The villainous young master just wants to live a Buddhist-like life.

Page 456

　An unexpected failure could have an extremely negative impact on his position within the Noble Society Research Club.

　……

　"The next match?"

　After hearing Stuart's last words, Darke's expression turned strange.

　He always felt that the senior's words had a "fortune changes every thirty years, never underestimate a young person's potential" flavor.

　But the one who's older, you must be the senior, right?

　He stroked his chin, hesitated for a moment, then, too lazy to respond, began to summon the magical spirit.

　The magical spirits played a crucial role in our victory in this duel.

　Especially the Sun Elf and the Misdreavus, which essentially set the tone for the situation.

　Stuart Fern probably thought that if he could just stall for this round, he could regain his chance of victory. But in reality, the duel was already over the moment the Misdreavus entered the battlefield.

　The reason he was given the illusion that he could be extended was simply because Dark chose to "hold back" and did not allow the Dream Demon to activate the "Nightmare Space".

　Once the "Nightmare Space" is activated, the Dream Demon only needs to use "Field Swap" to switch positions with "Shadow Ninja" to deliver a fatal blow to the magic ball.

　However, the less information revealed during a duel, the more advantageous it is for the subsequent matches.

　Examples include Espeon's "Magic Mirror" and Spellbook's "Auto Summon". After this duel, their strategies will likely be countered and their counters will be figured out.

　Therefore, learning to hold back your trump cards is very important.

　……

　When Dark packed up his magic cards and stepped off the stage, Prince Charles, who had come specifically for him, was already getting impatient.

　Although the viewing experience of the duel just now was acceptable, his mind was not on the duel itself.

　"Where's the promised brave cat?"

　The eldest prince's voice carried a threatening tone.

　His trusted aides quickly chimed in, "Next game, he'll definitely be in the next game!"

　The eldest prince crossed his arms and continued to silently watch the arena.

　He knew perfectly well that it was perfectly normal not to be able to summon a specific magical spirit during a duel; he was just venting his frustration.

　But the next duel...

　The next duel will certainly not be Dark's home turf.

　At Judy's invitation, he went on stage briefly before leaving.

　Then, two contestants from the senior group took to the stage and began their duel.

　The two players who appeared in the first round of the semifinals of the senior group were the fourth-year noble academy student who had defeated the fifth-year student, and the only sixth-year student.

　After leaving the arena, Dark did not go to the ring zone, but instead stayed at the entrance and exit of the players' tunnel, replenishing the magic cards while watching the battle.

　The other contestants who did not participate were all in the same contestant passage.

　The two remaining contestants in the senior group, "Dragon Slayer" Luke Becky and "Night Baron" Noah Sharp, are classmates. They are obviously familiar with each other, but they don't seem to get along and stand far apart.

　That makes sense; a person who "uses dragons" and a person who "slays dragons" can't possibly be paired together.

　The atmosphere in the lower grades was slightly more harmonious.

　Dak had gotten to know Senior Mali, and they could exchange a few words.

　As for the other third-year student, Tom Nixon, he remained meek and quiet.

　In this atmosphere, the duel began.

　……

　Although the outcome of the senior group's duel was irrelevant to him, Dark watched it very seriously.

　However, the two contestants in this duel were vastly different in strength.

　From the start of the "battle phase," the situation became one-sided.

　As a fourth-year student at the aristocratic academy, he was never able to achieve the same underdog victory as Dark Dimon, and was constantly suppressed by the sixth-year student.

　As if in a flash, the fourth-year student from the aristocratic academy was gone.

　……

　"I didn't expect it to be my turn so soon."

　Mary Bond took a slight breath and straightened her posture slightly as she leaned against the wall.

　Dark asked with concern, "Senior, is there any chance of winning?"

　Mary glanced at Tom Nixon across from her, then clenched her fist: "As for the odds of winning..."

　Dark: "Hmm?"

　Ma Li smiled

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　He smiled and said, "Of course not."

　She then turned around and stepped out of the players' tunnel.

　Dak opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

　"She's really carefree."

　Dak shook his head and put his mind at ease.

　Although Senior Ma Li defeated Elsie Kevin in the last duel, a closer look at the match reveals that her actual skill level is slightly inferior to Elsie Kevin's.

　The victory was the result of a combination of factors.

　But when facing Tom Nixon, a top student in his third year, those advantages are unlikely to be apparent.

　As she herself said, there was no chance of winning.

　However, duelists never admit defeat.

　Even if there is darkness ahead and no way forward, believe in yourself, believe in miracles, and you will eventually find the light!

　……

　Although this statement may seem a bit childish, the power of the mind can indeed create miracles.

　And the other side might suddenly do something stupid, right?

　Dark smiled slightly and then turned to look at another contestant who was about to take the stage.

　And so his gaze met Tom Nixon's.

　Tom Nixon was in third grade, which would make him fourteen years old.

　Fourteen years old is an age in this world when one is already capable of getting married, having children, and taking on family responsibilities.

　Although the rapid changes of the times have given children more time to grow up, Tom, being a child from the slums, is more aware of the harsh realities of society.

　This was Dak's first time meeting this senior from the Fool's House, so he couldn't help but observe him carefully.

　Judging from his appearance, Tom's hair was slightly split, and his bangs were too long, obscuring his eyes, giving him a very unassuming look. However, he lacked the sinister air of Stuart Fern.

　郁。

　He seemed very natural and ordinary.

　Like any teenager you might see anywhere.

　But this very boy had defeated Winnie Skadi, a descendant of the Winter Sage, in a previous duel.

　From the beginning, Darke considered Winnie Skadi as an opponent he needed to overcome on his road to victory, but he never expected her to be eliminated in the first round of the main event.

　Tom Nixon's victory over Winnie Skadi naturally drew his attention.

　Just as the two were sizing each other up, Tom Nixon suddenly raised his hand, spread his five fingers at Darke, and then slightly closed them, letting his thumb rest under his index finger.

　Before Dak could express his doubts, he quickly turned around and walked out of the passageway.

　"What do you mean?"

　Dak recalled Tom Nixon's gesture, completely bewildered.

　But Noah Sharp, the "Baron of the Night," who was also present, suddenly spoke up: "You know him?"

　"Me and him?"

　Dark glanced at Tom Nixon's retreating figure and shook his head, saying, "I don't know him."

　"That's strange." Noah Sharp stroked his chin, pondering.

　This fifth-year student from the Knight Academy was only sixteen years old. However, he was already quite tall, and although his appearance was ordinary, he had a very steady and reliable aura.

　Dak did not know him personally, only that he had saved his homeland and was thus granted the title of baron from the previous introduction.

　However, since Noah Sharp had taken the initiative to speak, he had no reason to refuse, so he asked, "Excuse me, what did Senior Tom Nixon's gesture mean?"

　"That's a custom of certain minority tribes."

　Luke Becky, the "Dragon Slayer" who hadn't said much until now, suddenly spoke up to explain: "Tom is telling you that he's going to eat you."

　"Eat me?" Dark was even more puzzled.

　Noah Sharp glanced at him and said, "That's why I asked if you knew him. This isn't just a casual greeting; it's like they're treating you like prey to be hunted."

　Dak looked completely bewildered.

　Seeing that his junior seemed taken aback, Noah Sharp chuckled and comforted him, "Don't think too much about it. It's really impressive that a first-year student could defeat two third-year students in a row. Even if you lose next, you'll still gain a lot of popularity. In St. Marian, popularity points can be converted into credits. Keep it up!"

　After saying that, Noah Sharp stepped out of the passage to watch the battle.

　They weren't overly enthusiastic towards Dak because of his identity.

　In essence, this is the common attitude of a promising mage towards nobles.

　Although Noah Sharp held the title of baron, he probably didn't value the aristocratic system.

　Immediately afterward, "Dragon Slayer" Luke Becky also stepped out of the passage.

　Inside the passage, only Dark was left, deep in thought.

　But unable to figure it out, Dark could only temporarily suppress his thoughts and watch the game intently.

　Zach Wilson, back on the commentary platform, has begun his passionate commentary.

　After exchanging commentary with the senior students, he returned to Angus Jeffrey's side, stealing glances at Jeffrey's annoyed expression, but inexplicably feeling a little happy inside.

　Of course, he could laugh in his heart, but he would never laugh to his face.

　As

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　Now that he's back at the commentary booth, he can once again unleash his full potential.

　On paper, there's a slight difference in strength between Mary Bond and Tom Nixon in this duel. However, having just witnessed Darko Dimon's upset victory, audiences are actually more enthusiastic about this kind of duel between younger and older actors.

　Furthermore, both fighters on the field have rather unique fighting styles, which have indeed garnered them a small number of fans.

　Therefore, the atmosphere at the start of the duel was quite good.

　Both sides skipped the trash talk segment and went straight to the preparation stage after stepping onto the contestant's platform.

　Then shuffle, draw, summon, and the duel begins!

　……

　"Will the winner between these two be Dark's opponent in the final?"

　"A ring belt," Diana asked, her eyes wide.

　Pandora nodded with a smile: "That's right. If Dark wants to gain the final advantage, he must defeat the winner between the two of them."

　Diana couldn't help but say, "It looks so difficult."

　The duel between Mary Bond and Tom Nixon was unexpectedly fierce.

　Or rather, Mary Bond is unexpectedly strong!

　In this duel, she strongly demonstrated the qualities a mind mage should possess.