Chapter 621 The Fight Ends in Thirty Seconds (5k)
The applause had barely died down when it started again.
“Greed Slime II” wobbled back and forth, still unsatisfied, before spitting out the Red Side’s Mana Guidance Ball.
Then it hopped over to “Little Cubone” and pushed itself forcefully onto its belly.
“Puuuoy—”
“Hulu—”
Little Cubone continued sleeping on its back.
“Greed Slime II” puffed up its cheeks immediately.
…
“Really.”
Dark Demon on the Red Side’s Competitors’ Platform smiled at the Mana Spirit in the field and then picked up the Mana Cards one by one, putting them away and descending from the platform.
Although Lentchen showed great courage, he still needed to work harder.
After leaving the platform, he came to sit beside Diana and Rose, watching the duel with them.
Of course, apart from the duels for the “Silver Cup,” there were also higher-grade duels taking place simultaneously within the venue.
While picking which duel to watch, he continued to learn about the knowledge related to crafting “Item Cards.”
Switching between the two activities effectively curbed the growth of “Greed.”
During this time, both Diana and Rose participated in duels and won.
Just like how Dark was continuously learning and crafting new Mana Cards, they did not stay idle either.
Whether it was Diana or Rose, they were all striving to make up for the deficiencies in their decks.
Two hours later, Dark put down his book and said to Diana, “It’s my turn again.”
Diana bit her pencil, staring at her math homework on her knees, mumbling, “Go ahead, go ahead.”
Seeing her worried look, Dark shook his head and walked alone toward the Competitors’ Passage.
This was his second duel today; the other three would be held tomorrow and the day after.
As he stood up, he saw Tudor’s student Pistons Kellogg standing up next to him.
“Hey, Pistons,” Dark greeted.
Pistons waved at Tudor and quickly approached Dark, whispering, “Hehe, Dark, I won’t be as easy to deal with as Lentchen.”
“Hmm?” Dark asked curiously, “Secret weapon?”
Pistons patted his belly, revealing a mysterious smile, “Wait and see!”
…
After a brief wait in the Competitors’ Passage, they were guided by staff to the Dueling Arena.
They shook hands in the middle, then turned their backs and walked towards the respective Competitors’ Platforms.
Dark was on the Red Side, while Pistons was on the Blue Side.
Once on the platform, Dark placed his deck into the Card Slot and activated the Spellboard, immediately hearing cheers from outside.
Turning slightly, he saw Tudor waving two flags with Dark Demon Di Montagne and Pistons Kellogg written on them, causing him to chuckle.
“Youth indeed has vitality.”
Shaking his head, he faced forward and said loudly, “Pistons, let me see your secret weapon.”
Pistons activated his Spellboard and said, “Wait a moment, don’t be too surprised.”
Afterward, he glanced at the audience outside, feeling a slight stir in his heart.
He had heard that people in the gambling industry often bet on the number of rounds in a duel without any suspense.
For example, many people probably bet on the first round or the first to third round in Dark’s previous duel against Lentchen, making a fortune.
In this duel, he guessed he would face a similar situation as Lentchen.
But Pistons was determined to show those gamblers what it meant to be repaid!
…
“BEEP—”
With the referee’s whistle, the duel finally entered the Standby Phase.
Behind the Standby Phase, a countdown of “30s” appeared.
Both contestants focused intently on the duel.
Once they had their five starting hands, they quickly began to strategize.
Dark looked at his cards.
[“Fruit Bug”]
[“Meow”]
[“Greed III”]
[“Bliss III Moon”]
[“Sickle Dagger”]
“Two Mana Spirit Cards, two Capital Sin Cards, and one Equipment Card. The combination isn’t bad.”
“If the opponent is Pistons, starting with a ‘Fruit Bug’ or ‘Meow’ doesn’t make much difference.”
Thinking about how the last duel had started with a “Trash Slime,” he didn’t want to show favoritism this time.
Dark began his summon right after the thirty-second countdown ended.
“In the name of Dark Demon Di Montagne, it will be you — ‘Fruit Bug’!”
Three seconds later, a red apple fell from the sky and landed on top of the Red Side’s Mana Guidance Ball.
Summoning a One-star Mana Spirit at the start of the last duel already surprised everyone.
The audience hadn’t expected him to do it again.
They had never seen “Fruit Bug” before, so they were clueless about the One-star Mana Spirit, filled with questions.
However, Pistons on the Blue Side didn’t relax at all. He knew Dark wouldn’t act recklessly. Even if the Mana Spirit summoned was harmless, it could transform into a terrifying dragon in the next instant!
Therefore, Pistons exerted himself fully.
When Dark’s regular summon cooldown was just ready, Pistons completed his own summon.
“In the name of Pistons Kellogg, Mana Summon — ‘Steel Coil Snake’!”
“Sss!”
Silver light shot out from Pistons’ Mana Card.
A large snake covered with silver armor on its back materialized amidst the summoning light.
Pistons’ Mana Spirit was quite rare, but being a popular Three-star Mana Spirit, it was instantly recognizable.
The silver armor of “Steel Coil Snake” could be hard or soft. When hardened, it was incredibly tough, but when softened, it became flexible like ordinary snake skin, able to curl up.
That’s why it was called “Steel Coil Snake.”
[Card Name: Steel Coil Snake]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ???]
[Race: Reptile]
[Attribute: Steel]
[Mana: 1400]
[Attack: 500]
[Defense: 1600]
[Ultimate Skill: Steel Coil]
“Steel Coil” was the most basic ultimate skill of “Steel Coil Snake.”
Immediately after successfully summoning, Pistons shouted, “Steel Coil Snake, coil up!”
The large snake with silver armor only paused briefly before coiling around the Blue Side’s Mana Guidance Ball.
In an instant, it formed a massive ball!
The silver armor glowed brightly, steel energy surged, transforming the soft skin into hard steel, significantly boosting its defense!
…
But when “Steel Coil Snake” finished its ultimate skill, Dark had already completed his second summon.
“Greed III” shone once more.
“Fruit Bug” curled inside the apple shell began evolving under the blue-purple glow.
Making its debut in this duel, it was filled with a desire to perform and win.
That desire transformed into greed, making it lean towards the attack-oriented “Apple Dragon” form!
[Card Name: Apple Dragon]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ???]
[Race: Dragon]
[Attributes: Grass / Dragon]
[Mana: 1600]
[Attack: 2000]
[Defense: 1000]
[Ultimate Skills: Vitality, Gravity, Dragon Dive, Substitution]
“Apple Dragon” spread its wings and flew into the sky!
Though still apple-sized, it emitted a completely different aura.
…
Dark looked up at the Blue Side’s Summoning Area, puzzled, “Is this your strategy?”
Pistons glanced at the unknown Mana Spirit in the Red Side’s Summoning Area and reluctantly said, “It’s just beginning!”
“Roaaar!”
Suddenly, a sharp dragon roar echoed from below.
The body of “Apple Dragon” glowed with purple light symbolizing “Greed.”
Dark touched a Mana Card, immediately noticing that “Apple Dragon” was in a state of “Vitality.”
Mana Spirits with the “Vitality” ultimate skill would have their attack power increased by 1.5 times when excited, though excessive excitement might cause accuracy issues.
Feeling the excitement of “Apple Dragon,” Dark’s mood rose slightly, “If so, ‘Apple Dragon,’ begin your performance — ‘Dragon Dive’!”
The small grass-type dragon flew skyward with a roar, then dived like an eagle catching a rabbit, its presence terrifying!
That “Steel Coil Snake,” coiled up like a steel ball, trembled under this killing aura.
On the Blue Side’s platform, Pistons felt his scalp tingle. Holding his second Mana Card, he immediately began chanting.
In the “Steel Coil” state, “Steel Coil Snake” had its defense increased by 0.5 times, reaching 2400 points.
But when “Apple Dragon” dived down, its overwhelming momentum made Pistons feel anxious.
He couldn’t afford to lose like Lentchen, who was defeated in one round.
Under intense pressure, Pistons broke through his limits, further compressing the time for a regular summon.
But before that, “Apple Dragon” pierced through the steel armor of “Steel Coil Snake”!
“Boom!”
The steel armor of “Steel Coil Snake” shattered, revealing its fresh red flesh.
“Steel Coil Snake” let out a fearful shriek, barely clinging to life with its remaining mana.
But when “Apple Dragon” tried to continue its attack, a white light suddenly descended from above.
When the white light vanished, an even harder and heavier steel shell had formed on the surface of “Steel Coil Snake”!
Its already impressive defense surged even further!
“Caught up!”
Pistons on the Blue Side took a deep breath.
Attached to “Steel Coil Snake” was not an equipment or item, but a Mana Spirit named “Steel Shell Beast.”
[Card Name: Steel Shell Beast]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ??]
[Race: Elemental]
[Attribute: Steel]
[Mana: 800]
[Attack: 0]
[Defense: 1000]
[Ultimate Skill: Steel Shell Parasite]
He had included numerous defensive Mana Cards in his twenty-card deck, including “Steel Shell Beast.”
“Steel Shell Beast” could only parasitize Steel-type Mana Spirits with shells.
Though it would drastically reduce movement speed, it could increase defense by a surprising 500 points!
Moreover, the remaining mana value of “Steel Shell Beast” would stack with the two Mana Spirits during fusion.
“Steel Coil Snake” had a significant comeback.
“With ‘Steel Shell Beast’ parasitizing, ‘Steel Coil Snake’s’ defense should reach 2900 points, even Second-tier Mana Spirits would struggle to break through.”
“If I can hold on, I still have a ‘Defense Spell’ to further boost defense.”
“If I can survive until the next round and draw […]” Just as Pistons was counting down the summon cooldown, “Apple Dragon” swung its wings, continuing its slash attack.
That layer of thick steel shell was torn open!
Pistons was stunned.
Even the current steel shell couldn’t defend against it, meaning “Apple Dragon’s” normal attack exceeded 2900 points!
This unassuming little dragon was truly terrifying!
Pistons quickly checked “Steel Coil Snake’s” mana value, noticing it only dropped by less than 100 points after the normal attack. He hurriedly focused on summoning again.
But when “Apple Dragon” realized its attacks were ineffective, it let out a long cry and summoned a bright red apple out of thin air.
The apple fell from high above, smashing heavily onto the head of “Steel Coil Snake”!
The high defense accumulated by “Steel Shell Beast” was halved by the “Gravity” ultimate skill.
At this moment, “Apple Dragon” bared its fangs, easily tearing apart the defense of “Steel Coil Snake”!
The “Steel Coil Snake” with parasitized “Steel Shell Beast” disintegrated into mana particles, spreading outward.
Pistons’ incantation abruptly stopped.
The horn of “Apple Dragon” was already pressing against the Blue Side’s Mana Guidance Ball!
…
The 4000 mana point Life Barrier couldn’t stop “Apple Dragon’s” two normal attacks.
Pistons urgently stopped his incantation, releasing mana to pull the Blue Side’s Mana Guidance Ball high into the air.
But “Apple Dragon” let out a joyful cry and fiercely flapped its wings, chasing after it!
In the Red Side’s Summoning Area,
Dark Demon Di Montagne, who used full force even for a rabbit, had already summoned “Meow.”
The gray cat hugged its chest, guarding in front of the Mana Guidance Ball, squinting at the “Vitality”-filled “Apple Dragon,” suddenly having an impulse to carve an “Apple Dragon” out of an apple.
And Dark already extended his finger, shooting a mana thread to interfere with the control of the Blue Side’s Mana Guidance Ball.
Under his interference, “Apple Dragon” quickly caught up with the Blue Side’s Mana Guidance Ball!
[4000 – 0]
…
“(〃>皿<) Damn!"
Unable to hold out for a single round, Pistons pounded the table angrily.
He couldn’t repay the gamblers after all.
But it wasn’t his fault; it was just that the little dragon was too overwhelming!
"Hey, Pistons, where’s your secret weapon?"
The voice from across made Pistons composed himself, he retorted, "Bad luck, we’ll meet again next time!"
Dark smiled and said, "You can’t get all the Mana Cards you want in the Standby Phase, I’m looking forward to seeing your secret weapon next time."
"Sure, definitely," Pistons chuckled dryly.
We both laughed, and the duel brought smiles to us all.
...
"Battle ends."
"Victor: Dark Demon Di Montagne!"
With the referee's announcement, the duel finally concluded.
Dark returned the well-performing "Apple Dragon" to the Mana Card, then went off the stage and returned to Diana and Rose.
But he didn’t stay on the ring for long, grabbing his bag and heading straight to the library.
He had some ideas for crafting the "Jester Mask."
With a few more reference books, he could start researching the formula for the "softening agent" and writing the Mana Language for the transformation of the "Jester Mask."
...
Saturday morning at nine o'clock.
Dark arrived early at the Outdoor Duel Arena.
Today’s duels were scheduled for one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with both opponents being students from the Mana Academy.
Among the four second-year colleges, the students from the Mana Academy possessed higher self-study abilities. Some of them were low-key but had crafted formidable Mana Cards.
Dark’s opponent this morning was Heidi Euphemia, the class president of the second year from the Mana Academy!
Dark wasn’t unfamiliar with Heidi, as she was Sarah Swati’s sidekick.
However, Dark had never dueled with her before.
This duel for the "Silver Cup" could be considered their first encounter.
Heidi looked very serious, untying her two long black braids that were always hanging in front of her chest and combing them into a standard maiden hairstyle, changing her entire demeanor.
— At least, she seemed to possess the commanding presence of a class president.
Sarah Swati, watching from the ring, nodded approvingly, confident in her handiwork.
Tudor, sitting on the other side, was momentarily distracted by Pistons nudging him in the ribs.
"Ouch!"
Amidst his groan, both contestants placed their decks into the Card Slots.
The empty space projected the "Standby Phase."
Dark exchanged a brief greeting with Heidi and then focused entirely on the duel.
To prepare for Heidi, he had adjusted his deck the night before, further reducing the number of cards.
In past performances, Heidi was almost a reflection of Sarah.
Without strict preparation, even he could fail.
"BEEP—"
"Standby Phase [30s]"
Both contestants drew five Mana Cards from the top of their decks simultaneously.
