Paradigm Revolution.

An Incarnate technique that forcibly altered a stage in the duel field. In the Unlimited Neutral Field, you could even change to a particular stage without having to wait for a transition. Truly, this was a technique that was said to defy the BB system itself.

Incarnate in general was a power born from your own self, thus Paradigm Revolution only generated stages that its user was familiar with. But even this could be circumvented by accessing your opponent's memories. Throughout her time in Brain Burst, Megumi undoubtedly explored a vast amount of stages and carefully studied the attributes of each of them in order to lay out a trap for her enemies (sometimes logically or psychologically), or change it if she didn't find anything suitable. In a way, she was even craftier than the White King herself.

What Haruyuki was seeing before his eyes, was a place that was normally not seen within Brain Burst. In fact, this place didn't appear to correspond to any of the stages or attributes he'd seen, but rather a new world entirely, generated willingly from Kuroyukihime's memories.

"I never thought I'd be back in this place again, even if it's only a cheap imitation.", Graph spoke in the back.

"Indeed… even I'm surprised I was able to remember enough detail to reproduce it properly. Though, I can't say it's near perfect, of course.", Kuroyukihime shot a response.

"…What is this place?", Utai asked timidly.

"Going by the usual stage classification, I'd say this should be HL07… but there are clearly defined structures in place here, and we appear to be in the courtyard of a huge tall tower."

"This is actually UW01…", Kuroyukihime corrected them. "…code for 'Underworld'."

"Underworld… Don't tell me…", Haruyuki gasped when a sudden realization came to his head.

"Yes, it's the same experimental world for Fluctlights… the one me and Graph came from."

As she pointed a finger towards the far east, Kuroyukihime continued:

"Over that side is what is called the 'Dark Territory', which is a land for goblins, orcs and the like. Here is Centoria, the capital for the 'Human Empire'."

"Overall, the land spanned around 100000 kilometers, and both sides also hit a max population of 100000 over five-hundred years of its history.", Graph chimed in with his own bit of info.

"A-Amazing…", Haruyuki almost let out before getting his thoughts together and asking: "…So, Senpai, what you truly wanted… was to return to this world, right?"

"Hmm… I would've liked to, but I understand it no longer exists now… at least not in the way I recognized it."

After a few moments of melancholy, Kuroyukihime lifted her face and said:

"But… being together with all of you in both the real and accelerated world has made me happy. No matter what happens, my sole wish… is to protect the smiles that all of you have. Even if the world changes, our bonds won't. We'll endure… until the next transition."

After delivering the heartfelt speech, she immediately switched to battle mode – this time as her original duel avatar, Black Lotus – as a demonstration of the resolve within her. As a result of her training from earlier, she had awakened black butterfly-shaped wings on her back – a flying ability similar to what Silver Crow had.

"Now, let's continue our duel, Crow! In this world that marked the beginning of everything!"

"Yes!", Haruyuki responded, a little excited himself.

They both rushed in, giving full force to each of their attacks, dancing through the air. As they did, Haruyuki felt the massive weight behind Black Lotus' blades – which was probably the result of Kuroyukihime overcoming her own doubts and insecurities. The clash between them sent massive shockwaves in the air.

"I understand now… Senpai, you've been carrying this huge burden by yourself all this time, haven't you…"

Earlier he had restrained a bit against her, unsure of what she would be able to pull off in her new state, but now he could go all-out and savor every moment. He might never a chance to duel with her like this again, seeing as they were getting so close to clearing Brain Burst.

Putting all his feelings into strength, Haruyuki awakened an extra state: an overflow of the positive Incarnate energy flowing within him.

"I see… so that's everything you've been feeling up to now…"

"Yes, this is all the power inside me. I know you said I shouldn't use Incarnate carelessly, but… with the fun and excitement I get from this duel, I just couldn't hold myself back. That's why…"

"I understand. In that case, I shall respond with my feelings too."

"Wh-What?"

"Red. Blue. Green. Combine together and unveil a new path for me!"

Three consecutive colors shone on Black Lotus' avatar, blending together to give off an extremely bright light. Those were her three Overdrive modes, which gave her properties as per their respective color.

"This is…"

Haruyuki realized it a second too late. Evidently, Kuroyukihime was merging her three modes to give rise to a fourth mode – an act of pure Incarnate.

"Overdrive: Mode White!"

Previously, she herself said she couldn't match the Incarnate power of not only Haruyuki, but also Fuuko, Utai, and all other members of Nega Nebulas. The reason was because she'd been holding herself back due to her past mistakes. But right now, as of this moment, she'd gone past those self-imposed constraints and paved a new path for herself. Yes… her destination was ultimately him.

Concentrating her full power into her left arm…

"Vorpal Strike: Burst!"

…she let out a 'Vorpal Strike' Incarnate attack tens-of-times bigger than what she'd originally been using.

Within a split second, Haruyuki countered back:

"Laser Lance!"

The two light blades clashed, producing tremendous energy that shook the world around them.

"Not bad, Senpai."

"Hoh, I've actually pushed you that far, hmm? Alright then, here it comes. My last attack."

An intense amount of energy formed on her blade arms.

"Starburst Stream!"

Her original Incarnate attack – Starburst Stream. This time, instead of generating star-shaped orbs and deflecting them, she concentrated all her energy on her arms and swung down repeatedly, similar to how Graphite Edge had originally used the technique.

But Haruyuki still had one final trump card up his sleeve. In order to pull it off, he needed to dodge or counter this technique five times. He lifted his hand, channeling Incarnate energy into it and then charged towards Kuroyukihime's slashes, waiting for the right moment.

One… two… three…

He carefully saw through each movement of her slice. Being that she was powered by Incarnate, she could even slice through the air, so he had to be careful of that as well.

Four… five…

"…Now!"

He readied his final Incarnate technique. Just like with Starburst Stream, this was a technique passed down to him through one of the progenitors of Ain Style.

Ten hits were countered perfectly within mere split seconds of each other.

"Take this! Mother's Rosario!"

They each gave it their all towards a final attack, which proceeded to generate a massive ball of light, slowly engulfing them until…