Chapter 233: There Is a Path Through the Books (4k)
As the recruitment matches were about to begin, more and more people entered the Number 1 Dueling Hall.
They avoided the initial rush, leaving space for those who needed it, and then slowly walked in.
“This high-level match has been seen too often; occasionally watching the newbies fumble is quite refreshing.”
“I wonder how many first-year students will join the club this year? Last year was quite bleak.”
“This year seems different; look at those clubs over there, they’re all vying to recruit!”
“They always show up early. That’s called taking the initiative! Will there be any recruits left by next year?”
“True!”
…
Those who came just to watch could never match those who were actively involved.
All kinds of clubs were already prepared!
To highlight their own club’s superiority, every recruiting club held up banners with slogans high, as if fearing that the potential first-year students might miss them.
Among these large banners, the long-standing Literature Club only held up a small one, even upside down!
“Just going through the motions, don’t mind.”
The two members of the Literature Club responsible for recruitment were:
One was Vini Scarlet, who was invited to dance by the Big Princess at last year’s Halloween ball.
The other was Helena Tracey, a third-year senior whom Emma danced with at the same Halloween ball!
Vini wore glasses with black frames, had long black hair, delicate features, and was both studious and wise, always holding a book.
Helena, on the other hand, was more spirited and stubborn, often arguing with Emma over literary issues.
Of course, the more they argued, the closer they became.
The main goal of the Literature Club was to recruit Sarah and Emma.
One was from the Mana Academy, the other from the Knight Academy.
Each took responsibility for one.
Helena was clearly confident, her tone implying that as long as she spoke, Emma would join the club regardless.
Vini, however, was quite troubled, since she didn’t know Sarah at all.
But she had to do what the club president asked!
…
As they approached the Number 1 venue, they saw a brown-haired little girl step onto the competitor’s platform.
“There she is!”
Helena called out, quickening her pace.
When they reached the Number 1 venue, she suddenly realized that Emma’s opponent was a familiar third-year student!
“Isn’t that Angelia? Why is she here in the recruitment matches of the Dueling Club?”
Helena looked stunned, completely taken aback.
Following closely behind, Vini thought for a moment and said, “Let me think… She mentioned last semester that the books she wanted were getting more expensive…”
Helena slapped her thigh and complained, “If you can’t afford books, just say so! When the club updates its library, you could buy them then.”
Vini: “She doesn’t like sharing books with others.”
Helena: “Women can be so picky!”
Vini: “…”
Helena: “Forget it, I’m curious about her strength. Poor Emma might have a tough time.”
Vini: “Endure hardship and become someone extraordinary.”
…
St. Maryan’s uniform was basically the same, with differences only in the emblem on the chest.
Apart from each house having a different emblem pattern, the ribbons below the emblems also distinguished each grade.
First-year uniforms had one star, second-year had two, and so on, with third-year uniforms naturally having three stars.
So when Angelia appeared, everyone immediately recognized her as a third-year student!
“First-year against third-year?”
Exclamations echoed.
More people gathered around.
The first-year students from the Knight Academy couldn’t help but worry for Emma.
Emma was their pride, and losing in the first round wouldn’t be a laughing matter.
Many hoped that once Emma joined the Novice Tournament, they could cheer her on at the outdoor duel arena.
If she unexpectedly lost, it would be awkward.
Perhaps the rest of the semester, they would be overshadowed by the Noble Academy.
Thus, when Emma stepped onto the red side competitor’s platform, she heard a unified cheer from below.
She was slightly stunned, feeling a bit shy. The nervousness she felt towards third-year students suddenly vanished.
“Emma, you need to give it your all!”
Patting her cheek, Emma’s gaze sharpened.
No matter who the opponent was, she would give it everything!
…
“Huh, this child’s mentality is really good.”
Professor Fox, sitting in the judges’ stand, rubbed his eyes in surprise.
“Emma Maltis is also a descendant of the Sage of Secrets.”
Professor Jones didn’t hide his pride.
Although Emma adjusted her mindset quickly, which was unexpected, he couldn’t say it out loud.
At the beginning of the semester, Emma’s mindset shouldn’t have been so stable.
What changed her?
…
Outside the arena…
Diana couldn’t help but ask, “Can she win?”
“I don’t know,” Dark shook his head. “It depends on her opponent.”
If it was someone like Scott, a poor student, then Emma definitely had a chance.
But if it was someone like Betty, an excellent student, it would be tough!
He hadn’t expected Emma to face a third-year student in her first match, which was supposed to be a low-probability event.
But this situation also served as a warning.
Maybe her opponent would also be a senior.
“If only that were true!”
He looked forward to it…
Dark slightly raised his head.
The competitors on the platforms were using amplifiers to communicate across the distance.
Emma greeted politely.
Angelia only replied, “Hurry up.”
Emma was momentarily speechless: “Uh…”
Angelia seemed to realize her rudeness and added, “We’ll talk later.”
Emma: “Later?”
“Beep—”
The referee blew the whistle.
Their exchange ended, and the match entered the countdown to preparation.
Draw cards!
…
Watching the match from outside the arena was a completely different experience than being on the platform.
Dark focused intently.
The huge projection of the duel boards had fully unfolded in front of the competitor’s platform.
“Preparation Phase” [30s]
Above the board, the words were displayed.
On the upper left, the current mana value of the Mana Guidance Ball was shown — 2000!
The Mana Guidance Ball had five tiers of Life Barriers, corresponding to mana values of 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000, and 16000.
This match used the rules of the Novice Tournament, so the Mana Guidance Ball deployed a Level Two Life Barrier.
“Although the rule changes are minor, they have a significant impact on the match. I wonder if Emma can adapt.”
Dark glanced at the card slots on the right side of the board.
A stack of Mana Spirit Cards were placed in the card slots, already shuffled automatically.
Next…
The duelists would have 30 seconds to draw cards and strategize.
From the perspective of the audience, Emma drew cards faster than Angelia, but Angelia seemed more composed.
The 30 seconds passed swiftly.
A slight “tick-tock” sound echoed on the board, and the words above instantly changed to: “Battle Phase” [30s]
The duel entered the first round!
Both sides summoned Mana Spirits without hesitation.
Emma’s usual summoning technique was already very proficient, arguably the best among first-year students.
However, Angelia was noticeably faster!
In just 3 seconds, Angelia summoned her first Mana Spirit!
“Mana Summon!”
With a somewhat indifferent voice, a book emitting a faint white glow flew out of her hand.
It spread from the center, with the pages flapping like wings, swooping toward Emma’s red Mana Guidance Ball like an eagle!
Its speed was astonishing!
Emma’s expression changed abruptly, her summoning chant almost faltering.
Even a 30×20 field paled in comparison to true speed.
When Emma summoned the Golden Beast, Angelia’s Worm already pecked the red Mana Guidance Ball hard!
[2000-1900]
But the Mana Guidance Ball’s mana value only dropped by 100 points!
…
“So it’s just a one-star Mana Spirit with speed!”
The first-year students from the Knight Academy heaved a sigh of relief.
The Worm’s speed and aura made them think Emma was about to be defeated in one blow!
“Ugh! Lucy, hold me up.”
Susan leaned on Lucy, feeling her legs wobble.
This observer was already so affected, let alone the participants.
Emma’s anxiety surged, the pounding of her heart echoing in her ears.
After the Worm pecked the red Mana Guidance Ball, it quickly returned to the blue summoning zone.
Only then did the Golden Beast land heavily, protecting the red Mana Guidance Ball.
But before Emma could relax, Angelia’s Worm suddenly flickered, then blurred, and when it reappeared, it had split into two books!
On the blue competitor’s platform, Angelia raised a Mana Spirit Card from her hand and began chanting the Sacrificial Summoning Spell!
At this moment, someone noticed.
The projection showed that the Worm Mana Spirit Card was not one-star, but two-star!
…
“It’s actually a two-star Mana Spirit!”
Dark couldn’t help but show a surprised expression.
Mana Spirit Cards revealed a lot of information.
Name, level, race, attribute, mana, attack, and defense…
Except for skill information, most details were directly marked.
Angelia’s Worm had 1000 mana, reaching the top tier of two-star, with both attack and defense at 100 points.
From its performance, speed was another hidden advantage.
However, 100 points for both attack and defense were weak points — but seemed enough to trigger some mechanism?
Dark felt that the bite the Worm took from the Mana Guidance Ball must have significance!
It was likely that very bite triggered its “splitting” ability!
And the Worms that split off might have lower stats, but they were still two-star Mana Spirits.
Angelia created two two-star Mana Spirits in mere seconds!
With two two-star Mana Spirits, she could use the Sacrificial Summoning Spell to directly summon a four-star Mana Spirit!
…
[Card Name: Worm]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ??]
[Race: Fairy Type]
[Attribute: Fairy Type]
[Mana: 1000]
[Attack: 100]
[Defense: 100]
[Ultimate Skills: Bug Suction, Infinite Library]
…
Moreover, Angelia’s Sacrificial Summoning Spell was also very proficient, even faster than Emma’s usual summoning.
Seeing the Sacrificial Summoning Array already appearing in the blue summoning zone, even Minister William of the Dueling Club was shocked.
“Why does a student with such strength only join the Dueling Club in the second semester of third year?”
“Aren’t those easy-to-get credits better?”
“Indeed, a genius’s thoughts are beyond my comprehension.”
Iniya glared at him again.
She hadn’t expected a shark to appear in the recruitment matches.
But this time, it could only be blamed on Emma’s bad luck.
Although they followed the guidance professors’ instructions and moved a few first-year students to the Number 1 venue, others were still randomly matched.
They could only hope that the unfortunate first-year students wouldn’t be discouraged after being beaten by seniors.
…
When Angelia summoned a four-star Mana Spirit, Emma’s usual summoning cooldown had just finished, and she had only one lonely Golden Beast on her field.
The Golden Beast, with 1000 mana, 1300 attack, and 1500 defense, was also top-tier among three-star Mana Spirits.
But facing a four-star Mana Spirit, which was a whole tier higher, it was no match!
Emma had several ways to strengthen the Golden Beast, but due to the insufficient summoning speed, she couldn’t apply them.
When she finally summoned her second Mana Spirit, the Golden Beast had already been defeated by Angelia’s four-star Mana Spirit!
Even the red Mana Guidance Ball had fallen into the hands of the four-star Mana Spirit!
Her second Mana Spirit could only watch as the four-star Mana Spirit shattered the red Mana Guidance Ball’s Life Barrier!
The duel ended in less than thirty seconds, without even lasting a single round!
Emma, after all, was the face of the first-year Knight Academy students, but she was powerless before this third-year senior.
Her defeat not only plunged her into despair but also dampened the enthusiasm of the first-year students.
St. Maryan had a strong competitive atmosphere.
There was competition between houses, grades, and clubs.
Students sometimes were hostile, and sometimes united.
While the first-years were silent, the three judges on the reviewing stand had already started scoring.
Scores were out of ten.
Each judge had two signs, one for the red side and one for the blue side.
For speed, the judges didn’t need to comment and could directly score.
Professor Jones sighed slightly and raised the signs.
“Blue side, Angelia, 10 points!”
“Red side, Emma, 5 points.”
Professor Fox glanced at her and raised his sign as well.
“Blue side, 9 points.”
“Red side, 3 points.”
The fifth-year judge, under pressure from the two guiding professors, still completed the task.
“Blue side, 10 points.”
“Red side, 6 points.”
