Chapter 225: The Change and Constancy of Dark Demon (4k)
With a total of 105 points of “Pride,” the overflow exceeded five points.
This meant that the node for the “Capital Sin” that could be extracted using the “蜻蜓点水法” (Dragonfly Water Tapping Method) advanced a small step forward, ultimately reaching either 95 points or 90 points.
But because the rage of 89 points had not yet overflowed the brain, this node was still above 89 points.
This was already very good news.
Originally, over 100 points were needed to safely extract the “Capital Sin,” but now it only required slightly over 90 points.
Not only did this indirectly increase the total amount that could be extracted, but it also lowered the danger line, giving more leeway for future research!
Dark suppressed his excitement and began patiently perceiving the approximate value of this node.
“Five points, six points, seven points…”
Up to ten points, the overflow of “Pride” finally reached its limit!
“Is the final node around 95 points?”
After careful perception, Dark opened his eyes and waited quietly for about ten minutes before using the same method again to increase the overflow of “Bliss.”
In the end, he determined that the current node was indeed near 95 points.
The standard line of 95 points moved forward by five points compared to the previous 100 points.
The five-point difference seemed insignificant, but it was actually significant.
Because this gave Dark hope!
As everyone knew, whether it was the “失魂咒” (Soul Curse) or the “冥神术” (Technique of the Shadow God), they could both be improved!
…
“Improving emotions through the ‘冥神术’ can increase the concentration and yield of ‘Capital Sin.'”
“Reducing the brain’s sealing effect with the ‘失魂咒’ makes it easier for ‘Capital Sin’ to overflow.”
“The former increases the amount of extraction in one go.”
“The latter raises the upper limit of what can be extracted.”
“If we can continually lower the standard line, not only will it guarantee experimental materials, but safety will also continuously improve!”
“Unfortunately, both the ‘冥神术’ and ‘失魂咒’ are extremely difficult to improve.”
“Among them, the ‘失魂咒’ is even harder to improve than the ‘冥神术.'”
“If there is still a chance to use the Holy Grail, it might be worthwhile to focus on the ‘失魂咒.'”
…
Dark put down his pen, took a mana dropper from the side, and prepared to extract today’s “Capital Sin.”
According to the original plan, he first extracted a drop of “Greed” as research material.
Then he considered other points.
For example, gathering seven points of “Greed” to cultivate the “Greed Fruit.”
Or gathering ten points of “Pride” to refine “Pride III.”
Additionally, he could extract various points and accumulate them until he had enough to attempt refining “Capital Sin IV.”
However, as his research deepened, Dark found that the refining method for emotion cards seemed insufficient for the subsequent refinement of “Capital Sin IV.” He likely needed to develop a specialized refining array to continue.
If his judgment was correct, forcing the refinement of “Capital Sin IV” without developing a specialized refining array would result in a high failure rate, causing significant waste of time and resources.
Therefore, he was somewhat hesitant about accumulating “Capital Sin” and refining “Capital Sin IV.”
In comparison, cultivating the “Greed Fruit” and refining “Pride III” were more attractive options.
The “Greed Fruit” could produce new elemental spirits.
“Pride III” should unlock the new evolution form of the magical beast: Eevee.
Of course, if seven points of “Pride” were gathered to cultivate the “Pride Fruit (Fox),” it might also produce another evolution form of Eevee corresponding to the Pixie Eevee.
In short, there were many existing options.
…
Dark picked up the mana dropper, placed the tip against his temple, and then cast the “冥神术” (Technique of the Shadow God), extracting a drop of “Greed.”
He then dripped that drop of “Greed” into the thought bottle, performing the final procedure for tonight—observation and recording!
This drop of “Greed” still contained 1.5 points.
It emitted a faint, unexpectedly familiar scent!
“This is…”
Dark carefully pondered, suddenly feeling that the scent of “Greed” resembled the strange aura emitted by the Holy Grail!
This discovery surprised him greatly.
But upon further reflection, it made sense.
This similarity seemed reasonable.
This led Dark to wonder, “What exactly is Greed?”
…
However, philosophical questions like these inevitably lack fixed answers.
He didn’t ponder too long before getting up, injecting the drop of “Greed” into the worm tree for storage, tidying up his experimental tools, and going to sleep.
It was already late, and he had classes tomorrow.
…
January 2nd, Tuesday.
Saint Maryann Academy finally welcomed the true start of the second semester of this academic year.
The schedule for the second semester of the first year was basically unchanged from the previous semester.
Only the first class of the new semester was temporarily changed from Dueling Class to Professor Shylph’s Summoning Class.
Moreover, the Beast Mastery class, which had never been offered before, was rumored to be taught irregularly this semester!
Additionally, the recruitment for the Dueling Club was scheduled for Friday afternoon of this week.
Apart from these points to note, there wasn’t much else.
On the first morning after the short holiday, most first-year students hadn’t yet shaken off their idle state.
Until Professor Shylph entered the classroom, the students instinctively quieted down.
Dark raised his head from his textbook and saw that Professor Shylph, as usual, had no makeup on, her features delicate and her face exquisite, surpassing even the most heavily made-up noblewomen.
That ethereal beauty inherited from her elf bloodline was like a masterpiece of nature, making people feel self-conscious.
Sometimes Dark wondered if her habit of keeping a stern expression was actually beneficial to her students.
Otherwise, if their attention was completely absorbed by her beauty, how could they focus on learning?
Ah, every household has its own troubles.
…
In the first Summoning Class, half of the time was spent listening to Professor Shylph speak.
The other half was used to review the knowledge from the previous semester, especially the theory and practice of Sacrificial Summoning!
Dark was called up to demonstrate on stage, of course using a practice “Summoning Card.”
“Summoning Cards” also come in different stars, but all have 100 points of Mana, with attack and defense set at zero.
He first used the regular Summoning Spell to activate two two-star “Summoning Cards,” each taking three to four seconds.
Then he used the Sacrificial Summoning Spell to summon a four-star “Summoning Card,” taking less than ten seconds!
“Not bad, all in under 25 seconds.”
Professor Shylph rarely showed a smile.
One of the final exams for first-year Summoning Spell class is to use regular Summoning Spells to activate three magical cards within two rounds.
One of the final exams for second-year Summoning Spell class is to complete the sacrificial summoning of a four-star magical spirit within one round.
Dark’s summoning speed far exceeded the standards of first-year students and even surpassed those of second-year students!
Additionally…
The limit for regular Summoning Spell and Sacrificial Summoning Spell is 3 seconds.
So the limit for summoning a four-star magical spirit is 15 seconds.
Improving summoning speed becomes increasingly difficult as you progress.
If one can summon a four-star magical spirit within 15 seconds, it has already reached the top level.
Typically, even sixth-year graduates may not necessarily reach this limit.
But every duelist who can enter the arena can maintain top-level performance at all times.
…
Dark’s excellent performance sparked enthusiastic applause.
He placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly before stepping down from the stage.
No matter where or when, he always attracted attention.
Eudora, watching the golden-haired youth descend from the stage, saw him like a glowing sun, brighter than ever!
Her eyes gleamed slightly, and a peculiar blush appeared on her face.
When she caught his gaze, she quickly lowered her head, pretending to listen intently.
Vit and Robert, who usually daydreamed, surprisingly did not do so this time.
Diana responded with a smile.
Yes…
A new semester had begun.
…
During the break between classes after the Summoning Spell class.
Dark headed towards the Arithmetic Class room.
A new semester doesn’t necessarily mean new changes.
The young magi, having experienced the baptism of lessons at the end of last semester, returned to their original forms at the beginning of this semester.
Except for Diana and Rose who followed Dark, only Emma came early to the Arithmetic Class room.
Overall, compared to last semester, it seemed more orderly.
Five minutes before the bell rang, all the students had arrived.
Students gathered in small groups, discussing various topics, still full of energy despite the increasingly cold winter.
…
“Ding-dong.”
A little imp with dragonfly wings flew in dazedly.
After Christmas, Dark had only seen her once at the opening ceremony.
Daily hangovers did not affect the imp’s appearance.
But Professor Didi’s departure always had a negative impact, and occasionally Professor Lily would reveal a particularly lonely side.
However, she did not show this much to the students.
Today, the imp remained cheerful, cute, and lazy… and occasionally shy when their gazes met.
Dark: “? ?”
…
Arithmetic class started right from the first minute.
Professor Lily drew a circle, a triangle, and a square on the blackboard and began teaching plane geometry.
Apart from occasionally feeling that her gaze deliberately avoided his area, Dark had no other thoughts.
For Dark, arithmetic class in the new semester was still just basic knowledge he could grasp with his feet.
He simply took out the problem of “Fusion” and “Zoo” refining issues and used the time during arithmetic class to think deeply.
Whether it was a delusion or not, he felt that his efficiency in solving problems during class was higher than during breaks—especially when answering questions unrelated to the class content.
This hour-long problem-solving session was very fruitful.
…
Most of the learning process is dull.
We cannot always expect to find fun in studying.
Just as we cannot always expect to learn knowledge through games.
After arithmetic class, Dark, along with Diana and Rose, went to the cafeteria for lunch, and then did not dive into the library as they did at the beginning of last semester, but instead returned to the tower of the Noble Academy.
The moment he entered the dorm, the noisy atmosphere froze instantly.
The magical spirits gradually turned their heads to look at their owner standing at the door, quietly stopping their ruckus and pretending to seriously hold up children’s books they barely understood…
The director of the kindergarten in Room 201 of the Noble Academy, Dark Demon, covered his forehead again.
But one must eat the fruit of their own planting.
Magical spirits are fundamentally unable to disobey their master’s commands.
If he wanted to, he could easily issue an order to “read seriously,” forcing the magical spirits to “study hard” when he was not around.
But doing so would be putting the cart before the horse.
“Let it be natural.”
Sighing, Dark threw himself onto the bed for a nap.
When he woke up, a few more magical spirits were curled up beside him.
But he had gradually gotten used to this situation, so after getting up, he merely gently rubbed the head of one magical spirit before heading out.
Tuesday afternoon was Magic History class, the first class of the new Magic History professor.
Unlike some students influenced greatly by appearances, he was very interested in Professor Ryan Hux’s first lecture on the “Hero of the Gun,” eager to hear him recount his firsthand experiences of war.
…
But the moment Dark stepped out.
The pixie Eevee, who had luckily enjoyed the “Dark petting,” suddenly opened her eyes wide and looked得意地 at the largest competitor on the field—Deoxys!
“Heh, childish.”
Deoxys slowly got up from the bed, his tone filled with disdain.
But the pixie Eevee understood in a second that he was showing off his ability to communicate verbally with his master!
Thus, an invisible tug-of-war battle, unseen by Dark, resumed!
…
Ryan Hux did not inherit the position of the principal of the Fool’s Academy.
Instead, he continued the tradition of the previous semester’s Magic History lectures, gathering students from all four academies in a large lecture hall to start the class together.
Magic History does not require overly detailed explanations, so whether it is divided into two or one class, it makes little difference.
For a new professor, it is easier to get accustomed to the job by teaching a whole year’s worth of students together.
In fact…
Magic History at Saint Maryann Academy serves as the “Ideological and Political Education” class.
The school hopes that students will remember history while also hoping they can learn from it to establish correct values.
Therefore, the content of Magic History has always been broad.
Last semester, three professors—Didi, the principal, and Claire—each taught completely different content, but the core message was similar.
Remembering the sacrifices of heroes and cherishing the hard-won peace is a pacifist mindset.
But the moment Ryan Hux spoke, Dark immediately understood that Professor Hux was thoroughly a warmonger!
Despite losing a hand, a leg, and an eye in the war,
Despite the war not bringing him any substantial benefits beyond honor,
His longing for wartime was unmistakable!
