Chapter 404: Dark Demon Does Not Want to Die Socially (4k)
Dark took out the Mana Card of “Lion Beast” from his sleeve, injected Mana into it, and awakened it.
He then retrieved the fully powered-up “Piplup” and “Mana Spirit,” and using the Sacrificial Summoning Spell, he summoned the Lion Beast from the Mana Card.
The Lion Beast that appeared before everyone was tall and majestic, but its left eye was still parasitized by a Magic Seed, making its face狰狞.
Professor Shylph only glanced once before drawing a Mana Card from her deck and waving her hand to summon it.
With a soft sound, gentle rain began to fall from the sky, emitting a refreshing scent.
Bathed in the rain, the Lion Beast visibly relaxed. It covered its left eye, slightly panting.
The rain gradually slid down its face, seemingly conscious as it gathered towards its left eye.
A hint of pain flashed, and the Magic Seed in the Lion Beast’s left eye withered and dried up at a visible rate, eventually turning into a black powder and being washed away.
The blood-red in the Lion Beast’s eyes finally faded, and the frenzied aura gradually dissipated.
Dark sighed in relief and extended his hand to the Lion Beast.
The Lion Beast raised its hand and placed its paw on his palm.
Their gazes met.
The Lion Beast’s eyes regained clarity, as if saying, “I have recovered, please be at ease.”
Dark finally felt at ease.
Immediately after, the Lion Beast’s body turned into light and returned to the Mana Card.
Dark carefully touched the card surface and put it back into his deck.
The professors smiled seeing how he cherished the Mana Spirit.
…
With the competition approaching, Dark thanked Professor Shylph and quickly left.
But he didn’t go far; instead, he found an empty seat nearby to watch the final match.
The audience’s enthusiasm seemed inexhaustible. When “Baron of the Night” Noah Sharp and the sixth-year student stepped onto the Competitors’ Platform, cheers still echoed throughout the venue.
Both contestants were popular.
The name of the sixth-year student was Joseph Bruno, nicknamed “Knight of the Sky,” specializing in aerial Mana Spirits, nearly all of which could fly.
In Mana Duels, flying Mana Spirits always had an extra advantage.
Fighting against “Knight of the Sky” Joseph Bruno, any slight misstep would cause the Mana Ball to fall into relentless fierce attacks, leading to defeat.
Such was the style of “Knight of the Sky.”
Compared to that, “Baron of the Night” was a well-rounded type.
The duel between them was undoubtedly spectacular, causing Dark to watch intently.
Students in their fifth and sixth years had basically mastered all the normal teachings of the academy, from Field Cards to Secret Rite Cards, using them proficiently.
Of course, from an omniscient perspective, one could spot some deficiencies in the contestants.
But contestants weren’t emotionless robots. They had emotions, self-awareness, and were influenced by their physical and mental states. Even obvious things could be completely overlooked in intense combat.
Some audience members liked to nitpick, or criticize the contestants’ on-the-spot performances based on post-facto conclusions, sometimes harshly.
That was irrational.
Dark carefully observed the duel between “Baron of the Night” and “Knight of the Sky,” constantly absorbing their strengths, gaining much.
At last, both contestants summoned their strongest Mana Spirits.
The “Red Spine Black Dragon” of “Baron of the Night” roared across the field.
The “Azure Demon Butterfly” of “Knight of the Sky” split into countless copies, densely covering the area.
The result was unexpected by everyone.
That popular “Red Spine Black Dragon” was actually drained of its marrow by the “Azure Demon Butterfly” copies and died instantly.
Joseph Bruno, “Knight of the Sky,” won!
…
“Sixth year remains sixth year. Bruno contestant delivered another brilliant duel just before graduation. Let’s give him our warmest applause!”
…
Amidst thunderous applause, Dark adjusted his collar and stood up from his seat.
Next, after the winner interview of “Knight of the Sky,” it would be time for the award ceremony.
After such a long time, he finally had the opportunity to explore the secret path again.
He straightened his spine and walked toward the Competitors’ Passage.
…
Joseph Bruno, a sixth-year student at Mana Academia.
He had lush green hair, a slender build, and a somewhat feminine appearance, complemented by his habit of keeping his hair long, giving him a unique aura.
Given his victory over “Baron of the Night,” Joseph Bruno was certainly not an ordinary student.
Even when he was a third-year, he began to stand out, serving as the class president during his fourth year. After resigning in his fifth year, he sank into obscurity, transforming from a passionate duelist to a dedicated scholar.
Rumors say he recently submitted a reappointment application, aiming to become a professor at Saint Maryann Academy.
The position of professor at the academy was highly coveted.
Many students from Mana Academia wished to stay on as professors, but this was like crossing a narrow bridge with thousands of horses—no, even more severe.
At least one person could cross the narrow bridge.
However, most applications for staying on at the academy usually ended in failure.
…
Joseph Bruno quickly handled Judy’s interview and moved on to the final award ceremony of the Easter Duel Festival.
Dark Demon was invited back onto the stage by the staff.
The two final winners of the Easter Duel Festival appeared before the audience, causing another wave of excitement.
Senior Sister Judy smiled slightly at Dark Demon as she said, “It seems the two contestants are eager. Although this is our first Easter Duel Festival and may not be perfect, we still have an award ceremony. Please welcome the two professors to present the awards to the winners!”
Thunderous applause erupted.
Two professors entered the stage amid the applause.
One was tall, over two meters, with a perfectly proportioned body, resembling a scaled-up bronze-haired beauty.
The other was white-haired but had a straight spine and excellent energy.
They were Professor Pavar Jones and Professor Hans Fox.
Dark had known Professor Fox since his assessment battle in the Dueling Club, so he wasn’t unfamiliar.
In elegant music, the two professors received flat boxes covered with red cloth from the staff and walked toward Dark Demon and Joseph Bruno.
Professor Jones took a step forward and approached Dark.
The imposing presence seemed to press closer, and Dark steadied himself.
“Well done.”
Professor Jones bent down and ruffled Dark’s head before lifting the box and removing the red cloth.
Inside the box lay a medal and a small golden hammer.
Professor Jones took the medal inscribed with “Easter Duel Festival Winner” from the box and gently pressed it onto Dark’s chest, securing it in place.
Then she picked up the small golden hammer and handed it to him.
Dark took the hammer and softly said, “Thank you.”
Professor Jones ruffled his head again and stepped away.
Professor Fox then gave the medal and golden hammer to Joseph Bruno and walked over.
Dark had a deep impression of this strict-looking professor, but he hadn’t expected Professor Fox to turn and smile at him, nodding.
Though somewhat bewildered, Dark responded immediately.
“Perhaps, this is what being a professor is like.”
…
After the professors left the stage, Senior Sister Judy guided the audience and naturally pulled out a colorful silk cloth.
Instantly, a rectangular table appeared in everyone’s view.
Above the table, two large Easter Eggs stood quietly.
“The moment has come. Please welcome the two winners to open these Easter Eggs for us!”
Judy winked at the audience, playfully saying, “These eggs were specially made by our professors. Besides specific prizes, they can also contain various surprises, like cute little pigs!”
…
Judy’s announcement was sudden.
Dark couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows. He hadn’t heard about this mechanism for the final Easter Eggs. If a pig popped out right there, that wouldn’t be very elegant, would it?
He glanced beside him and noticed the sixth-year student seemed moved too.
So, who was pulling this off?
…
Professor Kazel sitting in the circular spectator seats was laughing heartily.
…
Dark’s gaze shifted to Kazel behind Professor Shylph, and his expression darkened.
What was going on with Professor Kazel? Was he infected by Professor Lily?
“Dark?” Judy called softly.
Reluctantly, Dark picked up the small golden hammer and walked over.
Judy said, “You can choose either egg.”
Hearing this, Dark turned to Joseph Bruno and said, “Senior Bruno, why don’t you choose first?”
Joseph Bruno’s lips twitched imperceptibly as he pointed to the nearest egg, “I’ll take this one.”
Dark nodded and walked to the other egg.
Both stood in front of the eggs, each holding the small golden hammer.
Judy continued, “As everyone knows, dueling requires good luck. Lucky contestants often perform better in duels.”
“Now let’s see, Dark Demon from the first year and Joseph Bruno from the sixth year, who will be the favored one by Lady Luck?”
“Lady Luck?”
Dark chuckled at Judy’s words. He wanted to meet Lady Luck, but he wondered if she would be willing to show her face.
Just as he pondered, he heard the sound of an egg cracking next to him and turned to look.
The sixth-year senior had already forcefully struck the egg with the small golden hammer.
“Crack!”
The small golden hammer hit the giant Easter Egg, instantly triggering a rainbow light array, with one colorful ring after another expanding outward, catching the attention of those who weren’t particularly interested in the event.
Joseph Bruno frowned slightly, noticing fine cracks appearing on top of the egg.
The cracks rapidly spread, and bright light burst out from within, dazzling and blinding.
“Crack!”
The eggshell shattered entirely, scattering everywhere.
And inside the egg, the prize finally revealed itself to everyone’s eyes.
Since Dark was right beside him, he saw it clearly.
Inside the eggshell was a white door card and another blank Mana Card.
“Just white?”
Dark pondered slightly.
Door cards were divided into five grades: white, blue, purple, orange, and gold.
White door cards couldn’t bring people into the secret path and allowed entry only once a month.
Blue door cards could bring one person into the secret path twice a month.
Following this pattern, gold door cards were the highest grade, allowing four people into the secret path five times a month.
Restricting numbers and frequency was to prevent excessive changes due to too many people entering and for the safety of the students.
The fact that the final reward of the Easter Duel Festival was only a white card surprised Dark.
He felt that Professor Kazel shouldn’t be so stingy.
“Is it because Senior Bruno’s luck is too bad?”
He couldn’t help thinking.
…
Joseph Bruno naturally didn’t know about the grades of the door card.
As a fixed reward, he knew beforehand that the egg would contain a door card. In fact, he participated in the festival specifically to obtain this door card.
When comparing the two cards, the difference was obvious at a glance.
Bruno first put away the door card and reached for the other Mana Card.
But as soon as he touched it, he suddenly sensed a fluctuation of Mana, instinctively retracting his finger.
However, the Mana within him had already been drawn out in that instant.
The half-finished Mana Card with a hidden mechanism automatically melted and triggered, emitting a glaring white light.
Then, a round pink pig leaped out from the card face.
“A real pig came out!”
As the audience gasped in surprise, a second, third, and more pigs leaped out one after another.
Nine pigs in total, each of a different color.
Joseph Bruno subconsciously wanted to touch the card to summon them, but he finally smiled helplessly and let the nine little pigs pounce on him, licking him crazily.
“It’s a holiday, let’s make everyone happy.”
Bruno thought to himself.
But Dark Demon beside him was slightly sweating.
