like she was handicapping herself.

Readying his Lucid Blade in his hand…

"Then here I come, Black Lotus!"

…Haruyuki charged forward, responding to the challenge that Kuroyukihime set for him.

"Bring it on, Silver Crow!"

In response, Kuroyukihime separated her parasol from its handle, revealing her long sword as her main weapon, which she used to block his strike. She then launched a barrage of swift strikes, in a style which seemed familiar to Haruyuki: the one-handed version of Ain Style created by the swordswoman known as Asuna.

Clash after clash, parry after parry, Haruyuki began to realize that even though Kuroyukihime was in her dummy avatar, her strength with the sword had not diminished. Furthermore, she could also fly and keep up with him above ground level.

Currently, Silver Crow's Aviation was a limited-activation ability that he could use without much effort, but for Kuroyukihime, she could use Incarnate to fly with those wings and even strengthen her hands to form blades, though it was unadvisable, as using too much Incarnate would take a huge toll on her mentally.

However, if one used the principle that duel avatars were created and controlled through one's own image of oneself, initially derived from the dream they experience once they become Burst Linkers, then it would mean that Kuroyukihime had been practicing tirelessly, maybe for months or even years while accelerated, pushing past her limits… until she hacked the system itself, all for the sake of imprinting a new image into her soul, essentially doing what Black Vise once did.

In other words, she essentially created a second duel avatar for herself, born from her new desire to stay by his side. Looking at her now, the words 'Black Butterfly' quickly flashed in Haruyuki's mind.

In awe of the effort she went through so that she could stand before him like this, Haruyuki thought out:

"In that case, I'll show you everything I got."

As the fight dragged on, both sides seem to have filled up their SP gauges, but they were waiting to use their special techniques until the right moment.

But just then…

"Hmm, this stage is a little boring. Let's try to change it up a bit. Okki."

"Y-Yes!"

"Apologies for making you do this, I have the perfect idea for a stage, but it's not a stage from this world. I'm going to make you a participant so long as you don't interfere in the duel."

"Understood!"

Laying out the tip of her blade arm with Megumi's wand, Kuroyukihime chanted unconsciously:

"Remember… the world that was lost to me long ago…"

…and then they both spoke the command:

""Paradigm Revolution!""