Chapter 382: Dark Demon’s Lion of Valor (13.5/233)
In the preliminaries melee, to challenge someone one-on-one, should we say that this is truly Senior Sister Malia’s style?
Dark Demon lightly tapped the Magic Card for the [Curse Cage: Imp Beast]. The imp beast, which had degenerated due to the disappearance of the “Pride III” effect, returned to the Magic Card.
This impatient demon race creature finally vanished from everyone’s sight.
But when they thought the sword in the imp beast’s hand was about to reach its peak, it suddenly moved.
The single eye located in the center of the sword guard quietly opened, and the ribbon emerging from the end of the sword handle gradually lengthened, splitting into fingers like a hand at the end.
It did not clearly display the features of a Magic Golem, but quickly flew to Dark Demon and stood in mid-air.
Dark Demon did not reach out to grab it nor did he equip it on the Lion Beast.
The increased attack power provided by weapons such as swords and blades was mostly reliant on the weapon itself.
Even if the Lion Beast were equipped with the “Solo Sword Sheath,” using fists to attack would not increase its attack power.
Now that Senior Sister Malia openly invited him, there was no reason for Dark Demon not to accept the challenge.
“Lion Beast, interested?”
The Lion Beast looked seriously at the centaur, then turned to look at Dark Demon after a while.
Dark Demon then said, “Raging Tiger, a five-star Magic Golem, combat type, fixed ultimate skill ‘Ferocious Tiger Fist.'”
As for magic attack and defense…
While the same-named Magic Golems’ magic attack and defense could vary, they couldn’t be set in stone.
However, the magic attack and defense of the “Raging Tiger” should not be lower than those of the “Lion Beast.”
Both were Magic Golems of the bird-beast race and combat types, and it was a lion-tiger battle, so their surface data were evenly matched.
But who was actually stronger or weaker would only be known after the fight.
The Lion Beast stretched its limbs, its eyes gradually filled with fighting spirit, and it nodded heavily at Dark Demon.
“Then let’s fight!”
…
Both sides immediately agreed.
Malia casually dispelled the supporting magic spells on the “Raging Tiger,” making it face the Lion Beast in its most basic state.
“Roar!”
The Raging Tiger obeyed the command and roared suddenly.
A king’s aura burst forth.
The Lion Beast stiffened, assuming a stance similar to Winged Wrestler’s—this was something it learned from the Winged Wrestler.
The moment this move came out, it gave a very professional impression.
Malia’s interest grew even more, and she shouted immediately, “Raging Tiger, Ferocious Tiger Fist!”
The Raging Tiger leaned forward, fiercely pounced, its claws touching the ground, running swiftly like lightning.
Although the Raging Tiger’s intelligence level was only 2.0, which was normal for a Magic Golem, Malia had always treated it as a sparring partner, and even pigs trained long enough developed combat instincts, let alone Magic Golems.
Moreover, she and this Raging Tiger already had a spiritual connection, a sign of forming a bond.
After just a few seconds, the Raging Tiger had already reached the Lion Beast, leaping up with its limbs, arching its back like a bridge, gathering all its strength from below, and then punching down with its claws towards the Lion Beast’s head.
The speed and agility of the Raging Tiger were nothing like the rigid Magic Golem.
Facing its first major opponent since birth, the Lion Beast instantly retreated, creating some distance.
When the Raging Tiger missed with its punch, the Lion Beast steadily aimed a powerful punch at its head.
This punch was forceful and carried the aura of a霸王 (tyrant).
The Raging Tiger dodged at the last second but still got hit on the left shoulder.
It fell from above, unsteady on its feet, and landed hard, rolling over and screaming.
But when the Lion Beast relaxed, the Raging Tiger, having rolled some distance, suddenly flipped up, kicking off the ground with its hind legs, bursting with incredible speed, and clawing fiercely at the Lion Beast’s waist.
The Lion Beast couldn’t dodge in time and took the full blow, causing mana to leak out.
Yet, it didn’t even wince, and with a huge fist, it smashed the back of the Raging Tiger’s head, knocking it to the ground.
The Raging Tiger groaned, but its front claws quickly supported the ground, and its tail swung like a steel whip, sweeping towards the Lion Beast.
The Lion Beast reacted quickly, grabbing the tail with its left hand and then adding its right, pulling the Raging Tiger off the ground and spinning it around in the air before slamming it down.
“Poom!”
Clearly visible, the Raging Tiger, knocked to the ground, its chin hit the floor, face contorted.
Even Dark Demon hadn’t expected the Lion Beast to gain such an advantage in a single exchange.
But after gaining the upper hand, the Lion Beast did not press its advantage further but waited gracefully for the Raging Tiger to recover.
Standing with hands behind his back, he exuded composure.
…
At this moment, the two Magic Golems suddenly flew past overhead, but neither looked down at them.
The contestants still battling obviously had no interest in their duel.
Furthermore, both Dark Demon and Malia were among the top eight competitors, and many people were glad to see them engage in one-on-one battles during the melee.
In fact, the contestants were quite interested in their one-on-one battles, often glancing over while commanding their Magic Golems.
…
Within two breaths, the Raging Tiger had already risen again.
Under Malia’s guidance, it regained its momentum and prepared to strike.
When the momentum peaked, it took a sudden step.
One step, two steps, three steps, each heavier.
On the third step, it leaped up again, roaring loudly, fists clenched, striking like lightning.
This time, it used its ultimate skill—the “Ferocious Tiger Fist!”
The Lion Beast looked serious, trying to block, but the “Ferocious Tiger Fist” was characterized by its ferocity, a storm of punches impossible to predict.
The Lion Beast could only cross its arms to block.
The Raging Tiger’s punching speed continued to increase, causing its arms to swell.
“Roar!”
After half a minute of relentless punching, the Raging Tiger roared and unleashed its final punch, gathering all its momentum.
With that punch, it seemed as though a giant tiger was about to pounce, moving forward with its extended arm.
The Lion Beast was sent flying backward by the punch.
“Lower your center of gravity.”
After flying several meters, the Lion Beast stepped back, lowering its center of gravity, sliding half a meter before finally grounding its feet.
It breathed heavily, forearms trembling from the immense exertion.
“How was it?”
Malia’s lips curled slightly, quite satisfied with her pet’s performance.
To have trained a Magic Golem with an intelligence of 2.0 to this level was indeed something to be proud of.
But after her pride, she felt a slight regret.
Before the bond was formed, the Raging Tiger still lacked some autonomy, far less potential compared to Dark Demon’s Lion Beast.
Dark Demon, facing Malia’s provocation, only pondered, “Lion Beast, have you learned?”
The Lion Beast nodded slightly, its hands gradually moving.
Then it slowly approached the Raging Tiger, speeding up as it neared.
One step, two steps, three steps, each heavier.
By the third step, its aura was high, and the previous retreat was no longer visible.
The roar from its throat was steady and contained.
The right arm pulled back slightly, and on the final step, memories of the Winged Wrestler striking the wooden dummy flashed through its mind, merging with the Raging Tiger’s “Ferocious Tiger Fist” to unleash its own Lion Punch!
Its punching trajectory was traceable, but the force was greater, the speed faster.
A memory rooted deep in its brain surfaced.
This made its punches faster, stronger, and more flexible.
The Raging Tiger, initially able to hold its ground calmly, then barely able to block, finally lost completely after just half a minute.
And the Lion Beast’s expression became even more radiant.
, it suddenly roared out, “Beast King Fist!”
In an instant, a lion-shaped energy wave burst forth from its right fist, piercing through the Wild Battle Tiger’s defense in a flash and sending it flying backwards.
Unlike the Wild Battle Tiger, which almost disintegrated upon being sent flying, the Lion Beast clearly had depleted magic power. It seemed as if a slight breeze could make it dissolve into light particles.
The Lion Beast, after unleashing the “Beast King Fist,” had reached its peak in aura. The once somewhat lacking kingly aura became even more profound.
It maintained its punching stance, with its lion mane fluttering backward, lost in the aftermath of that punch.
…
The applause erupted like thunder.
…
“You won.”
Maly lifted her magic spell card with some envy, recalling the Wild Battle Tiger back into the card.
Then she raised her hand and gave a thumbs-up to Dark and the Lion Beast.
“Not bad.”
“Thank you.”
Dark nodded slightly, then turned to look at the Lion Beast.
The duel with Senior Maly wasn’t a true Mana Duel; the Wild Battle Tiger still had an ultimate skill unused.
But after this debut battle, the Lion Beast had shown a leap in growth.
Next, it should be able to better engage in battle.
Dark reached into his bag and pulled out two “Energy Potions,” summoning them and tossing them to the Lion Beast.
After consuming the two bottles of energy potion, the Lion Beast quickly regained its full strength.
At this moment, Dark looked back at the large screen.
He saw that he, who was originally ranked sixth, and Senior Maly, ranked seventh, had both fallen out of the top eight.
“There’s still time.”
He wasn’t worried. With one hand, he grabbed the “Solo Sword Sheath,” and after a low chant of “Weaponize,” he tossed it to the Lion Beast again.
The Lion Beast caught the “Solo Sword Sheath” with its hand, its gaze focused on the battlefield.
The preliminaries were still raging fiercely.
Next up was its domain.
…
Observing the preliminary melee for twenty minutes, Dark had noticed that the third-year seniors were quite restrained, not summoning overly strong magic golems and rarely using those dark ritual cards and magic spell cards.
The highest-ranking magic golem currently present was just a few six-star magic golems, all within the second tier.
The five-star “Lion Beast” already held a position among them.
Moreover, it had the “Holy Sword”!
Heroes and Holy Swords were natural partners.
The Lion Beast had never practiced swordsmanship; its talent was inclined towards unarmed combat due to the existence of the “Beast King Fist.”
But when holding the “Solo Sword Sheath,” it moved as if guided by instinct, as if something was pulling it…
Alright, that “as if.”
The “Solo Sword Sheath” was after all a weaponized magic golem, and it had consciousness.
Moreover, this consciousness was clearer and wiser than the Holy Sword before it was refined.
When the Lion Beast wielded the “Solo Sword Sheath” into battle, it wasn’t alone but advanced and retreated together with it.
A regular five-star magic golem couldn’t withstand even the second strike of the Lion Beast, whose attack power reached 3800.
Furthermore, there were several four-star magic golems on the field.
The Lion Beast executed Dark’s orders with high intelligence, trying to stay on the edges and harvest the lives of four-star magic golems.
Unnecessary conflicts were completely avoided.
When executing these commands, the Demon Beast acted like a sky-high thief.
But when the Lion Beast did so, it acted like a sword-wielding knight.
As it started working, Dark DiMont’s score began to steadily rise again.
However, Dark didn’t put all his hopes on the Lion Beast.
After all, although the Lion Beast was powerful, it wasn’t as flexible as the Demon Beast.
It couldn’t fly or use “Instant Teleportation” to change the battlefield.
Once surrounded, it might be doomed.
Therefore, Dark had already prepared to summon a third magic golem—the “Ditto”—outside the arena.
Using a “Bliss III” card to boost the Ditto to four stars, then transforming it into “Vine Scholar” Winny’s “Ice Maiden.”
With just one move, “Blizzard Tornado,” it would be enough to solidify its ranking.
For now, the goal was to advance.
Although the third-year seniors seemed more inclined to enjoy dueling and winning, Dark came here with a purpose.
He wanted to obtain the winner’s “Identification Card.”
Through legitimate means.
Not through backdoor methods.
…
The progress of the entire competition didn’t go as smoothly as he imagined.
Three minutes before the end.
Just as the Lion Beast had brought Dark’s rank back to eighth, a formidable opponent appeared before it.
Its shadow suddenly split open and rose from the ground, laughing mockingly at it.
That instant, inexperienced Lion Beast showed horror and instinctively retreated.
But the shadow extended from beneath it.
No matter how it moved, the shadow always followed closely.
“Ji ji ji—”
The shadow’s laughter grew more sinister.
This reminded the Lion Beast of its “Watcher Alliance”—the “Mana Spirit.”
Of course, little Mana Spirits often broke rules by slipping out of the magic cards and wandering into others’ dreams, spreading terror.
So its true “Watcher Alliance” was only “Meow.”
And thinking of the Mana Spirit, the fear inside the Lion Beast mysteriously vanished.
It stopped retreating and raised its “Holy Sword,” calmly thrusting it at the shadow that was looking up with a vicious grin.
“Clang.”
Before the sword touched, the shadow was unrestrained.
Upon touching, it suddenly screamed, struggling violently like a pigeon thrown into an oil pot.
The shadow’s outline twisted wildly.
The Lion Beast’s expression remained calm.
Injecting mana into the “Solo Sword Sheath.”
With systematic training in understanding and controlling mana, Dark’s magic golems had basically mastered the method of mana output.
The Lion Beast learned very well.
In that instant.
The “Solo Sword Sheath” shone brightly!
…
“Aaah—”
An extremely shrill scream suddenly erupted from the Lion Beast’s shadow.
Under the light of the “Holy Sword,” this magic golem embedded in the shadow could no longer sustain itself and escaped from the Lion Beast’s shadow as if fleeing from fire.
That dark figure shot out urgently, revealing its true form about five to six meters away.
It was a ghostly magic golem with a vague human form.
At this moment, both the teachers and students in the ring and the tens of thousands of spectators in the spectator area were drawn to the sudden bright light and piercing scream.
Even the competitors in the arena couldn’t help but watch.
And the commentator on the commentary stand—Zach Wilson—finally found another focus for his commentary.
Actually, he had also provided guiding commentary during Dark and Senior Maly’s one-on-one duel.
But afterward, he shifted his focus to other competitors.
Now, focusing back on the Lion Beast, Wilson suddenly realized he had missed many details!
“That sword…”
The sword that could force a shadow-dwelling ghost-type magic golem out of its shadow immediately made people think of “that.”
But before confirming, Wilson didn’t dare to speak rashly.
In fact, there were many weapons with similar abilities. Many magical artifacts in the Church of the Saints had sacred effects.
However, this didn’t stop him from praising it.
“No, wait. Wasn’t that sword equipped on the Demon Beast earlier?”
Wilson’s tone faltered as he suddenly noticed a point.
“Can someone tell me why a demon race with dark attributes can wield such a clearly sacred sword?”
Similar doubts spread like a disease.
Students, professors, and spectators with basic knowledge about related subjects suddenly stirred.
As the议论之声 grew louder, nearly matching the cheers of the other spectators.
The number of people watching the battle of the lion beast also increased.
But many of them only had a superficial understanding.
They relied on their imagination to build their own understanding and speculated about things they didn’t truly know.
Thus, few could discuss anything genuinely useful.
At extremely close range,
Wit Gold’s doubts rose sharply after he perceived the aura of the “Holy Sword” more clearly.
He had never seen the actual “Holy Sword,” only creating one through the “Holy Sword Curse,” so he couldn’t confirm his suspicions.
Yet this doubt rooted deeply within him.
He himself had no desire for the “Holy Sword.”
But if that lion-type golem possessed a real “Holy Sword,” did it also have the qualities of a hero?
That seemed impossible.
How could a golem possess the qualities of a hero?
Moreover, the demon earlier had also wielded that sword.
Demons could never be heroes!
Wit Gold smacked his forehead, trying to dispel these unrealistic thoughts.
…
“It’s a hero! Such a familiar aura.”
Alvaraite stretched her shoulders, her tone light and cheerful.
Though she had sensed something when the lion beast was first summoned, she only confirmed it when it truly activated the “sacred” attribute of the “Solo Sword Sheath.”
Golems with hero qualities were not uncommon.
It was just that ordinary people wouldn’t know about it.
After all, among the classifications of golems, there existed “humanoid” and “sub-human” types.
There had been several grand magi who attempted to recreate historical figures as golems.
Such recreations could only produce empty shells, but if successful, even those shells would cause a significant stir.
Later…
With the exposure of these grand magi’s research, more magi united to ban such practices, categorizing them as “taboo.”
Most magi didn’t want their dead bodies to be similarly desecrated.
However, occasionally, historical figures were recreated through normal golem creation processes.
This was unavoidable.
If the impact was minimal, magi might turn a blind eye.
Whether similar experiments were still happening in secret remained unverifiable.
However, records showed that the Holy Church had eradicated several heretical sects attempting to create “gods” using similar methods.
No one knew if it was true.
No one knew if they could truly create “gods.”
But theoretically, even if successful, the created “god” would only be an empty shell.
Who knew what would happen then.
Would an empty shell without a soul become a breeding ground for malevolent spirits?
…
Claire’s expression lost control again after hearing the word “hero” from Alvaraite’s lips.
After a moment, she frowned and said, “Hero, Holy Sword, could this be a bad omen?”
Alvaraite looked at her calmly and said, “What’s destined will come. It’s just unexpected that we might obtain the qualifications of a hero candidate this way.”
Their conversation was soon drowned out by the wind.
Even the two princesses nearby couldn’t hear them.
…
In the dueling arena,
After driving out the ghost-type golem from its shadow, the lion beast raised its sword cautiously.
The ghost-like golem was gradually recovering from severe trembling.
The two were about five meters apart, facing each other.
Dark’s gaze bypassed the ghost-type golem and focused on a third-year senior directly opposite him.
Clearly the owner of the golem, this senior had sandy-blonde hair parted in the middle, with the ends resting on his shoulders. His eyes were a deep black, his features soft yet gloomy, and his skin pale but smooth.
Dark didn’t remember him well, possibly having interacted with him in the tower of the noble academy, but with little memory.
However, the look in his eyes wasn’t devoid of purpose.
“Could he be from the Noble History Research Club?”
Dark subconsciously recalled the scene before the match in the candidate room.
But then he noticed that Mike Owen, the senior from the Noble History Research Club, was commanding another golem in battle elsewhere.
In his information, Mike Owen was still the core member representing the club.
Since Mike Owen wasn’t acting, the likelihood of it being the Noble History Research Club was low.
But if unrelated to the club, why was this gloomy senior glaring at him so intensely?
Dark instinctively touched his handsome face, suddenly feeling a chill.
He didn’t know if the senior had sensed something, as he suddenly turned his gaze away.
But then his attention shifted back to the golem battle.
“Shadow Ghost, Night Raid!”
The resolute command made the golem named “Shadow Ghost” reluctantly resist the “Holy Sword” and unleash its ultimate skill on the lion beast.
[Card Name: Shadow Ghost]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ????]
[Race: Undead]
[Attribute: Ghost/Dark]
[Mana: 2500]
[Attack: 2100]
[Defense: 1400]
[Ultimate Skills: Shadow, Night Raid, Shadow Kill]
The battle began in an instant.
The human-shaped body of “Shadow Ghost” abruptly spread, turning into a dark curtain, soaring towards the lion beast amidst screams.
In a blink, the sky above the lion beast was covered by a huge “night curtain.”
Light dimmed instantly.
Black lines descended from the night curtain, dense and terrifying.
One line adhered to the lion beast’s shoulder, causing it to immediately feel mana being drained.
But as it moved, the “night curtain” above suddenly descended, enveloping everything in sight as if to swallow all life!
The lion beast’s expression turned solemn, slightly bending its knees to gather strength. The “Solo Sword Sheath” released increasingly intense holy light due to the influx of mana.
At that moment…
The “night curtain” formed by “Shadow Ghost” descended.
The lion beast held the “Holy Sword” upside down, leaping like a dragon, the holy light from the “Holy Sword” sweeping upwards, releasing a stormy sword aura.
The “sacred” attribute of the “Solo Sword Sheath” took effect, increasing the resistance to dark attributes by 50%.
The lion beast’s sword cut through the “night curtain” like slicing tofu, creating countless cracks!
Morning light leaked through the gaps, dispersing the darkness as the black lines melted visibly.
“Clang!” The lion beast landed, knees slightly bent to absorb the force.
The sword returned to its sheath.
The “night curtain” formed by “Shadow Ghost” delayed slightly before exploding.
From then on, there was no more darkness overhead.
…
[Integrity +1]
…
Dark observed the gloomy third-year senior through his golem card while sensing the state of the lion beast.
Seeing him smile instead of getting angry after his golem was defeated, Dark became alert.
The senior spoke, his words obscured by the crowd’s shouts.
But Dark recognized the senior’s expression and lip movements instantly.
He immediately injected mana into the card to warn the lion beast.
The next moment, the lion beast’s shadow moved again.
…
[3.5合一]
[7100/12000]
[Twelve o’clock, posting now, next update tomorrow morning or noon.]
