Chapter 607: Sublimation of Pride and Bliss (5.5k)
“Is this the schedule?” Aurora leaned over and asked softly.
She enjoyed her late-night snacks every evening, which made her feel like she was making progress toward her goal.
“There are matches tomorrow and the day after.”
Dark showed the “Selection Card” and said.
“I thought I could just be a pure spectator after today’s three matches, but it seems the person arranging the schedule still has me in mind.”
He then shook his head and said, “But that’s good too. If I fill up the schedule earlier, I’ll have more time to do my own things afterward. By the way, next week, I should go to the Dungeon again.”
“Do you have to go to the Dungeon again?” Aurora glanced at the “Selection Card” and then withdrew her gaze.
Dark nodded and said, “There are still some things to take care of.”
He didn’t reveal the details of what happened in the Dungeon; it wasn’t appropriate to talk about it before everything was clear.
Fortunately, Aurora wasn’t someone who would pry deeply.
She quickly revealed a shy smile and said, “Then I won’t come on Friday and Saturday nights next week.”
“Alright,” Dark said, “I’ve been troubling you these days.”
Aurora shook her head vigorously and said, “Not at all, I just like cooking…”
But as she spoke, her face turned red. She quickly stood up and said, “Well, I should get back now. I’ll come to watch your match tomorrow.”
Dark smiled and said, “Yes, if you have any questions about your studies or anything you want to learn, feel free to ask me.”
Aurora picked up her plate and said, “I will. Good night?”
Dark: “Good night.”
…
After sending Aurora off, Dark returned to his dormitory and finally settled down to extract today’s “Capital Sin.”
Since October, including tonight, he had conducted four extractions.
Since “Greed” had already reached 98 points at the end of last month, he had chosen “Greed” for the past four nights.
Now, he had accumulated 13 points of “Greed” stored in the Worm Branch and Thought Bottle.
“Pride” remained at 2 points.
“Bliss” was at 6 points.
Unless he successfully developed a complete form of “Bunny Grass” at the “Cat Cat Flower Shop” or encountered other necessary uses during this period, Dark planned to continue accumulating “Bliss” and “Greed” until he could refine “Bliss IV” or “Greed IV.”
Even if the current “Bliss IV” or “Greed IV” produced by the existing Conjure Method were incomplete, they still held value.
Through the refining and experimentation of different “Capital Sin IVs,” he could gather more effective research data.
With enough data, he might be able to analyze directions and improve and adjust the current Conjure Method.
Although Dark placed his hopes on the upcoming weekend Dungeon exploration, “The God of the Dungeon” was only a speculation. Even if it existed, it might not provide him with insights.
Therefore, these foundational studies couldn’t be neglected. In fact, they were even more crucial!
…
After completing the extraction of the Capital Sin, Dark bathed, meditated, and soon fell asleep.
The next morning, he casually picked up the “Three Thousand Tools Eight Thousand Methods” and read it for a while on the bed.
Only then did he get up somewhat sluggishly and wash up.
The three consecutive Mana Duels yesterday, especially the one against Sarah, had indeed drained him significantly.
Audiences often think that Mana Duels are short and therefore easy, but the truth is that the mental exertion required is unimaginable.
When Magi focus their mental energy intensely, they subconsciously accelerate their thoughts, even if the acceleration isn’t significant, it still increases energy consumption exponentially.
The magic that allowed for a true increase in thinking speed, which he attempted to learn from several math professors, also had similar drawbacks.
After finishing his grooming, he applied “Trash Slime” to his face, then walked out of the bathroom and sat down at his desk.
No sooner had he sat down when the Imp Beast (Male) flew into the balcony carrying a basket, with two rolled newspapers stuck on top—the “Wise One Daily” and “The Clown Daily.”
Since second year, Dark had been subscribing to newspapers.
The collection point for the newspapers was the cafeteria, where students went every morning.
He pulled out the two newspapers, lifted the lid of the basket, and laid out a napkin on the table. He then arranged breakfast items on the napkin and began eating small bites.
In the past, the Golems would gather around cutely to beg for food. But now… they would eat breakfast at the cafeteria themselves.
After eating a little, Dark unfolded the “Wise One Daily” and examined it closely.
As expected, the headline of today’s “Wise One Daily” was indeed about the simulated Mana Duel!
“It looks like the advertising campaign for the simulated Mana Duel has taken root.”
Upon closer inspection, Dark found that the newspaper contained a detailed introduction to the Silver Cup exhibition matches.
“Hero’s Child,” “Silver Dragon Lady,” and “Winter Maiden” were widely advertised as “image representatives” for the Mana Duel.
At the end, there was even an unnamed “Mysterious Designer”…
“The advertisements seem to be in place, but I wonder how well they’re being received by the public?”
After reading this part, Dark felt a bit worried.
In an era lacking screen media, relying solely on print media had its limitations.
Even if the newspaper described the “simulated Mana Duel” as very interesting, it might not fully convey the message.
Moreover…
he had another concern.
The simulated Mana Duel could be seen as a simplified version of the Mana Duel.
And simplified versions were often easily labeled as “degraded versions.”
If someone with ulterior motives used this to denigrate the simulated Mana Duel…
“If this really happens, we’d have to engage in a public opinion war…”
Dark pondered this possibility.
But he soon smiled and shook his head.
Backed by Saint Maryann Academy and the Duke’s Mansion, and with the endorsement of “Hero” and “Valkyrie,” what kind of force could possibly overpower them in a public opinion battle?
Or perhaps, does such a force really exist?
…
After breakfast, Dark continued to study “The Three Thousand Tools and Eight Thousand Practice Methods.”
The successful refinement of the “Spider Jewel,” “Moon Pendant,” and “Sickle Dagger” greatly boosted his confidence.
But this was only because there were exactly suitable templates available in “The Three Thousand Tools and Eight Thousand Practice Methods.”
What he truly wanted to refine were items not listed among the “Three Thousand Tools”… although some similar templates could still be found.
However, the similarity was somewhat subtle.
Therefore, he needed more adjustments and compilations to achieve his goal.
Among the four “Item Cards” scheduled for refinement, the “Rhinoceros Horn” was the simplest and easiest to refine.
In “The Three Thousand Tools and Eight Thousand Practice Methods,” there was also a method for refining a “Fierce Beast Horn,” which could serve as a reference.
So he decided to start with the “Rhinoceros Horn” and further study and master the method of refining item cards through practice.
…
The morning quickly passed, and Dark gained some insights from his research, but he was not yet ready to put them into practice.
After lunch, he summoned the Mana Spirits before him and pondered again.
According to the tournament schedule sent by the academy, he would be stepping onto the dueling stage again this afternoon, but this time against a student from the Fool’s Academy.
Upon careful reflection, he had defeated representatives from the Knight Academy, Noble Academy, and Mana Academy in yesterday’s three duels. It was indeed time for the Fool’s Academy today.
The second-year student from the Fool’s Academy was named “Jimmy Abbott.”
Jimmy Abbott, like other second-year students at the Fool’s Academy, had a relatively low presence.
But Dark actually knew him.
He was the only student in the second-year Fool’s Academy who possessed the “divination talent!”
For this reason, he also took Professor Metia’s “Astrology Class.”
“Although the Fool’s Academy may seem unremarkable on the surface,黑马 often appear each year; it cannot be taken lightly.”
Dark pondered for a while, then looked at the Mana Spirits and asked, “Who wants to go?”
…
In yesterday’s three duels, Dark used a deck centered around “Bliss,” achieving quite good results.
But since that deck had already been validated, he naturally couldn’t use it again today.
He planned to construct a new deck totaling twenty cards.
Initially, he wanted to try out the “Zoo” series, but upon closer consideration, the only Mana Card he had that paired well with “Avian-beast Kin” was “Zoo.”
If he were to build a deck centered solely around “Zoo”…
If he couldn’t draw “Zoo” within the first two or three rounds, even if he won, it wouldn’t be much related to “Zoo.”
In that case, the so-called “Zoo Deck” would essentially just be a deck made up of “Avian-beast Kin.”
It would lack practical significance.
If not a “Zoo Deck,” the only other option he could currently construct was a “Bliss + Pride” deck.
“Bliss + Pride?”
Dark picked up his pen and began to deliberate in his notebook.
“First, the Mana Spirit Cards that can use ‘Bliss’ to level up or evolve.”
①【Magical Beast: Ibut】
②【Magical Beast: Ditto】
③【Spell Cage: Imp】
④【Mana Spirit】
⑤【Demon Fox Beast】
⑥【Spell Cage: Agumon】
“Second, the Mana Spirit Cards that can use ‘Pride’ to level up or evolve.”
①【Magical Beast: Ibut】
②【Magical Beast: Ditto】
③【Spell Cage: Imp】
④【Deoxys】
⑤【Lion Beast】
⑥【Primordial Dragon Egg】
⑦【Spell Cage: Agumon】
“As you can see, the first three cards of these two sets of Mana Spirit Cards overlap.”
“Temporarily exclude 【Spell Cage: Agumon】.”
“Then blend together all the Mana Spirit Cards except 【Spell Cage: Agumon】.”
“If so, there will be eight Mana Spirit Cards.”
“Since both ‘Spell Cage: Imp’ and ‘Deoxys’ are included, ‘Fusion’ can be added.”
“To ensure half of the Mana Spirits in the deck, add ‘Huhu’ and 【Wrestling… Since there is ‘Lion Beast,’ replace one two-star card—’Mana Book’!”
“As for ‘Solo Sword Sheath (Weapon Form),’ it remains temporarily in the Item Cards.”
“Then add the major sin cards of ‘Bliss’ and ‘Pride,’ and a simple deck structure emerges!”
Dark wrote in his notebook:
Mana Spirit Cards:
【Magical Beast: Ibut】
【Magical Beast: Ditto】
【Spell Cage: Imp】
“Mana Book”??
【Mana Spirit】???
【Demon Fox Beast】???
【Huhu】???
【Primordial Dragon Egg】???
【Deoxys】????
【Lion Beast】?????
Item Cards:
【Solo Sword Sheath (Weapon Form)】
【Soul of the Moon Goddess I】
Magic Cards:
【Bliss II 3.0】
【Bliss III】
【Bliss III Moon】
【Pride II 3.0】
【Pride III】
【Pride IV】
【Netherworld Soul Ring】
【Fusion】
After careful consideration, Dark temporarily removed the “Moon Pendant” from the deck but kept “Soul of the Moon Goddess I” and replaced “Flight Spell” with “Fusion.”
This way, the deck increased from twenty to twenty-one cards.
“But in fact, twenty-one cards should be a more reasonable composition.”
“According to the rules of Mana Dueling, no cards are drawn in the first round, and five Mana Cards are drawn during the Standby Phase. If there are only twenty Mana Cards, the last card drawn in the ninth round would be only one Mana Card. But with twenty-one Mana Cards, two Mana Cards can be drawn in the ninth round.”
“So twenty-one is more reasonable than twenty.”
“In any case, let’s leave it at this for now!”
Dark finally settled on the deck.
Then he showed the Mana Spirits the deck composition, including only the Mana Spirit Cards needed for this match.
—
The remaining mana golems immediately showed envious expressions.
“Big Milk Jar” revealed a hint of loneliness.
In the three duels yesterday, “Big Milk Jar” had no opportunity to participate, and today it was replaced by “Eevee” alongside “Deoxys” and “Lion Beast,” causing it to feel somewhat dejected.
“Eevee” at least had some moments to show off. Although it now pouted, it didn’t have major complaints.
On the other hand, “Wrestler Eagle,” who was replaced by “Mana Book,” sat calmly on the ground.
Dark observed the expressions of the mana golems but did not change his mind.
He ordered the mana golems in the mana cards to rest and regain their energy, then asked, “Anyone want to come watch the match with me?”
The mana golems… were instantly excited!
…
With the opening ceremony concluded, the second-year students’ “Silver Cup” no longer occupied the central arena, and they no longer needed to sit together in designated seats.
Dark could fully bring the mana golems to watch the match.
Watching mana duels from the spectators’ seats was an absolutely novel experience for the mana golems.
After Dark’s permission, the mana golems acted swiftly.
Soon, many mana golems carried small bags filled with snacks and candies for themselves and their companions.
“Don’t forget to bring garbage bags,” Dark said with a mix of helplessness but still reminded them.
…
At one o’clock…
Dark brought the mana golems into the outdoor duel arena.
He quickly found Diana and Rose in the circular seating area.
This time, there were no other girls around them. As soon as Diana spotted him, she raised her hand high and waved vigorously.
Dark smiled and quickened his pace, arriving next to the two girls’ seats.
Fortunately, the surrounding seats were relatively empty.
Dark first arranged the mana golems around the edges before sitting down leisurely.
Diana looked at the mana golems and suddenly chuckled, taking out a bag of collector’s edition candies from her small bag.
Thus, Little Cubone was easily lured to her side.
She stroked Little Cubone’s soft belly with a satisfied look and asked Dark, “Which match is it?”
Dark replied, “The twelfth match this afternoon, it’s still early.”
“That means Rose will go first!” Diana turned to look at Rose and said.
Dark asked, “Is Rose also going to participate? Who is her opponent?”
Rose appeared visibly nervous. She leaned over and said, “It’s Emma!”
…
In the afternoon session, the tenth match.
Knight Academy’s Emma Maltis VS Noble Academy’s Rose Florette.
This classic duel between Knight Academy and Noble Academy attracted much attention from the start.
Of course, if this were last year, when Rose was merely considered Dark Demon’s sidekick in most students’ minds, this duel wouldn’t be taken so seriously.
Her outstanding performance in her debut match and her active participation in the Novice Tournament gradually changed people’s fixed impressions of her.
Many second-year students who were defeated by her in the Novice Tournament were forced to acknowledge her strength.
However, even so, very few believed that she could defeat Emma Maltis.
“When you think you’ve made significant progress, someone better than you might have progressed even more.”
Many students subconsciously held this belief and expressed skepticism about Rose’s chances.
And Dark…
He didn’t believe in her either!
…
Although Dark cheered for Rose, realistically, there was a fatal flaw in her deck.
If it were Emma, she would certainly have noticed this during her previous matches.
As for whether Emma adjusted her deck specifically for this match, that depended on how seriously she took the Silver Cup and the true strength of her original deck!
Perhaps Emma didn’t exert her full power in yesterday’s duel.
Dark, who knew her well, could easily tell.
“But if she still holds back against Rose…”
Dark shook his head, thinking it unlikely.
Smart people always have a clearer understanding of their own abilities.
Emma couldn’t afford to risk losing by holding back.
And indeed, it played out that way.
Her duel with Rose was exceptionally intense.
Rose still adopted a defensive counterattack strategy, but Emma decisively chose an aggressive approach.
She didn’t even try to circumvent Rose’s deck; instead, she launched a full-scale assault.
In this duel, Emma never underestimated her opponent, giving her all from the start and finally showcasing the formidable strength of the top student from Knight Academy’s second year.
Although Rose fought hard, she ultimately lost due to the insufficient strength of her deck.
…
Dark’s first instinct after watching this match was that Emma might have been taken in by the “Secret Sage” as a disciple.
Although previously, Emma Maltis’ relationship with the “Secret Sage” was limited to her mother being his disciple, after returning from Saint Maryann Academy with excellent grades, that relationship was no longer a constraint.
Even if the “Secret Sage” personally came to recruit her, it wasn’t impossible.
…
Interviews with the winner, and the loser leaves the stage.
Rose returned to the circular seating area, clearly disappointed.
Diana hurried to comfort her, constantly feeding her.
Rose looked at the growing pile of snacks in her hands and finally laughed out loud, “Really, do I look so fragile?”
Dark then said, “You’re not far behind, no need to be discouraged.”
Diana waved her claws and said, “Wait, once I get my turn, I’ll definitely avenge you!”
Dark couldn’t help but smile, “Speaking of which, my opponent tomorrow is Emma. Is the Dueling Club really trying to pit me against the top students from each academy?”
Diana’s eyes widened, “Tomorrow already?”
Dark nodded and stood up, “Yeah. But I need to prepare for my duel with Jimmy Abbott now.”
“Oh oh oh!” Diana tried her best to remember this classmate’s name.
…
